"How to Beat the Bully w/o Trying" Book Signing

September 8, 2012 Event

Scott Starkey, Long Island Author of

How to Beat the Bully Without Really Trying

Published by Simon & Schuster

Green Acres Mall Welcomes Scott Starkey, Long Island Author of How to Beat the Bully Without Really Trying, as part of its Back-to-School Kids Club Event lineup.  A fifth-grade teacher for over 16 years, Scott will talk about bully prevention, read excerpts from his latest novel, and sign books.  

 

Green Acres Mall – CENTER COURT             

Sunrise Highway

Valley Stream, New York

Time: 1 p.m. - 2 p.m.

Other Green Acres Mall Kids Club Activities:

Green Acres Mall will host its Back-to-School Kids Club on Saturday, September 8 from 11 AM to 2 PM.  Author Scott Starkey will meet with guests from 1 – 2 PM.  Other activities include: arts & crafts, face painting, temporary tattoos, trivia games & prizes, dance & vocal demonstrations, a stilt walker and more!  Gateway Youth Outreach and Peninsula Counseling Center will also be on hand to share details about their after-school programs.  For more information visit www.greenacresmallonline.com.  

 

About How to Beat the Bully Without Really Trying by Scott Starkey

Rodney Rathbone knows how to attract trouble — and isn't afraid to run from it as fast as he can.  Like great comic cowards before him, poor Rodney can't turn around without encountering bullies, bad guys, and danger.  When his family moves to a new town, a lucky break turns his world upside down.  Suddenly everyone at his new school thinks he's actually brave.  Will Rodney be able to maintain the charade?  Author Scott Starkey takes us on a rollercoaster journey that will keep young readers — and adults — wanting more.  How to Beat The Bully Without Really Trying is equal parts suspense, humor, and adventure, written by an author who clearly understands what kids enjoy in a book. 

 

About Scott Starkey

Scott Starkey knows what it takes to get kids to read.  A fifth grade teacher for over 16 years, he's had plenty of firsthand experience exploring the reading habits of students.  The elements they enjoy best in a book — humor, suspense, and a dash of irreverence — are woven into his new middle grade novel, How to Beat the Bully Without Really Trying.  Scott Starkey resides in Centerport, New York, with his wife, Judy, and their three children.                  

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Why I Love My Kindle

I know I am pretty late to the game, but I just had to tell you why I simply love my Kindle.  It's really a joint toy between my husband and I, but it takes him forever to read a book to completion.  I don't think we'll ever bump heads over who gets to use it.

He bought it off of Amazon around Christmas and it sat in its box for a months.  I didn't touch it and neither did he.  I felt it was just one more electronic to figure out.  As the buzz was building about Fifty Shades of Grey: Book One of the Fifty Shades Trilogy, I thought hmmm...should I get it?  Then I put it off.

Months later, the book came up as the summer read within a mommy group I'm apart of.  The buzz was still around about Fifty Shades so I thought, why not get the book?  I went to the one and only bookstore in Nassau County nearest Valley Stream it seems, and they only had paperback copies.  I like hard cover so instead I decided to download the book on my Kindle.  WOW!  I am in love with this.

My lil' sis has the fancy schmancy Kindle Fire, Full Color 7" Multi-touch Display, Wi-Fi which is just what this house doesn't need.  Our kids are already addicted to our phones and Ipad with all of the games we have on each device.  Many of them educational but of course, who doesn't have the addicting Angry Birds?  The Barnes & Noble NOOK Color eBook is cool too, but I'm all about my Kindle.

My basic e-reader is just $79 and has no bells and whistles.  It's just a simple digital book that I can take to the Valley Stream Library, Hendrickson kiddie pool, and even Barrett Park Camp where I sit and wait in my car reading the juicy digital pages of Christian Grey and Ana Steele waiting for Valley Stream Daughter to be dismissed. No embarrassment here.

Is there an off button on this thing? If you know how to turn it off, please inform me.


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Bedtime Reading Selections

Tonight, 3 year old Valley Stream Kid wanted me to read him Grover's Book of Cute Little Words (Sesame Street Books).  Our neighbors who are now ages 13, 15, and 18 unloaded the majority of the children's books on us which has been awesome.  It was a bit much at first, but considering that all of the girls are high honors, I'm okay with it.

We enjoyed reading this book.  In the middle of the book, I began to ask Valley Stream Kid how to spell certain words which was a good/bad thing.  It helped him with spelling but it also made the story longer.

You can find Grover's Book of Cute Little Words (Sesame Street Books)on Amazon for just $3.99 by simply clicking the link.  Very cute story.  I think now we will go out in our backyard to discover a few more "little cute words."  We may even write them out and tape them to his wall.

My 6 year old Valley Stream Kid wanted to read kid classic Corduroybecause she may get to take the school bear home this week for just one night.  Never mind she only has 4 days left of school and I don't recall a note coming home stating this. I am not one to kill a child's hopes so I am not saying a word.

This classic tale is a great read for those who can sit still long enough to see what's going to happen.  Will Corduroyfind his missing button?  Will he get to sleep in his own bed?  Will someone finally buy the flawed bear?  Read it and you'll see.  You can also order Corduroyon Amazon for just $8.63 new or $6.09 used.

Anne Geddes Launches New Book "my Pregnancy: A Woman's Story"

 

Anne Geddes introduces her captivating new pregnancy project my Pregnancy: A Woman's Story. 

 my Pregnancy is a high-quality collectible magazine featuring women’s intimate and emotional stories recounting their pregnancies and births, accompanied by Anne’s beautiful imagery of the women and selected   elements of nature that bring forth new life, exploring echoing themes  of mystery and loveliness.

On April 28th in Manhattan, the world renowned photographer Anne Geddes – known for her iconic and captivating images of newborn babies – made a rare U.S. appearance where she launched and released the inaugural issue of the U.S. edition of a magazine catering to pregnant woman and featuring their interesting stories as they enter motherhood.  The magazine my Pregnancy: A Woman's Story, available for $14.95, is in partnership with Destination Maternity® and will be sold exclusively at Destination Maternity stores – namely at Motherhood Maternity® and A Pea in the Pod®.   Anne Geddes combines her incredible photography with nine women’s intimate and emotional interviews about their pregnancies, the births of their babies, and beyond.  Anne draws inspiration from nature’s beauty in photographing these resilient and interesting women.

Guest Blogger Fatimah Gilliam with Anne Geddes

One of the more special parts of the event was having the opportunity to speak with Anne personally and discuss the featured women, how she came to photograph them, and her motivations for taking on this project.  Anne is passionate about capturing the beauty and promise of pregnancy and sharing women’s stories – the positive and negative sides of pregnancy and motherhood.  In this unique magazine, she hopes to bring to light the truly universal story of motherhood.  

Anne, surprisingly a native of Australia, walked me through the lives of each of these nine women.  There’s Sonia who struggled with her ticking biological clock, Gina who was diagnosed with breast cancer days after learning of her pregnancy, and Rachel whose child was stillborn days after being photographed but had the strength to remain a part of this project since losing a child is a part of pregnancy for many women.  There’s also a fascinating story about three triplets who all got pregnant within a few weeks of each other, Kaiya who is a teen mother, and Candice who thought she couldn’t have children and unexpectedly got pregnant.  To learn more about these women and the others…maybe you should buy the magazine?

There is diversity in the stories – women from various walks of life and with unique experiences – yet all connected by this human experience that links all of us.  We all have mothers…someone gave birth to us…and many of us will become parents.  While this magazine focuses on women’s experiences through pregnancy, it also offers an interesting lens into the process of being pregnant that male partners and family members might find helpful and intriguing. 

On multiple levels, I recommend this magazine.  The artwork is captivating, and the glimpse into these women’s lives is compelling.  As someone who has been passionate about photography for many years, it was a great honor and joy to meet Anne.  But what I loved most about attending this event was getting to speak with her personally and see how down-to-earth, approachable, and genuine she is.  It was great to get the perspective of the artist behind the work. 

The collectible magazines will come out every four months.  I recommend you start collecting them.  They’re worth keeping and perusing again and again.

About my Pregnancy: A Woman’s Story:

The U.S. edition of my Pregnancy: A Woman’s Story is the continuation of Anne's my Pregnancy project, which debuted to acclaim in Australia in 2011 and was the result of over two years of her passionate work with pregnant women, whose rich and diverse narratives are heartwarming, courageous, and compelling. Beginning April 25, 2012, my Pregnancy will be sold in North America for the first time, exclusively at the 578 Destination Maternity, A Pea in the Pod, and Motherhood Maternity stores in the United States and Canada, and online at www.destinationmaternity.com, www.apeainthepod.com and www.motherhood.com.  Chris Daniel, President of Destination Maternity Corporation officially welcomed Anne Geddes into the DM store and launched this new and innovative magazine and Anne's

partnership with DM stores.

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Guest Blogger Profile: Fatimah Gilliam, a family friend and native Californian, is an amazing photographer and showcases her talents on her annual Christmas cards which we love to receive, is the head of Finance and Fundraising at a humanitarian agency. She holds a Master of Public Policy from Harvard and a J.D. from Columbia Law School. She has run multiple marathons and loves fashion.

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Guest Post: Miss University Book & Giveaway

By Guest Blogger: Carline Dumerlin

In college, we made some of the classic mistakes most students make. We didn’t visit our academic advisor, crammed for exams, avoided professors’ office hours, — the list can go on and on. But we learned from our mistakes and this shaped us to be the successful women we are today. We decided to write this book because we know how it feels to be in college and to be clueless about certain things.

College is definitely a defining moment in a person’s life. It’s a time when you start to figure out who you are and what you want to be. We wanted young women to have the inside scoop on topics like: how to study, scholarships,internships, dealing with roommates, being homesick, time management, paying for school, dating, sororities, plus much more. The Miss University Book and the workshops/events we host, aim to empower young women to be successful, to seek out and pursue their passion and to be well rounded global citizens.

Miss University: 101 Tips on How to Keep Your Tiara on While Getting through College is the ultimate reference guide for any girl heading to college. Below are some of the ways to ensure you are ready for college:

You can work independently

Starting college with no remedial courses (or no more than one)

Taking college classes while in high school

Having some sort of work, internship or volunteer experience on your resume

Knowing how to advocate for oneself

Having good time management skills

Being a team player

Possessing good study skills

Having a firm understanding of college finances (financial aid, budgeting)

Note making skills instead of note taking skills

Reading on or above grade level

Knowing academic weaknesses and having a plan to ask for help

Having a general understanding of college terminology (credits, office hours)

Support system(mentor, family, etc)

What can Parents do:

Teach your child time management skills. For example, working on a book report little by little instead of the night before it is due.

Stay in contact with your child’s teacher and guidance counselor so that you can be aware of any academic or behavioral changes

Speak to your child about his or her interests and associate that to a career or college major. For instance if your child loves to write you could have a conversation about a career in journalism, or becoming an author. Whatever you do, don’t limit your child into what you want them to do. Let them choose.

Research programs that will allow your child to earn college credit while in high school. Many of these programs are free or low-cost. Encourage your child to take advance placement courses if they are available

Discuss college finances with your child. Is this college in our budget? They might need to get a loan and need to know why.

Assist your child in applying to college; don’t leave all of the work to teachers or guidance counselors.

Take your child to lunch on a college campus; let them visualize themselves at college

Encourage your child to volunteer or to intern at an organization. This will look great on their college applications. It will also teach them how to balance school and other responsibilities.

Visit college fairs with your child and make sure your child attends any college tours their school is offering

Co Authors: Carline Dumerlin & Martha Binikos-Nieves
The Miss University Book is available on Amazon.com and Lulu.com
Website: www.MissUniversityBook.net
Twitter:MissUnivBook
Facebook:Miss University Book
Questions:Info@MissUniversityBook.net

Win 1 of 2 Miss University Books beginning today through March 24th. 

Happy President's Day

Last week, both of my kids came home from school wearing George Washington and Abraham Lincoln hats.  I thought they were absolutely adorable.  My daughter asked me out of the blue, what number is President Obama?  Yes!  As a volunteer for Gen44NYC, I knew this one!  I told her, President Obama is the 44th President of the United States.  She then asked me what number George Washington was.  Yes!  I know this one too.  I told her that George Washington was our first President.  She asked where is he now?  Uh oh.  My daughter is very sensitive when it comes to hearing of people being sick or deceased. I thought this one over briefly and gently said, he's with God.  She said ok.  Whew! 

Abe Lincoln Paper Hat Craft
George Washington Coloring pages

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History of President's Day (www.History.com)

Presidents' Day, celebrated each year on the third Monday in February, is a day when Americans honor the legacies of the U.S. presidents. The holiday was established in 1800, when Congress declared February 22–George Washington's birthday–a federal holiday. Still legally known as Washington's Birthday, Presidents' Day has become a day to honor not only Washington, but Abraham Lincoln, the 16th U.S. president who was born on February 12, and the lives and accomplishments of all U.S. presidents.



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Where Have All of the Bookstores Gone?

Last night after the kids were tucked into bed, I was able to catch the last 1.5 hours of "You've Got Mail" which is probably my favorite movie of all time for several reasons.  It was released in 1998, the year before I met my husband, and many of the scenes take me back to the places in NYC that he introduced me to during my weekend visits from Michigan.  Cafe LaLo was one of them I vividly remember. Not only was it romantic and filled with delectable delights, it was rearranged differently in the movies which disappointed me, but that's Hollywood.  It was still romantic.

While YGM is about a retail chain giant, FOX Books, killing the mom and pop shop, Shop Around the Corner, times have changed.  It's the online stores that are killing the brick and mortar retail giants.  I am very bothered by the fact that the tiny little Borders once in Green Acres was the only bookstore within miles I could take my children to pick and choose what literary delights they could choose to take home after browsing the colorful pages.  It's gone.  I know the Nook is a hot item these days but I am a fan of turning pages and want my children to do the same.

I think now is the time for the mom and pop shops to make a comeback especially since it is difficult to find work for many.  What this village would greatly benefit from is a children's bookstore.  A bookstore where authors could promote their latest release, read it to the children or have a Storybook Lady read in the movie donned in her cute cone hat, and sign it creating an instant keepsake. 

Your thoughts?

Click here for Barnes & Noble Children's Story Time events.  It's all we've got.

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Favorite Things: StinkyKids

Last week, the kids and I travelled to the historic Madame Alexander Doll Company in Harlem for a Mom Blogger luncheon with Britt Menzies, the creator of StinkyKids.  If you haven't already heard of them, StinkyKids is the brainchild of mompreneur Britt Menzies who one day did what all of us moms do everyday.  She answered one of many requests she probably receives in a day be it a request for juice, a snack, or a painting of her daughter as a ballerina. The latter request has proven to be pretty significant turning it into a life-changing experience.

The award winning first book, StinkyKids and the Runaway Scissors, is now available for purchase at Barnes and Noble or on www.bn.com.  I read this book to the kids, courtesy of Britt herself, as we laid in my bed with StinkyKid Billy and StinkyKid Britt.  Both the kids and I loved this story which is about Britt, the doll not the auther who is a brunette, soliciting the help of other StinkyKids to help remove the gum from her hair.  Kids and gum are a bad combination so I'm sure you know how this story ends up.  Not giving it away too much, let's just say the way Britt looks on the cover of the is not how she looks at the end of the story.