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 … [Read more...]
Not Your Typical Dog Books for Kids: Media That Matters
November 18, 2014 by 2 Comments
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 … [Read more...]
Guardian Princesses: Prosocial Planet Protectors?
September 1, 2014 by 5 Comments
Sept. 1, 2014 I admit, my first reaction to The Guardian Princesses was wince-worthy...“Oh please, NOT more freakin’ princesses!”Followed by, “Here we go with the chocolate covered broccoli bit … [Read more...]
Speaking Out: A Rainbow of Reasons We Need Diverse Books
June 24, 2014 by 2 Comments
June 26, 2015 Update Photo essayist/youth archivist Rachelle Lee Smith of visual literacy book Speaking Out will be in town signing copies at Reach and Teach San Mateo tonight 7-9pm. Apropos on this … [Read more...]
The Invisible Boy: A Kids Storybook That Taps A Universal Nerve
May 21, 2014 by 1 Comment
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 … [Read more...]
Family Diversity In Books: A Child’s View of DOMA
June 29, 2013 by 2 Comments
Update: June 26, 2015It's official. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled 5 to 4 in favor of marriage equality (see Justice Kennedy's closing paragraph summation which poignantly concludes, "it is so … [Read more...]
My Mommy Taught Me To Surf: Meaningful Media for Mother’s Day
May 8, 2012 by 8 Comments
May 8, 2012 Happy Children's Book Week all! (May 7-13 2012) No secret I prefer media that has a social enterprise tie-in or a deeper message than the vapid values of commercialism circulating in … [Read more...]
The Berenstain Bears Legacy Lives On Through Sons Mike and Leo
February 27, 2012 by 1 Comment
Feb. 27, 2012 Upon hearing of Berenstain Bears’ co-founder Jan Berenstain’s passing at 88 this past Friday, I’d like to send deepest condolences to the family, especially sons Mike (illustrator) and … [Read more...]
Rachel Simmons Chats About Mythbusting “Mean Girl” Media
August 31, 2011 by 7 Comments
Aug. 31 2011 Transitioning back to school is tough, especially when media and marketing blitzes the ‘what could be’ fear dynamics of peer acceptance based on what you wear, how you look, and who you … [Read more...]
Selling Reluctant Readers: 10 Marketing Tactics To Amp Up Fun
August 27, 2011 by 10 Comments
Feb. 14, 2017 Valentine's Day Update: More ways to encourage reading, with therapy dogs (via MindshiftKQED Learning) and a few "Kidlit" picks for Valentine's Day that streamed across my desk, here … [Read more...]
Reading Rockets Kids Into Their Future (Pt.1: Kalimah Priforce)
August 18, 2011 by 3 Comments
Aug. 18, 2011 Virtual show of hands, please... If it’s not on the "must read" summer reading list for back to school prep, how many kids cracked a classic this season? How ‘bout a kidlit … [Read more...]
Shaping Youth is Expanding: Sneak Peek and Needs Please?
February 22, 2011 by 2 Comments
Feb 22, 2011 Breaking into The Power of Play series for a sneak peek into what's occupying so much of my time...expanding Shaping Youth's web presence. No secret that I’m a media maven that's media … [Read more...]
Shaping Youth Honors Girls Rights Week May 3-7
May 3, 2010 by 7 Comments
May 3, 2010 In honor of Girls Rights Week, advocating for positive change in the world, I’m going to run a week long series of “all things girl” to show how media and marketing can HELP rather than … [Read more...]
Using Kid Lit To Read The Right Message About Bullying
April 18, 2010 by 12 Comments
April 18, 2010 Many of you know I clench when I hear the word ‘reporter’ (even though I’m one and the same, it’s different when you’re behind the keyboard) because media has powerful potential to … [Read more...]
Socially Responsible Picture Books: Dream Village Part 2
March 23, 2010 by 5 Comments
Mar. 23, 2010 Today I was honored to be the guest speaker at SFSU Professor Betsy Blosser’s Media & Social Change class, and brought a gazillion examples of cool work being done in the digital … [Read more...]
Author Rosalind Wiseman Brings Youth Editors Into YA KidLit Process
February 8, 2010 by 7 Comments
Feb. 8, 2010 I bought a copy of the new YA novel by renowned author Rosalind Wiseman of Queen Bees & Wannabes bestseller fame, called “Boys, Girls & Other Hazardous Materials” ...As soon as it … [Read more...]
Green Toys and Fun Finds With Big Kid Appeal: Ten Under $10 Pt. 2
December 22, 2009 by 4 Comments
Dec. 23, 2009 Shhhhhh...I'm snagging one of the new "Smencils" that just arrived today 'cause I figure 'less is more' and 'variety is the spice' when it comes to stocking stuffers...She doesn't need a … [Read more...]
