September 16, 2019 Blathering interrupters are exhausting. We’ve all been cornered by them, whether it’s an over-talking, sentence-finishing workplace colleague, an opinionated family member at a holiday gathering, or a social acquaintance lobbing rhetorical questions into the mix with zero intention of awaiting an answer. More often than not, they appear as if they can’t … [Read more...]
Listen Up! Kid Lit With a Quiet Message That Needs Heard
Talk to Jess-White House Event On Gender, Media + Toys
April 20, 2016 As a staunch critic of the toy industry’s complicity in marketing vapid values and gender stereotypes that can limit instead of expand kid’s brain plasticity, it’s no surprise that I raised eyebrows with newfound HOPE seeing that the White House convened a one-day session on “Breaking Down Gender Stereotypes in Media and Toys” blending a wide array of … [Read more...]
Positive Picks! Progress in Upending Gender Stereotypes
May 29, 2015 Update Check out the all new Kickstarter from Gecko Clothing featuring "funky, ethical, organic, unisex" clothes crowdsourcing both the design and the funding! There's a strong sense of urgency with this adorable selection of togs, as this startup has an "all or nothing" timer on their crowdfunding so if you want it to see the light of day in the … [Read more...]
Not Your Typical Dog Books for Kids: Media That Matters
Mar. 23, 2015 "Dogs make the best teachers"...Today is National Puppy Day, time to give a big "paws up" to our friends at A Puppy's New Home, creating respect, social emotional learning, and diversity lessons embedded in this new book series preparing families in a 'what to know before you go' mindset on adopting animals into your home. Excellent message for this day, and … [Read more...]
The Invisible Boy: A Kids Storybook That Taps A Universal Nerve
Update Dec. 24, 2015 We're about to volunteer at a children's homeless shelter doing activities with kids and it reminded me about this post and how I've 'seen so much invisibility' over the holiday season particularly. From social shunning and ostracism within families, to homeless and disenfranchised groups, the holidays bring out a lot of invisibility...keep an eye out with … [Read more...]