Paulette Bourgeois

April 2016 

TM 

Great Reads for Growing Minds 

Paulette 

Bourgeois 

Continues to Capture Children’s 

Hearts with Franklin Series 

NASA Astronaut Leroy Chiao 

Inspires Kids to Reach for the Stars 

F. Stewart Kallinger 

Defends Teachers, Criticizes 

Common Core in New Novel 

Susan Andra Lion 

Plants a Seed of Environmental 

Awareness in Young Minds 

Nancy Gee 

Turns a Family Challenge into 

an Award-Winning Book Series 

Michael Bassen 

Entertains YA Readers with 

Debut Science Fiction Tale 

www.StoryMonsters.com 

$9.95 US $12.95 Canada 

Digital Parenting: 

Tips to Prevent Cyberbullying

MEET THE STAFF 

PUBLISHER 

Linda F. Radke 

Linda@FiveStarPublications.com 

Editor-in-Chief 

Cristy Bertini 

Cristy@FiveStarPublications.com 

WRITER 

Melissa Fales 

DESIGN 

Jeff Yesh 

Science & Nature Editor 

Conrad J. Storad 

PROOFREADER 

Debbie Greenberg 

Advertising 

Linda F. Radke 

Info@FiveStarPublications.com 

Cristy Bertini 

Cristy@FiveStarPublications.com 

Special Contributors 

Darleen Wohlfeil, Diana Perry, 

Jennifer Bisignano, Kristin Maggio, 

Shirin Zarqa-Lederman, Olivia Amiri 

Cover photo by Ian Chrysler. Images of Franklin the 

Turtle by Paulette Bourgeois and Brenda Clark are 

used with permission of Kids Can Press Ltd. (c) 1986 

Bourgeois/Clark. 

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of Five Star Publications, Inc. 

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2 StoryMonstersInk.com | APRIL 2016 | Story Monsters Ink

Story Monsters Ink 

April 

2016 

Thirty years ago, Paulette Bourgeois introduced the world to a young, 

curious turtle named Franklin. Meet the author who continues to 

teach countless young readers lessons about friendship, honesty, and 

responsibility in a simple, heartening way. Ever since he was a little 

boy, Dr. Leroy Chiao wanted to explore the galaxy. Now a veteran 

of four space missions, Astronaut Chiao uses his life of exploration 

and adventure to inspire others to pursue their dreams. Also in this 

issue, we talk to F. Stewart Kallinger, a retired English teacher who 

has channeled his outrage over teachers unjustly being blamed for 

failing schools and low literacy rates into a new book. Susan Andra 

Lion teaches children about our world and its many living creatures 

through her beautifully illustrated books, Nancy Gee turns a 

challenge from her grandchildren into an award-winning book series, 

and Michael Bassen entertains young adult readers with his debut 

sci-fi tale. Our special contributor this month is author Joseph M. 

Yeager, who offers parents tips to delete cyberbullying. 

Tell us what you think of this issue! Email your comments 

to Cristy@FiveStarPublications.com. 

Features 

04 Paulette Bourgeois 

Continues to Capture Children’s 

Hearts with Franklin Series 

08 NASA Astronaut 

Leroy Chiao 

Inspires Kids to Reach for 

the Stars 

12 F. Stewart Kallinger 

Defends Teachers, Criticizes 

Common Core in New Novel 

14 Susan Andra Lion 

Plants a Seed of Environmental 

Awareness in Young Minds 

18 Nancy Gee 

Turns a Family Challenge into 

an Award-Winning Book Series 

20 Michael Bassen 

Entertains YA Readers with Debut 

Science Fiction Tale 

24 Digital Parenting: 

Tips to Prevent Cyberbullying 

Monsters 

at the 

Movies 

New feature! 

Check out our review of Zootopia on page 30! 

26 Kids Can Publish 

28 Conrad’s Classroom 

30 Monsters at the Movies 

32 Spring Reading Guide 

35 Activity Page 

36 Book Reviews 

42 Monster Munchies 

44 Story Monster Approved Books 

46 Juicy Jack’s Spanish Corner 

StoryMonstersInk.com | APRIL 2016 | Story Monsters Ink 3

Feature Cover Story 

Paulette Bourgeois 

Continues to Capture Children’s Hearts with Franklin Series 

Thirty years ago, author Paulette 

Bourgeois released her first book, 

introducing the world to a young, 

curious turtle named Franklin. The 

success of Franklin in the Dark led to 

many more books starring Franklin, 

teaching young readers about 

complex topics such as friendship, 

honesty, and responsibility in a 

simple, heartening way. “What I 

consciously did in every Franklin 

book was to find the emotional core 

of a typical childhood issue, concern, 

or problem,” says Bourgeois. “If there 

is a common theme in the Franklin 

books, it’s that it’s okay to feel afraid, 

worried, or conflicted, but that there 

are solutions to every problem, and 

that each child has a vast reservoir of 

inner resources.” 

Bourgeois grew up in Canada, where 

her father’s job with the federal 

government kept the family on the 

move every few years during her 

childhood. She was drawn to books 



at an early age. “I read voraciously as a child and I still 

do,” Bourgeois says. “My parents were not big readers, 

but a librarian introduced me to series such as Nancy 

Drew and Cherry Ames and later to more challenging 

and engaging books as I got older. I still remember 

the first time I read Shirley Jackson’s The Lottery. 

It changed my life and made me realize the impact 

literature could have.” 

As much as she enjoyed reading and writing, Bourgeois 

didn’t initially aspire to become an author. “I became 

an occupational therapist because it was a career 

similar to nursing, which is a field my parents had 

encouraged, but I felt it offered more opportunity for 

self-direction and creativity and I was right,” she says. 

“I loved talking with the clients and figuring out what 

they needed and how my training could help them 

achieve their goals.” 

Bourgeois decided to leave the field after working for 

three years in psychiatry. “I realized that I liked writing 

up case histories more than doing treatment plans,” 

she says. Aware of how much she enjoyed writing, she 

returned to college to study journalism. 

“I can’t tell you how wonderful it is that readers still 

want to read Franklin and that readers encourage me 

to continue creating in whatever genre for whatever 

age. I am one lucky lady.” 

Fresh out of college, Bourgeois took a job as a junior 

reporter for a newspaper. She loved the work and 

made her way up the ladder to the position of on-air 

reporter for CBC News, the Canadian Broadcasting 

Corporation. As a newlywed, Bourgeois moved to 

Washington, D.C. with her husband, a reporter for 

Maclean’s, a weekly Canadian news magazine. There, 

Bourgeois began doing freelance work writing for 

magazines and the work took her around the world. 

Bourgeois was expecting her first child when she and 

her husband moved back to Canada. She pondered 

how becoming a mother would affect her career. “I 

decided that while I wanted a job and I wanted to 

continue writing, I didn’t want to keep traveling with 

a baby at home,” she says. “So I made a very naive 

decision. I am a writer with a child so I should write 

books for children. I had no idea that it was so difficult 

to enter the field.” 

The idea for her first book came to Bourgeois one 

night when she was up late with her baby daughter, 

watching M*A*S*H on TV. “In the episode, Hawkeye 

and Hot Lips are being forced to take shelter in a cave 

after hearing bombings,” Bourgeois explains. “Hawkeye 

said he was so claustrophobic that if he had been born 

a turtle, he would’ve been too afraid to go into his own 

shell.” That idea stuck with Bourgeois and she finished 



her first draft of Franklin in the Dark 

less than a week later. “I chose the 

name Franklin because I thought 

it was unusual,” Bourgeois says. “It 

was only much later that I realized 

that Hawkeye’s name in M*A*S*H 

is Benjamin Franklin Pierce. A 

subliminal choice, I guess.” 

Books featuring Franklin would 

go on to sell more than 60 million 

copies worldwide. A children’s 

cartoon, a feature film, and 

products such as board games and 

plush toys followed. Bourgeois 

offers several explanations for 

Franklin’s global appeal. “I think 

Franklin is popular because first 

of all, he is a turtle, he’s not a 

character who can be identified 

by race,” she says. “I also think 

that he is every child, boy or 

girl. He has the same feelings 

about growing up as any child, 

anywhere. And, I’m told, that 

children find the stories funny. 

Laughter goes a long way.” 

While Franklin has been 

Bourgeois’ most popular character, 

she’s written other books for 

both children and adults. “There 

are stories I like to tell that are 

outside of Franklin’s world,” 

she says. For example, Oma’s 

Quilt is a sentimental tale about 

a grandmother’s move into a 

nursing home and her family’s 

efforts to ensure that she’ll be able 

to hold on to her life’s memories. 

Bourgeois has written other 

picture books, such as Big Sarah’s 

Little Boots and Too Many Chickens, 

as well as non-fiction science 

books including The Sun, The Moon 

and The Dirt on Dirt. “I love taking 

complicated science and making 

it easy for me, and children, to 

understand.” 

According to Bourgeois, 

she enjoys the freedom of writing 

for different reading levels. 

“Writing is writing, but the 

difference between writing for an 

older audience and very young 

children is really a matter of length 

and detail,” she says. “A picture 

book is challenging because a 

writer has to distill the essence of 

the story into something that says 

a lot in few words. A book for older 

readers or adults allows a writer to 

go off in many directions.” 

Most recently, Bourgeois 

has been collaborating with 

film producer Anne Tait on 

a novelization of her feature 

film, The Iron Road. The book, 

intended for readers in grades 

7 through 10, is set in 1888 

British Columbia and follows 

the adventures of an 18-yearold 

Chinese girl who disguises 

herself as a boy in order to help 

build a railroad. “I’ve also written 

an adult comedy that has been 

optioned but not yet developed 

as a film and I’m currently 

writing a book for middle-grade 

readers,” Bourgeois adds. 

No matter what new projects 

Bourgeois takes on, she continues 

to be recognized for her Franklin 

stories, which have become staples 

for eager young readers all over 

the world. “I can’t tell you how 

wonderful it is that readers still 

want to read Franklin and that 

readers encourage me to continue 

creating in whatever genre for 

whatever age,” she says. “I am one 

lucky lady.” 

For more information about 

Bourgeois, visit 

www.paulettebourgeois.ca. 



Feature Story 

Chiao, wearing a Russian Orlan spacesuit, participates in 

the first of two sessions of extravehicular activities (EVA) 

performed by the Expedition 10 crew during their six-month 

mission. Photo courtesy NASA. 

NASA Astronaut 

Leroy Chiao 

Inspires Kids to Reach for the Stars 

by Melissa Fales 

As a boy, Dr. Leroy Chiao spent much of his time 

staring at the sky. His fascination with aeronautics 

swelled in the late 1960s as NASA intensified its quest 

to be the first country to reach the moon. Young Chiao 

was shaped by the moon landing and the promise it 

held for future space exploration. “The Apollo moon 

missions captured my imagination and made me 

dream about becoming an astronaut,” he says. “Since I 

was eight years old, I always wanted to fly to space.” 

Chiao grew up in California, studied chemical 

engineering at the University of California, Berkeley, 

and went on to earn a master’s degree and doctorate 

in chemical engineering from the University of 

California, Santa Barbara. 

After graduation, Chiao entered the private sector 

and worked on advanced aerospace materials. After 

working on a joint project with NASA to develop 

materials for space telescopes, he was selected for the 

astronaut program in 1990. “It was a life-changing 

phone call,” he says. “I was thrilled and ecstatic. I 

could hardly wait to report to NASA and begin my 

new career.” 


Feature Story 

“The Apollo moon 

missions captured 

my imagination and 

made me dream about 

becoming an astronaut. 

Since I was eight years 

old, I always wanted to 

fly to space.” 

Photo courtesy NASA. 

Chiao underwent an intensive training process and 

did his best to prime himself for a space voyage. “I 

was very well-trained by the team, but I don’t think 

anything can really prepare one for the first time 

launching into space,” he says. “I had a lot of time to 

think about it, about the risks, and I came to accept 

them long before we went to the launch pad.” 

Chiao’s first space flight was a two-week science 

mission on Space Shuttle Columbia in 1994, during 

which the astronauts completed 80 scientific 

investigations. “Being my first flight, it was the most 

exciting,” he says. The timing of the launch also held 

sentimental significance for Chiao. “We flew on the 

25th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, 

which inspired me to want to be an astronaut in the 

first place,” he says. “It was an emotional experience, 

having dreamt about it for so long and having worked 

so hard to get there.” 

In 1996, Chiao’s second mission was aboard Space 

Shuttle Endeavour. “The biggest thing for me 

personally on this flight was to lead my first two 

spacewalks,” he says. During their spacewalks, 

or Extra-Vehicular Activity (EVA), Chiao and his 

colleagues tested tools and construction techniques 

that would later be used to construct the International 

Space Station (ISS). 

Chiao’s third shuttle mission came in 2000 aboard 

Discovery, where he and his team put into use the 

tools and techniques that had been tested earlier. 

“We were the second major assembly mission of 

the ISS program,” Chiao says. “We installed two 

pieces onto the ISS over four EVAs. It was a most 

rewarding flight.” 

Beginning in 2004, Chiao served as the commander 

of the International Space Station, spending six and 

a half months in space at the helm of Expedition-X. 

“Commanding Expedition-X was the culmination of 

my flying career,” he says. “I used all of my previous 

experiences to bring the mission together.” Chiao 

played a key role in ensuring all went smoothly 

between the American and Russian astronauts 

working closely together in tight quarters. “As 

commander, I had the ultimate responsibility for the 

success of the flight,” he says. “I worked with NASA 

and the Russians to make sure we had everything 

we needed to succeed. We did accomplish all of our 

mission objectives and more. I am very proud of 

Expedition-X.” 

According to Chiao, the extended time in space 

required extra preparation. “A six-and-a-half month 

mission is very different from a two-week shuttle 

mission,” Chiao says. “It would be fair to compare it to 

a sprint versus a marathon. Both are challenging and 

rewarding in their own ways.” 

Since the 2004 presidential election occurred while 

Chiao was 230 miles above the Earth in the ISS, he 

had the honor of being the first astronaut to vote from 


Feature Story 

space. “The registrar’s office sent an encrypted Word 

document to me via email aboard the ISS,” he says. 

“I voted, and then someone in the registrar’s office 

recorded my vote. It was a great opportunity to get the 

point across to everyone on Earth that they could and 

should vote.” 

Chiao finds it challenging to describe the exact 

sensations of being in space. “Physically, it is a bit like 

floating underwater,” he says. “The physics are not the 

same, but the impression is similar. Emotionally, it’s 

almost overwhelming at first. The Earth is so beautiful 

and bright.” 

Today, Chiao is a businessman and a consultant. He 

also teaches at Rice University and Baylor College of 

Medicine and serves as special advisor for human 

spaceflight to the Space Foundation. While he is no 

longer traveling into space, Chiao’s experiences as an 

astronaut have had a profound, lasting effect on him. 

“I don’t think anyone flies into space without having 

a fundamental re-evaluation of life and what is really 

important, he says. “For me, I gained a bigger-picture 

perspective.” For example, he’s absolutely convinced 

that there is intelligent life elsewhere. “I think it’s the 

height of arrogance to believe that we are the only 

intelligent life in the universe,” he says. “I believe there 

is life all over the universe, but the distances are so 

vast that we very likely will never find each other.” 

Space travel also gave Chiao a unique vantage point to 

observe changes in the planet. He says he’s definitely 

seen evidence of climate change. “I have seen smoke 

from burning rain forests wrap more than halfway 

around the world,” he says. “I have seen air pollution 

that makes it impossible to take a photo of the Earth’s 

surface. I have seen lakes that were once vibrant and 

alive become dry holes.” However, Chiao suggests that 

more scientific studies are needed to determine the 

cause of these events. “I believe it’s an open question 

about how much is man-made, and how much is part 

of natural cycles,” he says. 

What is clear is Chiao’s pride in the space program and 

his excitement about its future. He’s confident that 

future generations will carry on space exploration and 

make incredible discoveries. “I think the children of 

today will see humans land on Mars,” he says. “That 

would be amazing.” 

For more information about Dr. Leroy Chiao, 

visit www.leroychiao.com. 

Working on the space station remote 

manipulator system. Photo courtesy NASA. 



Feature Story 

F. Stewart 

Kallinger 

Defends Teachers, 

Criticizes Common 

Core in New Novel 


F. Stewart Kallinger is angry. A retired English 

teacher turned author, Kallinger has boldly channeled 

his outrage over teachers unjustly being blamed for 

failing schools and low literacy rates into a book 

titled, A Lesson for Ms. Fort. In the book, Kallinger 

allows his voice to speak for teachers unable to openly 

oppose Common Core standards and other academic 

initiatives for fear of retaliation. “I felt like I had to 

write this book as a protest novel,” Kallinger says. 

Drawing on his 31 years of experience teaching in 

New York City public school classrooms, Kallinger’s 

A Lesson for Ms. Fort, demonstrates why programs 

designed to spur student achievement through 

increasingly intense methods of teacher accountability 

are destined to fail. Kallinger categorizes his book 

within the creative non-fiction genre, where a nonfiction 

story is presented in a novel form. “It’s about 

a fictitious teacher in a fictitious school,” he explains, 

“but it’s set in the very real context of the New York 

City public schools.” 

Over the course of his teaching career, Kallinger 

observed a steady decline in student aptitude. “To 

put it bluntly, things deteriorated,” he says. “I went 

from teaching raw Shakespeare to 7th graders who 

could handle it to having students who couldn’t read 

because they didn’t know the sounds of the alphabet.” 

In retirement, Kallinger took on a part-time job 

teaching at a consortium of three community colleges. 

“I thought it would be a challenge, and I was looking 

forward to it,” he says. “Instead, I discovered to my 

horror that colleges are offering classes in remedial 

reading and writing because they have to. Lowfunctioning 

students have been pushed through the 

system despite their complete lack of understanding 

of basic concepts. Students are still struggling to read 

at the college level. How can this be?” 

When Kallinger investigated the cause of this 

educational abyss, he discovered that many students 

were coming from dysfunctional homes where 

education wasn’t a priority. “Instead of coming from 


Feature Story 

“People need to be aware of 

what’s going on in the schools in 

this country. Only then will we be 

able to bring about a change.” 

homes where families sat around the dinner table 

talking, these students were coming from empty 

homes,” he says. “Their parents were disinterested, 

not around, or often in jail. In many cases, prison has 

not only become a way of life for these families, it’s 

actually being glamorized. There’s been a complete 

breakdown of the family unit.” 

Kallinger says this is a national issue, affecting people 

of all ethnicities and from all areas of the country. “It’s 

not about race and it’s not about location,” he says. 

“It’s not just New York City. Colleges across America 

are finding it necessary to offer remedial writing, 

reading, and math, so obviously something is very 

wrong in our schools.” 

The idea of writing the book came to Kallinger while 

watching a State of the Union address during which 

President George W. Bush reprimanded teachers for 

poor student performance levels. “He basically said we 

needed better teachers,” says Kallinger. “I thought to 

myself, ‘Well excuse me, Mr. President, but I’m doing 

the best I can.’ Granted, there are some teachers who 

are incompetent, but the number is so miniscule, it’s 

not a factor in this systemic failure.” 

In response, Kallinger has addressed A Lesson for Ms. 

Fort directly “to the president of the United States.” 

“It’s not for a specific president, it’s for any president,” 

Kallinger explains, adding that he sent a copy of his 

book to each of the presidential candidates. While 

he did receive form “thank you” letters from a few 

of them, he hasn’t received genuine responses from 

any of them. “It’s frustrating,” he admits. “Education 

should be a key issue in selecting a president.” 

Kallinger says his goal with the book is to help 

presidents and others understand that the problem 

goes far beyond anything teachers can be expected 

to accomplish in the classroom. “We need public 

acknowledgement by our president, by the governors 

of each state, and the mayors of each city, that the 

problem with education today is not the teachers, it’s 

the breakdown of the family unit,” he says. 

Other contributing factors in this educational battle 

include students’ ever-present cell phones. “The little 

social communication they do engage in is texting,” 

says Kallinger. “They don’t even have to spell out the 

word ‘you.’ It’s just ‘u.’ ‘Your’ becomes ‘ur.’ There are no 

apostrophes. There’s no punctuation. The little writing 

they are doing isn’t even English.” 

Kallinger vows to continue to advocate for teachers. 

“I am 100 percent pro-teacher,” he says. “Let me tell 

you about the teachers I know. They work hard. They 

go in early and stay late. They give up their lunches 

and prep time to meet with parents and offer students 

extra help. It’s bad enough that they don’t get credit 

for all they do, but they’re also being belittled, 

humiliated, and taking all the blame for the failure of 

public education when the root causes are taking place 

outside of the classroom.” 

Instead of spending millions of dollars on ineffective, 

teacher-centered programs like Race to the Top and 

No Child Left Behind, Kallinger proposes that money 

be put towards workshops led by social workers and 

school psychologists to reach out to failing students 

and their families. “They need help learning how to 

create stable homes,” he says. “We need to show them 

the value of education. We have got to show them a 

better way. People need to be aware of what’s going 

on in the schools in this country. Only then will we be 

able to bring about a change.” 

For more information about Kallinger, 

visit www.fstewartkallinger.com. 


Feature Story 

Susan Andra Lion 

Plants a Seed of Environmental Awareness in Young Minds 


Fresh out of high school, Susan Andra Lion 

entered Colorado State University with every 

intention of becoming a teacher. One basic 

drawing class later, she decided to switch her 

major to graphic design and went on to have 

a long and successful career. 


Feature Story 

Recently, Lion began writing and illustrating 

children’s books, renewing her interest in education 

and adeptly using her artistic talent as a teaching 

tool. Lion’s books, rife with animals and plants, teach 

children about our world and its many living creatures. 

“My intention is to honor Mother Earth,” Lion says. 

“It’s very important to teach children to be gentle with 

the Earth. It plants a seed inside them that will grow 

for the rest of their lives, making them more aware of 

their surroundings and of the connection that exists 

between all living things.” 

Lion lives in a scenic, spacious area just outside of 

Boulder, Colorado. “Mountains are very prominent 

from my studio window,” she says. “I’m surrounded 

by astounding beauty.” Wild animals such as coyotes, 

bobcats, and great-horned owls often grace her 

property. “I love animals,” says Lion. “They serve as a 

reminder for us not to discount the workings of the 

Earth. When an animal crosses our path, it reminds us 

to pay attention to nature.” 

But after Lion wrote the story down, it sat untouched 

for nearly 20 years. “It wasn’t that I forgot about it,” 

Lion says. “I had all the illustrations in my head. I 

just never took the time to draw them.” When she 

finally did, she showed them to her friend, Karen 

Stuth, owner of Satiama Publishing. Stuth published 

it, and today Lion has two more books in the series 

in the works. “To me, it shows that when we put our 

intentions out there into the universe, things click in,” 

says Lion. “When I was ready, all the cogs of the wheel 

finally started working together.” 

It wasn’t the first time Lion had a sense that things 

were happening for a reason. While registering for her 

first semester of classes at Colorado State University 

in Fort Collins, she unexpectedly ran into her brother, 

an engineering student there. When he suggested 

Lion try a class she had never taken before, such as 

art, she just laughed. “I hadn’t taken an art class since 

elementary school,” she says. “I had lettered in every 

sport and double-lettered in some. I was an officer 

“I hope my books leave something 

inside a child that makes them curious 

about the world.” 

Lion’s first book, How the Trees Got Their Voices, 

came about because Lion was doing just that, paying 

attention to nature. The story came to her during a 

camping trip. Lion was sitting by the fire with a book 

when she heard noises. “I kept hearing low, melodious 

voices,” she says. When she looked around, her eyes 

settled on a stand of trees nearby. “I walked over to 

them and the story just poured into me,” she says. “I 

just stood there and it came right to me, right there in 

the middle of the woods.” The story is about trees that 

ask the Creator to give them voices of their own after 

listening to animals make so many different sounds. 

The Creator explains that since trees are so large, 

they’d be too scary with loud voices. “Instead, the 

Creator granted them voices that rise and fall on the 

breezes,” Lion says. “When they speak to each other, 

it’s through murmuring and whispering. I’ve heard it. 

Have you?” 

in the Girls Athletic Association. As a senior in high 

school, I was an aide for the gym teacher. There was no 

doubt I was going to be a physical education teacher.” 

But something about her brother’s suggestion hit 

home. “I felt I had to at least explore the option,” she 

says. Before she knew it, Lion was signed up for an 

art appreciation course and a basic drawing course. 

“As soon as the classes started, I knew I would never 

be an art historian, but I knew from the drawing class 

that I would be an artist,” says Lion. “It was like a light 

turned on inside me that wouldn’t go out.” 

The university’s graphic arts program had a great 

reputation and Denver’s best graphic design company 

routinely interviewed top students for jobs. During 

her senior year, Lion was disappointed to learn that 

the company wasn’t hiring. With graduation rapidly 

approaching, she applied for a graphic design job at a 


Feature Story 

department store. The interviewer was so impressed 

with Lion’s work, she made her own call to the graphic 

design company and got her an interview. She started 

her new job a week after graduation. 

Working at the company gave Lion a wide range of 

experience at a young age. “They had a variety of 

different kinds of clients,” Lion says. “I got my feet wet 

in the right way. It was a wonderful experience that 

really prepared me for the rest of my life.” 

Later, Lion did freelance art work, including 

illustrating several children’s books written by others. 

She taught subjects such as Japanese book binding 

and calligraphy at the Community College of Denver. 

“I liked teaching electives because the students really 

wanted to be there,” she says. 

She operates her own graphic art and illustration 

business, but she says she plans to continue writing 

and illustrating children’s books, too. Her latest project 

was illustrating a book called White Butterfly and 

Her Wings of Many Colors, written by the late Arnold 

Bustillo. “It’s a story about learning to love yourself,” 

Lion says. 

To date, How the Trees Got Their Voices has won 13 

national awards. White Butterfly and Her Wings of Many 

Colors, released late last year, is starting to collect 

awards as well. “I’m excited about the recognition, but 

it’s not an ego thing for me to see how many awards I 

can receive,” says Lion. Her goal isn’t to earn accolades, 

but to help children develop a respect for the planet. 

“If getting awards helps get these books into more 

children’s hands, then I’m all for it,” she says. “I hope 

my books leave something inside a child that makes 

them curious about the world. I hope it makes them 

say, ‘Next time, I’m going to listen to see if the wind 

is telling me a story.’ I hope it helps them build a 

stronger relationship with nature.” 

For more information about Susan Andra Lion, visit 

www.Suelionink.etsy.com, www.Suelion.com, or 

www.Satiama.com. 


Two of the Most Beautiful Books 

You’ll Ever Own 

White Butterfly 

and Her Wings of Many Colors 

$18.99 ISBN: 978-0-692-54362-7 

Written and illustrated by Susan Andra Lion 

Story by Arnold Bustillo 

White Butterfly is fast as lightning and valiantly heroic. But the 

one thing she wants more than anything is brilliantly colorful 

wings. This tale of a little butterfly’s magical journey provides 

a charming and lovingly crafted message of self-acceptance 

and humility. 

How the Trees Got Their Voices 

$16.99 ISBN 978-0-9832687-5-8 

By Susan Andra Lion 

A stunningly illustrated, beautifully written tale 

about trees, Mother Earth and her many life forms, and the 

relationship of all living things. An instant best seller, winner of 

13 national awards. Children will cherish it for years to come. 

White Butterfly 

and her many-color wings 

and Her Wings of Many Colors 

Story by Arnold Bustillo 

Written and Illustrated by Susan Andra Lion 

Writing a Children’s Book? 

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ENHANCING YOUR 

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ILLUMINATED LIFE 


Feature Story 

Nancy Gee 

Turns a Family Challenge into an Award-Winning Book Series 


Nancy Gee’s award-winning first book, The Secret Drawer was inspired 

by a most unexpected visitor to her home: a flying squirrel who somehow 

found its way into her sock drawer and spent three days holed up 

inside. When the squirrel finally revealed itself, Gee had no idea what it 

was. “I was terrified of it at first,” Gee says. “Now, I realize that funnylooking 

little critter changed my whole life.” 

Gee grew up in Orland Park, Illinois and liked it so 

much, she decided to stay. For many years, Gee worked 

in her family’s business, Gee Lumber and Hardware, 

which at one point operated 13 home centers in and 

around Chicago. The company was forced to close 

when it could no longer compete with the large, 

national chains. “I was out of a job,” says Gee. “I didn’t 

know what I was going to do.” In a bold move, Gee 

reincarnated the mill shop her great-grandfather once 

ran. “His rip saw is sitting in the middle of my shop,” 

she says. “I’m still using it.” For the last 30 years, Gee 

has headed Maywood Industries, selling crates, pallets, 

lumber, and related building materials. “I had no 

intention of ever writing a children’s book,” she says. 

“I never thought I’d have time for something like that. 

After all, I have a business to run.” 


Feature Story 

One fateful day, a contractor 

working on Gee’s home 

accidentally left a door open. A 

curious flying squirrel got in, made 

its way to Gee’s dresser, and took 

refuge in her sock drawer. Gee’s 

first clue something was up came 

from her cat, Odis, who stayed 

near her dresser, staring at it for 

three days. “He had never done 

anything like that before,” she 

says. “I opened the drawers and 

didn’t notice anything. Odis kept 

watching intently. I thought it was 

pretty strange, but I figured that 

he would eventually move when 

he got hungry enough.” 

Three days later, Gee’s husband 

opened the drawer and got quite 

a surprise. “Out flew this strange 

little animal with big bulging eyes,” 

says Gee. “We knew it wasn’t a 

chipmunk or a bat, but couldn’t 

quite figure out just what it was.” 

An animal lover, Gee wanted to 

make sure the creature got out 

of her home safely. She carefully 

trapped it by putting a cup over it 

and sliding a book underneath it, 

then brought it onto the adjacent 

balcony and released it. “The 

thing sat there on the railing for a 

long time,” says Gee. “Then Odis 

jumped up and sat there with it 

for a while.” Finally, the animal 

opened up its arms wide and 

glided 20 feet to the ground below 

where another squirrel was waiting 

before scampering off. “That’s 

when we realized it was a flying 

squirrel,” says Gee. “We decided 

to name the pair Al and Sal. I was 

kind of sad to see them go.” 

When Gee told her grandchildren, 

Grey and Blain, about the unusual 

visitor, they suggested she write 

a book about it. They quickly 

dismissed Gee’s excuse that 

“Step outside of your comfort 

zone. Every day when you wake up, 

a new door opens and you’ve got to 

run through it.” 

she just didn’t have the time, 

reminding her how she always 

told them they could do anything 

they wanted to do and that the 

same rule applied to her. Then 

they officially challenged Gee 

to write the story. According to 

Gee, she had no choice but to 

accept. “I’m not one to run from a 

challenge, especially one from my 

grandchildren,” she says. “I didn’t 

know one thing about writing a 

book, but I wasn’t going to let that 

stop me.” 

After laboring over the first 

draft of The Secret Drawer, Gee 

wasn’t happy with it. “It wasn’t 

any fun,” she says. “I didn’t want 

to read it and I didn’t think kids 

would want to read it either.” She 

revamped it, adding rhymes to the 

story. “That’s when it came to life,” 

she says. 

Fortuitously, about a year after 

their first visit, Al and Sal turned 

up again, bringing Gee an idea 

for a sequel to The Secret Drawer. 

“One day my husband came up to 

me and said, ‘You aren’t going to 

believe who’s back,’” she says. “In 

a basket in our yard, there they 

were with a bunch of babies.” To 

commemorate the pair’s return, 

Gee wrote The Secret Path. This 

second book of Al and Sal’s 

adventures explains how they 

were able to navigate back to Gee’s 

home. “This time, I added new 

animals to help Al and Sal find 

their way,” Gee says. “I wanted 

to demonstrate to children that 

sometimes we all need friends to 

help guide us through.” 

While Gee continues to lead 

Maywood Industries on a fulltime 

basis, she’s enjoying her 

time moonlighting as a children’s 

book author. Her third book, The 

Secret Room, is in the works and 

due out next year. A local college 

has asked her to teach a course on 

how to write a children’s book. “I 

never thought I’d be doing all of 

this,” Gee says. “I love having this 

new career, this new adventure.” 

She says she owes it all to her 

grandchildren, who issued her that 

challenge to write a book. “I’m 

glad that I took them up on it,” she 

says. “If there’s anything I want 

them to learn from me, it’s to try 

new things. Step outside of your 

comfort zone. Every day when you 

wake up, a new door opens and 

you’ve got to run through it.” 

To find out more about Nancy 

Gee and her books, visit 

www.anancygeebook.com and 

find her on Facebook and Twitter. 


Feature Story 

Michael Bassen 

Entertains YA Readers with Debut Science Fiction Tale 


Michael Bassen’s debut book, The Evolution of Glory Loomis, is a YA 

science fiction tale about a girl who undergoes a major evolutionary 

transformation over a handful of days. “It’s a different take on the 

familiar storyline of the superhero,” says Bassen. “She wears no 

cape. She can’t leap over a tall building. She’s just extraordinarily 

and qualitatively smart. And she’s 13 years old.” 

Bassen grew up in New York City. He graduated 

from Trinity College, earned a master’s degree from 

Harvard University, and went on to teach English at a 

Long Island public school for over 30 years. Today he 

lives in Lincoln, Rhode Island with his wife of nearly 

50 years. 

In his spare time, Bassen has been a cartoonist, a 

playwright, a game inventor, and a songwriter, but 

never an author until now. An avid reader, he decided it 

was time to try writing. “I thought I’d give it a whirl,” he 

says. “I’ve found that the nice thing about writing prose, 

unlike a song or a play, is that you don’t need anyone to 

perform it. Once it’s done, you don’t have to put it on.” 

It took Bassen roughly three years to write The 

Evolution of Glory Loomis. “The initial version bears very 

little resemblance to the finished product,” he says. 

Originally, Glory was just nine years old. “I felt very 

limited by her age,” Bassen says. “Bumping her up to 

13 allowed me to expand the story, make the aspect 

of language more prominent, and introduce the more 

complicated issues present with a budding teenager.” 

Bassen jokes that the evolution described in the title 

could apply to him during the writing process. “As I 

wrote, I evolved along with Glory,” he says. 

As Bassen’s futuristic coming-of-age story unfolds, 

Glory transitions into something else. “There’s a 

colossal alteration of her emotional make-up and of 

her intellect,” says Bassen. “She’s not really an extraterrestrial 

because she’s Earthbound, but she’s definitely 

‘other.’” Glory develops an extreme intelligence as 

well as inherent charm. “I call her a Euphoriagenic 

transfiguree,” says Bassen. “She’s contagious. In her 

presence, people become literally infected by her 


Feature Story 

“My goal was to make 

the book entertaining, 

especially for this age 

group. If it’s not fun 

to read, who wants to 

read it?” 

charm and they become charming, too, no matter how 

unpleasant they may be. She has this amazing, positive 

influence on the world.” Unfortunately, the world 

isn’t ready for such a being. “Glory is so ‘other’ and so 

special that the world itself needs to change in order to 

accommodate her gifts,” Bassen says. “It’s very clear that 

it’s going to take some time for that to happen.” 

Describing Glory’s extreme difference to readers 

was a particularly challenging task for Bassen. “It’s like 

asking a five-year-old to describe Albert Einstein,” he 

says. “We’re so different from her intellectually and 

emotionally. She’s so much more complex. She’s on such 

a higher level.” 

Bassen felt that focusing on Glory’s language would 

be the most effective way to explain how different she 

is. “The power of language is one of the things that 

separates us from other species,” he says. “Those with 

a high command of language seem to control others. 

Language not only empowers you, it reflects the level 

of your intellect.” Bassen names the language Glory 

develops for herself “Speaksong,” a combination of 

mathematics, music, and natural language. “I do my 

best to describe Glory’s expressions in ‘Speaksong,’ but 

the challenge of describing something beyond your ken 

is daunting, at best,” says Bassen. “How do you describe 

concepts that are essentially indescribable?” 

Readers witness Glory’s efforts at communicating with 

those around her, her attempts to manage her intense, 

fluctuating emotions, and her ability to adapt to her 

new intellect. “In a benign world, these changes would 

be difficult enough,” says Bassen. “But Glory doesn’t live 

in such a world. In both the short and the long run, her 

survival is at stake.” 

The Evolution of Glory Loomis offers three simultaneous 

storylines. There’s Glory, there’s a feckless newspaper 

reporter whose life becomes entangled with Glory’s, 

and there’s a dejected, retired teacher whose wife and 

daughter were killed in a plane crash. “It was difficult to 

weave their stories together without distracting from 

each other,” Bassen says. “I wanted them to be accessible 

and read seamlessly.” 

According to Bassen, his goal with The Evolution of 

Glory Loomis was to present the familiar elements of 

the common superhero theme without the predictable 

plot twists and character revelations. “I tried to imagine 

things I’ve never seen imagined before,” he says. “I think 

the more interesting sci-fi/fantasy occurs when the 

storyteller successfully infuses the familiar elements 

with his or her sensibilities, idiosyncratic twists, and 

opinions,” he says. “If that happens, the story becomes 

unfamiliarly familiar, which often makes for a more 

interesting and entertaining result. I hope that’s true of 

The Evolution of Glory Loomis. My goal was to make the 

book entertaining, especially for this age group. If it’s 

not fun to read, who wants to read it?” 

Bassen is currently working on a sequel. For more 

information about The Evolution of Glory Loomis, visit 

www.CedarGroveBooks.com. 


Building a strong foundation 

in Jesus, showing compassion, 

acceptance, and love for others! 

 

ISBN: 9780986360442 / Hardcover $16.99 

ISBN: 9780986360435 / Softcover $8.99 

 



Bold, Captivating illustration! 

is series is a must-have for 

every child's library! 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

www.GLMPublishing.net 

BUILDING a STRONG FOUNDATION in CHRIST JESUS! 


Meet Liv... 

The Liv On Life Series features 

Olivia (aka Liv) and her best 

friend, Bowie, a Boxer dog. 

Liv is the go-to girl for kids 

and parents looking for advice 

on how to navigate our fastpaced, 

technological world. 

Keep on the lookout 

for upcoming titles in 

the Liv On Life Series including: 

I Love to Read 

What’s In My Backpack? 

I Don’t Wear Jeans 

I Know What Time It Is 

Just Smile! 

You Go, I Go 

SUNday! 

Scootie and Me 

Visit www.livonlife.com for recipes, coloring pages, and more! 

Available on Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com 

and most major retailers. 


Feature Story 

Digital Parenting: 

Tips to Prevent Cyberbullying 

by Joseph M. Yeager, author of #DigitalParenting: 

A Parent’s Guide to Social Media, Cyberbullying & Online Activity 

Cyberbullying affects millions of children and 

teenagers each year. According to the Cyberbullying 

Research Center from a study conducted last year, 

more than a third of the students between the ages 

of 11 and 15 reported that they have been the target 

of cyberbullying. That alone comes to more than 7 

million victims per year. Unfortunately, social media 

has ingrained itself into teen society so much that the 

cure for cyberbullying may never be found. 

Many cases of cyberbullying are the result of students 

attacking other students. That means that in these 

cases, the victims know the aggressor. While that 

is similar to what previous generations of kids 

experienced, cyberbullying is very different from 


Feature Story 

what today’s parents experience because in a lot of 

situations, parents may not realize that it’s even 

occurring. According to a report by CNN last year, the 

overwhelming majority of parents underestimate the 

amount of social conflict that takes place because of 

social media. How is this happening? 

Cyberbullying is mostly centered on devices such 

as tablets and smartphones. Their ability to be 

mobile and easily concealed means that cyberattacks 

can happen virtually anywhere, at any time. Bullied 

children used to find refuge in the safety of their 

own homes. That is not the case with cyberbullying, 

which is part of what makes the issue so devastating 

to its victims. The sound of a new text or alert from a 

cellphone can result in anxiety and fear. The damage 

is more emotional and psychological in nature than 

physical. Only when the situation gets bad enough are 

physical results evident, often the result of self-harm 

by the victim. 

Despite the issues, teens seem to be addicted to social 

media, and even with all of the problems associated 

with it and what it can lead to, the majority of teens 

today would rather be grounded than lose their 

cellphone. 

When cyberbullying affects your child, there are 

ways to counter it. The most important thing is to 

have a plan in advance of what you need to do when 

it happens. Children need to have someone to discuss 

the problem with, even if that person is not a parent. 

Many victims of cyberbullying don’t tell anyone about 

it. This can be because they don’t know who to trust 

or because they feel that people will think that they 

are being too sensitive. Even parents can be left in the 

dark because children worry that they will be required 

to stop using social media or their phones, which they 

may feel is a form of punishment. 

Parents should check the privacy settings on 

every site their children use. Since companies can 

change the privacy settings on their sites/apps 

without informing users, this is something that 

needs to be checked routinely. Even search engines 

such as Yahoo! and Google have privacy settings, 

sometimes called filters, to help reduce the amount 

of inappropriate material that gets through. For 

students doing homework, Google Scholar 

(www.scholar.google.com) is a far better search 

engine. It eliminates inappropriate content and also 

returns only reliable sources in its results. 

Kids should also set their own privacy settings and 

let their friends know what is acceptable to share 

with others. Many sites, including Facebook, allow 

users to share postings from their friends, exposing 

them to people based on their privacy settings, not 

those of the original person who wrote the post. This 

is called managing your digital footprint, and can go 

a long way in preventing predators and cyberbullies 

from gaining access to information that can be used 

against people later. 

While teenagers may not appreciate it, parents 

should be monitoring their children’s online activity. 

This is not done because parents can’t trust their 

own kids, but because they can’t trust other people 

who may be targeting their kids. At the same time, 

monitoring may not be enough, so all children using 

social media sites should provide their parents with 

their log-in information to every site they use and be 

prepared to hand over their cellphones occasionally 

for inspection. Another benefit of signing into their 

accounts is to see which online groups they may 

belong to via social media. This cannot always be 

accomplished simply by “following” them, being in 

their circle, or being their online friend. 

Finally, learn as much as you can about cyberbullying. 

Visit the Cyberbullying Research Center at 

www.cyberbullying.us for tremendous resources 

for students, educators, and parents. 


Kids Can Publish! 

The Magic Tree 

Painting and poem by Kristin Maggio, age 9 

High above in a magical tree, sits a wise owl who calls to me. 

He speaks to all of those who come, words of wisdom, then he is done. 

The owl gazes down with a warm smile, knowing people have traveled so many miles. 

A simple touch of the magic leaves, will it grant wishes? We will have to see. 

One by one, their hearts fill with hope, and suddenly they have the strength to cope. 

The owl welcomes all to his majestic tree. Perhaps its magic is anything you need it to be…. 

Hey Kids! Visit www.StoryMonstersInk.com and click on 

“Kids Can Publish” for instructions on how to submit your work! 



Science & Nature 

Real Flying Dragons 

by Conrad J. Storad 

Photo by: Linda F. Radke 

The variety of life on Earth is mind-boggling. 

That is true today and has been throughout the long 

history of our planet. There are animals and plants 

of all shapes and sizes. Some of the most fascinating 

creatures are insects, especially the flying ones. 

The dragonfly is one of the oldest and most interesting 

flying insects of all. Some writers have described the 

dragonfly as being a “charming” insect. Dragonflies 

don’t sting or bite humans. They don’t spread disease. 

They exist in a rainbow of colors. And they are 

amazing, acrobatic flyers. 

“Charming” might be an appropriate word to describe 

a dragonfly when you are human, and hundreds 

of times larger in size. However, a mosquito, gnat, 

or other small flying insect might have a different 

opinion. Tiny flying critters know the dragonfly as a 

predator. They are voracious, flying “eating machines.” 

Dragonflies have always been hungry hunters. They’ve 

lived on Earth for a long, long time. More than 100 

million years before the dinosaurs ruled the Earth, 

dragonflies soared through prehistoric skies. Long ago, 

dragonflies were not small insects that darted from 

branch to branch or hovered and zoomed back and 

forth above ponds and swamps. The early dragonflies 

were HUGE. They looked like something straight out 

of a scary old monster movie. 

Prehistoric dragonflies were giants. They had 

wingspans of more than three feet. That’s as wide 

as a yardstick. It’s bigger than the wingspan of most 

modern hawks and some eagles. Scientists say that 

these old dragonflies were just some of the many giant 

insects that roamed our planet more than 300 million 

years ago. The giant bugs were not as big as dump 

trucks, but many did grow many times larger than 

insects alive today. 

Migrant hawker (Aeshna mixta) has the long slender abdomen of aeshnid 

dragonflies. Photo by Michael Palmer. 

How can this be true? Scientists have fossil evidence, 

and lots of it. In addition to giant dragonflies, some 

ancient cockroaches were large enough to scare your 

pet cat, or eat it. Giant insects thrived during the 

Paleozoic era. This period of ancient time stretched 

from 245 million to almost 570 million years ago. 


Science & Nature 

This image shows an approximately 1.6 inch (4 cm) large male Yellow-winged 

Darter (Sympetrum flaveolum) from the side. Photo by André Karwath. 

Damselflies, like this Ischnura senegalensis, are more slender in build than 

dragonflies, and most hold their wings closed over their bodies. Photo by 

Laitche Studio Works. 

The first dinosaurs started to show up on Earth about 

the time the giant insects disappeared. 

Today, scientists have identified more than 5,000 

different kinds of dragonflies. They have long, 

needlelike bodies, four transparent wings, and two 

large eyes with keen vision. A dragonfly has compound 

eyes. The eyes make up most of its head. Each eye is 

made up of more than 20,000 tiny lenses. Each curved 

lens has six sides and can focus in a different direction. 

The dragonfly can see in every direction at once, except 

for directly behind itself. This amazing range of vision 

helps the dragonfly to be a skilled and deadly hunter. 

Smaller flying critters are “fast food” for the dragonfly. 

Dragonflies are found all around the world. They like 

to live in warm climates near ponds, swamps, and 

streams. Plenty of other small flying insects live in 

these locations. As a result, food is never a problem 

for the dragonfly. Modern dragonflies have wingspans 

from one to five inches wide. Damselflies are cousins 

that are much smaller, but look very similar. There are 

probably lots more types of both of these flying insects 

yet to be discovered. 

Dragonfly fast facts: 

• Dragonflies can fly as fast as 30 miles per hour. They 

are some of the world’s fastest flying insects. 

• Dragonflies can hover in one place like a helicopter. 

They can fly up and down, sideways, or even fly 

backwards. 

• Dragonflies have sharp teeth. To catch insects, they 

create a basket with their feet. They swoop in and nab 

their prey in mid-air. 

• A single dragonfly can eat hundreds of mosquitoes 

each day. 

• Some adult dragonflies live for only a few weeks. 

Others might live up to a year. 

Resources to learn more 

about dragonflies: 

WEBSITES: 

• Ask A Biologist 

https://askabiologist.asu.edu 

• San Diego Zoo for Kids 

http://kids.sandiegozoo.org/animals/insects/ 

dragonfly 

• National Geographic – The Secret World 

of Dragonflies 

http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/ 

short-film-showcase/the-secret-world-ofdragonflies 

Conrad J. Storad 

The award-winning author and editor of more than 50 

science and nature books for children and young adults, 

Conrad J. Storad expertly draws young readers into his 

imaginative and entertaining “classroom” to help them 

better understand and appreciate the natural world. 


Monsters at 

the Movies 

Zootopia 

by: Nick Spake Grade: A- 

Walking into Zootopia, parents accompanying 

their children may think they know what’s in store 

for them: just another animated feature with talking 

animals and pop culture references that’ll be dated 

in a couple years. This wonderful movie is so much 

more than I ever thought possible, however. The 

basic moral of Zootopia is to not judge an individual 

based on their appearance. Likewise, you can’t always 

judge a movie based on its advertisements either. In 

addition to being one of the funniest films Disney has 

ever produced, Zootopia provides a thought-provoking 

moral regarding acceptance that parallels real world 

issues. It’s amazing just how wise, relevant, and even 

important this cute little movie truly is. 

Ginnifer Goodwin is equally adorable and immensely 

compelling as Judy Hopps, a small rabbit with big 

dreams. While all the animals in her world supposedly 

live together in harmony, there are still barriers 

separating prey from predators. Judy hopes to tear 

stereotypes down by becoming the first rabbit police 

officer in the city of Zootopia. Alas, Chief Bogo (Idris 

Elba) believes the pipsqueak bunny is only qualified to 

be a meter maid. Eager to prove herself, Judy stumbles 

upon a kidnapping conspiracy and sets out to crack the 

case. Along the way, she gets some help from Nick Wilde 

(Jason Bateman), a sly fox with a knack for hustling. 

Goodwin and Bateman share marvelous chemistry 

together with one being the determined rookie and 

the other being the street-smart cynic. There are times 

when Zootopia runs the risk of becoming a standard 

buddy cop movie along the lines of 48 Hrs. What 

makes the story something much smarter and more 

original is the touching relationship that blossoms 

between its main characters. Like Judy, Nick has 

also faced his fair share of prejudice with everyone 

assuming he’s nothing more than a crooked fox. 

Even Judy is skeptical of Nick at times and makes 

assumptions about him based on his species. 

This is where the genius lies in Zootopia’s commentary 

on discrimination. None of the characters are perfect. 

Some are clearly better individuals than others, but 

everyone is capable of being ignorant and insensitive. 

It goes to show that we all make mistakes, but we’re 

also capable of learning from them to create a better 

tomorrow. When you really think about it, this family 

picture is actually much more mature and topical than 

most “adult” films that attempt to analyze racism. While 

such themes may seem daunting for younger viewers, 

the filmmakers present this important subject matter in 

a way that kids and grownups can identify with. 

Its meaningful message aside, Zootopia is a brilliant 

comedy for everybody. The supporting characters are 


all a hoot, most notably Jenny Slate as a timid sheep, 

Maurice LaMarche as a shrew channeling Marlon 

Brando, and Raymond S. Persi as a slow sloth who 

naturally works at the DMV. They all inhabit a wildly 

imaginative world that practically feels alive. Every 

set piece is beautifully rendered with little details 

packed into each corner. Directors Byron Howard and 

Rich Morre throw clever sight gags at the audience 

a mile a minute. There are so many inspired jokes 

here that you need to see the film at least twice in 

order to catch them all. You can bet that I’ll be back 

for a second viewing and a dozen more will be on the 

horizon too. As timely as it is timeless, Zootopia is 

another instant classic. 

artwork courtesy of Disney Enterprises, Inc. 

Monsters at the Movies recently had the pleasure of 

talking with Clark Spencer, the producer of Zootopia 

and several other animated films, including Lilo & 

Stitch, Bolt, and Wreck-It Ralph. Here’s what Spencer 

had to say about the latest instant classic from Disney. 

Monsters at the Movies: The best Disney films 

have managed to be perennial while also keeping up 

with modern times. Zootopia is no exception. How 

does Disney strike such a perfect balance in being 

timeless and timely? 

Clark Spencer: It’s hard. It’s really, really hard. 

Many of the films I’ve worked on take place in the 

modern world. I get the great luxury of having 

artists think about how to create that world where 

it does feel very timely, but also hopefully timeless. 

The story, the characters, and the theme have to be 

timeless. Some of the other ideas in there can be 

timely. We have ads in there, like Zuber instead of 

Uber. Putting an animal spin on something we all 

know allows it to be relevant and relatable for us, but 

ultimately it allows the audience also to have fun, 

especially for the adults. 

Monsters at the Movies: Almost all animated 

films go through major changes between the initial 

concept and the final product. When Zootopia first 

entered production, the sly, cynical Nick Wilde was 

intended to be the main character. However, it was 

ultimately decided that go-getter Judy Hops should 

be the protagonist. Why was this change made? 

Clark Spencer: In the original version, we did 

have Nick as our main character. To us, there was 

something fun about going into the world with a 

cynical character, especially with Jason Bateman 

narrating that character. But we started to realize that 

people weren’t rooting for Nick because he’s cynical. 

It’s very hard to get the audience to want to root for a 

cynical character. It was going to be easier to root for 

Judy as a small rabbit wanting this dream. 

Monsters at the Movies: What do you think your 

greatest personal contribution to the film was? 

Clark Spencer: That is such a good question. 

Something someone told me when I produced my 

first film (Lilo & Stitch) was the most important thing 

to think about is what’s the best story. A year from 

finishing this film when we talked about taking the 

main characters and flopping them, the instinct 

was to say, “We can’t do it.” But I knew the story 

wasn’t going to be the best story possible. So I let the 

directors start building that story to see if it was truly 

going to be better. I think that’s the biggest thing I 

did for the film: relaxing and not panicking, which 

allowed them to go explore. 

On a final note, Spencer stated that his favorite 

animal is a giraffe, although he’s starting to love 

sloths more and more. Considering the hilarious 

DMV scene in Zootopia, it’s easy to see why. 

Nick Spake. Ahwatukee native 

and Arizona State University 

graduate Nick Spake has been 

working as a film critic for ten years, 

reviewing movies on his website, 

www.nickpicksflicks.com. 


Spring Reading Guide 

The Adventures of Keeno and Ernest: “The Diamond Mine” 

by Maggie van Galen 

What makes a better read for children than one of friendship, family, and a gentle reminder of 

life’s moral values? This award-winning book combines all of these with beautiful illustrations. 

Keeno and Ernest are the best of friends living in the jungle. Keeno, a mischievous monkey, 

wants to give his mom a beautiful diamond as a special gift. Follow the adventure as Keeno 

finds himself in great danger and relies on Ernest, a wise elephant, to rescue him. In the end, 

Keeno learns some very valuable lessons. Learn more about Keeno and Ernest’s adventures at 

www.KeenoandErnest.com. 

A to Z Character Education for the Classroom 

by Sherry Hoffman, B.S., M.Ed. 

A valuable resource for parents and educators! A to Z Character Education for the Classroom is 

an award-winning activity book that teaches key social skills through fun activities and poetry 

while developing positive character traits. Written by Sherry Hoffman, K-12 reading specialist 

and author of other classroom stories, this book can be used to encourage readers to be the 

best version of themselves. 2014 Mom’s Choice Award: Gold, 2014 Eric Hoffer Book Awards: 

Honorable Mention, 2014 Story Monster Approved (Grades 4 - 6), 2014 Purple Dragonfly 

Awards: Honorable Mention, Second Place. www.SherryLHoffman.com 

The Nearly Calamitous Taming of PZ: 

A laboratory dog’s search for love 

by Martha Ritter 

“We don’t need that one anymore!” These words change everything for a mute, nameless 

foxhound in a laboratory cage, who has never seen the sun. When the hound gets rescued, 

Dottie, a diva ladybug, helps her understand the world and find a home with Olivia, a solitary 

girl. It’s not love at first sight. This adventurous, layered, and funny novel lures you into a 

world of second chances, where the isolated dog and the hesitant girl must face their fear of 

trusting—and loving—one another as they search for their place in the sun. At bookstores, 

Amazon.com, Barnesandnoble.com. 

A Whirlwind of Discovery 

by Darleen Wohlfeil 

Baseball season was winding down, and all-stars and championships filled the hearts and 

minds of kids and adults alike. Jackson had high hopes of his team leading to victory when 

suddenly the air shifted, hope fell, and loss darkened his emotions. Overwhelmed, his 

thoughts swirled until he and his grandma were caught up into a whirlwind of discovery, 

landing them in the most amazing adventure of all. In an unknown land of time forgotten, 

incredible creatures, and wounded people, Jackson is challenged in depths he didn’t know 

he had. Could he make a difference? He’s just a kid! Yet, the future of this powerful place is 

in his hands. 



Pumpus Has A Glowing Idea! 

by Praba Soundararajan, Ph.d., illustrated by Jack Spellman 

When was the last time we had an Einstein, an Edison, or a Tesla? Introducing a new series 

of picture books specifically for young children (ages 4 – 8) to introduce them to Science, 

Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). In Pumpus Has a Glowing Idea!, Pumpus and his 

friends are excited to go camping on a Halloween adventure. But once they arrive, they realize 

they forgot the matchsticks to start a campfire. Pumpus, using his book of great inventions, 

solves the problem using the concept of friction. The campfire is glowing! Through science, 

mechanics, and safety, Pumpus saves the day. www.boon-dah.com. 

Ben the Dragonborn (The Six Worlds, Book 1) 

by Dianne Astle 

Few know of a mysterious school where heroes of the past train those who belong to the 

future. Ben Taylor learns of the school’s true purpose when he’s called into the principal’s office. 

Miss Templeton gives him a simple test to see if he is a Chosen of the Guardian. That very 

day Ben is sent through a portal to a watery world of mermaids and monsters. “Has a mistake 

been made?” is the question on everyone’s mind. Ben’s only chance depends on discovering the 

secret of his own true self in a terrifying world where nightmares come to life. 

Jet Lee Dragon Warrior 

by Pamela K. Witte 

Born in the year, month, day, and hour of the dragon, Jet Lee is destined for karate-kicking 

greatness. Too bad he’s such a loser. Bullied on a daily basis and working in the Wu’s fish shop 

to earn his allowance, 12-year-old Jet thinks things can’t get any worse. He learns how wrong 

he is when a beast-man attacks his mom and vows to take over New York City. Saving the city 

is tough for anybody, but it’s nearly impossible when you’re in sixth grade. It’s a whirlwind 

week of subway chases, demon spit, and samurai swords. And time’s running out! 

The Duckling’s Daring Deal 

by Regina Connors 

The Duckling’s Daring Deal, when facing danger—imagined or real, reminds us to stay confident 

on our heels, so that our courage can itself reveal. A mom’s voice planted firm in our mind, can 

keep us out of a serious bind, that sweet gentle voice loving and kind, will bring us back home 

safe and fine. Available on Amazon.com. 



Luella Agnes Owen: Going Where No Lady Had Gone Before 

by Billie Holladay Skelley 

Travel back to the late 1800s to learn more about the true adventures of Luella Agnes Owen—a 

female pioneer in the study of caves. Luella had to overcome many obstacles to reach her goal 

of becoming a scientist, but she succeeded. She became one of the world’s leading authorities 

on caves at a time when such a career was unusual for a woman. Part of the Goldminds Time 

Traveler Series, Luella’s story is available as a print book, Kindle e-book, and audiobook. 

Available from Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, Books a Million. 

Rory Aqua Adventure Man 

by Michelle Path 

New release! Rory Aqua Adventure Man is a toy with a dream. He wants a home and someone to 

play with before time runs out and he ends up in The Shredder. Rory’s wish comes true, but not 

for long. On a trip to the beach, he finds himself being washed out to sea. Rory embarks on an epic 

adventure to find his way back home, meeting many interesting characters along the way. He soon 

finds out that his happily ever after is very different from the one he’d imagined. Available from 

www.rowanvalebooks.com and Amazon.com in paperback and e-book formats. Junior fiction/ 

chapter book. 

The Tiniest Tumbleweed 

by Kathy Peach 

Everyone feels small or inadequate at some point in their lives. The Tiniest Tumbleweed is a story 

written to help children learn more about what they can do to become their best selves, despite 

whatever may be making them feel small or limited. The characters are two Sonoran Desert 

neighbors, a tiny tumbleweed and a baby house sparrow, who are both small for their age. Guided 

by the loving encouragement of their parents, they learn to work within their physical limitations 

to grow to be the best they can be, rather than measure themselves against others. 

Click on the book cover to purchase any of the above titles. 

To advertise your book in our Reading Guide, contact Cristy Bertini at Cristy@FiveStarPublications.com for rate information. 

Riddles 

& Giggles 

Q: What is the tallest building in the world? 

A: The library! It has the most stories! 


Activity Page 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Monster Reviews 

Button Nose the Sad Little Bear 

by Gina LoBiondo 

Reviewer: Darleen Wohlfeil 

Button Nose is a true story of that forever kind of love. That first companion that you 

carried with you everywhere and whispered all of your secrets to when the lights went out. 

The memory of that special dolly, bear, or toy keeps alive in our emotional vaults. Gina 

LoBiondo shares the journey of Little Girl, (as she is called), and her little cuddly as time 

parts their ways. Button Nose is passed from place to place through the years, but he never 

forgets the little girl who loved him so. Whether he sat on collectors’ shelves or in toy 

chests in the corner of the nursery, he longed to see Little Girl again. One day, Button Nose 

is packed up again and he doesn’t know where he will end up this time. But what a delight 

when the box is opened, and a familiar smile broadens the face peering at him. The face 

looks different now, but when she hugs him, he knows at once he has found his way home. 

It is sure to delight. 

Pegasus: A Dragon’s Tale 

by Gina LoBiondo 

Reviewer: Darleen Wohleil 

Dragon tales capture the imagination, and Pegasus is true to its genre. It offers the age-old 

tale of a boy and his dog, or in this case, bear royalty and their dragon. Childhood bonding 

with pets fills the heart with love and memories lasting a lifetime. Every child longs for that 

faithful companion in mud holes and mischief. The story opens with a little cubby prince 

and princess finding an unusual egg-shaped treasure. With great curiosity and excitement, 

they take it home and tend to it lovingly. The weeks pass uneventfully until one day it 

begins to crack, and the true treasure hidden within is revealed. A tiny dragon emerges with 

delight. The little bear prince and princess love their new friend and quickly name him. The 

years pass and Pegasus is their constant and devoted companion. But like many childhood 

stories, things change, and pets are often left behind. Darkness falls upon the kingdom and 

the prince and princess, now grown, are captured by their father’s evil enemy. Is there any 

hope? Will someone save them from their captors? Wait ... what’s that sound? It sounds 

like ... wings flapping. Could it be? 

Winston the Duck and His Big Orange Bill 

by Kristina Wolf Dreisbach 


Winston the duck is born with a big, bright, orange bill. Winston stood out from the other 

ducks, and many laughed at his obvious difference. But Winston didn’t care. He knew God 

had given him his big orange bill for a reason, and he sets out to find it. Living life with 

purpose and design rather than a seemingly harsh random act has given our little duck 

confidence. It didn’t bother him when others laughed at him because he knew there was 

a special purpose to his being as he was. Ah, would life not seem sweeter if we all looked 

through eyes of purpose and design? 



The Bigfoot Paradox 

by Rebecca Coyte 

Reviewer: Diana Perry 

I found the title fitting as 12-year-old J.T. Meeks follows in his grandfather’s footsteps to 

prove to the world that Bigfoot does exist. When Billy Matrix, a local radio talk show host 

comes to Onion Weed, Tennessee to find Bigfoot, J.T. gets himself invited along. I found 

myself thinking I knew the direction the story was taking, but after several turns and 

twists, I was most surprised at the ending. I found this story to be not only a great preteen 

adventure but a moral lesson as well as J.T. starts his journey as a kid with something 

to prove but he matures as he learns that it is more important to give of yourself than to 

search for fame. Author Rebecca Coyle answers all questions brilliantly as she takes you on 

two journeys: one to find Bigfoot and another for J.T. to find his true self. 

Sand Dune Daisy: A Pocket Mouse Tale 

by Lili DeBarbieri 


Daisy is a cute little pocket mouse that resides in the real but little known sand dunes of 

the American Southwest. Her life is quite different from ours. We may sit on the porch 

with a tall glass of lemonade on a hot day, but Daisy stays at home in her underground 

burrow till nightfall. Unlike us, she needs very little water to survive in her hot land. She 

gathers her supplies in the cool temperatures of the night, and finds most of her water 

from seeds that she eats. She must be very careful as she gathers and scampers about 

in the night, because there are others out hunting for their food as well. It’s fun to learn 

about others different from ourselves, and Lili DeBarbieri expands our sight to take in the 

natural world of desert wildlife and ecology. 

Trump for Principal: A Children’s Book 

for American Grownups 

by Beth Schaefer 


Hasby Mubarok’s artwork is amazing and Beth Schaefer captures the child mind with 

perfection! The excitement, the double talk and distraction, the wishful thinking, were 

all done with skill and great observation. Our day is brought to the climax of the past. 

Situations, decisions, and actions have roiled down through the years and now erupted 

with an unmistakable stench. The media is engorged with information, some sure and 

sound, some opinionated, mixed with subterfuge. How does one deal with such mental 

indigestion? Schaefer and Mubarok suggest we take it back to a simpler format and 

uncluttered view. 



Cornucopia 

by Bridget Renshaw 


Poetry, prose, and musings all stimulate the mind and heart. Thinkers, movers, and shakers 

are the raw energy that keep life turning, creative, and growing. We often laugh and debate 

about how many questions a toddler’s mind can come up with, but it’s running in overdrive. 

There is so much to learn, to take in before those first five years are up and psychologists 

say the personality is set. Poetry is fun, quick-stepped so as not to lose the attention. 

Whether whimsical, hilarious, or pressed to imagine, we are all better for the experience. 

It’s never too soon to introduce our children to such amazing literary flavors. 

The Look Cookers! 

by Jim Malloy 


I loved this book! From cover to cover, it had me. It’s one of those shelf-jumpers. You 

round the corner and it shouts, “Hey! Pick me!” The story by Jim Malloy is clever, creative, 

and insightful. His sensitivity transforms the timid into the powerful. Matthew, our 

story’s leading character, has learned in the most ingenious way to overcome his fear, and 

dominate an otherwise intimidating situation. The inventive wording in this story will 

bring lots of chuckles and laughs. Hannah Stephey’s crackerjack illustrations take the tale 

over the top and into a crowning success! From the layout to the extras found within, the 

entire experience keeps you wanting more. 

Applause Acting Series 

Edited by Lawrence Harbison 


The Applause Acting Series, edited by Lawrence Harbison, presents us with two fresh 

additions of 10-Minute Plays written for both kids and teens. The anthologies contain 

multiple new plays that are age-appropriate and easy to produce. Each book (kids and 

teens) is written with a wide variety of styles. Some are comic, some drama, some realistic, 

and some not. Both provide a handy resource for any occasion, whether a school play, an 

afterschool social club, or just good enjoyable family night fun. The Applause Acting Series 

also provides The Best Scenes For Kids Ages 7-15. Among the 259 fun pages, there are 50 

challenging scenes aspiring young performers will enjoy. All have subject appropriate 

content for school productions and will interest young people with its serious and 

challenging content. 



Tea & Crumples 

by Summer Kinard 


Tea & Crumples captures you like a leisurely stroll along a scenic small town street lined 

with large window-front shops. Sienna Bannock, proprietor, tea master, and stationer 

draws you into the delightful atmosphere of its newest tea spot. The place is warm, with 

a soft friendly bustle that bids you sit and stay a while. The characters are vivid and lively 

and accent their “regular” seating like color accents decor. Sienna’s sagacious ability to 

couple each personality with just the perfect tea makes each sip a delight. I was taken in 

with the mastery of her tea knowledge, and found myself desirous to pick my cup from 

along her array of wonderfully described teacups and mugs, and to taste the sweetness 

of her pastries. This alone kept my fingers turning the pages, yet we are offered more. 

Conversation lingers among the sips, chuckles found amid a friendly game engaging 

strangers, and making them friends. Lives unfold and we are privy to share in the joys and 

pains of them. We walk with them through the struggles, weaknesses, and the power of 

faith and its balancing strength. We are drawn to the bonding that can lighten loads and 

strengthen hearts. Whether we are looking for a good pot of tea, fine stationary, or just a 

warm place to belong, Tea & Crumples provides it all! 

Healing the Wounds of Childhood 

by Don St. John, Ph.D. 

Reviewer: Shirin Zarqa-Lederman, MA, MS, LCADC, BCPC, LPC 

In his book, Healing the Wounds of Childhood, author and psychologist, Dr. Don St. John 

chronicles his life through the lens of the psychotherapist. His fearless yet illustrative 

depiction of his trauma is commendable, as is his journey to a thriving life. In many ways, 

Dr. St. John’s courage is a demonstration of the cathartic nature of writing a narrative 

that extends to the reader. In addition, Dr. St. John has an uncanny ability to give you the 

perspective of a child through their lens and then through the perspective of the adult. 

His terminology is user-friendly, while elaborating on several theories of human behavior. 

This girl loves a happy ending and this book delivers, which is perhaps one of the most 

miraculous parts. It is not only about his own journey, but it is also about the journey and 

discovery of healing. This book is incredibly well-written and engaging. It might even be 

beneficial to use in a course or presentation to demonstrate the theoretical terms that are 

often difficult to exemplify to psychology students. 

Full of Smiles 

by Gayle Knutson 


Full of Smiles brings a warm sense of community and a sweet reminder of how easy it is 

to take something, or someone, for granted. Things we see and experience on a regular 

basis, something as simple as a smile, can fade in the bustle of everyday activity. It 

too often is true ... you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone. This little community 

discovers it before it’s too late. Knutson’s easy, repetitive style etches a solid line for 

children’s minds to follow. 



Gifts of the Crysnix 

by Lisa G. Shore 

Reviewer: Diana Perry 

Deep in Castle Forest live the Crystal Fairies who call themselves the Crysnix. Fairies are 

such different creatures from us … or are they? Yes, they are different in many ways, but 

Lisa G. Shore shows us that a teenager is a teenager, no matter what the species. I loved 

how each of the fairies has a distinct personality, making it fun to get to know each one. 

Male and female alike, each one struggles to “find themselves” much like we all do at 

that age. I had no idea that so many times when I was wrestling with a decision that my 

own personal fairy was whispering in my ear, swaying me to make the right choice. I was 

swept away with these delightful little creatures as each walks their individual path toward 

becoming the fairy they were meant to be. I hope to read many more memorable stories of 

the captivating Crysnix of Castle Forest. 

Bella Donna: Coven Road 

by Ruth Symes 

Reviewer: Olivia Amiri, 3rd grade 

Bella Donna is a sweet and interesting book that once you start reading it, you can’t stop! 

Bella Donna is a young witch who only uses her powers at home on Coven Road and the 

rest of the time she keeps them a secret. What I really liked about this book is it shows that 

even if you are different and you have the courage to relate to others, even in small ways, 

you learn that everyone else is a little bit different, too. And knowing this is what can help 

make a relationship bloom and become special. 

Just Like Me 

by Nancy J. Cavanaugh 

Reviewer: Jennifer Bisignano 

Julia, Avery, and Becca are sisters who were adopted from China. Julia keeps beautifully 

written correspondence through the story, giving a more personal insight on how she feels 

about her travels. In the beginning of the book, Julia is asked what her thoughts are on this 

Chinese proverb, but it is not until the end of her journey that she understands. This book 

flows, is insightful, and has a spiritual undertone. While I was reading about the adventures 

of Julia and her sisters, I felt I was there with them. I felt the embarrassment of losing a 

team sport and the excitement of bonding over marshmallows. I would recommend this 

book to anyone who has ever had a childhood. 


Prepare to Launch! 

Join the lovable Josh, who uses his brilliant 

imagination—and his mother’s laundry basket— 

to take off for the stars and sail on the high seas! 

Story Monster Approved and Purple Dragonfly Award-Winning Author 

Donna LeBlanc crafts unique worlds in which readers can play and explore, 

with the promise of many more adventures to come! 

www.sdppublishingsolutions.com 

Available on Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com 

Matthew is a 

normal boy 

in every way 

but one! 

He is a secret agent. 

But not just any kind 

of secret agent. 

Matthew is an Eye Spy! 

Join him on his first mission: riding 

the bus on the first day of school where 

he encounters Blink Drinkers, Gape 

Scrapers, Glance Dancers and more - 

they are The Look Cookers! 

“Precious!” - Vivian Tai 

Read 

“Five stars!” - Maryann Fisher the review in 

this month’s 

“Loved it!” - Noelle Martin 

issue! 

“Super cute story” - Zoe Winter-Cox 

ORDER TODAY! 

at Amazon.com and nationally wherever books are sold. 

To learn more about The Look Cookers go to www.lookcookers.com. 


Monster Munchies 

April is National Soft Pretzel Month and these big, 

chewy pretzels taste just like those old favorites 

sold at the mall! 

Ingredients 

1 (.25 ounce) package active 

dry yeast 

2 tablespoons brown sugar 

1 1/8 teaspoons salt 

1 1/2 cups warm water 

(110 degrees F/45 degrees C) 

3 cups all-purpose flour 

1 cup bread flour 

2 cups warm water 

(110 degrees F/45 degrees C) 

2 tablespoons baking soda 

2 tablespoons butter, melted 

2 tablespoons coarse kosher salt 

Directions 

In a large mixing bowl, dissolve the yeast, brown sugar, and 

salt in 1 1/2 cups warm water. Stir in flour, and knead dough 

on a floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes. 

Place in a greased bowl, and turn to coat the surface. Cover, 

and let rise for one hour. 

Combine 2 cups warm water and baking soda in an 8-inch 

square pan. Line 6 baking sheets with parchment paper. 

After dough has risen, cut into 12 pieces. Roll each piece into 

a 3-foot rope, pencil thin or thinner. Twist into a pretzel shape, 

and dip into the baking soda solution. Place onto parchmentcovered 

baking sheets, and let rise 15 to 20 minutes. 

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). 

Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until golden 

brown. Brush with melted butter, and sprinkle with coarse salt, 

garlic salt, or cinnamon sugar. 

Recipe by: Jeannie Yee 

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © 2016 Allrecipes.com 


A “code read” situation! 

Ware, Massachusetts Police Officer (and husband to our 

Story Monsters Ink editor-in-chief) Tod Bertini received a call 

from the Ware Middle School on March 4 at approximately 

8:30 a.m., requesting an officer respond to the school. The 

caller stated that there was a group of 4th grade students in 

need of someone to read to them for Community Reading 

Day. Officer Bertini immediately suited up and armed 

himself with pencils, bookmarks, and stick-on tattoos before 

heading to the scene. Upon arrival, he located 28 smiling 

faces and immediately sat down to read to them articles 

from the latest issues of Story Monsters Ink. Officer Bertini 

reports a great day was had by all. 


Story Monster 

Approved! Books 

Jamie’s Journey: Cancer from the Voice of a Sibling 

by Sharon Wozny 

When a child is diagnosed with cancer, his or her siblings may struggle with complex emotions 

such as confusion, guilt, and fear. Part story, part journal, Jamie’s Journey: Cancer from the Voice of 

a Sibling helps siblings of pediatric cancer patients cope with those intense feelings. The first half 

of the book is about 13-year-old Jamie who describes the roller coaster of emotions she experiences 

when her 10-year-old sister, Jordan, is diagnosed with cancer. Jamie laments the loss of her 

“normal” teenage life and describes feeling forgotten as her family focuses on Jordan’s medical 

needs. Jamie finds solace through journaling about her experience, and encourages the reader to 

write about his or her own journey on the pages provided in the book. 

Red Goes to Kindergarten 

by Laura W. Eckroat 

Laura did it again! She took us on a journey through Red’s first day of kindergarten as though 

we were there with her. Laura has a unique way of bringing her characters to life and creating a 

connection to real life. Her readers are able to connect with the characters in her books, especially 

with Red. Red Goes to Kindergarten is a must-read on the first day of kindergarten class! 

The Flightless Adventures of Princess and Pearl 

by Michelle Seelye Drucker 

Princess and Pearl are two Gentoo penguin chicks who love splashing their days away in the 

ocean with their parents always close by. One day, their parents suddenly disappear and the pair 

embarks on an adventure to find them! Along the way they meet a very proper King penguin and 

a daredevil Rockhopper who dreams of learning to fly. But around every corner danger lurks as 

two terrifying sea lions plan to have them for dinner! Luckily, Princess believes the magical Little 

Blue Fairy penguins will watch over them and keep them safe. Will the legend of the Little Blue 

Fairies prove to be true? Or will the friends discover they only needed each other to find their way 

home? 

Lonnie the Loon Flies South for the Winter 

by Barbara Renner 

While flying south for the winter, Lonnie the Loon is blown off course by strong winds. Instead 

of landing on coastal waters, he ends up on a lake in the middle of the desert. Lonnie becomes 

friends with an unlikely character, a Gambel’s Quail named Quincy. Quincy teaches Lonnie about 

the desert animals. Using a free QR Code Reader App, the reader is able to listen to a variety of 

animal calls and songs. 

Dee and Deb Off They Go: Kindergarten First Day Jitters 

by Donna M. McDine 

The anxiety of finding one’s own place and friends in kindergarten without the comfort of having 

her fraternal twin sister nearby at first overwhelms Dee. Until she realizes that she isn’t the only 

one with first day jitters. 


Story Monster 

Approved! Books 

Leyni’s God Adventure 

by Sandy Hill 

Can a five-year-old make a difference in our world today? Can she dream a big dream and make 

it come true? Follow Leyni as she explores the possibilities of her dream in Leyni’s God Adventure. 

Leyni’s true experiences inspired this story. 

Xalien the Purple Alien 

by Michelle Path 

Xalien, is an alien who crashes to earth and finds herself befriended by three children: Jessica, 

Adam and Sarah. Xalien learns all about planet Earth and the all the strange habits Humans have, 

often resulting in funny and unusual situations as she tries her hardest to fit in. Along the way, 

Xalien teaches the three children about life on her own planet. Teemed with bright, colourful 

illustrations by Charlotte Roberts, the book is sure to draw in young readers eager to learn more 

about Xalien and her antics. 

Jet Lee Dragon Warrior 

by Pamela K. Witte 

Born in the year, month, day, and hour of the dragon, Jet Lee Dragon Warrior is destined for 

karate-kicking greatness. Too bad he’s such a loser. Bullied on a daily basis and working in the 

Wu’s fish shop to earn his allowance, 12-year-old Jet thinks things can’t get worse. He learns how 

wrong he is when a beast-man attacks his mom and vows to take over New York City. Saving the 

city is tough, for anybody, but its nearly impossible when you’re in sixth grade. Bullies, detention, 

principals and girls … friends keep getting in the way. It’s a whirlwind week of subway chases, 

demon spit, and samurai swords. And time is running out. Jet, must connect with his mysterious 

inner animal before Friday’s field trip to save his friends, family and the world. 

Nosey’s Wild Ride on the Belle of Louisville 

by Martha Driscvoll 

Nosey’s Wild Ride on the Belle of Louisville is a story about a steamboat on the Ohio River, the Belle 

of Louisville. She is the only steamboat in the country built during the Great Steamboat Era 

(1820s to the 1920s) that is still cruising! A mischievous cat wanders on board the Belle and leads 

four children on a wild chase all over the boat. This rascal of a cat causes pandemonium wherever 

he goes. In turn, the children learn what makes a steamboat unique. The book includes the 

whimsical ink and colored pencil drawings of award-winning artist Sue Lion, as well as a Seek-&- 

Find activity for young readers. Both children and adults will enjoy this historically accurate and 

highly informative book about one very special steamboat. 

Is Your Book Story Monster Approved? 

Kids know when they see the Story Monster Approved seal it means children their own age enjoyed the book and 

are recommending they read it, too. How do they know that? Because after books pass the first round of judging by 

industry experts, the books are then judged by a panel of student judges who must also endorse the books before 

they can receive the official seal of approval. Visit www.StoryMonsters.com for submission guidelines. 


Juicy Jack’s Spanish Corner 

¡Hola, 

Amigo! 

Actividades de la primavera 

Spring Activities 

¡Bienvenidos! Welcome to 

Juicy Jack’s Spanish Corner! 

¡Bienvenidos! Juicy Jack loves spring weather and 

he wants to play with you. Tell him what you feel like 

doing using the phrase below. 

Tengo ganas de (activity). 

Now that you know how to say what you feel like doing, 

here is how you ask somebody if they feel like doing 

certain activities. 

¿Tienes ganas de (activity)? 

Practice with Juicy Jack: 

Use this short conversation as a guide to practice with 

your friends: 

Jack: Hola amigo. ¿Tienes ganas de ir al parque? 

You: Sí, tengo ganas de ir al parque. ¿Tienes ganas de 

cortar el césped? 

Jack: No, no tengo ganas de cortar el césped. Adiós amigo. 

You: Adiós Jack. 

1. cortar el césped = to mow the grass 

2. montar bicicleta = to ride a bike 

3. jugar el béisbol = to play baseball 

4. sembrar flores = to plant flowers 

5. jugar al fútbol = to play soccer 

6. ir al parque = to go to the park 

7. tomar té helado = to drink iced tea 

8. caminar bajo la lluvia = to walk in the rain 

9. volar una cometa = to fly a kite 

Buenos días = good morning 

Adiós = goodbye 

Amigo = friend 

Leigh Carrasco is an educator 

and author of the wildly popular 

Juicy Jack Adventures series about 

a spunky guinea pig who travels to 

Peru with his human. 

www.juicyjackadventures.com 



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Quema calorías… 

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de bebés 

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el embarazo

Paulette Bourgeois

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