Lawrence Kids
Cover & Table of Contents photos by Tasha Keathley-Helms
Open 7am - 2pm
Season’s Readings
by Dan Coleman from the Lawrence Public Library
Springtime Storks: A Migration Love Story Written by Carol Joy Munro and illustrated by Chelsea O’Byrne
Baby birds make good spring stories, even if they are a species not found in Lawrence. Deceptively simple chalk pastel and colored pencil illustrations accompany this tale, based on a real pair of white storks who nested every spring in Croatia for twenty years, and hatched a total of sixty-six chicks. The stork mom was shot by hunters in 1993, then rescued by a fisherman. After he nursed the bird back to health and set up a nest near his home, a male stork returned to her every spring from South Africa, a migration of some 8,000 miles. The stork mother, physically unable to accompany him when he left each fall, stayed in Croatia and lived with the fisherman, who also helped raise all those chicks. She died from old age in 2021, but her stork mate still returns every year to visit her grave site beneath her human friend’s backyard apple tree.
Moomin and the Spring Surprise Written and illustrated by Tove Jansson
Moomins aren’t found anywhere except in the imaginations of their creator, Finnish cartoonist Tove Jansson, and all the people who have loved them since the mid-twentieth century. Jansson’s hippo-like trolls have starred in books, comic strips, television shows, and movies, and probably have enchanted more children and adults all over the world than Snoopy. This colorful spring tale is a recent addition to the Moomin catalog, and as good a place to start introducing kids to Moominvalley as any.
Downpour: Splish! Splash! Ker-Splash! Written by Yuko Ohnari and Koshiro Hata, illustrated by Emily Balistrieri
The narrator of this wet romp learns that dry is overrated. Strings of onomatopoeia (“Plip. Bada bada. Ker-splash!”) pepper the story, a manifesto for kids who wish to head outside and enjoy a spring rain shower. Their credo: “Sopping wet feels good.”
The Wanderer Written and illustrated by Peter Van den Ende Kids all stomped out? Time to launch a paper boat. This wordless, wondrous adventure follows the journey of one such boat around the globe. Stunning black and white illustrations, remi-
niscent of M.C. Escher and Shaun Tan, depict the sights it passes along the way—a group of eels with glowing eyes, an iceberg, the Northern Lights—inviting young navigators to imagine.
Make These Toys by Heather Swain
For next-level boat designs, check out this compilation of toys to make out of household items. Turn to this book when the kids come inside and dry off, or if they just prefer to remain indoors on a rainy day.
The Magnificent Book of Kites by Maxwell Eden
If you ever feel like telling your kids to go fly a kite, here’s a book to help you back it up. This 464-page manual, chock-full of designs for every type of kite imaginable, truly is the most magnificent book of kites I’ve ever seen. It was donated to the library by the KU Museum of Natural History, so you know it’s also full of great science explaining wind, physics, etc.
Peck, Peck, Peck Written and illustrated by Lucy Cousins
An enthusiastic young woodpecker pecks his way through this bright and funny offering from Lucy Cousins, the British authorillustrator who writes the popular Maisy the Mouse books. As the woodpecker pecks just about everything in sight, bright colors flash through die-cut holes in pages. Buy a suet cake at the grocery store and watch for real woodpeckers with kids at home (they will come, I promise!) for a simple tie-in activity.
The Way of the Hive: A Honey Bee’s Story Written and illustrated by Jay Hosler
A cute but realistic honey bee takes kids on a tour of the hive in this science-based non-fiction graphic novel. If this one is a hit, an ant hill gets the same treatment in the author’s Ant Story
How to Draw Spring Things for Kids by Alli Koch
Alli Koch’s simple, step-by-step instructions show kids how to draw basic objects in minutes, and her books have become some of the most popular drawing manuals in the library. Flowers, butterflies, bunnies, and more “spring things” fill this themed volume.
BRACES LIFESTYLE to fit your
The Feldmeyer’s
Seasonal Essentials
Ehren and Jamie Feldmeyer, with kids McCauley (Mac - 11), Blaise (8), and Vale (3), embrace the new season. As the temperature increases and nature blooms, the family gets out of the house and into the dirt.
photos by Tasha Keathley-Helms
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Getting the milkweed and pollinator flowers ready for Monarch season. With our neighbors we raise and release Monarch butterflies - from eggs, to caterpillars, to butterflies! We even tag them so they can be tracked by the Monarch Watch.
Celebrating birthdays with a donut pyramid from Munchers Bakery - Jamie, Ehren and McCauley have birthdays within about a month of each other.
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Relaxing by reading books on the swings.
Spending quiet mornings and evenings on the deck watching the sun rise and set.
Playing at the park and exploring the creek in our backyard near Deerfield school.
Going on walks with our German Shorthaired Pointer rescue dogs to help all of us burn some extra energy.
Seeing our neighborhood come alive with budding trees, perennials popping up and seeing neighbors turn areas of their yard into pollinator gardens.
Visiting Monarch Watch on KU’s campus to learn about and buy milkweed plants to help increase monarch populations.
The Dance Gallery Spring Recital is a great opportunity for dancers to show off all the hard work they have put in throughout the year.
PIRATES, MERMAIDS, AND SEA CREATURES
May 27 - 30 | Grades 1 - 5
THE TRUE STORIES OF MISUNDERSTOOD VILLAINS
June 2 - 6 | Grades 1 - 5
ELEMENTARY school EDITION make a splash this summer at theatre lawrence
the adventures of perseus: a camp half-blood experience
June 9 - 13 | Grades 4 - 8
fearless swifties summer camp:
June 16 - 20 | Grades 1 - 5
fearless swifties summer camp: MIDDLE SCHOOL EDITION
July 7 - 11 | Grades 6 - 8
THE BROADWAY PROJECT
July 14 - 18 | Grades 5 - 8
July 14 - 25 | Grades 1 - 5 DISNEY'S FINDING NEMO, KIDS
SWIM LIKE A FISH: A ROYAL PRINCESS/PRINCE PL
July 28 - August 1 | Grades 1 - 5
ENROLLING NOW! TRELAWRENCE . COM generous scholarships available
A Master at His Age
Lawrence Kid Nikhil Rao’s hard work and passion for golf took him to the grandest stage in the game.
photos by Tasha Keathley-Helms / previous page courtesy of Drive, Chip and Putt
When Rory McIlroy made his putt on the eighteenth green of Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia to win the 2025 Masters and complete the career grand slam, he dropped to his knees. The world watched as the Irish golfer wept with joy and relief. For Lawrence kid Nikhil Rao, the moment was a bit different.
“I was thinking about how I had just made a putt to that hole on that green,” the ten year old explains. “I mean, I was happy for Rory because he’s one of my favorite golfers, but I was thinking about how I was standing on that green a week before.”
Nikhil participated in the 2025 Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals, held on the historic golf course in Augusta, GA, after qualifying through local and regional competitions. The event is the golf version of the well-known Punt, Pass and Kick contest. Contestants hit drives for distance and chip and putt for closest to the hole. Results are cumulated. Nikhil finished ninth in the national finals.
“It was really thrilling,” explains Nikhil’s dad, Dr. Seshu Rao. “To be able to see where the Masters is held and experience the history of the tournament is one thing,
but for Nikhil to have the opportunity to hit golf balls on the range and putt on the eighteenth green is remarkable. Truly unbelievable.”
Nikhil turned ten in May and was one of ten boys from across the country who qualified for the April finals in the seven to nine year old division. A joint initiative founded in 2013 by the Masters Tournament, United States Golf Association and The PGA of America, Drive, Chip and Putt is a free nationwide junior golf development competition aimed at growing the game by focusing on the three fundamental skills in golf.
The competition provides aspiring junior golfers an opportunity to compete against their peers in qualifiers around the country. Participants who advance through local, subregional and regional qualifying in each age/ gender category earn a place in the national finals, which is conducted at Augusta National Golf Club the Sunday before the Masters Tournament and is broadcast live by Golf Channel.
Nikhil, who attends Topeka Collegiate, began his golf career like most kids: by tagging along with his dad when he would play.
“When I was around five I would watch my dad hit golf balls,” Nikhil explains. “I’ve always liked watching golf for some reason. Then I just started swinging a club and practicing putting. The more I practiced the better I got.” Dr. Rao is quick to dodge credit for his son’s golf prowess.
“He didn’t learn much from watching me,” Dr. Rao says with a laugh. “Since he was little, he’s been fascinated with watching golf and that has translated to playing the game. It’s been fun to watch him develop.”
Nikhil practices a couple times a week at Lawrence Country Club, often working on drills designed by Chris Thompson, head golf professional at the club. According to Thompson, Nikhil has a natural swing and inherent talent for the game, but the young golfer sets himself apart from his peers by outworking them.
“His desire to get better and his willingness to work make the difference,” Thompson says. “Nikhil has qualified four times for the US Kids Golf World championships in Pinehurst and the national championship for the Drive, Chip, and Putt, all by the age of ten. You can
done that.”
Dr. Rao says his son has a strong ability to focus on details, which helps him fine-tune his golf game (especially his chipping and putting).
“I really like to practice,” Nikhil says. “I think chipping is the best part of my game and Coach Thompson says the short game is the most important aspect of golf, so I work on chipping and putting a lot. I actually won the chipping competition at regionals.”
While hopefully not a once-in-a-lifetime experience, playing at Augusta National left an impression on Nikhil and motivated him to stay dedicated and focused on improving his game.
“I feel really lucky and motivated,” Nikhil says. “I want to get better every day and work to qualify again next year. I know most people never get the chance to see Augusta National and I’ve had the opportunity to make putts on the eighteenth green to the Sunday cup. That’s pretty awesome. I’m really excited to keep playing to see if I can get better and finish in a better position next
In Their Own Words
Two sisters love to read but couldn’t find a specific book, so they took matters into their own hands.
When I was a baby, I was evil.
Like all great stories, The Slime, grabs readers from the start. Lawrence kids and budding authors Ingrid and Amelia Cramer knew they wanted to grab attention with the beginning of their zine, but they didn’t know all the attention they would generate.
“I’m visiting the Lawrence Public Library and found what is possibly the strongest opener for any book ever,” wrote a user on X.
That post started a bit of a viral thread about the handmade publication available at the library. The Slime is about an evil baby and attempts to make a potion to the baby turn into a nice sibling. Things do not go as planned.
“I thought it was funny to think about a baby being evil,” explains twelve year old Amelia. “I mean, everybody knows babies can’t be evil. Then I just starting making up the story.”
According to Lindsey Cramer, Amelia and Ingrid’s mom, the girls are always finding ways to be creative.
“Our house is full of crafts and supplies,” she says with a laugh. “Both of the girls are very creative and have a great eye for design. One day they are painting and the next they are creating jewelry or using odds and ends to create something new. They also like to sell their work. Thankfully, our neighbors are very understanding and supportive.”
Amelia and Ingrid are proud of their work,
whether it be a publication or an art piece. Their confidence is inspiring and they’ve learned to be fearless in pursuing their dreams, which is how The Slime ended up on the library shelf.
“I always wanted to have a book in the library,” Amelia said. “So one day when were here, I just put The Slime on the bookshelf and left it. I figured other people might like it, too.”
When a library staff member found the zine, they logged it into the library system, and put it on the shelf, officially.
“I had no idea they did that,” Cramer says. “I asked the girls whatever happened to the book they made and they mentioned they left it at the library, on purpose. I called the library and they explained that it’s ‘official.’ They said we are welcome to come get it, but it’s kind of popular.”
Word about their work starting to spread, thanks to the post on X. When people started asking for the zine, the library got in touch with the entrepreneurial authors.
“We got interviewed and were part of a show with other people that write,” eight year old Ingrid says. “We got to pass out stickers we made and talk about our work. It was pretty fun.”
The exposure hasn’t gone to the girls’ heads. In fact, it has inspired them to pursue other dreams.
“It’s pretty cool that other people like the story,” Amelia says. “I like to think about other people laughing when they read about the evil baby. Making people happy is fun.” LK
A Couple Kids from Lawrence
Two local kids chased their dreams from the driveway to the big leagues.
The scene plays out countless times every day in Lawrence: two boys in a driveway playing basketball or in the backyard throwing a football, dreaming about “one day” playing for the hometown Jayhawks. It’s not often that scene happens in Allen Fieldhouse or David Booth Memorial Stadium.
“Yeah, it’s kind of crazy to think we’re doing this together,” Devin Neal says. “I mean, Zeke and I grew up next door to each other. He’s my brother, so I’m thrilled to experience this with him.”
This year, University of Kansas (KU) athletes, and Lawrence kids, Devin Neal and Zeke Mayo lead the Jayhawk football and basketball teams, respectively. The two former Lawrence High School Chesty Lions have been friends since they were three years old.
“It’s pretty cool to have Devin here,” Mayo says. “I can’t say we planned this when we were kids or even in high school, but it’s great knowing he’s here supporting me and I’m supporting him.”
Neal and Mayo met as neighbors and spent countless hours in the neighborhood playing sports with, and against, each other. It’s debatable who won most of the contests.
“He won’t admit it, but I’m sure I won most of the time,” Neal says with a big laugh.
Predictably, Mayo disagreed. “Come on,” a disgruntled Mayo says. “Did he really say that? Unbelievable.”
Former Lawrencian Brett Wright knew early on that the duo were talented. Wright volunteered to coach his son’s kindergarten basketball team and, at the first practice, two kids stood out.
“It was clear pretty early that Devin and Zeke were built a little different than the other kids,” Wright says with a laugh. “When two kids outrun, out jump and out hustle the rest of the team, it stands out. My son and I joke that the team laid the foundation of their success.”
As the boys grew, their time in neighborhood driveways and backyards started to pay dividends. Neal committed to play football and baseball at KU and Mayo headed north to play basketball at South Dakota State University. Neal soon focused on football while Mayo built a reputation as a sharpshooter for the Jackrabbits.
Last spring, as soon as Mayo entered the transfer portal, Neal got a call.
“The basketball coaches got in touch with me pretty soon after Zeke entered the portal,” Neal explains. “I told them ‘I’ll do whatever I can to get him here.’ Zeke and I hadn’t really talked about it, but I kind of knew he’d want to sign with KU.”
Neal accompanied Mayo on his official visit. “I felt like a proud dad,” Neal jokes. Mayo committed quickly.
“Yeah, I knew I wanted to play at KU,” Mayo admits. “Growing up in Lawrence it was always something I thought about. I’m so proud of what Devin has done here and it’s great to help add a little bit to the tradition.”
Neal recently achieved something the boys had been dreaming about since those days in the driveway when he was drafted by the New Orleans Saints. Now Mayo works toward his goal of professional basketball.
“No matter what the future holds for us, we’ll always be from Lawrence,” Neal explains. “That means so much to each of us. We love this town. We love what this town has meant to us and we both work very, very hard to make the people of Lawrence proud.”
Lawrence kids Cole Mondi, Zeke Mayo and Devin Neal / photo courtesy of KU Athletics
A Class for All
A class at Free State High School brings together students from all walks of life.
photos by Mallory Thompson
According to Elaine Hendrickson, who teaches the Free State High School Interpersonal Skills (IPS) class, at some point each year the same thing happens.
“There always seems to be one student who, for whatever reason, just won’t come out of their shell,” Hendrickson explains. “Then, seemingly out of nowhere, the student will blossom, and their personality will show, and the entire class will notice. It’s the best feeling.”
Hendrickson has been teaching the IPS class for three years and that moment, she says, is the goal. IPS, offered at both Free State High School and Lawrence High, is a leadership-building course that emphasizes opportunities to make connections with peers, develop public relations campaigns promoting acceptance, and plan field trips and social events while learning to relate to students of various social and academic backgrounds.
“On paper it is an inclusive leadership class,” Hendrickson says. “But in reality, with the primary focus on creating an environment welcoming of everybody, regardless of their ability levels.”
Some of the students in the class are not as emotionally or socially developed as others. Hendrickson says learning to understand individual space and acceptance is a major goal for the class.
“Not all students understand social cues as well as others,” she said. “Sometimes helping students understand the feelings and emotions of others is
a major accomplishment of the class. The work requires patience from all people involved.”
Hendrickson cites an interaction earlier in the year at a Free State football game as an example of what can develop through the class. One student in the class was standing away from the student section, watching the FSHS dance team. Another student in the class, and a member of the dance team, noticed her and invited her onto the track to join the dance team. Both girls beamed.
“If not for their interaction in the class, I don’t know if the dancer would have invited the student to join the group,” she says. “More importantly, I don’t know if the student would have had the confidence or felt comfortable joining the dancers. But because of the relationships that have been formed, it seemed natural for both to engage and involve the other.”
The class plans a handful of events throughout the school year. From a community trunk or treat to an inclusive prom, the students work together to organize and execute the bulk of planning. The group projects are the culmination of the class.
“The events are the best,” Hendrickson explains. “They really showcase the class and the students at their best. They work together to highlight each other’s talents to help make sure the events are a success. Some of the events are aimed to benefit the community, but I think we all know the students get the most benefit from working together.”
