February is African American History Month so as the month comes to a close, it is fitting that our featured book today is “What Color is My World? The Lost History of African-American Inventors” by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Raymond Obstfeld, Illustrated by Ben Boos and A.G. Ford
Last week, I had the privilege of meeting one of the most accomplished basketball players in U.S. History – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. I was quite excited when I found out he was making an appearance at a Tustin Middle School to promote his first children’s book. So that day, during my lunch break from work, I asked my colleague Kyle, an avid sports fan, to accompany me and be my cameraman. To say that Kareem is intimidating is an understatement – it is not just his imposing 7’2″ height or his list of many accomplishments (beyond basketball) but mostly, it was due to the seriousness in his demeanor. As Fermin, the OC Register reporter and I asked our questions, he answered each question earnestly like an elder statesman. Or a history professor actually, which he revealed, he might’ve turned out to be if he didn’t pursue a career in professional basketball. His co-author Raymond Obstfeld was also on hand for the interview.
The book “What Color is My World?” is an interesting resource offering profiles with fast facts on flaps and framed by a funny contemporary story featuring feisty twins. It is so creatively packaged and full of “Did You Know” type facts to keep any child (and adult) interested. Like did you know that James West’s technology is in the microphone of your cell phone? Or that Fred Jones invented the refrigerated truck that makes supermarkets possible? Or that George Crum invented the potato chip?
For Kareem, his reason for writing the book is clear: to provide a good way to make kids aware of how many objects in their daily lives were invented by African Americans, and to a greater extent, to provide African American and minority children to be inspired by engineers and scientists and to think outside of the box. Kareem laments the fact that for many kids, the only options they think they have are either entertainment or sports “They want to be either Lebron James or Jay-Z.”
Thank you so much to Kyle of the Smile Generation for taking the video!
For many book lovers, meeting an author face to face is like a music lover meeting a rock star. The thing is, the author can be a first-timer or someone little known, not really rock star status, and yet, they will still be greeted with awe and admiration by anyone who enjoys reading. When I meet an author at an event, sitting there with their finished book in hand (their
baby!), I am filled with respect. Writing book is like giving birth – google it and watch how many entries come up. You will find many different authors talking about the challenges of their journey akin to childbirth.
So the next time an author’s in town, go ahead and say congratulations. Even better, give their babies a chance – buy a book, read it.
Here are some book events around town:Saturday, Feb 11 12:00pm
Sue Ann Jaffarian, Juliet Blackwell and Darell James
at Book Carnival, 348 S. Tustin Avenue, Orange, CA 92866
The trio will discuss and sign their new books: Sue Ann Jaffarian, “Gem of a Ghost”; Juliet Blackwell, “Dead Bolt”; and Darrell James, “Nazareth Child.” Book Carnival specializes in mysteries and romantic suspense.
Tuesday, February 14 at 11am -4pm
Book Signing by Paula Rose Michelson, Author of “Casa de Naomi: The House of Blessing – Book 1”
The Black Cat Gallery, 26755 Verdugo St., San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Sunday, February 19 4:00 pm
Fran Blacketer, author of “You Can’t Kill a Dead Man”
Laguna Beach Books
And finally, this isn’t a book signing but it IS taking place at the Newport Beach Central Library and I thought it would be
fun.
Wednesday, February 22, 7-8:30pm
The New Hollywood with Robert Kline
Central Library, 1000 Avocado Ave.,Newport Beach
Producer, director and former studio head, Robert Kline, returns for his annual hosting of “A Night of the
Oscars”. He will talk about top movies and screen releases as well as behind-the-scenes stories of Hollywood and film. For a special new highlight, Mr. Kline will present a feature on the “New Hollywood,” the real power brokers and how a new generation of film and stars are being born. DVDsof classic films courtesy of Warner Bros. will be given away as prizes during the event. Tickets required. For information, visit Newport Beach Library Foundation.
I love cover versions of songs. There is something about taking something old and familiar and reinterpreting it. I really enjoy artists who manage to make the songs different, making them their own. I think this is why I enjoy new takes on fairy tales.
There seems to be a spate of fairy tale inspired projects in entertainment going on right now. From TV shows like “Once Upon a Time” and “Grimm,” to upcoming movies including two Snow White Movies (one of them starring Twilight star Kristen Stewart), and something called “Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters.”
For my 10 year old, it isn’t a new phenomenon, he grew up playing a video game called Kingdom Hearts which was about a boy named Sora having adventures in different Disney settings like the Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast movies. He even read the Kingdom Hearts manga, and then later, we both enjoyed reading “Peter and the Starcatchers,” which is inspired by the story of Peter Pan; and “The Looking Glass Wars,” which is inspired by classics “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” and “Through the Looking Glass.”
But what is even better than a re-interpretation is something entirely original that may have been “inspired” by something else. Take the book “Breadcrumbs” by Anne Ursu, which isn’t exactly a modern-day telling of a fairy tale though it does have some magical elements like a fairy tale, and even includes the character of the evil Snow Queen (like the Snow Queen in Narnia.) In “Breadcrumbs,” Hazel and Jack, both 11, are best friends and they go through the things that best-friends-on-the-cusp-of-puberty go through like the changes brought about by growing up. In the beginning, they play a lot of “imaginative” games but then one day, Jack changes and eventually goes mysteriously missing in the woods during a harsh Minnesota winter. Hazel goes through the woods to save Jack and meets many interesting fairy tale characters. The appearance of familiar characters like the Woodsman, etc. does not distract from the main story of friendship and love. And it is quite a joy to read.
So ARE Fairy Tales the new Vampires? Only time will tell if the trend will continue. For as long as one fairy tale-inspired projects make money for their makers, rest assured that there will be copycat projects that will come about. And then it will be on to the next thing… but just as vampire books are still being written so shall fairy tales.
During these hard times, fairy tale happy endings give us reason to hope.
It’s sad really, if you check my *Goodreads profile, it would seem that the only books I read are young adult fiction and chick lit, with a few business books and celebrity bios snuck in, to make myself feel just a bit closer to my age. And that’s probably why I decided to go over to the adult section of the library and looked up a genre I don’t usually read.
Mystery. That’s where I found T. Jefferson Parker, with over 2 dozen novels to his name. I chose randomly and borrowed “California Girl” because of the title and cover art (come on, don’t tell me you’ve never done that!). I have yet to start reading but I’ll let you know how it goes. Wish me luck in a world of crime and reality, far removed from my usual reading diet of wizardry and magic.
T. Jefferson Parker is top of mind because I received an email from the lovely Barbara De Marco-Bartlett of the Pen on Fire Writers Salon, announcing that the author would be making an appearance at tonight’s salon at the Scape Gallery in Corona Del Mar. The event is sold out but it’ll surely be a hit as Parker will talk about his novel, “The Jaguar,” and discuss the art, craft and business of writing crime fiction. For more information on the salon, visit www.penonfire.com/speakerseries
Oh and speaking of Goodreads… If you haven’t checked it out and you are a lover of books, you should. It is the largest site for readers and book recommendations in the world, boasts the site -” with more than 6,800,000 members who have added more than 240,000,000 books to their shelves.” It’s like a social network for bookworms.
Upcoming Events.
Sunday, January 22, Barbara de Marco-Bartlett and her writing students will be at Laguna Beach Books reading from their current work. at 4 p.m. Barbara adds: “There will be refreshments, conversation, and a room full of writers at one of the best (and only!) indie bookstores in Southern California. www.Lagunabeachbooks.com.” The event is free and open to the public.
Tuesday, January 24, 7pm at Barnes and Noble, Bella Terra in Huntington Beach, Megan Miranda, author of Fracture will have a book signing. You can visit www.meganmiranda.com and read chapters 1 and 2 of the book.
Friday, January 27, 6-7pm at Paradise Perks Cafe on Jeffrey Road in Irvine. I will host author Beth Aldrich who will discuss her book “Real Moms Love to Eat” (Yes we do!) The event is free of charge but it would be cool if you registered on Eventbrite. We will be raffling off a Vitamix blender and besides the coffees and teas of Paradise Perks, there will be samples of Meringue Bakeshop’s delicious PushCakes.
Well since you asked so nicely, Ryan… Right now I’m reading the 50th Anniversary edition of “The Phantom Tollbooth” by Norton Juster and with illustrations by Jules Feiffer. I never read it as a kid so I’m reading it to my kids now. Yup, it’s been fifty years since the world was introduced to Milo, Tock the Dog, the Humbug and their adventures in the Lands Beyond. What I love about the book is the word play, the humor and the wit that both children and grown ups can appreciate. We’re almost finished, the Princesses of Rhyme and Reason are back in the Land of Wisdom.
What about you? What’s your favorite children’s book? Let’s get together and chat over coffee some time. You can even bring that girl, Eva Mendes, if you want. No, really.
Meanwhile….
Odds and Ends
Okay, this is not a book event but this is for Star Wars fans out there. Our friends from the Discovery Science Center and Cartoon Network have announced a STAR WARS™: THE CLONE WARS™ TAKEOVER DAY. Apparently, the Clone Troopers will invade Santa Ana on January 14, 2012.
Here are the details.
WHAT: Put on your favorite Star Wars costume and head on over to the Cube for a chance to meet the heroic Clone Troopers, spin the Star Wars: The Clone Wars prize wheel, pose in front of a Clone Wars green screen backdrop for a souvenir photo and more
WHERE:
Discovery Science Center
2500 North Main St.
Santa Ana, CA 92705
WHEN: Saturday, January 14, 2012
11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Heads up, Stieg Larsson fans. I personally have not read any of the Millenium Trilogy nor have I seen the movie “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.” But when an email from the original Swedish publishers of the book came my way, it caught my eye. (When I think Sweden, I usually think of Alexander Skaarsgard and the Swedish Chef but that’s another story.)
Anyway…Norstedts, the Swedish Publishing House, has launched a new unique Stieg Larsson app for the iPhone: “Chasing Salander – The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.” The app has 14 scenes, embedded in a new story. Internationally acclaimed photographer Pieter ten Hoopen’s stunning pictures are enhanced by a specially commissioned script. The app is also bundled with over one-hundred facts about “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo” and Stieg Larsson.”
On the first day of the year, I did something good for myself – I attended my first ever hot yoga class and enjoyed it. Now the real test is whether I can follow through and actually develop a yoga practice for myself over time. But isn’t that the challenge each one faces at the start of the year? Lose weight, get fit – these are the perennial New Year’s resolutions of every real mama I know.
In 2011, I managed to sign up for a gym and actually make it in there twice a week fairly regularly. But curbing this foodie’s appetite is another story…and it’s not like I eat junk either (I don’t even drink soda, come on!) but I do enjoy eating! Just check out my Twitter stream and see how many pictures I post of my meals! See, the problem is that I find following diets restrictive and counting calories a chore. So it was with joy that I discovered the book “Real Moms Love to Eat — How to Conduct a Love Affair with Food, Lose Weight and Feel Fabulous” by Beth Aldrich with Eve Adamson. Who can argue with a title like that?
Beth Aldrich will be in Irvine on Jan. 27th.
The author, Beth Aldrich was a contributing writer for the Chicken Soup for the Soul Series and Power Moms, and is a Certified Health Coach. What I like about the book is that it breaks things down into 10 weeks of practical food adventures that pretty much amount to behavior modification. After ten weeks, there’s an actual 21-day meal plan with recipes! It isn’t a fad diet or get thin quick scheme, but it’s about how one mama changed her relationship with food for life and in the process got healthier and got her family and people around her healthier too. Beth is a delightful author who writes in an easy going but insightful manner so that you feel like you are listening to a girlfriend, who is sharing a journey with you.
In a newsletter, the author writes: “We have to eat at least 3 times a day, so why not enjoy it? Why have guilt, overindulgence or regrets? This is food we’re talking about. Luscious, lick-the-back-of-the-fork delicious food. When you know how to energize yourself with the best there is, there’s no need to count calories or fat. Let me be your guide and you’ll soon discover that this is no fling, this is an affair of a lifetime.”
So bring it on 2012. Let’s get this love affair started.
***
YOU’RE INVITED!
Join me as I host “Real Moms Love to Eat” author Beth Aldrich on January 27th, 2012 for a book signing and discussion at Paradise Perks Café, 15475 Jeffrey Road, Irvine, CA 92618 at 6pm. Admission is FREE but please register on either Eventbrite or Facebook so we can get a headcount for refreshments. You can order the book on Amazon in paperback or ebook form and have the author sign it in person.
I think it’s kind of funny how a majority of this new generation of Star Wars fans don’t even know it started out as a movie. I remember the whole Star Wars resurgence happening because of the Lego Star Wars video games. I know that’s when my kids found out about Star Wars. They’ve since moved on to other interests (They didn’t even get into the Clone Wars series) — yet Star Wars continues to fascinate them. That’s why they enjoyed these two new books:
“Darth Paper Strikes Back: An Origami Yoda Book by Tom Angleberger” is a clever follow-up to the very original “The Strange Case of Origami Yoda!” While it may seem absurd that the story involves origami, the story of Harvey and Dwight, their paper-puppets, and their friends is really about regular kids and how they deal with the dramas of middle school. I also like how the whole book is designed like it was written on crumpled paper.
“Villains: A Pop-up Storbybook (Star Wars: The Clone Wars) by Rob Valois (Adapter)” — Talk about popping out of the Dark Side. This book features all the bad guys from Clone Wars like General Grievous and Assaj Ventress. There are other Star Wars pop ups too — “Heroes” by the same “adapter” and “Star Wars: A Pop Guide to the Galaxy” by Matthew Reinhart.
But whether you or your kids are Star Wars fan or not, you MUST find the time to treat yourselves to the Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination exhibit at the Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana. My boys and I had a chance to attend the opening of the exhibit earlier this month and it was magnificent. Even if you haven’t watched the Star Wars films, finding out about the science behind them and learning about current research that may lead to real life versions of things like Luke Skywalker’s Landspeeder are very fascinating. With over 80 props, models and costumes, the Star Wars exhibit combines science, movie magic and interactivity all into one. Add to that, the existing exhibits at the Cube.
The Boys go over to the Dark Side
The Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination Exhibit at the Discovery Science Center runs until April 15, 2012. Time tickets include general admission to the Cube’s other exhibits. Tickets are $27.95 for adults and $22.95 for children (3-14). For more information, visit http://www.discoverycube.org/
May the Force be with you and may you all have a happy new year!
A tree. Four Stockings. The Nativity Scene. These are my Christmas decorating essentials. A Tree because it’s pretty, universal and basically non-denominational. Stockings because that’s the American tradition my husband insists we pass on to our hapa children. And the Nativity Scene, because well, being a Christian (and raised Catholic), it’s just feels like the right thing to have. I think it’s kind of sad now how people are afraid to mention the Nativity or Jesus this Season. It’s like you have to wait for the all-clear before you can even say “Merry Christmas.” To be safe, I was told to just say “Happy Holidays.” Come on, I’m all for respecting other cultures and traditions but must we be so uber-pc? Respect should be mutual. ALL cultures and traditions must be respected. Yes, even Christian ones.
For those who aren’t offended by mentioning Christ in relation to Christmas, here are some books you will enjoy sharing with your children. “The Berenstain Bears Get Ready for Christmas” from Zonderkidz is a cute lift-the flap book, from Mike and Jan Berenstain, in which the Bear family finds fun and adventure as they attempt to assemble the Nativity Scene. While the Berenstain Bears entertain the preschoolers, older kids will enjoy the “sounds of the night” and the beautiful paintings in “Listen to the Silent Night” by Dandi Daley Mackall and illustrated by Steve Johnson and Lou Francher (who were at the recent Chemers Gallery exhibit of Children’s Book Illustrators in Tustin).
If you’d really like a book that will tell the story of not just Christ but Christianity through the Gospels, you could try, well, the Bible as in the Kids Power Bible. Recently I got samples to review and of course, I gave it to my book “consultants.” My 6 y.o. thought it was just okay but it was my 10 y.o. who really got into it — reading Bible stories as if they were comics. “So much action, Mom!” he told me. Drawn in cute anime style with text in comic book format, the Kids Power Bible brings bible stories to life in a fun and entertaining way.
A sample page from the Kids Power Bible.
And since it IS Christmas, the Season of Giving, here are a few local organizations that you could consider GIVING books to:
1. Your Local Library – always appreciates your donations, however, ask them what they can do with your used/new books. Sometimes they sell it and use the proceeds to fund programs, other times, they may use them as prizes … books purchased for the library must be library bound editions. Call your local “Friends of the Library Group” for more information.
2. Your local shelter/soup kitchen/school – these are places where many kids do not have books of their own. Please consider these places when making a book donation.
3. Access Books – a non-profit organization spearheaded by UC Irvine teacher Rebecca Constantino. Access Books provides books to inner-city schools where at least 90 percent of students live at or below the poverty line. According to www.accessbooks.net, “Most students at the schools we serve are children of color and children of immigrants. Since 1999, Access Books has donated more than a million books in Southern California, and each year, approximately 18,000 pre-kindergarten through middle school-aged children participate in our program.” For more info, visit www.accessbooks.net
3. Chapman University’s Literacy Programs including the Kathleen Muth Reading and Learning Center – I had the pleasure of meeting some people from Chapman University at the aforementioned Chemers Gallery exhibit, where the University’s Literacy Programs stood to benefit from art sales. The Kathleen Muth Reading and Learning Center offers one-on-one tutoring for students struggling in reading. For more information, visit http://www.chapman.edu/CES/
Finally… with Christmas less than a week away, I wish you all a Merry Christmas.
GIVEAWAY:
Still waiting to hear from our Harry Connick Happy Elf Book and CD Winner. In the meantime, comment on this post and be entered to win BOTH the “Berenstain Bears Book” AND “Listen to the Silent Night.” Deadline for entries is Friday December 23rd at 5pm. Thank you! And to all….a good night.
I had another blog post scheduled for today but “Elves” are getting to me. Yes, elves as in Santa’s helpers. On Sunday, I attended a VIP Party at Knotts Merry Farm and we rode the Timber Mountain Log Ride which has been transformed into Elf Mountain. Since Knotts is all about retro cool, the elves looked pretty retro too – read: slightly creepy and not too cute. All in all though, it was so much fun. The Holidays at Knotts Berry er, Merry Farm include the “It’s Christmas Snoopy” Ice Show, a Peanuts Holiday Parade, a Christmas Crafts Village, Snoopy’s Christmas Light Spectacular and Birdcage Theater Productions (We saw O. Henry’s “A Gift of the Magi.”). A family outing to Knotts Berry Farm during the holidays is definitely a must-do.
And if going to an amusement park isn’t your style, you can always get in the holiday spirit with the “Elf on the Shelf.” The book was published in 2005 and though it’s been around, it seems it’s only getting mainstream popularity this year. Imagine, a Google search brought up 5, 580,000 results! Here’s how it goes: basically you read the Elf on The Shelf book with your kids and tell them all the rules. The Elf watches kids and reports to Santa. The keepsake book comes with an elf doll. Every day till Christmas, the elf moves! Kids have fun finding the elf. But I think many parents have as much fun hiding him. Read Baby Rabies hilarious post on some interesting elf hiding places.
For those who’d rather focus on the Christian angle of the season, you can always hide an “angel,” like Mary did and which you can read about on her blog.
Finally, I leave you with this little tune — the Happy Elf from Harry Connick, Jr.
Win a copy of the book with CD “The Happy Elf” by commenting on this post. Winner will be chosen through a random drawing and will be announced next Tuesday.
The countdown starts now. If you are at a loss for that perfect gift for the children your life, I ask you to consider giving them the gift of READING! Here are four gift-books that I recommend.
For Younger Kids
“I Love You, Santa Bear”
My Very Own Talking Bear and BookTM from www.pilbooks.com is an interactive toy AND book that talk to each other. The cute white Santa bear responds to prompts and brings dialogue to life. Just squeeze the bear’s paw to activate and use the six buttons on the right side of the book to start the bears talking. It’s cute and fun, but to be honest, as with most toys that require batteries, it could get a bit annoying. But I’m sure your little one will get a kick out of it at least for a while.
For Little Girls
“Ladybug Girl”
by Jacky Davis and David Soman
Pre-k girls will love the adventures of “Ladybug Girl,” who has a vivid imagination. Some even call the Ladybug Girl series empowering! This is a great gift because it has the book AND a DOLL.
“Pinkalicious”
by Elizabeth Kann and Victoria Kann
Since I have two sons, I must admit the Pinkalicious phenomenon is a bit lost to me but upon reviewing the Pinkalicious treasury I can see how pink-loving little girls can’t get enough of Pinkalicious and the other similarly named characters in her life, like Goldilicious, her pet unicorn. (I blame Beyonce by the way with her Bootylicious-ness for starting all this “icious”-ness.) I think there’s too much “pink” going on and puns on the word “pink,” but when you get down to it, the stories are okay and relatable to little girls. This book comes with 5 stories in one with a read-along CD plus pages of jokes, recipes, and other activities.
For Bigger Kids
“How Machines Work”
by Allan Sanders and Nick Arnold
Now this book is FUN. It is subtitled “The Interactive Guide to Simple Machines and Mechanisms” and it contains projects in the book complete with instructions, really charming illustrations including the 25 machine pieces, 10 plastic nuts and bolts, a detachable peg board to MAKE fun projects. Hello…Science Fair.
Something to do this Saturday
This Saturday, Chemers Gallery in Tustin celebrates renowned Children’s Book Artists including Robin Preiss Glasser Fancy Nancy series and Mary GrandPre Harry Potter, at its 20th Annual Illustration Show. Mary and Robin will be on hand for book signings and demonstrations. Chemers is the only gallery in the western United States that specializes in children’s book illustrations – there will be more than 300 rare original illustrations available for purchase during the show which runs from Dec 3-17th.
A portion of proceeds from art sales will benefit Chapman University’s CES K-12 Literacy Programs.
The opening event will feature art demos, face painting, balloon art and more Dec. 3, 1-4pm Chemers Gallery, Enderle Center, 17300 17th Ste. G, Tustin, CA call 7147315432
