FIRST REVIEWS ARE IN FOR "TROUBLE ON EARTH DAY"

This is a fun story told from a squirrel's point of view on ways to celebrate Earth Day. It is chock full of recycling crafts to empower children to make a difference in their world. I liked the nylon sachets and the CD picture frames!

Patricia Karwatowicz
Children's author

There are zillions of books for kids about holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, but not nearly as many about Earth Day. Trouble on Earth Day by Kathy Stemke not only fills that void, it's also a delightful picture book that will encourage children to appreciate and care for our environment all year long.

The pictures and plot are cute and young kids will enjoy hearing the book read aloud to them. Older children can read it themselves and participate in the many educational activities suggested. This would be a great book to add to school libraries as well as for families.

Reviewed by Janet Collins
Children's author

Kathy Stemke's websites: Helium Education Articles: http://www.helium.com/users/406242.html Education Articles: http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.html Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/kathystemke Follow me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=6147172660&topic=4910#!/kathymarescomatthews.stemke?ref=profile Follow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/kathy-stemke/13/269/285

Recycling and Water Conservation!

Song from my new book:TROUBLE ON EARTH DAY

Shelby Recycles

(tune: Mary Had a Little Lamb)

Shelby squirrel saved and saved,

Saved and saved, saved and saved,

Shelby squirrel saved and saved,

She used her things again.

She helped a songbird build his nest,

Build his nest, build his nest,

She helped a songbird build his nest,

With stuff around her house.

If we all just recycle,

Recycle, recycle,

If we all just recycle,

We’ll help our Earth to last.

Water Conservation Awareness Activities

Objective: The students will recognize that there is a lot of water in the world, but that not very much of it can be used for our drinking water and other water supply needs.

Get a globe.

Paint 97 pieces of uncooked ziti blue, paint 1 piece red, and paint 2 pieces green.

1. Ask the students if they think there is more water or land on the globe. They will answer water. Explain that although it looks like a lot of water, not all of it can be used.

Most fresh water is frozen in polar ice caps, icebergs, and glaciers. In addition, salt water is too salty to use for most purposes, and the salt is very costly to remove.

2. We will spread the colored ziti out on a table. We will explain that there are 100 ziti pieces, which can be thought of as 100 drops of water.

3. We will explain that the 97 blue drops of water represent the salt water we find in oceans and seas that we cannot drink.

4. The two green drops of water represent the water that is stored as ice in glaciers and at the poles that we cannot use.

5. The lonely red drop of water represents the fresh water that is available for plants, animals, and people.

6. We will ask the students if they think there is a lot of water available for use, reminding them that the one red drop of water represents the amount of fresh water on

Earth.

Kathy Stemke's websites: Helium Education Articles: http://www.helium.com/users/406242.html Education Articles: http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.html Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/kathystemke Follow me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=6147172660&topic=4910#!/kathymarescomatthews.stemke?ref=profile Follow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/kathy-stemke/13/269/285

TACONI AND CLAUDE- DOUBLE TROUBLE

      Taconi and Claude – Double Trouble – mid-grade novel

Author's Name: Margot Finke –
http://www.margotfinke.com

Publisher: Guardian Angel Publishing
http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/double-trouble.htm

KINDLE or Soft cover:
http://preview.tinyurl.com/4o2bmyk

Powell’s Books:
http://www.powells.com/biblio?isbn=1616331305

Paperback ISBN: 978-1-61633-130-6; 1616331305
eBook ISBN: 978-1-61633-131-3; 1616331313

A coming of age story set in the Aussie outback on 1950.
Taconi, an aboriginal boy, has a problem Dad, fears his
upcoming man ceremony, and a chatty cockatoo named
Claude. Dreamtime Spirits have plans for him, and so does
the cattle station owner. Decisions, fears, and the hunt for
wild meat soon become scary and dangerous.

Kathy Stemke's websites:
Helium Education Articles: http://www.helium.com/users/406242.html
Education Articles: http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.html Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/kathystemke
Follow me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=6147172660&topic=4910#!/kathymarescomatthews.stemke?ref=profile
    Follow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/kathy-stemke/13/269/285

Sh Sh Sh Let the baby Sleep: Famous Brother/Sister Pairs!

In Kathy Stemke’s new picture book, Sh Sh Sh Let the Baby Sleep, we find big brother Zachary a little jealous of his new baby sister.  Layla’s needs come first now. When given the job of keeping her asleep, he encounters all kinds of trouble. Zachary has a secret weapon! When he wears his thick black glasses, he has super powers! He rescues her from birds, bears, and all kinds of dangers. In the end, he makes a heartwarming discovery.  This action packed book with clever rhymes focuses on teaching consonant blends. The teacher supplement includes comprehension questions, songs, worksheets and activities.

The illustrator, Jack Foster, does a fantastic job depicting the action and humor of this heartwarming story. 

Zachary and Layla are sure to go down in history as a famous pair of siblings.  That got me thinking of other famous sibling pairs…….

Here are some that I’ve already got floating around my head:

·         Hansel and Gretel team up to find a witch.

·         Raggedy Ann and Andy dress in primary colors.

·         Marsha and Greg Brady from the Brady Bunch put their heads together to solve family problems.

·         The Bobbsey Twins solve mysteries together.

·         Donny and Marie Osmond sing great duets.

·         Jack and Jill fetch water and fall together.

·         Michael and Janet Jackson sing and dance together and apart.

·         Dick and Jane see Spot together.

·         Apollo and Artemis rule in Greek mythology together.

·         And finally, Zachary and Layla learn what????

Can you suggest famous literary/historical/mythological/cinematic brother/sister pairs? 

Kathy Stemke's websites:
Helium Education Articles: http://www.helium.com/users/406242.html
 Education Articles: http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.html Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/kathystemke
Follow me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=6147172660&topic=4910#!/kathymarescomatthews.stemke?ref=profile
Follow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/kathy-stemke/13/269/285

Reading Expert, Stephanie Brandt, reads my book to her son!

<iframe width="420" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/JylE1LZGEhs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Kathy Stemke's websites:
Helium Education Articles: http://www.helium.com/users/406242.html
Education Articles: http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.html Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/kathystemke
Follow me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=6147172660&topic=4910#!/kathymarescomatthews.stemke?ref=profile
Follow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/kathy-stemke/13/269/285

Prepare Your Older Children for a New Baby!

Sh Sh Sh Let the Baby Sleep is an ideal baby shower gift to help children adjust to a new baby in the home. This action packed picture book with fantastic illustrations will hold the attention of the youngest child while challanging the older sibling. The teacher supplement in the back includes, poems, songs, comprehension questions, activities and worksheets.

Having a baby is life-altering for you and everyone around you including your other children.  The key to a smooth transition is to have a plan for both preparing and training older siblings. Brainstorm before the child is born to come up with ways of coping with the situations that are bound to arise once the baby has arrived.

Prepare your child:

·         Tap into your child's natural curiosity about babies. Look at picture books together and talk about what's going on inside your body right now and what the baby will be like after birth.

·         If they are old enough to understand, tell them the baby is coming near a certain holiday.

·         Take your children with you to some prenatal meetings. Give them jobs to do like squirting the jelly on your belly. 

·         Let them decorate a one piece with fabric paint for the new baby.

·         Have them pick out some things for the baby's room.

·         Ask a friend or relative to give your child some extra time and attention after the baby arrives. This will help him know that he's still special.

Hover: Whenever the children are together, “hover” close by. If you see your child about to get rough, pick up the baby and distract the older sibling with a song, a toy, an activity or a snack. This action protects the baby while helping you avoid a constant string of “Nos,” which may actually encourage the aggressive behavior.

Teach soft touches: Teach the older sibling how to give the baby a back rub. Tell how this kind of touching calms the baby, and praise the older child for a job well done. This lesson teaches the child how to be physical with the baby in a positive way.

Act quickly: Every time you see your child hit, or act roughly with the baby, act quickly. You might firmly announce, “No hitting, time out.” Place the child in a time-out chair with the statement, “You can get up when you can use your hands in the right way.” Allow him to get right up if he wants – as long as he is careful and gentle with the baby. This isn’t punishment, after all. It’s just helping him learn that rough actions aren’t going to be permitted.

Demonstrate: Children learn what they live. Your older child will be watching as you handle the baby and learning from your actions. You are your child’s most important teacher. You are demonstrating in everything you do, and your child will learn most from watching you.

Praise: Whenever you see the older child touching the baby gently, make a positive comment. Make a big fuss about the important “older brother.” Hug and kiss your older child and tell him how proud you are.

Don't panic if your older one doesn't take to the newborn at first sight. Sibling love sometimes takes a while to blossom.  The keys to a smooth transition are to anticipate and empathize. "Everything will go much more smoothly if you can put yourself in another person's shoes.”

Kathy Stemke's websites: Helium Education Articles: http://www.helium.com/users/406242.html Education Articles: http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.html Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/kathystemke
Follow me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=6147172660&topic=4910#!/kathymarescomatthews.stemke?ref=profile
Follow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/kathy-stemke/13/269/285

Have Fun with Consonant Blends!

Reluctant readers will love this activity to be done with Sh Sh Sh Let the Baby Sleep!

• Laminate and tape several consonant blends to the floor. The ones featured in the book are Sh, Br, Th, Ch, Gr.
• Create aword basket at the end that uses the same blend.
• Start each child with a beanbag or  pair of rolled up socks.
• With feet together, they jump on each blend and say the sound as they land.
• Then they throw the beanbag into the basket and read the word.
• They retrieve the beanbag, give it to the next child in line and sit at the end of the line.
• When all the groups are finished, they rotate to the next blend.

Variations:

• Leave the word off the basket and ask the children to come up with their own word. ex. ship, shot, shy, shape, shut, etc.
• This activity works great with vowel sounds too!
•