Newsletter April 2010

Set in the mythical world of burly Vikings and wild dragons, and based on the book by Cressida Cowell, the action comedy tells the story of Hiccup, a Viking teenager who doesn't exactly fit in with his tribe's longstanding tradition of heroic dragon slayers.... Read Full Article

When Dave Lizewski – ordinary New York teenager and rabid comic-book geek dons a green-and-yellow internet-bought wetsuit to become the no-nonsense vigilante, Kick-Ass, he soon finds an answer to his own question: because it hurts. But, overcoming all the odds, the eager yet inexperienced Dave quickly becomes a phenomenon, capturing the imagination of the public.... Read Full Article

This heartwarming true story is an American adaptation of a Japanese tale about a loyal dog named Hachiko. This very special friend would accompany his master to the train station every day and return each afternoon to greet him after work.... Read Full Article

Nerdy, naive Abby can't wait to return to summer camp and see Rose, the older girl who was her friend last year. But this year Rose is busy, and Abby, irritated and hurt, must find someone else to hang out with. Will it be Shasta, the new girl who nobody likes but who shares some of Abby's interests; or punky Zoe (whose language reflects her desire to be supercool) and Beth, Zoe's hanger-on? It's the familiar friendship story, unfolding in somewhat jerky episodes done up in sturdy black-and-white artwork reminiscent of scratchboard. The background will be familiar to any girl who ever went to camp, as will the story's emotional content: the hurtful backbiting, the jealousy, the fear of being ostracized, the rage at being duped, and the complete preoccupation of a first crush. There's even a sweet scene of a first delightful kiss. This may be well-trod territory, but it's traversed with a freshness, sureness, and understanding that speak very well for Larson, who was recognized with a 2007 Eisner Award for new cartooning talent.... Read Full Article

Meet Greenie, a new mealtime mascot for young readers and eaters! A juicy red apple? A sweet yellow banana? A crisp green pepper? How about some orange carrots? Greenie helps kids choose from a rainbow of different fruits and vegetables, each healthy and nutritious. This sturdy board book is easy for kids and parents to take along for healthy mealtime fun.... Read Full Article

Raina just wants to be a normal sixth grader. But one night after Girl Scouts she trips and falls, severely injuring her two front teeth, and what follows is a long and frustrating journey with on-again, off-again braces, surgery, embarrassing headgear, and even a retainer with fake teeth attached. And on top of all that, there's still more to deal with: a major earthquake, boy confusion, and friends who turn out to be not so friendly.
This coming-of-age true story graphic novel is sure to resonate with anyone who has ever been in middle school, and especially those who have ever had a bit of their own dental drama.... Read Full Article

Dental care is extremely important for children starting even before the eruption of teeth. Good oral hygiene actually affects other parts of the body as well including lowering your risk for heart issues, decrease the risk of bacteria getting into your bloodstream, and maximize your overall health. Starting proper (and lifelong) dental habits start with creating a routine and maintaining it. The more strict you are, the lower your child's lifelong risk for cavities, gum disease and Cardiovascular disease.... Read Full Article

Easter was great this year. The girls totally got the whole Easter bunny thing, the night before we left him a carrot and they went to bed. I then hid eggs around the house for them to find in the morning and also left a basket for each of them to see when they woke up! They were super excited to find the eggs, which surprising they found all of and look through their baskets!... Read Full Article

Lois K. Heymann (MA, CCC-SLP), is a Speech and Language Pathologist with over 30 years experience working with children with hearing, listening, and learning challenges and their parents. Heymann's book, THE SOUND OF HOPE: Recognizing, Coping with, and Treating Your Child's Auditory Processing Disorder [http://www.listenlovelearn.com/].

We talked to Lois about her book, the diagnosis and treatment of Auditory Processing Disorder (APD/CAPD), and how parents need to learn to listen just as much as their children do.... Read Full Article