California Kids - August 2016

August 2016

Table of Contents The Book Report:

by Susan Roberts.................................page 8 Crafts...................................................page 7 Who Wrote That? Salina Yoon

by Bitsy Kemper . ............................. page 11 Local kids calendar....................... page 14

The effects of cyberbullying

By Akshaj Mehta, age 10

Special to california kids!

B

ullies and mean girls have been around forever, but with technology now, it gives them a whole new platform for their actions. This kind of bullying is termed as cyber bullying Cyber bullying is no longer limited to schools, In present day, bullying can happen at home as well and at school. As long as we kids have access to a phone, computer, or other electronic device (including tablets), we all kids are at risk.

Do you know, real-world and online namecalling can have serious emotional consequences for anyone, be it kids, teens or adults. Longterm, or frequent cyber bullying can leave both victims and bullies at greater risk for Behavior problems like anxiety or depression and as well as low self-esteem. There are cases where kids have turned to suicide (taking their own lives).

Many kids and teens who are victims of cyberbullying don’t feel comfortable confiding in anyone. Because they feel ashamed of the social stigma or fear that their computer / phone privileges will be taken away at home.

• Feels disconnected from family members, friends, and activities. • Avoiding school or social gathering • Grades going low • Being nervous when getting an instant message, text, or email • Avoiding discussions about computer or cellphone activities

What We Can Do Treat Everyone with Respect. Stop and Think before we say or do something that could hurt someone. If we feel like being mean to someone, we should find something else to do like Play a game, watch TV, or talk to a friend. Talk to an adult we trust or our parent. Â They can help us find ways to be nicer / kinder to others. Always, keep in mind that everyone is different. Not better or worse. If we think we have bullied someone in the past, please make an effort and apologize. Everyone feels better and the guilt will leave us.

Protect yourself and others from Cyberbullying There are various signs Cyberbullying is a type of bullying that of cyberbullying:

• Emotionally upset during or after using the Internet or the phone.

happens online or through text messages or emails.

See Cyberbullying, page 9

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www.valcomnews.com Publisher: David Herburger Editor: Monica Stark Contributing Writers: Susan Roberts, Bitsy Kemper Art Director: John Ochoa Graphic Designer: Annin Greenhalgh Advertising: Steve Crowley 916-429-9901 Cover photo courtesy Metro Newspaper Service California Kids! is published monthly and distributed to more than 1,000 locations in the Sacramento Valley, including all of Sacramento County, and portions of Yolo (Davis and Woodland), Placer (Rocklin and Roseville), El Dorado (Cameron Park, El Dorado Hills, Placerville) counties.

Subscriptions are available for $30/year. Mail prepaid check or money order to California Kids!, 2709 Riverside Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95818. Make sure to specify the person and address to which you wish issues to be mailed.

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Copyright 2016 by Valley Community Newspapers Inc. 2709 Riverside Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95818.

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AUGUST 2016 • CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide

Pop-Up Adventure Play Day Join Fairytale Town for a day celebrating play at the future home of the Sacramento Adventure Playground, on Saturday, Aug. 20 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Children and adults will work together to create their own play structures and spaces by re-purposing everyday items such as cardboard boxes, tubes, pipes, wood and magazines, plus household wares, natural elements and unexpected items such as colorful fabric and old computer keyboards.

Families are requested to wear closed-toe shoes and clothes that can get messy. The event will take place rain or shine.

While the Pop-Up Adventure Play Day is a one-day

event, plans are afoot to establish a year-round Adventure Playground at the Maple Neighborhood Center, 3301 37th Ave. The Pop-Up Adventure Playground is based on the concept of Adventure Playgrounds in Europe. After World War II, landscape and playground architects noticed that children spent more time playing in the war rubble than they did in structured playgrounds. They observed that children were more engaged in play in spaces they created themselves and thought that these non-traditional environments inspired imaginative, collaborate and thoughtful play.

Donations Needed Help create the Pop-Up Adventure Play Day. Requested items include: Recyclable materials, such as cardboard boxes, tubes and magazines; Household items like paint, paint brushes, string, rope, yarn and old bed sheets; Natural objects like sticks, twigs, acorns and bean pods; and Miscellaneous items like bright fabrics, parachutes, old computer keyboards or musical instruments.

Contact Kathy Fleming at 916808-7060 to make a donation.

Items can also be brought on the day of the event. All items must be clean and free of sharp objects.

Have fun coloring these famous Olympians!

Muhammad Ali Muhammad Ali (1942 - 2016) was named Cassius Clay, Jr as a child, but changed his name to Muhammad Ali when he became a Muslim in 1975. Muhammad Ali was a heavyweight boxer and won a gold medal at the Rome Summer Olympics in 1960, but his Olympic medal was not the reason he became famous worldwide as much as several historic boxing matches against other heavyweights over the years, his interesting style and his “bragging� about how good he was! fun fact: When Muhammad Ali (then Cassius Clay) was 12 years old his bike was stolen. He told a policeman, who also happened to be a boxing coach, that he was going to “whup� the thief. The policeman told him that he ought to learn to box first! “I hated every minute of training, but I said, “Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.� – Muhammad Ali

Fanny Blankers-Koen Francina “Fanny� Elsje BlankersKoen (1918 – 2004) was a Dutch athlete, best known for winning four gold medals at the 1948 Summer Olympics in London as a 30 year old mother of two - something most people believed impossible and undesirable at the time. She was the most successful athlete at the 1948 Summer Olympics, and the first woman to win four gold medals, but was always modest about her achievements. fun fact: Fanny was known as “the Flying Housewife�. “All I’ve done is run fast. I don’t see why people should make much fuss about that.� – Fanny BlankersKoen

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Have fun coloring these famous Olympians!

Cathy Freeman

Carl Lewis

Cathy Freeman (1973 - present) is a former Olympic gold medal winning Australian sprinter, who specialised in and won the women’s 400meter event at the 2000 Summer Olympics. She became well known around the world when she lit the Olympic Flame in those Olympic Games. Cathy retired from athletics in 2003 at the age of 30 and is now involved in many community and charitable ventures.

Carl Lewis (1961 - present) won 9 Olympic gold medals and 1 Olympic silver medal during his career as a track and field athlete, for his country, the United States of America.

He set many world records - including the 100m.

Carl Lewis’s real name was Frederick Carlton Lewis. His parents ran a local athletic club and by the age of 13 Carl was already competing in long jump.

Fun fact: Carl Lewis has become an actor and appeared in a number of films!

Fun fact: Cathy won her first gold medal at the age of 8, at a school athletics competition.

When she was still very young she dreamed of being the world’s best female athlete and winning a gold medal at the Olympics.

“It all comes down to having the confidence to be who you are.”

– Cathy Freeman

“People say that I’ll be beaten. But I don’t let people enter my mind!”

– Carl Lewis

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AUGUST 2016 • CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide

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Making the grade: It’s a Back Breaking Predicament

Ddddddddddd Olympics Ddddddddddd Olympics Ddddddddddd C Olympics Ddddddddddd Olympics

By Ellen Cochrane

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Ac i it y v i l la g e

© www.ActivityVillage.co.uk - Keeping Kids Busy

K O H L’ S B U C K L E U P T O G R O W U P

“I learned from the best” Kids learn safety habits from their role models.

Be sure everyone in your family wears a helmet when they ride.

Call us to schedule an appointment for a free helmet check. 916-734-9798

b u c k l e u p . u c d a v i s . e d u • w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / b u c k l e u p 2 g r o w u p

hris’s mom looked worried. Her son was small for his size—in seventh grade he was under 80 pounds. He had no problem keeping up with the big kids, but he did have a problem with his 15-pound backpack. “What can I do?” she asked. “His back hurts everyday.”

Doctors discuss the ill effects of heavy student backpacks and potential harm to young, growing backs.

Parents and teachers are both frustrated with the situation.

Most districts do allow students to check out two textbooks—one for home, one to store at school. This can lighten the backpack significantly, but parents need to make a special request for this accommodation.

Estimate the weight of the book filled backpack. Email your doctor with the age and weight of your child and ask for a signed note excusing him or her from lugging the books. You don’t need to have an actual, costly visit. Check with your school to see what it specifically requires.

Exactly how did we get to the point of a 15-pound backpack and how can we change this?

Publishers should expect a profit. They spend a lot of money hiring experts to write, design and market textbooks.

But textbooks morphed from smaller books containing mostly writing into behemoths with full-color pictures, photos, and graphs, in part as a response to the notion that kids were becoming more visual and read less.

This approach gave us the 1000 page, $100 tome to teach 7th grade science. This response to the change in reading habits is wasteful.

The more parents request an immediate remedy for the broken back student, the faster the schools and textbook companies will switch to technology to solve the issue.

Publishers will develop on-line content to offer everything a student will need to read and see.

Students will use iPads and other notebook computers to hook-up to the digital textbooks.

Change is always hard, but school administrations need to prick up their ears and purchase technology, not giant textbooks. And sore backs might be the change agent. In the meantime, ask for the at home book.

By the way, next problem: eye fatigue!

Ellen Cochrane is a longtime teacher for the Elk Grove Unified School District and a school board member for the Sacramento City Unified School District.

Lots of fun for kids!

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CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide • AUGUST 2016

Make it yourself!

Bonfire Collage

C

elebrate Bonfire Night with this wonderful collage bonfire collage. It also makes a good campfire craft for summer.

You will need: Large sheet of gold card Glue stick Yellow, red and orange tissue or crepe paper Brown paper or card Twigs Sticky tape

Instructions: Cut a bonfire shape from card.

Cut flames from the tissue paper and glue them to the card. Try not to glue them flat but bend them and only stick bits down to add texture and make the flames look more real.

From brown paper cut some rectangular “log” shapes and glue these to the bottom of the fire. Finish off by taping on some real twigs to bring the collage to life and add even more texture.

Hand print strawberry

S

ummer is the strawberry season - yum! If you can’t celebrate by getting out to pick some strawberries, why not try making a hand print strawberry!

You will need: Red, green and black paint Paper

Instructions: Print two red hand prints with the fingers overlapping.

Use the sides of your little fingers to add two green leaves where the palms join. Finish off by adding black fingerprints for the seeds.

Hold a boat race

T

ake advantage of a glorious summer day to combine a craft and outdoor activity in one! And if the sun isn’t shining, you could always use the bath tub!

You will need: Large paper flag for each boat (design your own or use some of our scrapbook paper) Popsicle (lolly) stick Sticky tape Plastic tray (the sort pre-packed vegetables come it)

Instructions Stick your flag to the popsicle stick with tape. Use lots of tape to make the stick stand upright in the center of your boat. To sail pop into a paddling pool and blow into the sail!

Summer Spiral

T

his Summer Spiral looks pretty dangling in the breeze and sparkling in the sunlight.

It’s a very pretty craft for kids to try in the summer - our photo doesn’t do it justice!

You will need: Tissue paper, Laminating sheet and laminator, Flower craft punch, Glitter, Thread, and a Pen

Instructions: Use the craft punch to make lots of tissue paper flowers.

Draw a spiral shape onto the laminating sheet.

Open up the sheet and arrange lots of tissue paper flowers on the sheet so they sit within the lines of the spiral. Scatter over some glitter.

Summer spiral instructions - showing glitter We used yellow and white flowers and yellow glitter!

Close the top layer and carefully feed your sheet through the laminator.

Please note that laminators can get very hot so young children will need an adult to do this bit.

Cut along the lines of the spiral. Make a hole in the centre of the spiral and tie through some thread or string.

Hang your spiral near a window so it will catch the sun and sparkle.

Crafts courtesy of: www.Activity Village.co.uk - Keeping Kids Busy AUGUST 2016 • CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide

THE BOOK REPORT

The Pains—and Pleasures —of Growing Up

By Susan L. Roberts

T

o a child, the pains and pleasures of growing up often seem either insurmountable or feel ecstatic. Guiding youngsters through the maze of emotions and helping them understand and deal with what they encounter is the role of the parent and books can often be the perfect ally. This month’s books may help open conversations on difficult topics.

Just Itzy By Lana Krumwiede, illustrated by Greg Pizzoli (Candlewick Press, 2015) It is Itzy Bitzy’s first day of spindergarten and today he is a ‘big’ spider.

In class Itzy tries to learn how to spin a web and is about to give up. Feeling sorry for himself, he hears a voice cry out for help! Quick as a flea, he spins himself a ladder to the roof. It’s his brother, who is afraid of heights and can’t get down. Without thinking, Just Itzy spins a ladder to help his brother and—learns something new about himself.

Friendly illustrations of a young spiderling capture both the allure and fear of trying to learn how to live in a big kid’s world.

And What If I Won’t?

by Maureen Fergus, illustrated by Qin Leng (Owlkids Books, Inc, 2015) An outrageously, tonguein-cheek, funny book where

readers will be horrified and laughing out loud at the same time.

Mom asks Benny to put his plate in the sink and Benny asks her “what if he said no?” She quietly replies that saying no is rude and explains, “…why it’s important to help out around the house.” Benny ups the ante and asks what she’d do if he ‘chucked’ his plate across the room. It’s a true test of wits as Benny makes bigger and bigger messes and Mom suggests crazier and crazier ideas of what she would do, including taking him to the zoo, selling him to the circus, and sending him into space. Curiosity—and horror—keep the pages turning to see how Mom responds to each outlandish destruction.

Find out what Mom does when Benny is so bad that the aliens send him home!

Qin Leng’s illustrations capture the bravado Benny displays and Mom’s intelligent, calm, matter-of fact consequences. A “must enjoy” for families with a child showing his or her independence. Reviewers Pick of the Month.

Annie’s Plaid Shirt

By Stacy B. Davids, illustrated by Rachael Balsaitis (Upspring Press, 2015) Annie is an alive, vibrant, take-charge kind of girl who stands up for what she wants.

Annie wears her red plaid shirt everywhere. When a family wedding comes up, her

mom suggests they go shopping to get a dress, but Annie declares she will wear her plaid shirt. They go shopping and, reluctantly, Annie tries on dresses, but nothing suits her.

Her mom thinks the last one is adorable, and they take it home.

Annie is not happy. You’ll have to read the book to see how Annie solves her problem and wears her plaid shirt.

Bright, action-packed illustrations express Annie’s emotions perfectly.

Full of Empty, By Tim J and M.P. Myers, illustrated by Rebecca Sorge (Famillius, 2016) Princess Claire’s smile had, “flown away like a bird.”

When her parents asked what was wrong, Claire replied, “I don’t know. I’m just…full of empty.”

Her parents didn’t know what that meant, so they had a doctor examine her, but he found nothing. They offered Claire her favorite foods, en-

tertainment, songs and toys, but Claire sent everything away. But a young page knew what was wrong. What did he know that the busy parents did not know? A redefining story for parents and their kids about the value of relationships and being present. Richly colored illustrations highlighted with copper-colored inlays presents an important book meant to be treasured.

Agatha, By Anna Pignataro (Little Bee Books, 2015 First published in Australia) A little girl, whose parents are a bear and a pig, look so happy together, readers overlook that they are different.

But the girl knows they—and she—are different. While the girl’s words say, “she didn’t quite fit in,” illustrations show that she fits in just fine. But when it’s the girl’s turn to share her one special quality before the class, she was so embarrassed of being different that she hides. Find out how the entire class supports Agatha and Agatha learns a life lesson.

The illustrations show that being unique is special and a good thing. The drawings express so many children’s responses to Agatha, that each child is bound to find a character that resembles their own experience.

Susan L. Roberts (www.Books4theCuriousChild.com) lives in Sacramento, CA where she reads dozens of picture books each month and reviews the best to help parents and teachers find books that will inspire and develop a child’s curiosity and love of life. An aspiring picture book author, she hopes to be published soon.

CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide • AUGUST 2016

Cyberbullying Continued from page 2 â&#x20AC;˘ Always think about what we post. We never know what if someone will forward that post. Being KIND to others online will help to keep us safe. Do not share on social media about anything that could hurt or embarrass anyone. â&#x20AC;˘ Keep the password secret from other kids. Even kids that seem like friends could give away password or use it in ways we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want.

Let our parents have our passwords. â&#x20AC;˘ Think about who sees what we post online. Complete strangers? Friends?

Friends of friends? Privacy settings let you control who sees what. â&#x20AC;˘ Keep telling our parents what we are doing online.

Let our parentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s friend or follow us. Listen to what they have to say about what is and isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t okay to do. Parents care about us and want us to be safe. â&#x20AC;˘ Talk to parents / Counselor about any messages online that is making you sad or scared.

Standing Up for Others When you see bullying, there are safe things we can do to make it STOP. Be kind to the kid being bullied. Show them that you care by talking to them and trying to include them. Sit with them at lunch or on the bus, talk to them at school, or

invite them to do something. Or become their friend. Just hanging out with them will help them know they arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t alone.

Not saying anything could make it worse for everyone. The kid who is bullying will think it is ok to keep treating others that way.

Getting Involved in School and Community You can be a leader in preventing bullying in the community. Find out more about where and when bullying happens at your school.

Think about what could help and share your ideas. There is a good chance that adults are not aware of what happens.

Volunteer to go with friends to talk to a teacher, counselor, coach, or parent and can add what they think. â&#x20AC;˘ Talk to your Principal / School Counselor about getting involved at school. â&#x20AC;˘ Be on a School Safety Committee. â&#x20AC;˘ Create posters for your school about bullying. Be a role model for younger kids.

Write a blog, letter to the editor of your local newspaper, or tweet about bullying and how it is harmful.

I would conclude by saying â&#x20AC;&#x153;One small step in the right direction to stop bullying can make a big impact to make our Schools and Community a better and safe place.â&#x20AC;?

Sources : Stop bullying.gov

ENJOY...

â&#x20AC;˘ CafĂŠ and concessions open for dinner â&#x20AC;˘ Conservation Carousel and Zoo Train rides

â&#x20AC;˘ Giraffe Encounter at 6:15pm

Thursday evenings in August everyone pays child-priced admission after 4 pm!

â&#x20AC;˘ Last admission 7:30pm, Zoo grounds open until 8:30pm

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Have fun coloring these famous Olympians!

Chris Hoy

Michael Phelps

Chris Hoy (1976 to present) - now actually Sir Christopher Hoy - represents Scotland and Great Britain in track cycling. He won three gold medals at the Beijing 2008 Olympics. Sir Chris is the most successful Olympic male cyclist of all time.

Michael Phelps (1985 - present) has won more Olympic gold medals than any other sports person in history, with a total of 14!

This amazing American swimmer also holds the record for the most gold medals one at a single Olympics, winning eight at the 2008 Games in Beijing.

He has been named World Swimmer of the Year six times and American Swimmer of the Year eight times!

Fun fact: Chris’s first bike was a second-hand girl’s bike given to him by a neighbour!

Fun fact: Michael has particularly long arms in proportion to his body, and size 14 feet which some people say act almost like flippers in the water!

“Cycling has brought me a lot of pleasure and, being a Scot, I know how lucky we are to have beautiful scenery and quiet roads to enjoy by bike.”

– Sir Chris Hoy

“I think goals should never be easy, they should force you to work, even if they are uncomfortable at the time.” – Michael Phelps

Jesse Owens James Cleveland “Jesse” Owens (1913 – 1980) was an American track and field athlete who specialized in sprints and long jump. He took part in the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany, where he surprised everyone by winning four gold medals n the 100 meters, the 200 meters, the long jump, and as part of the 4x100 meter relay team and thereby becoming the most successful athlete in that Olympics.

(Older children might like to think about the impact of Jesse’s success given the fact that Adolf Hitler and the Nazis, hosting the 1936 Olympic Games, were hoping that the Games would prove that the “Aryan” race was superior in all ways.)

Fun fact: Jesse’s childhood nickname was JC (James Cleveland). When he was nine year’s old a new teacher asked his name so that she could write it in her book.

She thought he said “Jesse” and the name stuck!

“We all have dreams. But in order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline, and effort.”

– Jesse Owens

Jackie Joyner-Kersee Jackie Joyner-Kersee (1962 - present) is a retired American heptathlon athlete who won three gold, one silver, and two bronze Olympic medals over four Olympic Games.

The heptathlon consists of seven events held over 2 days, including 100m hurdles, high jump, shot put, 200m, long jump, javelin throw and 800m. Points are awarded for each sport and Jackie was the first to win over 7,000 points.

Jackie retired in 1996 but has been very involved in charitable organisations, helping children around America benefit from sport.

Fun fact: Jackie won a basketball scholarship to college (UCLA) but was inspired to try track while watching a 1975 film about another female athlete, Babe Didrikson Zaharias.

“It is better to look ahead and prepare than to look back and regret.”

–Jackie Joyner-Kersee

10

Jenny Jones Jenny Jones made history in February 2014 by winning the first ever Winter Olympic medal on snow for Great Britain, claiming the bronze medal in the Ladies’ Slopestyle with a wonderful snowboarding performance.

We loved watching her do it, so thought we should celebrate with our own special printable poster and colouring page! Hopefully Jenny will inspire some kids to find their nearest slope and start honing their skills for a Winter Olympics in the future!

Ian Thorpe

Ian Thorpe OAM (1982 - present), is an Australian swimmer who has won five Olympic gold medals - the most won by any Australian. Ian specializes in freestyle, but also competes in backstroke and the individual medley. He was the most successful athlete at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney.

Fun fact: Ian’s nicknames include “the Thorpedo” and “Thorpey”.

When he first started swimming as a young boy he had an allergy to chlorine which meant he had to keep his head above the water as he swam.

“For myself, losing is not coming second.

It’s getting out of the water knowing you could have done better. For myself, I have won every race I’ve been in.”

– Ian Thorpe CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide • AUGUST 2016

who wrote that?

KIDLIT CREATORS WHO MAKE KIDS WANT TO READ An interview with with Salina Yoon

By Bitsy Kemper

Who Wrote That? is a monthly column that profiles the talented authors and illustrators who bring children’s books to life.

A

talented writer and illustrator, Salina Yoon became an overnight success…after 16 years of hard work. Estimating an average 7hour work day, 5 days a week, 50 weeks a year, that’s 35 hours a week and 1,750 hours every year…not including deadline weeks or emergency all-nighters. Anyone who knows Salina knows that’s a conservative annual estimate for this tireless wife and mom of two boys.

Her work history totals over 28,000 hours of research, planning, hands-on construction, agonizing and second guessing minutes-turned-to-hours spent often late night at her desk, creating and recreating character after character, story after story. Those hard hours of hers successfully created almost 200 book titles published worldwide, with over 2,500,000 of her books sold in the U.S. alone. Yes, that’s two point five million.

And yet still, you might not have heard of her or her work.

Until recently.

Her biggest success started when a large department store took notice a few months ago. Salina was selected as the featured author for a national Kohl’s Cares campaign at all Kohl’s stores across the country. They featured four of her picture books, three board books, and four plush characters. Nearly a million copies of her books were sold for three straight months, featured on bookshelves in every store. “This was an extraordinary opportunity to grow my readers and introduce me, my characters, and my books to the public in a very accessible way,” Salina said, almost embarrassed by the recognition. “And it was even more meaningful that the profits from book sales went directly to children’s charities.”

Yes, in addition to being talented, Salina is charming and kind. For real. Let’s see how she got started.

Bitsy: Were you successful right from the start?

Salina Yoon

Salina: I’ve worked very hard.

I’d say I was receiving about 40-60 rejections a year to publish around 10-12 novelty/board books a year. In 2009, for example, I designed, created and submitted 20 different projects to 58 separate publishers. [note from Bitsy: for those of you counting, that’s over one submission a week, every week of the year! That’s A LOT!] Of that, I received 49 rejections and sold nine projects.

B: That’s still excellent odds!

Has luck played a role in your success?

S: Placement on bookstore shelves is very important to sales, yet completely out of the control of authors/illustrators.

FIVE SILLY TURKEYS, my bestselling title that’s never been on any bestselling list, has sold over 285,000 copies since 2005, and continues to sell over 20,000 copies every October and November Barnes & Noble displays it every season. Why? They simply like the book.

B: Design seems important.

What are “novelty books”?

S: Novelty books are for the very young, with interactive elements like lift-flaps, touchand-feels, or are die-cut shaped books. They are mostly just 10 pages. But if that sounds easy, think again! They each need a unique format. I designed mine from scratch and engineered them myself. They each needed their own art style that fit the project and the publisher I was targeting. Aside from that, each format I designed had to be cost-effective enough to mass-produce. I would build

AUGUST 2016 • CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide

a working “dummy” by hand in order for the publisher to be able to get them priced overseas. Each book was a lengthy process. My ideas came from random things like greeting cards, children’s toys, and games.

Some books are named for the toys that inspired them, like KALEIDOSCOPE and PINWHEEL. B: When did you move from concept books to picture books?

S: When my children were in preschool, I started to transition from reading them board books to picture books. (I rarely read them my own published books because it was too easy to stress over the imperfections I would find.) As I read them picture books from the library, I started to fall in love with them. I fell in love with characters, their stories, and their worlds we entered in each book. I then caught the bug in wanting to write my own.

B: Do you have special connections to any of your books?

S: Penguin and Pinecone remains to be my favorite because of the connection to my son. He would like to collect things on our walks, like rocks, sticks, leaves, and pine cones. Equally loved is FOUND, the story of a bear who finds a lost stuffed animal in the forest. This story was inspired by my younger son who was extremely attached to his stuffed animals for most of his early childhood.

And last, but not least loved is BE A FRIEND, in which the silent mime character in the book is loosely based on myself as a child. I was not a mute nor a mime, but I was extremely shy and didn’t speak English, so friendships were hard to make. In the story, Dennis makes a friend,

who loves him just as he is.

And in real life, I did too…another Korean child that spoke Korean. She became my first best friend.

With award winning books, lovable characters, and a winning personality of her own, Salina may be finding herself several more new best friends.

And readers. Learn more about Salina Yoon, visit www.salinayoon.com. Twitter: @salinayoon Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salina.yoon.7.

Bitsy Kemper is author of fourteen children’s books. You may have seen Bitsy on CNN, heard her on national radio, noticed her quoted in anything from Parenting magazine to Writing Children’s Books for Dummies, or seen her work in countless newspapers, radio and TV stations across the U.S of A. Busy with three kids (four if you count her husband), she happily finds time to present at schools and writer conferences from CA to NY. www.BitsyKemper.com

LEARN MORE ABOUT SALINA YOON Visit: www.salinayoon.com

UPCOMING EVENTS/SIGNINGS: Sept. 22-24: Plum Creek Children’s Literacy Festival at Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska Oct 19-23:0 Wisconsin Book Festival in Madison, Wisconisn Nov 2, 2016: NAEYC in Los Angeles Nov 5- 9, 2016: WNY Book Expo in Buffalo, NY

A SAMPLING OF THE MANY BOOKS BY SALINA YOON (She’s written almost 200!)

Penguin and Pinecone, published by Bloomsbury, Oct/2012 Penguin on Vacation, April/2013 Found, Bloomsbury, April/2014 Be a Friend, Bloomsbury, Jan/2016 Duck, Duck, Porcupine!, Bloomsbury, May/2016 Bear’s Big Day, Bloomsbury, June/2016 Penguin’s Christmas Wish, coming Sept/2016

LOOK FOR: SPACE WALK, DEEP SEA DIVE, DO CROCS KISS?, DO COWS MEOW? (all from Sterling, 2012), at all B&N stores through midAugust, on their “First Books to Build First Libraries” display.

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CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide • AUGUST 2016

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Services provided include: Foster to Adopt Services Adoption Services Family Services: Supervised Visitation/Exchanges & Counseling

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Elk Grove, CA 95624 (916) 714-1205 x 14

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RESERVE YOUR SPACE IN THE UPCOMING

CALL (916) 429-9901 TODAY! AUGUST 2016 • CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide

13

What’s Happening, Kids!

Monday, Aug. 1 MERMAID MONDAY AT FAIRYTALE TOWN: The Sacramento Mermaids will be swimming into Fairytale Town every Monday through Aug. 15 for Mermaid Mondays! Make your way to the outdoor Mother Goose Stage at noon and 2 p.m. for storytime featuring books about the ocean and water safety, plus a farewell song and photos with our MerFolk guests. 3901 Land Park Drive, Sacramento, 95822. Main Office: 916-8087462; 24-Hour Information: 916-808-5233. Email: mail@ fairytaletown.org aug. 4, 3-DAY PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP & SAFARI AT THE SAC ZOO; DAY 1: Hone your photography skills with Mike’s Camera staff during this three-day experience including an evening class session, a morning visit to the Zoo and an evening follow-up critique. Fifty percent of your tuition benefits the Sacramento Zoo. 3930 West Land Park Drive, Sacramento, 95822; 916-808-5888.

FAMILY DEAL NIGHT AT THE SAC ZOO: From 4 to 7:30 p.m., enjoy late summer nights and discounted admis-

sion at Family Deal Nights!

Everyone receives child-priced admission, $7.75 per person and last admission is at 7:30 pm. Sacramento Zoo Members get in free! Everyone pays child-priced admission.

3930 West Land Park Drive, Sacramento, 95822; 916808-5888. aug. 6 SATURDAY SAFARI AT EFFIE YEAW NATURE PRESERVE: Grabyour binoculars to catch a closer glimpse of the animals and plants that make up the unique habitat along the American River. Starts at 10:30 a.m.

(916) 489-4918/711 TDD/ TTY; 2850 San Lorenzo Way, Carmichael. Inside Ancil Hoffman County Park, at California Avenue and Tarshes Drive. Park entrance fee is $5 per car (FREE to members). aug. 6-7 FAIRYTALE TOWN AND THE FRATELLO MARIONETTES PRESENT MOTHER GOOSE LAND: Enter the world of Mother Goose Land, where all your beloved characters are brought to life by the Fratello Marionettes. Follow Mother Goose as she introduces you

to her favorite stories. We encounter Mary and her little lamb on their way to school, while Jack and Jill are climbing a hill in search of water.

Humpty Dumpty is perched high atop a wall waiting for the kings arrival, while Bo Peep is searching for her lost sheep. There is no better way to introduce young readers to classic Mother Goose rhymes than this warm and heartfelt production using exquisitely hand crafted marionettes.

Tickets are a $1 for members and $2 for nonmembers, in addition to paid park admission. Tickets can be purchased at the Fairytale Town Box Office or at the entrance to the Children’s Theater 15 minutes prior to show time.

All performances take place in Fairytale Town’s indoor Children’s Theater. Showtimes are 12:30, 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. with an approximate run time of 30 minutes. aug. 7 3-DAY PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP & SAFARI AT THE SAC ZOO, DAY 2: Hone your photography skills with Mike’s Camera staff during this three-day experience including an evening class session, a morning visit to the Zoo and an evening fol-

low-up critique. Fifty percent of your tuition benefits the Sacramento Zoo. 3930 West Land Park Drive, Sacramento, 95822; 916-808-5888.

EUREKA! AT EFFIE Y EAW NA TUR E PR ESERVE: Get your hands on a pan and catch gold fever.

Learn about some of the local Gold Rush history and get your hands dirty as you learn how to pan for gold in hopes of striking it rich. Starts at 1:30 p.m. (916) 4894918/711 TDD/TTY; 2850 San Lorenzo Way, Carmichael. Inside Ancil Hoffman County Park, at California Avenue and Tarshes Drive.

Park entrance fee is $5 per car (FREE to members).

Monday, Aug. 8 MERMAID MONDAY AT FAIRYTALE TOWN: The Sacramento Mermaids will be swimming into Fairytale Town every Monday through Aug. 15 for Mermaid Mondays! Make your way to the outdoor Mother Goose Stage at noon and 2 p.m. for storytime featuring books about the ocean and water safety, plus a farewell song and photos with our MerFolk guests. 3901 Land Park Drive, Sacramento, 95822.

Main Office: 916-808-7462; 24-Hour Information: 916808-5233. Email: mail@ fairytaletown.org

Turn Your Steps Into Wishes All ages & themes

1. Register your team at:

Visit our website for open play times

2. Set a fundraising goal

www.sacwalkforwishes.kintera.org/2016 3. Get started - make a personal donation 4. Invite others to join your team 5. Tell people why you are walking Get started today - YOU can make a difference and help us fund wishes for children, like Chloe, from our local community.

For information, visit necannv.wish.org

aug. 9 3-DAY PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP & SAFARI AT THE SAC ZOO, DAY 3: Hone your photography skills with Mike’s Camera staff during this three-day experience including an evening class session, a morning visit to the Zoo and an evening follow-up critique. Fifty percent of your tuition benefits the Sacramento Zoo. 3930 West Land Park Drive, Sacramento, 95822; 916-808-5888. aug. 11 FAMILY DEAL NIGHT AT THE SAC ZOO: From 4 to 7:30 p.m., enjoy late summer nights and discounted admission at Family Deal Nights!

Everyone receives child-priced admission, $7.75 per person and last admission is at 7:30 pm. Sacramento Zoo Members get in free! Everyone pays child-priced admission.

3930 West Land Park Drive, Sacramento, 95822; 916808-5888. friday, aug. 12 to Saturday, aug. 13 FAMILY CAMPOUT AT FAIRYTALE TOWN: Spend the night under the stars at Fairytale Town! This exciting overnight adventure includes exclusive play time inside Fairytale Town, a theater performance, arts and crafts, a scavenger hunt, bedtime stories and a singalong! Wake up the next morning under Fairytale Town’s canopy of trees to a light continental breakfast.

5:30 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Adults: $30; children (212yrs.): $25; children 1 and under: free; Fairytale Town members receive $5 off per adult and child ticket.

Address: 3901 Land Park Drive, Sacramento, 95822; Main Office: 916-8087462; 24-Hour Info: 916808-5233. Email: mail@ fairytaletown.org aug. 13 EFFIE YEAW PRESENTS: DEER TOES AND COYOTE PAWS: Learn to read the tracks of rabbit, deer, coyote, turkey and the clues that animals leave behind.

Program starts at 10:30 a.m.

(916) 489-4918/711 TDD/ TTY; 2850 San Lorenzo Way, Carmichael. Inside Ancil Hoffman County Park, See Events, page 15

14

CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide • AUGUST 2016

Events: Continued from page 14 at California Avenue and Tarshes Drive. Park entrance fee is $5 per car (FREE to members) Saturdays and Sundays: Aug. 13, 14, 20 and 21 THE FAIRYTALE TOWN TROUPERS PRESENT: BEACH PARTY PRINCESS: The Fairytale Town Troupers present their final show of the year! Enjoy a family-friendly comedy review that’s just for you! Help select the winner of the beach party princess contest, then dance with your favorite fairytale princesses live onstage. Beach Party Princess is packed with pretty princesses, silly surprises, music, magic and interactive fun in the sweet summer sun! All performances take place on the outdoor Mother Goose Stage and are free with paid park admission. Showtimes are at 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m.

Run Time: Approximately 20 minutes. 3901 Land Park Drive, Sacramento; Main Office: 916-808-7462 24-Hour Info: 916-808-5233; Email: mail@fairytaletown. org

Sunday, Aug. 14 EFFIE YEAW PRESENTS REPTILE RAPTURE: Can a turtle climb out of its shell? Do snakes blink? Can you really tell the age of a rattlesnake by the number of buttons on its rattle?

Discover all this and more in this program, which starts at 1:30. (916) 489-4918/711 TDD/TTY; 2850 San Lorenzo Way, Carmichael. Inside Ancil Hoffman County Park, at California Avenue and Tarshes Drive. Park entrance fee is $5 per car (FREE to members) Monday, Aug. 15 MERMAID MONDAY AT FAIRYTALE TOWN: The Sacramento Mermaids will be swimming into Fairytale Town every Monday through Aug. 15 for Mermaid Mondays! Make your way to the outdoor Mother Goose Stage at noon and 2 p.m. for storytime featuring books about the ocean and water safety, plus a farewell song and photos with our MerFolk guests.

3901 Land Park Drive, Sacramento, 95822. Main Office: 916-808-7462; 24-Hour

Information: 916-808-5233.

Email: mail@fairytaletown. org Aug. 18 FAMILY DEAL NIGHT AT THE SAC ZOO: From 4 to 7:30 p.m., enjoy late summer nights and discounted admission at Family Deal Nights!

Everyone receives child-priced admission, $7.75 per person and last admission is at 7:30 pm. Sacramento Zoo Members get in free! Everyone pays childpriced admission. 3930 West Land Park Drive, Sacramento, 95822; 916-808-5888.

Aug. 25 FAMILY DEAL NIGHT AT THE SAC ZOO: From 4 to 7:30 p.m., enjoy late summer nights and discounted admission at Family Deal Nights!

Everyone receives child-priced admission, $7.75 per person and last admission is at 7:30 pm. Sacramento Zoo Members get in free! Everyone pays childpriced admission. 3930 West Land Park Drive, Sacramento, 95822; 916-808-5888.

Aug. 20 ICE CREAM SAFARI AT THE SACRAMENTO ZOO: From 4 to 8 p.m., bring the family out for all-you-can-eat Baskin-Robbins ice cream and Coca-cola drinks for a brainfreezing summer tradition!

Zoo closes at 1:30 pm. Tick-

ets now on sale! 3930 West Land Park Drive, Sacramento, 95822; 916-808-5888.

Aug. 27 NATURE EXPLORERS AT THE SACRAMENTO ZOO: From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., join the Zoo and the Sacramento Library in an open play environment. We will be reading stories, playing, and exploring the wonders of the natural world with a new topic each month. Recurs the last Saturday of each month.

Included with Zoo admission. 3930 West Land Park Drive, Sacramento, 95822; 916-808-5888.

TALES & ALES BREWFEST FUNDRAISER FOR FAIRYTALE TOWN: From 5 to 9 p.m., join Fairytale Town as we celebrate our 57th anniversary! Local craft breweries will be on-site pouring unlimited

tastes of their beers. Enjoy live music by AKAlive on the Mother Goose Stage. Local food trucks—including Cecil’s Taste, Flavor Face and Slightly Skewed—will be onsite with food and beverages available for sale. Tales & Ales is an allages fundraiser and proceeds will support Fairytale Town’s education programs and park improvements. VIP Tickets include early admission at 4 p.m., reserved seating, specialty brews and refreshments provided by Oak Park Brewing Company and Sactown Union Brewery, and one commemorative cup. Please note: Fairytale Town will be closing at 2 p.m. the day of the event in order to prepare for the evening’s festivities. Tickets info: Advance Tickets (July 1-Aug. 26): Adults VIP: $50; Adults General Admission: $25; Children (2-12yrs.): $5.75; Children 1 and under: Free; Fairytale Town mem-

bers receive $5 off per adult ticket, and member children are free. Day-of Tickets (beginning August 27): Adults General Admission: $35; Children (2-12yrs.): $10; Children 1 and under: Free; no member discount. 3901 Land Park Drive, Sacramento, 95822. Main Office: 916-8087462; 24-Hour Information: 916-808-5233. Email: mail@ fairytaletown.org Sept. 3 SACRAMENTO RIVER CATS #ZOONIGHT: At 7:05 p.m., watch your hometown baseball team take on the Fresno Grizzlies and support the Zoo! Players will be sporting custom Red Panda jerseys that will be auctioned off and you can purchase tickets here with promo code “ZOO”. Purchase #ZooNight tickets, promo code “ZOO”. 3930 West Land Park Drive, Sacramento, 95822; 916-808-5888.

3UMMER 3ATURDAY 3LEEP /VER

!UGUST

3AT PM 3UN AM $55 per child (members) $65 per child (non-members) We will provide dinner (Pizza) & Breakfast!

0LEASE BRING

AUGUST 2016 • CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide

-A change of clothes -Pillow & sleeping bag -Toothbrush & toothpaste

Must sign up & pay by Aug 20, 2016

—www.planetgymnastics.net— 916-447-4966 planet.gymnastics@yahoo.com 3202 Riverside Blvd. Sacramento, CA 95818

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