 Readers’ Theater is a learning strategy that gained popularity in the classroom during the 1990s (though dramatizing stories has been around since long before then!). This strategy helps bring books to life while also developing reading fluency, public speaking skills, confidence, teamwork, and more. Cara Bafile writes in a Reading Rockets article on the topic, “Its goal is to enhance students’ reading skills and confidence by having them practice reading with a purpose. Readers’ Theater gives students a real reason to read aloud.”  Because it is read out loud, Readers’ Theater can help students cultivate a whole host of skills that will benefit them both in and out of the classroom. Performing a script connects the way a word is read on the page to the way it is pronounced--a skill that even some adults struggle with! As they perform the play, students practice reading with expression, attaching meaning to words and phrases, and they learn how to work with their classmates to bring the story to life. An added benefit is the opportunity for imaginative play. Readers’ Theater scripts are just one interpretation of a story. Once they get the hang of performing written scripts, students can be challenged to try writing their own scripts! Not only does this further build creativity and important literacy skills, it aids educators in assessing students' reading comprehension and discovering what lessons stick out to them as important. From a social-emotional perspective, Readers’ Theater can help students empathize with the characters in the story and pick up on more subtle character traits and emotions.
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| Allow plenty of practice time and assure students they do not need to memorize their scripts. In fact, they shouldn’t as reading is the primary goal of the exercise. In this Reading Rockets article, children's literature consultant, Judy Freeman, recommends performing the script at least twice. "The first time, the children will be struggling with words and their meanings, and with making sense of the play. The second time, they'll be able to focus on enjoying the performance and their parts in it.” |  Photo by: Senior Airman Christopher ToonReleased | VIRIN: 120305-F-GE400-054.JPG |
Some groups find it easier to begin with props, others find that their students put more effort into their performance when the aid of a set and props are not available.
And that's it! Readers' Theater is simple, effective, and easy to adapt for any age.
And that's it! Readers' Theater is simple, effective, and easy to adapt for any age.
For more tips on starting your own Readers’ Theater, visit these resources:
Try It!
To kick off your Readers’ Theater journey, we've created a script adapted from L.A. Kefalos’s picture book, This is A. Blob. Click below to download your free copy.
If you perform this readers’ theater, let us know in the comments. We’d love to see your interpretation!
*While this script is written for 5 students, it can easily be adapted for fewer numbers. The 2 narrators can be condensed to one and additional characters can be either condensed or multiple characters can be read by one student.
For more reading strategies and in-class social-emotional activities, check out these blogs:
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 | A. Blob is back, and this time it's on a bus! As the slimy bully pokes and pesters the children of Lincoln Elementary School, it seems like they will never be able to ride the bus in peace. That is, until one brave girl takes stand. Can one act of bravery change everything--including A. Blob? Find out in this second installment of The Blob Series! |
 | Before it was on a bus, A. Blob was on the playground. This first installment of The Blob Series follows the antics of A. Blob, as it wreaks havoc on the elementary school playground with its bullying ways. As the story progresses, however, readers learn that A. Blob may have more than meets the eye. Along with its powerful illustrations and rhymed verse for early readers, this story invites children to put themselves in the shoes of another and encourages readers to consider why bullies behave the way they do – and start to consider what can be done to help. |
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Monday kicked off the National celebrations of Random Acts of Kindness Week and Engineers Week. All week long, people around the world are leaving kind notes for one another, paying for the person behind them in line, practicing their coding, and building Rube Goldberg devices in celebration.
With one of our own authors, L.A. Kefalos, being both a full time engineer and writer of 2 picture books that deal with kindness, we thought we would join in on the fun and bring you a new picture book extension craft that builds kindness while sparking interest in the S.T.E.A.M. (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics) fields.
The inspiration for this activity comes from the blog, Engineering Emily, which is run by Emily, an engineer/stay-at-home-mom/blogger. Her site is chock-full of fun S.T.E.A.M. activities for children, life insights, and interviews with inspiring women engineers (including L.A. Kefalos!). Head over to her blog to view her original craft, which she used to celebrate Valentine’s Day!
Our twist on Emily’s activity extends the lessons found in L.A. Kefalos’s picture books. As they mix ingredients and observe the chemical reactions, children will learn that there is often more to someone than meets the eye and, with kindness and empathy, we can melt away a hard exterior to reveal (and help!) the true person underneath.
Read the instructions below to make your own Melting A. Blob craft!
What You’ll Need
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To Create A. Blob
- Mix the water, baking soda, and food coloring together to form a soft dough. If your dough begins to crumble, simply add more water.
- Make a small “pancake” with about 1.5Tbs of dough.
- Write your message on a small strip of paper and roll into a small scroll (see lesson below for message ideas).
- Place the message onto the pancake of dough and mold the dough around your message.
- Add more dough and mold into the shape of A. Blob.
- Place your blobs on the cookie sheet and let sit until dry.
*Note* These take about 8 hours to fully dry. If you plan to have your students make their own blobs, allow 2 days to complete the activity. If you plan to pre-make the blobs, do so the night before.
Please also note that the food coloring WILL slightly stain your hands when you form the blobs. If this is a problem, we suggest grabbing some plastic gloves and your hands will be stain free!
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The Lesson
Begin by reading This is A. Blob, by L.A. Kefalos. Before starting, ask the students to make predictions about A. Blob. What do they think A. Blob will be like? Why? Ask this same question halfway through the story.
After reading the book, ask the students what they learned about A. Blob. Were their assumptions correct? Explain that we can’t see inside people. We never know exactly what they are going through or experiencing. Go over some of the reasons why people bully others, such as wanting to feel powerful, fear of rejection, or that they have been bullied themselves. While these issues don’t make it ok to bully others, understanding them can help us find positive solutions to the bullying. For example, if A. Blob hurts others because it is afraid it will be rejected for looking different, being mean and hurtful in return will only make the situation worse.
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After this talk, pull out A. Blob on a Bus, by L.A. Kefalos and have students make new predictions. How do they think A. Blob will behave on a bus? Will its loneliness cause it to change its behaviors? As you read, pause occasionally to define the terms “bystander”, “target”, and “upstander” in the story. After reading, ask students what it means to look through the eyes of another and define the term “empathy”.
Refer back to the first book when we were able to see what A. Blob was like in public and in private. How does it help to learn why someone behaves the way they do? What benefits come from viewing life through someone else's eyes? What happens in the story when the children choose to do this? Point out that it wasn’t until the other students stood up to A. Blob and ALSO exhibited empathy and kindness that A. Blob’s slimy exterior began to “melt”.
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Ask the students to describe how they feel when someone is mean to them. Do they get tense? Maybe shaky? Thoughts begin to run around and it’s hard to focus? Next, ask the students to remember something kind someone said or did for them. Choose one or two students to share their stories.
How did those kind words or actions make your students feel? Often, the answer is easy to see as a smile blooms across the students’ faces as they recall the memory. Just like A. Blob “melts” in the story after the students try to look through A. Blob’s eyes, we tend to soften and relax when someone is kind to us. That is the power of kindness!
Challenge students to search for what is underneath the exterior of their classmates. Encourage them to be friendly and kind and get to know one another. Soon, the kindness will melt hard exteriors and bring out the best in everyone!
The Activity
Explain to students that they will be doing an activity to help them better understand the lessons they just discussed.
Bring out your bowls of vinegar (placed on your tray) and your baking soda blobs. Explain that the blobs of baking soda represent A. Blob. The exterior is hard to represent A.Blob’s hard attitudes and mean behavior. The vinegar represents empathy and kindness.
Choose one student to place A. Blob in a bowl of kindness (vinegar). After the students stop giggling with delight at the chemical reaction, ask them to see what was buried inside the blob.
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There are many options for what to hide inside A. Blob. In this activity, we decided to hide both personality traits that can be brought out with kindness, such as friendliness or humor, along with some issues that sometimes contribute to a person acting like a bully, such as a difficult home life or abuse. Our goal is help children understand that we never know what someone is dealing with and that kindness can melt away a rough exterior to reveal a friend and to help us understand why someone behaves the way they do.
If there is time, give each student their own A. Blob, plate, and cup of vinegar. After revealing the message inside, have them write a reflection on what the message says and why it is important.
Extensions
An alternative way to utilize this activity is to let the students predict what they think is under the goo at the end of A. Blob on a Bus and hide their predictions inside their own blobs. Have students write a short explanation of their predictions. Let blobs dry overnight. The next day, drop them in vinegar and have a few students share why they wrote their prediction.
Another way to extend the learning is to make bath bombs instead of baking soda/vinegar balls. Hide a kind message or a cute trinket inside and give the bath bombs away as a random act of kindness!
The Science
Finally, here is the science behind the fizzy blobs. The bubbles and fizz are actually the result of a chemical reaction called an acid-base reaction, the baking soda being the base and the vinegar being the acid. When the two ingredients are mixed, hydrogen ions in the vinegar react with the sodium and bicarbonate ions in the baking soda. This forms sodium acetate, which is a salt, along with carbonic acid. This acid quickly decomposes into water and carbon dioxide, a gas. This gas rises to the top of the mixture, causing the fizzy bubbles kids just love!
The chemical reaction that occurs is written as:
(sodium bicarbonate/baking soda) NaHCO3(s) + ( dilute acetic acid/vinegar) CH3COOH(l) -> (Sodium acetate) CH3COONa(aq) + (water) H2O(l) + (carbon dioxide) CO2(g)
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We hope you enjoy this extension craft and that it inspires both kindness and a deeper interest in the S.T.E.A.M. fields. Let us know in the comments how you are celebrating Random Acts of Kindness Week and Engineers Week!
If you enjoyed this craft, check out these other book extension crafts!
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 | A. Blob is back, and this time it's on a bus! As the slimy bully pokes and pesters the children of Lincoln Elementary School, it seems like they will never be able to ride the bus in peace. That is, until one brave girl takes stand. Can one act of bravery change everything--including A. Blob? Find out in this second installment of The Blob Series! |
 | Before it was on a bus, A. Blob was on the playground. This first installment of The Blob Series follows the antics of A. Blob, as it wreaks havoc on the elementary school playground with its bullying ways. As the story progresses, however, readers learn that A. Blob may have more than meets the eye. Along with its powerful illustrations and rhymed verse for early readers, this story invites children to put themselves in the shoes of another and encourages readers to consider why bullies behave the way they do – and start to consider what can be done to help. |
Making an impact. It’s something we all strive towards, especially when talking about bullying. Research states that 1 in 5 children experience bullying and making an impact on this statistic is something towards which teachers, parents, and leaders have been working for many years. Along with equipping students with tools to deal with conflict and emotion from a young age so that they do not become bullies, educators have striven to also provide tools to those adjacent to the bullying--the bystanders.
While studies show that 20% of children are bullied, it also reveals that nearly 71% of children witness bullying. The encouraging news is that 57% of the time, that bullying ends within 10 seconds of peer intervention. This means that a large population exists which can be leveraged as a force for good.
But what happens when standing up to bullying (often referred to as being an upstander) goes wrong? Like fighting fire with fire, things can quickly go from bad to worse. While standing up to bullies is vital, doing so through the use of violence, mocking, or returning the bullying will only cause more trouble. So, as we teach children to be upstanders, it is just as important to teach them how to be upstanders.
In the picture book A. Blob on a Bus, by L.A. Kefalos, we once again meet A. Blob, the purple bully introduced in the 3-book series inaugural book, This is A. Blob. In this new tale, A. Blob is back to its bullying ways and, for a while, it seems like the children will never be able to ride the school bus in peace. That is, until one brave girl decides to take a stand. A. Blob on a Bus introduces the idea of being an upstander to young readers and opens the door for conversations on what to do when they see bullying occur. The companion craft below is designed to help leaders begin discussions about why it is important to stand up to bullying along with how to do this in a positive way.
The kids will love making their own "A. Blobs" and you will love the learning happening along the way!
The kids will love making their own "A. Blobs" and you will love the learning happening along the way!
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MAKING AN IMPACT
A companion craft for A. Blob on a Bus, by L.A. Kefalos
| You will need: cornstarch, water, mixing bowl, spatula or other stirring device, measuring cups, funnel, purple balloons, scissors, black permanent marker Basic Ratio 1 part water 2 parts cornstarch *1 cup water to 2 cups cornstarch will make 2 balloon balls Craft Instructions:·
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The Lesson:
Step 1: Read A. Blob on Bus out loud
Step 2: Open a discussion about the story. How did A. Blob’s presence change the environment of the bus? If no one liked the way A. Blob was behaving, why did it take so long for anyone to stand up to it? What are some helpful ways to stand up to others? What are some not-so-helpful ways?
Step 3: Craft time! As you make the craft, continue the discussion on being an upstander.
Step 2: Open a discussion about the story. How did A. Blob’s presence change the environment of the bus? If no one liked the way A. Blob was behaving, why did it take so long for anyone to stand up to it? What are some helpful ways to stand up to others? What are some not-so-helpful ways?
Step 3: Craft time! As you make the craft, continue the discussion on being an upstander.
Begin mixing your ingredients. As you mix, talk about some of the “ingredients” that create a bully. Why do some people bully others? Talk about what it means to have empathy and why it’s important to put ourselves in the shoes of others. Even though some people bully others because they have been bullied or hurt themselves, does that make their behavior ok?
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The school bus before and after A. Blob's arrival. Which bus would you rather be on?
-Images from A. Blob on a Bus, by L.A. Kefalos, illustrated by Jeffrey Burns
-Images from A. Blob on a Bus, by L.A. Kefalos, illustrated by Jeffrey Burns
Using examples from the book, remind children that the way we treat one another has an impact on them and the situation. We have the power to change and so it is important to stand up against bullying, even when we aren’t the ones being bullied. We must be upstanders, not bystanders!
However, there are helpful ways to be upstanders, and not-so-helpful ways. When we react to bullying with more bullying, the problem only becomes worse. Show the students how when we hit the mixture, it becomes hard and resistant. However, when we treat it gently, it is soft and pliable. Discuss positive ways to stand up against bullying.
 | Using the funnel, fill up the balloons with the cornstarch mixture. As the kids play with their “A.Blob” balls, tell your students to remember that the way they treat one another has an impact. They have the power to affect change! The “blob” also acts as a great stress ball! |
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If you use this craft in your classroom or home, we’d love to see! Tag us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram and use the hashtag #ABlobCraft.
 | A. Blob is back, and this time it's on a bus! As the slimy bully pokes and pesters the children of Lincoln Elementary School, it seems like they will never be able to ride the bus in peace. That is, until one brave girl takes stand. Can one act of bravery change everything--including A. Blob? Find out in this second installment of The Blob Series! |
My Book – A. Blob on a Bus
by L.A. Kefalos
 | Why a Bus?During the last year, you don’t know how many times I have been asked the question, “Why a bus?” The first time was a cold afternoon in January, when my friend Mark and I were boarding one in upper Manhattan to head downtown, and he complained, “Why a bus? Can’t we take a cab?” The second time happened this past spring when I went back home to Ohio and brought my nieces and nephews New York City school bus keychains as souvenirs. |
They were adorable. They were die cast metal, shaped as yellow school buses, with tiny rubber tires and “New York City Schools” inscribed in black bold letters across the side. When I handed the souvenir to my niece, my sister wondered out loud, “Why a bus?” OK, so there have only been two times I have been asked that question, and, to answer my sister--just in case she is reading this--because EVERYONE gets a Statue of Liberty or an I Heart NY keychain. Plus, these buses were so darn cute. I really should have bought a key chain for myself. I think I will go back and get one.
Not only is New York City my favorite city in the world, and that shade of yellow my favorite color (well, for coffee mugs and number two pencils) but my second book, A. Blob on a Bus, just happens to take place in a bus. You might be thinking, “Why a bus?” to yourself. Let’s just say you are. Well, there is a reason behind it.
| I was headed north up Hudson Drive when I spotted the giant yellow buggy in front of me. I groaned at the sight of it because no one wants a school bus in front of them when time is of the essence. I was headed to the gym before work, so all I saw in front of me was a flabby stomach and flabby thighs on wheels. Certainly this bus was going to, at some point, lower its mighty arm, signaling, “Stop, you impatient woman, you won’t have time for sit ups today.” |  |
And as sure as the day is long, it happened: first the brake lights appeared, followed by the slow, painstaking lowering of the blinking, red eight-sided sign emblazoned with white letters: “TOO BAD,” ordering me to stop and wait for a child to appear from the house and board the bus.
As, I settled into my seat, drinking my morning coffee, to wait for the emergence of Johnny-Come- Lately, I noticed HER, peering out the back window of the bus. She was looking directly at me. She appeared to be around ten or eleven years old. She was expressionless--no smile, no frown, just an empty stare. Maybe the expression was one of angst because it was the first day of school and, perhaps she had butterflies in her stomach. You know those pesky insects that show up to remind you that your future is uncertain. For some reason, I still get them at the mere mention of the words, “first day of school.”
However, the little girl’s clothing--in contrast to her expression--was rather imaginative. She had a bright, royal blue blouse on underneath a cream-colored vest that appeared to have some shiny metallic strips woven into the fabric. Thin blue and silver streamers dangled against her long brown hair. I thought the glitzy outfit was her attempt to be accepted by the rest of the herd. But then I noticed that she was standing all alone in the back while the rest of the pack were seated, paired up according to type inside the giant yellow ark. The outfit obviously wasn’t an attempt to blend in as the others were moderately dressed. She clearly stood out from the rest. “Why is she staring at me?” I thought, as I averted her gaze and looked down, pretending to have difficulty placing my coffee cup back in the holder. I admired my nails as I placed the coffee in the cupholder. I had just had them painted a sapphire blue with gel nail polish. The gel caused the nails to shine much more than the regular polish I normally wore. I marveled at the color of blue, realizing that it matched the stapler that I had sitting on my desk back at the office. The office that I was going to be late arriving to because I was still waiting on a child to board the bus.
A. Blob wreaks havoc on the playground in L.A. Kefalos's first picture book, This is A. Blob. When I looked up to see if there was any sign of life from the house, I saw that she was still staring out of the back window at me. A bevy of questions flooded my mind: Why is she still looking at me? Why is she standing? Isn’t that dangerous? Doesn’t this bus have seat belts? Why aren’t all school buses required to have seat belts? Why isn’t Noah paying attention to his passengers? Isn’t he concerned with their safety? Why isn’t she smiling? Is she being bullied? I had already written my first picture book, This is A. Blob, about a bully who wreaks havoc on a playground tormenting other kids. In my research for the book, I had read that a school bus was a hot spot for bullying. Besides the fact that the bully pretty much had a captive audience, there is very little adult supervision. Bullies tend to target their victims any place where adult supervision is low. Yes, there was the school bus driver, Noah, but there can be as many 70 kids on one bus for him to supervise and his focus obviously is on safe driving.
I felt a little helpless sitting there. I really couldn’t surmise anything from the situation. I knew it was up to the adults in the child’s life to notice the signs of bullying. The mood changes, the minor health complaints, the changes in their grades and sleeping habits. All I could do was sit and wonder about the one who wandered away from the herd and was standing there gazing intently at me.
I don’t know why I did it. It may have been the fact that she was standing alone, looking like an outcast, in need of provision, or maybe it was the blue streamer gesturing me to show kinship. Whatever the case, I decided to flash my freshly painted nails at her, one hand, five fingers, palm-side away from her, in some tribal “I feelyasister” greeting. I don’t know what I expected to happen. Maybe she would give me a sign of the duress she was in. Most likely, I was being selfish and was hoping it would cause her to look away and end the awkwardness I was feeling being under the microscope. But she did something totally unexpected: instead of looking away, she returned the greeting in “I’ll see you and raise you” fashion and flashed back five nails decked out in blue and white zig-zags matching her vest and streamers. Clearly her nails were far more stunning than mine. The gesture caused me to spit out my coffee and laugh out loud. Her expression-less face broke out in a huge smile as well.
In the meantime, I hadn’t noticed the brake lights on the bus were gone, as well as the flashing red stop sign. The bus began to move and make its way toward the unknown future. The girl with the streamers had sat back down in her seat when the bus continued its journey. I followed behind it for a way before I had to make a left-hand turn. When I put on my signal to turn--to my astonishment--the little girl’s head popped her head up over the backseat, smiled, and flashed me the five-fingered backward hand wave, good-bye. I returned the smile and the wave, and she sat back down in her seat.
I drove to the gym at a leisurely pace. I was no longer hurried or concerned about getting my full work out in. Instead, I was thrilled that I had the idea for the next book in the A. Blob series. My only worry –would having a tiny pink butterfly flying out the back window of the bus at the end of the story be too much?
Don't miss the bus! The A. Blob on a Bus Blog Tour continues tomorrow over at the Mom Read It blog! Head over there to check it out, or check in here where we will be posting links to all the stops along the tour!
 | A. Blob is back, and this time it's on a bus! As the slimy bully pokes and pesters the children of Lincoln Elementary School, it seems like they will never be able to ride the bus in peace. That is, until one brave girl takes stand. Can one act of bravery change everything--including A. Blob? Find out in this second installment of The Blob Series! |
Can one act of bravery change everything--including A.Blob?
It's official: A. Blob on a Bus, by L.A. Kefalos is now available for purchase! We are so pleased to bring this new resource to teachers, parents, and leaders who are looking to start conversations about bullying, empathy, and kindness.
With its beautiful illustrations and rhymed verse, A.Blob on a Bus explores the issue of bullying from the perspective of the bystander, asking young readers "What would you do?" and empowering them to help make their community a better place.
| Here are just a few of the things we LOVE about A. Blob on a Bus:
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Although studies reveal that 1 in 4 children faces bullying, research also shows that early interventions, such as reading topical books and holding discussions can help change that statistic for the better. Through her writing, L.A. Kefalos hopes to be a part of that solution. “We are all in this together”, Kefalos shared, “children, parents, teachers--the whole community. My book can't end bullying alone. It is just one line in an enormous conversation. But it can start the discussion.”
A. Blob on a Bus is now available for purchase on Amazon.com. With each purchase, you also receive a FREE download of the accompanying material discussion guide with lesson plans, craft, and discussion questions to guide conversations and help young readers learn to be upstanders.
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 | Before A. Blob was on a bus, it was wreaking havoc on the playground! In This is A.Blob, by L.A. Kefalos, the first installment of The Blob Series, we meet the purple, blob-like creature as it wreaks havoc with its bullying ways. As the story progresses, however, readers learn that there may be more to A.Blob than meets the eye. This story invites children to put themselves in the shoes of another and encourages readers to think about why bullies behave the way they do – and start to consider what can be done to help. |
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March is Women's History Month; a time of the year when we celebrate the strong and amazing women who have made this world a better place. What began as a mere week of celebration in 1981 was soon extended to an entire month in 1987. Since then, the stories of thousands of women, from riveters and researchers to suffragettes and singers, have been brought to light and told, some, for the very first time.
| Today, thanks to the hard work and dedication of centuries of those who came before them, women can, and do, work in nearly every field imaginable--including writing! In celebration of Women's History Month, we decided to catch up with one our amazing women authors, L.A. Kefalos, to find out what women have inspired her and what she hopes to share with her young audience in her soon-to-be released picture book, A. Blob on a Bus. |  |
Catching Up With L.A. Kefalos
1. Where are you living and working now? I am living in New York City and working in Westchester County for a company that works in the entertainment industry. I am a lead Automation Engineer there. I write my children's stories on the weekends. I love both jobs and I adore NYC.
2. March is Women’s History Month! What women have inspired and encouraged you in your life?
Well, first and foremost, I must say my mother. She always offered me encouragement and supported me in whatever I wanted to do. She made me think I could accomplish anything. I studied electrical engineering in college. I guess I am always inspired when I meet any strong, independent, and intelligent women, especially those breaking down barriers.
Well, first and foremost, I must say my mother. She always offered me encouragement and supported me in whatever I wanted to do. She made me think I could accomplish anything. I studied electrical engineering in college. I guess I am always inspired when I meet any strong, independent, and intelligent women, especially those breaking down barriers.
 Beverly Cleary, ca. 1955  Toni Morrison Image via Christopher Drexel  Donna Tartt Image via Goodreads | 3. Do you have any favorite women authors? Oh yes. The first woman author I fell in love with was in the second grade when my teacher, Ms. Hixon, read us Henry Huggins by Beverly Cleary. I remember I couldn’t wait to go to our local library and find more books by her. I read every book they had of hers. I especially loved the Beezus and Ramona characters. Do you know Beverly Cleary is still alive? She is 102 years old. She brought a lot of joy to many kids in those 102 years! The other woman author I love is Toni Morrison. I discovered her in high school. I can’t remember which I read first, Sula or Song of Solomon. Her unique writing style caught my attention. I don’t know how to describe it; the word 'poetic' springs to mind. She uses a lot of analogies and similes for her descriptions of situations and characters. Oh, and I loved all the nicknames the characters had. They were so creative and unusual--a word or two words you would never think of to use as a name. She also brought in historical facts to her stories that captivated my interest. I loved her writing, but also loved watching her in interviews. I remember thinking when I was watching one of her interviews that she must have lived multiple lives to have gained so much wisdom. Before we leave this question, I just want to mention a book I recently finished, The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt. I was a little late to the game in reading it, but I am so glad I did. There are moments in life when art in whatever form moves you-- the last chapter of The Goldfinch was a moment for me. What beautiful writing. |
4. In your upcoming release, A. Blob on a Bus, we get a cameo from a character found in your animated short--Alexandra. What inspired you to bring her into the Blob universe?
Well, I have written a couple of stories with Alexandra and there are more stories in my head for her. In A. Blob on a Bus, I was looking for a character to stand up to a bully and I thought, “Who better than Alexandra?”. She is a confident little girl. I think confidence is key to standing up for yourself, and others. I know it is difficult, especially for young people to have such confidence. I hope Alexandra helps those who read this story to realize it is possible to say something when someone is being unfair.
The challenging part for the book was getting her to look more like the style of the illustrations in the Blob series. For one thing, she needed to age a few years. I wanted her to be a little bit older for her ride on the bus. Our illustrator, Jeff Burns, did a fabulous job in transforming Alexandra. I am really happy with the outcome.
4. In your upcoming release, A. Blob on a Bus, we get a cameo from a character found in your animated short--Alexandra. What inspired you to bring her into the Blob universe?
Well, I have written a couple of stories with Alexandra and there are more stories in my head for her. In A. Blob on a Bus, I was looking for a character to stand up to a bully and I thought, “Who better than Alexandra?”. She is a confident little girl. I think confidence is key to standing up for yourself, and others. I know it is difficult, especially for young people to have such confidence. I hope Alexandra helps those who read this story to realize it is possible to say something when someone is being unfair.
The challenging part for the book was getting her to look more like the style of the illustrations in the Blob series. For one thing, she needed to age a few years. I wanted her to be a little bit older for her ride on the bus. Our illustrator, Jeff Burns, did a fabulous job in transforming Alexandra. I am really happy with the outcome.
Alexandra in Crocs, Pots, and Widebeests, by L.A. Kefalos (2009)
5. Alexandra is definitely a strong female character. What do you hope children will learn from Alexandra both in this story and in previous stories including her? In my stories, there is always a lesson to be learned or some kind of message. In Crocs, Pots, and Wildebeests, I wanted to get kids excited about the library. When I was a kid, the library was a magical place for me. I remember going for the first time, and coming out with a stack of books and thinking, “I can bring these all home for free?”. Kids who are not going to the library are missing out. As far as Alexandra in A. Blob on a Bus, there are many messages in the story, but I think the main message that I wanted to convey to children is that we all have a responsibility to watch out for one another and that we are stronger working as a team.
| 6. Is Alexandra based off of anyone in your real life, or is she pure imagination? Hmmm, interesting question. I want to say pure imagination. If you watch Crocs, you will see Alexandra has quite the imagination herself, so maybe she takes a little after me. I didn’t have the imagination that Alex possesses as a child, I just have it now in my adult life. ; ) |  Alexandra stands strong in "A. Blob on a Bus", by L.A. Kefalos, coming this spring. |
7. One of the main themes of A. Blob on a Bus is standing up against bullies. Why did you choose this as the focus for the trilogy’s second installment?
It is the natural progression when you have a problem, you have to figure out how to solve it. Standing up to a bully can be one solution, but you need the support of everyone around you, whether it be classmates, teachers, or parents.
8. What are you most looking forward to when the weather turns warmer?
Taking my dog to the park without 6 layers of insulation on!
***
If you would like to learn more about National Women's History Month and explore the stories of the women that it celebrates, visit womenshistorymonth.gov/.
To learn more about L.A. Kefalos, visit our Author Page.
To learn more about L.A. Kefalos, visit our Author Page.
L.A. Kefalos's newest book, and the second in The Blob Trilogy, A. Blob on a Bus, will hit shelves this spring! Be sure to pick up your copy of the first book in the series, This is A. Blob, today!
 |  |
Catch up with The Blob Series! Before the launch of the second installment, check out the first book in the 3-book series, This is A. Blob.
 | Before it was on a bus, A. Blob was on the playground. This first installment of The Blob Series follows the antics of A. Blob, as it wreaks havoc on the elementary school playground with its bullying ways. As the story progresses, however, readers learn that A. Blob may have more than meets the eye. Along with its powerful illustrations and rhymed verse for early readers, this story invites children to put themselves in the shoes of another and encourages readers to consider why bullies behave the way they do – and start to consider what can be done to help. |
It’s easy to label people; He’s a nerd, she’s smart, he’s dumb, he’s nice, she’s a bully, etc. Labeling helps us simplify an often complex world and creates a sense of safety and belonging for those who can’t find it anywhere else. Unfortunately, far from solving the problem, such behavior often makes it much worse. When we label others and try to put them into boxes, we lose so much of what makes them, them. We miss out. And we send the message that they will never be anything else, for better or worse.
The LessonDesigned to accompany the picture book, This is A. Blob, by L.A. Kefalos, today’s activity helps illustrate the lesson that there is more inside all of us than initially meets the eye. In This is A. Blob, we meet A. Blob, a purple, blob-like creature that bullies other children on the playground. As the story progresses, we learn there may be more to this character than meets the eye. |  |
Begin the activity by reading through This is A. Blob. Talk about what can be learned about the main character through the story. Were there any surprises? How would it change the story if other children in the book knew about A. Blob’s secret? Can they think of a few people in their own life about whom they have made assumptions? Have others made assumptions about them? What did this mean for their relationships and the way they treated others and themselves?
The Activity
Following discussion, give each student a piece of lined paper with a space to draw a picture (download templates here). Instruct them to write about something that most other students don’t know about them and include a picture (it can be hand-drawn or pasted in). For example, are they a great big brother? Do they take dance classes? Do they love cooking special dishes with their grandmother? Be sure to note that this should be something they are comfortable sharing and shouldn’t be anything too personal.
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Next, give each student a cartoon person to color and design to resemble themselves (download template here). Finally, cut the picture in half and glue the edges to the written stories to make two flaps.
Next, give each student a cartoon person to color and design to resemble themselves (download template here). Finally, cut the picture in half and glue the edges to the written stories to make two flaps.
If you have the time, allow students to present their projects to the class. Following presentations, have students either write or discuss what they learned and how or if it changed the way they viewed their peers. Will this change the way they approach other relationships?
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It’s easy to label people. Getting to know people takes time and vulnerability. It takes patience and the willingness to admit you were wrong sometimes. However, it is the first big step in resolving a multitude of issues such as prejudice and bullying. Once we learn all the things about each other that are different than we thought, the more we can begin to discover all the things that are the same.
I hope you enjoy this activity and it helps bring your classroom closer together. What are some fun things about yourself that not many people know? Share in the comments!
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This is A. Blob is a masterfully illustrated picture book suitable for children ages 4-8. Written by Lori Kefalos, author of several animated shorts, including “Who’s that Knocking,” “Chug,” and “Croc, Pots and Wildebeests,” which was nominated for Best Independent Short Short, Ages 5-8, at the 2009 Kid’s First Film Festival and for best short at The Los Angeles Women’s International Film Festival, This is A. Blob is the first of a series following this bully.
This first installment follows the antics of A. Blob, a slimy, purple, blob-like creature who wreaks havoc on the elementary school playground with its bullying ways. As the story progresses, however, readers learn that A. Blob may have more than meets the eye.
Along with its powerful illustrations and rhymed verse for early readers, this story invites children to put themselves in the shoes of another and encourages readers to consider why bullies behave the way they do – and start to consider what can be done to help.
This first installment follows the antics of A. Blob, a slimy, purple, blob-like creature who wreaks havoc on the elementary school playground with its bullying ways. As the story progresses, however, readers learn that A. Blob may have more than meets the eye.
Along with its powerful illustrations and rhymed verse for early readers, this story invites children to put themselves in the shoes of another and encourages readers to consider why bullies behave the way they do – and start to consider what can be done to help.
 | BOOK 2 NOW AVAILABLE! A. Blob is back, and this time it's on a bus! As the slimy bully pokes and pesters the children of Lincoln Elementary School, it seems like they will never be able to ride the bus in peace. That is, until one brave girl takes stand. Can one act of bravery change everything--including A. Blob? Find out in this second installment of The Blob Series! |
Happy December!!!
It’s a month for spreading joy and bringing cheer. One simply can’t help smiling as sleigh bells ring, gifts are exchanged, and people wish good tidings everywhere you go; the joy is simply contagious. Perhaps no other time of year demonstrates the catching quality of attitudes quite like the Christmas season. Unfortunately, not all contagious attitudes are so cheery. Negativity and bullying can spread like wildfire, as can the sadness and pain that accompanies those actions.
 | Today’s craft is designed to help children understand that attitudes—joyful ones and not-so-joyful ones—are contagious and so we must be careful about what we pass on. To help demonstrate this, we will be making shaving cream transfer prints. This delightfully simple craft is based off of the picture book This is A. Blob, by L.A. Kefalos which explores the causes and effects of bullying through a unique set of eyes. Through the actions of the main character, we see how pain causes pain, and negativity breeds more negativity. One word of warning: this craft is simple, but it DOES GET MESSY. If you choose to use food coloring, be prepared with the knowledge that food coloring can stain hands, clothing, and surfaces, so be sure to prep surfaces you don’t want ruined with newspaper, plastic, aprons, etc. |
You will need:
|  |
In the book we read about A. Blob and learn that it has no friends because it bullies…and it bullies because it has no friends. Sadly, this situation is not uncommon. Many children who bully and cause pain do so because they are in pain or have been bullied themselves. Often, the response to bullying is to respond with anger, violence, and more negativity and the vicious cycle continues. This craft recollects the main character of the story while also providing a visual reminder that our actions and attitudes can be catching—for better or worse.
In the book we read about A. Blob and learn that it has no friends because it bullies…and it bullies because it has no friends. Sadly, this situation is not uncommon. Many children who bully and cause pain do so because they are in pain or have been bullied themselves. Often, the response to bullying is to respond with anger, violence, and more negativity and the vicious cycle continues. This craft recollects the main character of the story while also providing a visual reminder that our actions and attitudes can be catching—for better or worse.
 |  |
Directions
| 1. To begin, squirt about a small handful of shaving cream into your bowlAdd food coloring/paint and mix it into the cream. I did use purple food coloring, but it looks very gray in the photos 2. On half of your paper, scoop the colored shaving cream and begin moving it around to resemble A. Blob |  |
3. Once you have your desired shape, fold the blank half of paper over to the shaving cream half and press GENTLY. It is crucial that you don’t completely press the paper down or else you will just get a colored piece of paper and the shaving cream squished everywhere, then unfold your paper
 |  |  |
4. Taking a craft stick or any flat scraping device (I used cardboard), gently scrape the shaving cream off the paper, leaving your print behind
5. Let paper sit until dry
6. Once dry, draw on eyes and any words or designs you’d like. I wrote “Attitudes are Contagious”. You could also draw A. Blob’s thoughts and emotions inside
7. Talk about what students learned from the craft. Do they see how one attitude easily transfers to others? How will this affect the way they act in the future?
8. Hang up finished prints as a reminder to spread joy and not negativity!
Pro Tips:
- Scrape the shaving cream off right away before it has time to make the paper too soggy
- Keep paper or regular towels on hand to help keep the messes contained
- Keep a bowl of water around or work near a sink for the same reason as above
- If you want to get extra-creative, you can make a marbled design inside of A.Blob that represents what it is feeling inside. Here are directions on marbling via blogger The Artful Parent. Instead of placing the shaving cream directly on the paper, make the marbled design in a separate pan, blot the design on half the paper, and fold as before to double to design.
We hope you enjoy this quick and easy craft! Check back here each week for more crafts and insights. If you try this craft at home, please share your work in the comments! We’d love to see what you create!
 |  | |
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 | This is A. Blob is a masterfully illustrated picture book suitable for children ages 4-8. Written by Lori Kefalos, author of several animated shorts, including “Who’s that Knocking,” “Chug,” and “Croc, Pots and Wildebeests,” which was nominated for Best Independent Short Short, Ages 5-8, at the 2009 Kid’s First Film Festival and for best short at The Los Angeles Women’s International Film Festival, This is A. Blob is the first of a series following this bully. This first installment follows the antics of A. Blob, a slimy, purple, blob-like creature who wreaks havoc on the elementary school playground with its bullying ways. As the story progresses, however, readers learn that A. Blob may have more than meets the eye. Along with its powerful illustrations and rhymed verse for early readers, this story invites children to put themselves in the shoes of another and encourages readers to consider why bullies behave the way they do – and start to consider what can be done to help. |
 | BOOK 2 NOW AVAILABLE! A. Blob is back, and this time it's on a bus! As the slimy bully pokes and pesters the children of Lincoln Elementary School, it seems like they will never be able to ride the bus in peace. That is, until one brave girl takes stand. Can one act of bravery change everything--including A. Blob? Find out in this second installment of The Blob Series! |
“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.”
― Abraham Lincoln
― Abraham Lincoln
I was reminded of this quote by our 16th President as I attempted to complete the poetry challenge set forth in last week’s blog. Trying to gain some inspiration, I read several poems written in the same forwards-backwards style of the challenge and I was struck with just how much a simple change of perspective can alter our outlook and attitude entirely.
 Image via https://www.flickr.com/photos/juhansonin/4734829999 | The human brain likes to categorize: “This is GOOD and That is BAD”. However, in the real world, subtleties and gray areas exist far more often than not. Life and people are marvelously and beautifully complex and we do both a great disservice when we try to put them in boxes that can be tied up neatly with bows. |
Instead of viewing the world in black and white, we must allow ourselves to see in radiant Technicolor.
Instead of viewing the world in black and white, we must allow ourselves to see in radiant Technicolor.
Some might view such thinking as little more than a way to let bad behavior go unpunished; however, I would disagree. Taking the time to see things from someone else’s perspective is, instead, a way to let good behavior find its way out. It is a way to cut bad behavior off at its source. Looking for the positive doesn’t dismiss the negative; it simply doesn’t allow it to take control.
We can’t make every person and every bad situation better, but we can choose not to despair.
We can’t make every person and every bad situation better, but we can choose not to despair.
This challenge was a stretch for me, but I’m so glad to have taken it on. Not only did it stretch and sharpen my skills as a writer, it reminded me to slow down, step back, and look for a new perspective. I hope it has done the same for you!
So, without further ado, here is my forwards-backwards poem:
| "Just" Inspired by the picture book This is A. Blob, by L.A. Kefalos You Might just see A bully And Nothing more Just a bully Don’t say that it’s Capable of doing better A bully isn’t Don’t tell me It’s true Just a word can inspire The bully to lash out, Causing Pain You might see Actions Beyond mean and cruel Look It will never change Don’t believe It will TRANSFORM And Be a friend All you can do is TRY For a better tomorrow And hope The bullying behavior Could look past You Now read it again, backwards, line by line |    |
***
Let us know what you thought of the poem in the comments below. If any of you have taken up the challenge, please feel free to share your work, as well!
Let us know what you thought of the poem in the comments below. If any of you have taken up the challenge, please feel free to share your work, as well!
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 | |  |
This is A. Blob is a masterfully illustrated picture book suitable for children ages 4-8. This first installment in a series follows the antics of A. Blob, a slimy, purple, blob-like creature who wreaks havoc on the elementary school playground with its bullying ways. As the story progresses, however, readers learn that there might be more to A. Blob than meets the eye. Along with its powerful illustrations and rhymed verse for early readers, this story invites children to put themselves in the shoes of another. The book demonstrates that a bully can come in any shape, size, or color and encourages readers to consider why bullies behave the way they do – and start to consider what can be done to help.
 | BOOK 2 NOW AVAILABLE! A. Blob is back, and this time it's on a bus! As the slimy bully pokes and pesters the children of Lincoln Elementary School, it seems like they will never be able to ride the bus in peace. That is, until one brave girl takes stand. Can one act of bravery change everything--including A. Blob? Find out in this second installment of The Blob Series! |
Extending stories into classroom activities is always a fun and effective way to help children remember what they’ve just read and establish a deeper connection with the lessons of books. When I found this recipe for chocolate pretzel treats, I knew right away that they would make a perfect extension for the picture book, This is A. Blob, by L.A. Kefalos. Not only are they affordable and easy to make, they look exactly like the gooey, purple main character of the story!
 |  |
In the picture book, This is A. Blob, by L.A. Kefalos, we are introduced to an interesting character named A. Blob that looks a little…different than the other students. When we first see A. Blob, it’s acting less than kind, punching, oozing, stealing lunches, and being a general bully. As the story progresses, however, we learn that perhaps there is more to A. Blob than meets the eye. Through this simple story, children will learn about why people bully, the importance of empathy, and that bullying never solves problems.
In the picture book, This is A. Blob, by L.A. Kefalos, we are introduced to an interesting character named A. Blob that looks a little…different than the other students. When we first see A. Blob, it’s acting less than kind, punching, oozing, stealing lunches, and being a general bully. As the story progresses, however, we learn that perhaps there is more to A. Blob than meets the eye. Through this simple story, children will learn about why people bully, the importance of empathy, and that bullying never solves problems.
Here’s what you’ll need to create your own A. Blob treats:
Ingredients
|  |
I purchased my candy at a local bulk-candy store. However, you should be able to find white melting chocolate at most grocery stores. If you don’t see the color you need, simply melt the chocolate and add a little food coloring!
I purchased my candy at a local bulk-candy store. However, you should be able to find white melting chocolate at most grocery stores. If you don’t see the color you need, simply melt the chocolate and add a little food coloring!
If you aren’t able to get your hands on any candy eyes, mini marshmallows and a dot of chocolate will do just fine!
Directions
- Break pretzel rods into smaller pieces
- Melt the chocolate (microwave or stovetop)
- Add pretzel sticks to melted chocolate
- Scoop mixture onto a wax paper-lined cookie sheet by the tablespoonful
- Add candy eyes
- Cool in refrigerator for 5-10min
- ENJOY!
If you don't have a microwave, you can easily improvise a double boiler with a pan, water, and a glass bowl. Simply fill the pan with a small amount of water and place the glass bowl into the pan so there is about 1-2 inches between the water and the glass bowl. Bring the water to a gentle boil and let it simmer. Add the chocolate to the glass bowl and stir until melted.
 |  |  |  |
Notes
- If you are in a classroom or non-kitchen setting, use a crock-pot to keep the chocolate warm and melted!
- Most grocery stores carry gluten-free pretzel options for students with sensitivities
- If you have extras, have students give them away as a random act of kindness!
As you and your students mix up your own delicious A. Blob treats, take the time to discuss what “ingredients” went into making A. Blob act the way it did. When you pour the yummy, sweet chocolate over the hard, salty pretzels, talk about ways we can respond to difficult situations with kindness. Ask questions such as “would these treats taste very good if we poured something sour over them, like vinegar? What if we just added more salt?” In the same way, responding to bullying with bullying will just make a yucky mess.
When the time comes to give A. Blob its candy eyes, talk about the importance of empathy and looking through the eyes of others. How could empathy have helped A. Blob and the other students? How can we all use empathy in our everyday lives? What are ways we can look through the eyes of others?
When the time comes to give A. Blob its candy eyes, talk about the importance of empathy and looking through the eyes of others. How could empathy have helped A. Blob and the other students? How can we all use empathy in our everyday lives? What are ways we can look through the eyes of others?
Finally, when the treats are finished, remind your students that we all deal with difficult things in our lives and, like the chocolate covered pretzels, these hard things are often hidden inside. We can’t always tell by looking at people that they are hurting. That is why it is so important to treat everyone with kindness—even bullies!
***
I hope you and your students have fun making these A. Blob treats and that they bring a little sweetness to your day! Let us know in the comments how yours turn out!
I hope you and your students have fun making these A. Blob treats and that they bring a little sweetness to your day! Let us know in the comments how yours turn out!
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 | |  |
 | This is A. Blob is a masterfully illustrated picture book suitable for children ages 4-8. Written by Lori Kefalos, author of several animated shorts, including “Who’s that Knocking,” “Chug,” and “Croc, Pots and Wildebeests,” which was nominated for Best Independent Short Short, Ages 5-8, at the 2009 Kid’s First Film Festival and for best short at The Los Angeles Women’s International Film Festival, This is A. Blob is the first of a series following this bully. This first installment follows the antics of A. Blob, a slimy, purple, blob-like creature who wreaks havoc on the elementary school playground with its bullying ways. As the story progresses, however, readers learn that A. Blob may have more than meets the eye. Along with its powerful illustrations and rhymed verse for early readers, this story invites children to put themselves in the shoes of another. The book encourages readers to consider why bullies behave the way they do – and start to consider what can be done to help. |
 | BOOK 2 NOW AVAILABLE! A. Blob is back, and this time it's on a bus! As the slimy bully pokes and pesters the children of Lincoln Elementary School, it seems like they will never be able to ride the bus in peace. That is, until one brave girl takes stand. Can one act of bravery change everything--including A. Blob? Find out in this second installment of The Blob Series! |
About Laughing Leopard Press
Hello! We are Laughing Leopard Press, an independent book publisher from Akron, Ohio. At Laughing Leopard Press, we’re interested in publishing works that contribute to our understanding of this wonderful world. Through this blog, we hope to add to that understanding with commentary on life, literature, and a few things in between. We hope you enjoy the blog and take some time to talk with us in the comments or on our social media sites. Happy reading!
For some more great reading, check out our latest release, This is A. Blob by L. A Kefalos. This is A. Blob is a picture book that deals with the sticky issue of bullying through an unlikely character that is a bit sticky itself! As readers follow the antics of A. Blob, they learn to put themselves in the shoes of another and discover there may be more to this bully than meets the eye…
This is A. Blob by L. A Kefalos. $14.95
$1.00 is donated to charity for each book sold on this site--half to St. Jude's and the other half to PetFix Northeast Ohio.
$1.00 is donated to charity for each book sold on this site--half to St. Jude's and the other half to PetFix Northeast Ohio.
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