Have a Brightly Summer

For most family's with school-aged children a summer break filled with fun activities has begun.  Unfortunately, one fun activity that is often neglected over the summer months is reading which often leads to kids regressing in their literary capabilities which were developed over the previous school year.  I've discovered a nice resource that supports parents in helping their children avoid the "summer slide" with a variety of online articles, tips, and resources.  BRIGHTLY (www.readbrightly.com) provides free downloadable SUMMER READING FUN PACKS specifically designed for Preschoolers (3-5 years old), Growing Readers (6-8 years old) and Tweens (9-12 years old).  A resource of Penguin Random House, BRIGHTLY also offers summer reading book suggestions for every age group from Preschool through High School with a few ideas that mom and dad might enjoy themselves too.

BRIGHTLY sent A Geek Daddy a complimentary care pack to help my kids avoid the summer slide consisting of a nice tote bag filled with a GROWING READER - SUMMER READING FUN PACK and some age appropriate books for my 7 year old twins to enjoy.  Summer reading is going to be an important focus for my kids over the next few months and I hope our readers will make it a priority for the children in their lives too.  To help one lucky A Geek Daddy blog reader or social media follower accomplish that goal, BRIGHTLY has also provided a Summer Reading Prize Pack for us to giveaway that will include an age appropriate Summer Reading Fun Pack and a Penguin Random House book selection based upon the gender and age of a child the winner selects.

Follow @Geekdad248 and RT by July 5 for chance to win a @ReadBrightly Children's Summer Reading Prize Pack #ad pic.twitter.com/MbpTF5FmiK

— A Geek Daddy (@GeekDad248) June 29, 2016

To be eligible for this giveaway you must follow @Geekdad248 on Twitter and retweet our original contest tweet embedded above before July 5, 2016 @ 11:59 pm EST.  Must be a US  resident over the age of 18 to participate.  One entry per person and we'll randomly select a winner from all eligible entries.

BRIGHTLY can be a valuable resource for parents to help their children avoid learning loss over the summer, but it is also filled with great information on a wide variety of subjects that can be utilized throughout the year to help promote with kids a life-long interest in reading.  As a fan of comic books who enjoys sharing my enjoyment of them with my son and daughter, I appreciated the site's article "8 Graphic Novels Tween Girls Can't Get Enough Of" encouraging female readers to check out the medium and "7 Graphic Novels Elementary Schoolers Love" to promote comics with young readers.  I also appreciated the site's outreach to dad's with articles like "5 Things I Never Expected to Love About Being a Dad."  BRIGHTLY is filled with author essays, informational articles, and more that are meant to be helpful for moms and dads in making their way through that grand adventure know as parenting.  It is also full of activities that are educational and entertaining at the same time such as their Family Book Club and a variety of printable activity sheets to help parents get their children to embrace reading as an interesting and enjoyable activity that they want to do rather than be forced to.

The current BRIGHTLY Family Book Club selection is The BFG to commemorate 2016 being the 100th anniversary of the author's birth, Roald Dahl passed away in 1990, and to tie-in to the excitement of Disney's summer movie based upon the children's book about a Giant and the orphaned girl he befriends.  This section of the BRIGHTLY site includes suggestions for activities, crafts, snacks, and games with a The BFG theme plus group discussion questions for parents to engage in with their kids after the whole family has read the book.

Check out readbrightly.com as it really is a brilliantly useful resource for moms and dads.

Disclaimer & Rules / FTC Notice:  A Geek Daddy Blog will be responsible for selecting the winner of this contest, but Penguin Random House is responsible for fulfillment and delivery of the prize. By participating in this contest you waive any liability towards A Geek Daddy Blog or its publisher that may arise from your involvement with this promotion. A Geek Daddy Blog hosted this contest and blog post based upon Penguin Random House providing the prize to the selected winner. Only one entrant per mailing address per giveaway. Must be a US resident over 18 years old.  If you have won the same prize on another blog, you will not be eligible to win again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. Prize will be delivered by UPS or FedEx so no P.O. Boxes are allowed as mailing addresses. A Geek Daddy Blog is hosting this giveaway as a benefit to our readers.  A Geek Daddy Blog did not receive any financial compensation for publishing this post but did receive one of the prizes for personal use.

National Geographic Kids Magazine - Summer Issue

My kids always are excited and get a big smile on their face when an issue of our NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC KiDS MAGAZINE subscription arrives in the mail.  We just received our Summer Edition of this entertaining and educational publication for children 6 to 12 years old which includes a feature article about Jaguars along with being filled with eye-catching kids-oriented photography by National Geographic photographers, interesting trivia, plus fun games and puzzles.

My son has had a fascination with jaguars ever since he was a toddler watching "Dora the Explorer" and took a liking to the "Baby Jaguar" character on the show. So he was thrilled by the magazine's in-depth article which highlight's how these animals' one-of-a-kind features make them stand out from other wild cats.  This four page spread is filled with up-close photographs and informative facts.  Did you know for being a "small" wild cat that jaguars can grow to be 6 feet long and weigh 300 pounds?  One of these cats can grow to be bigger than I am!  This section also has a fun game challenging readers to match a fur pattern to the wild cat it belongs to.

Catering to a child audience, the issue is full of wacky and goofy facts, jokes, trivia and other things kids delight in.  "Weird but true!" trivia, Guinness World Records, out-of-this world facts, and Extreme Weirdness Photographs are just a few segments that have kids learning while they enjoy flipping through the magazine.  With the Summer Olympic Games coming up there is also a great tie-in article about the host country, "30 Cool Things About Brazil."

There are also of fun games and puzzles to keep a child's attention including a "Backyard BBQ" word puzzle and a swimming themed Funny Fill-In.

Also included are pull-out Animal Trivia Cards that provide True & False questions that kids can challenge their friends to answer and trade among themselves.

I've just highlighted a few key items included in the Summer Edition of National Geographic Kids Magazine but there is plenty more to check out included within it.  Each issue is filled with content that will encourage readers to learn more about adventurous activities, geography, science, wildlife and the lifestyles of other children from around the world.  An annual subscription is for 10 issues and costs $15 for a print version or $12 for a digital edition.  CLICK HERE for more information about subscribing to National Geographic Kids Magazine.

A Geek Daddy is a member of the National Geographic Kids Insider blogger program. Insiders get a behind-the-scenes look at National Geographic’s resources, activities, content and projects for kids and families. They also review copies of books, magazines and toys, and are offered interviews with authors, explorers and editors. I do not receive any financial compensation for my participation as a National Geographic Kids Insider.

Major League Baseball Teams Wearing Patriotic Themed Uniforms During Fourth of July Games

On Monday, July 4, 2016, Major League Baseball teams will be sporting special patriotic themed caps and jerseys during their games to honor America's Independence Day holiday.  The jerseys will incorporate a stars and stripes / fireworks theme to the lettering and numbering while the caps will either be blue or red with a background of white stars emblazoned on the front.

In addition to adding some patriotic spirit to America's pastime on the Fourth of July these uniforms will be assisting the charity Welcome Back Veterans which assists U.S. military servicemen and women with making a successful transition back to civilian life.  Major League Baseball's licensing royalties from the sale of the replica caps and jerseys their teams' players will be wearing on the field for Independence Day will be donated to this veterans charity.

These specialty Fourth of July uniforms are altered each year to make them collectible and maintain fan interest in each year's new design.  Check out your favorite team's Stars & Stripes cap and jersey by visiting shop.mlb.com.  I have to admit not really taking much of a liking to this year's Stars & Stripes cap and jersey designs for the U.S. teams but ironically the Blue Jays Maple Leaf Cap version of the Fourth of July uniforms in my opinion comes off really sharp. The Blue Jays will wear their specialty caps and jerseys on Canada Day (July 1) as well as on the Fourth of July.  So what do you think of this year's Major League Baseball Independence Day uniform designs?

DIA "INSIDE / OUT" ART DISPLAYS HEAD TO NORTHERN MICHIGAN FOR THE SUMMER MONTHS

Six years ago the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) began a community outreach campaign to expand the awareness and appreciation of the museum with local residents.  The DIA placed weather-proof, high-quality reproductions of artistic masterpieces from its collection outdoors in a few select cities within the three counties surrounding Detroit for people to enjoy.  The goal of the displays was to bring the art IN its galleries OUT into communities for people who may not normally visit the downtown Detroit museum to enjoy. These representations were so accurate that police departments in these communities began to receive calls from concerned citizens that stolen artwork from the DIA may have been put up as a prank.  Rave reviews from the public about the displays have made INSIDE/OUT an annual on-going program since its inception.

The INSIDE / OUT program selects several local cities and townships each year to host these art displays. The nice thing about the program is that seven to twelve images are clustered within walking or bike-riding distance so you can have a fun family outing searching for the artwork and exploring the community where it has been placed.  I've gone on an art hunt with my kids in at least one of the INSIDE/OUT communities hosting the displays each year since the program began.  It is nice too that they've rotated the participating cities and townships during the life of the program so the displays aren't always hosted in the same places and new artwork is regularly introduced year to year keeping going on art hunts fun and exciting.  Metro Detroit locations hosting INSIDE/OUT in 2016 include Eastern Market and the Dequindre Cut greenway trail in the City of Detroit, plus the communities of Hamtramck, Ecorse, New Baltimore, Pontiac, and Warren, among other locations.

Because of the popularity of INSIDE/OUT  the displays will also be included over the summer in three northern Michigan towns popular with summer vacationers -- Alpena, Traverse City and Mackinac Island.  If you are planning on going on an Up North Michigan adventure this summer these INSIDE / OUT exhibits will be on display until September.  I hadn't realized that the INSIDE / OUT artwork was going to be on display in Northern Michigan until we stumbled upon one of the portraits during a family trip to Mackinac Island while walking to our hotel.  Because of our family's past art hunts we instantly associated it with being INSIDE/OUT artwork.

 Mackinac Island is known for prohibiting motor vehicles so walking, bike riding and horse drawn carriages are the primary means of getting around while visiting the Michigan state park which is filled with historical buildings, scenic landscapes, and lots of fudge shops and souvenir stands. The INSIDE / OUT artwork is sprinkled throughout the island's downtown and the grounds of the historic Grand Hotel.  Some of the artwork really stands out along the island's thoroughfares while others are a bit more subdued so they are not so easy to discover without looking out for them.  Of course we went on an art hunt to our Mackinac Island activities once we realized the DIA reproductions were there searching for all the INSIDE/OUT displays adding an extra element of fun to our trip.

I've shared a few of the Mackinac Island INSIDE/OUT portraits we discovered.  If you visit can you find them all?  If so let us know!  Plus if you make it to Alpena or Traverse City this summer, have some Pure Michigan fun and go on an art hunt!  Of course we'd enjoy seeing your INSIDE/OUT art hunt photos.  Please share your pictures by tweeting them to @Geekdad248 so we can share in your fun!

If you are planning a Metro Detroit art hunt be aware that they switch up the locations and displays in August with the new exhibit locations staying up through October.  Upcoming locations include Belleville (Wayne County), East English Village (Detroit), Beverly Hills (Oakland County) and Romeo (Macomb County).   For more information, visit www.dia.org.

Metro Detroit Salvation Army Thrift Stores Summer Sale

We regularly go through our bedroom closets and dressers at the beginning of each summer to weed out clothing items that are in good condition but don't fit or just aren't worn anymore for our family to donate to the local Salvation Army thrift stores.  I just dropped off our annual summer donation of unused clothing and household items to The Salvation Army the other day.  It is a win-win-win deal when donating items to The Salvation Army thrift stores because it provides a tax donation to the donor, recycles unwanted items so they don't end up in landfills, and supports a good cause -- The Salvation Army Southeast Michigan Adult Rehabilitation Center.

You've heard the phrase relating to how alcoholics and drug addicts are dealing with sobriety as "on/off the wagon," well that saying goes back to the 1800s when The Salvation Army had horse-drawn wagons going through the streets offering rides to addicts wanting help.  More than 200 years later those efforts continue with all the proceeds from The Salvation Army's thrift stores in southeastern Michigan supporting an independently funded, 180-day residential rehabilitation program that is free to any man or woman desiring to break free from alcohol or drug addiction.  Shopping at these thrift stores transforms people's donations of physical items into revenue to fund the Adult Rehabilitation Center and can also provide shoppers with some great bargains.

Save by the dawn's early light at The Salvation Army Southeast Michigan Adult Rehabilitation Center family thrift stores as they celebrate summer with special deals during the non-profit's annual Fourth of July Sale.  Visit any of the 36 Metro Detroit Salvation Army thrift store locations to enjoy 50% off clothing on Monday, July 4, 2016.  Plus there will be great deals on fashion accessories, home goods and other items during surprise bonus sales that will be announced throughout the day.

“The Fourth of July celebrates the independence of our country, and our Fourth of July sale is helping more Americans become independent – from drugs and alcohol,” Merle Miller, administrator of The Salvation Army Southeast Michigan Adult Rehabilitation Center, told A Geek Daddy Blog. “By attending the sale and stocking up on summer essentials helps us to help the brave men and women who are facing their addictions at our rehabilitation center.”

Founded by William Booth in London, England, in 1865, The Salvation Army is a faith-based, non-profit organization dedicated to serving people in need without discrimination. The Adult Rehabilitation Center is an integral part of The Salvation Army's mission, and offers substance-abusing adults the opportunity to rebuild their lives through a voluntary, short-term residential self-help program designed to establish a sense of dignity, self-esteem and personal strength that will allow them to resist the desire to abuse a substance and regain their rightful place as contributing members of society. Completely self-funded, the Adult Rehabilitation Center draws its entire operating budget from the revenue of  thrift stores located in Southeast Michigan -- none of the donations from The Salvation Army's well known Holiday Bell Ringers campaign supports this program. Additionally donations to these thrift centers annually recycle or diverts more than 24 million pounds of waste from area landfills. For more information visit www.salarmythrift.com or call 313.965.7760.

PARKA'KITO MOSQUITO REPELLENT

 **A Geek Daddy received the featured product to review for free **

 I always enjoy a trek hiking the bluffs of Mackinac Island looking out across the water of the straits where the Great Lakes of Huron, Michigan and Superior come together.  It is always a relaxing experience hiking through this tranquil setting full of impressive natural scenery.  Unfortunately, often times there is one major drawback that puts a damper on an otherwise fun time leaving you itchy and welted by the conclusion of your hike ... the forest full of mosquitoes.  The island may not have bears, lions or snakes to fend off but the wet and shady habitat at this Michigan state park makes a perfect breeding ground for pesky mosquitoes looking to steal a bit of your blood.  Ugh! if you are lucky you'll only be left itching for a few days and being unlucky could lead to a more serious problem like an infection of the West Nile Virus or a case of Encephalitis, among other illnesses.  I've used a variety of bug deterrents when going on hikes in the woods with mixed results over the years.

For my most recent trip to Mackinac Island, I took along with me some samples I'd been sent from PARA'KITO MOSQUITO REPELLENT to try out knowing that it could really come in handy based upon my past treks.  During my hike, I wore a wrist band and had a clip on my backpack that each contained a pellet filled with oils that interfere with mosquitoes sense of smell reducing the critters capacity to identify you.  I was a bit hesitant that this simple sounding solution would work, but PARA'KITO passed the "smell test" as I made it through my hike relatively unscathed without a noticeable mosquito bite.

With people having renewed concerns about mosquito-born illnesses due to the recent Zika Virus outbreaks as well as a societal trend to avoid physical interactions with harsh chemicals, PARA'KITO uses all natural-based active ingredients to ensure that its products sufficiently protect people from mosquitoes without the use of chemicals that could potentially cause their own negative health side effects.  PARA'KITO mosquito repellent is DEET, parabens and phthalates free.  It's mosquito repellent pellets made from a mixture of Citronella, Rosemary, Geranium, Mint, Clove, Peppermint and Cinnamon oils provide consistent protection for up to 15 days.  When they've worn out just pull the pellet out of your refillable band or clip and slip in a replacement. Refills can easily be ordered online and shipped to you.

Refillable bands made from neoprene can be worn on wrists or ankles are available in sizes for both kids and adults in a variety of shades and designs.  Kids designs feature pandas, pirates, monkeys and sharks.  Adult colors and designs range from standard black or blue to cosmic purple or camouflage among a variety of selections.  Clips are easy to use too - place them on strollers, bikes, backpacks, belts or purses among other things to keep the mosquitoes away.



Because PARA'KITO mosquito repellent is a hassle free, worry free product that is applicable for the whole family to use and with which I personally had success with using, it gets A Geek Daddy nod of approval. Enjoy your summer without having to worry about those pesky mosquitoes!  For more information, visit us.parakito.com

Also stop by the PARA’KITO Facebook page this summer for a chance to win their weekly contest on its Facebook page. Starting the week of June 20 through September 21, PARA'KITO will give away two wristbands (a $39 value!) to one lucky Facebook follower! Entering to win is easy! First 'LIKE' the PARA'KITO USA Facebook page. Then visit PARAKITO.com and share your favorite product from the collection in the COMMENTS section of the weekly Facebook post PINNED at the top of the Facebook page. Be sure to use #PKgiveaway in your response. Around 4pm ET each Thursday, they'll announce a weekly winner!

HARVEY BEAKS Two-Part Steampunk Themed Musical Special on Nickelodeon

Nickelodeon's HARVEY BEAKS animated television show is featuring a steampunk themed two-part musical special that will debut on Thursday, June 23 and Friday, June 24, 2016 at 5:30pm (ET/PT) on the cable channel.  Harvey and his friends set out on a brand-new, imaginary and musical journey where they explore the cogs, gears, and fantasy of the world Steamburg.

In Part 1 which premieres on the evening of June 23rd, Harvey imagines he is in a steampunk world, and is blamed for breaking a floating city.  Part 2 follows the next evening of Friday, June 24 where the songs and mystery continue when Harvey continues his quest to fix the floating city, but danger looms around every steamy corner.  This special two-episode story arc will feature four original songs: "Steamburg," "(Here In Our Town Called) Reject Town," "I Can Tell We're Gonna Be Friends" and "Friendship Can Do Anything."



Created and executive produced by C.H. Greenblatt (Chowder), Harvey Beaks follows the life of a big-hearted and big-headed kid and his impetuous two best friends. Together with an odd assortment of townsfolk in their magical forest, they get into all sorts of adventures and trouble. But no matter how ridiculous things get, they always find a way to stay true to themselves.

Visit the Harvey Beaks page on Nick.com or the Nick App to learn more about the show and its characters, and get a behind-the-scenes look at the series. Episodes of Harvey Beaks are available on Nick.com and the Nick App, along with digital download and streaming platforms that include iTunes, Amazon, Xbox, Google Play, Vudu, Playstation, and Nick On Demand.

PAPERCUTZ publishing graphic novel tie-in to DreamWorks Animations TROLLS movie

Our family really enjoys the children's focused comic books and graphic novels created by Papercutz, so we were excited to hear the publisher is going to be producing an ongoing series of graphic novel tie-ins to DreamWorks Animation's feature film Trolls.  Papercutz's first Trolls graphic novel "Hugs and Friends" which will arrive at bookstores on September 27, 2016 is meant to serve as an introduction to the upcoming animated film that will be released at theaters across the United States on November 4th.  Subsequent graphic novels are planned to expand upon the Trolls story following the movie's release.

From the creators of Shrek comes the most smart, funny and irreverent animated comedy of the year, DreamWorks’ Trolls.  This holiday season, enter a colorful, wondrous world populated by hilariously unforgettable characters and discover the story of the overly optimistic Trolls, with a constant song on their lips, and the comically pessimistic Bergens, who are only happy when they have trolls in their stomach.



Papercutz’s “Hugs & Friends” sets the stage for the movie adventure by asking important questions like Who are the Trolls? Who are the Bergens? Why is there one Troll who isn’t happy like all the other Trolls? And why does this Troll know more about the Bergens than any other Troll?  The answers to these questions appear with "Hugs & Friends" Trolls Volume 1 on September 27th.

"Hugs and Friends" is just the start though notes Papercutz Editor-in-Chief Jim Salcrup.  "While our first graphic novel features the main characters from the film, later volumes will focus on the supporting players of the Trolls world as well," Salcrup mentioned to A Geek Daddy.  "With such a fully developed world being created by the DreamWorks team, we anticipate entertaining fans and telling Trolls stories for a very long time!"

HULU Expands Childrens Programming Inking Licensing Deal With Disney-ABC Television Group

Hulu is pushing to be a go-to source for children's television programming through a new deal it just inked with The Disney - ABC Television Group which will make full prior seasons of top rated kids titles from Disney Channel, Disney Junior, and Disney XD available through the online video streaming service.  Hulu niche has been providing its subscribers with access to the current season of shows from 5 of the 6 largest U.S. broadcast networks but is also bolstering its available library of past seasons of TV shows and original programming like The Mindy Project and the Golden Globe nominated comedy series Casual.  A subscription to Hulu is $7.99 per month with limited commercials or commercial free for $11.99.

The new agreement with The Disney-ABC Television Group makes Hulu the exclusive subscription video-on-demand home for all of the past seasons of  several popular shows that appeal to children, tweens, and teens including Disney XD's highly rated animated series Gravity Falls and Star vs. The Force of Evil plus the Disney Channel's live action shows K.C. Undercover, Austin & Ally and Dog With A Blog.  Additionally, the agreement provides Hulu with exclusivity for the Disney Junior shows Sheriff Callie's Wild West and Henry Hugglemonster which appeal to preschool audiences.  These shows join Doc McStuffins and Bunnytown from Disney Junior which Hulu had previously obtained exclusive rights to stream.

In addition to adding more than 500 episodes of kid friendly programming this deal also provides 20 Disney Channel Original Movies that will be available to stream on Hulu for the first time ever.  Other recent efforts by Hulu to bolster its children's programming lineup have included recent deals to obtain exclusivity for Nickelodeon's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Penguins of Madagascar and PBS Kids Curious George.  They've also created a special Kids Portal for their children's programming so that kids can watch it commercial free even if your family is on the basic $7.99 per month plan.  The streaming service also has a Kids Lock feature which restricts viewing to only shows designated as children's programming which can be triggered on your TV, PC, or mobile devices.  Between an expanded library of content and commercial-free children's programming, Hulu is doubling down on attracting parents and their kids to tune in with them.

For more information, visit Hulu.com
 

Dinosaur Train Nature Trackers Club

The Jim Henson Company, producers of the animated PBS Kids television series Dinosaur Train, want to help keep children exploring and learning over the summer break.  So this summer they've launched a ten week series of activities called the Nature Trackers Summer Challenge to help parents keep children engaged in learning throughout their break from school.  Beginning June 20th, each week will have a different theme starting with STARGAZING WEEK and be tied to a special episode airing on PBS.  Future themes include birds, insects and volcanoes, among other topics.

Here's a look at the list of the Nature Trackers Summer Challenge's first group of activities for STARGAZING WEEK:

WATCH - Dinosaur Train: Remember the Alamosaurus / Sunrise , Sunset on PBS. In this episode Dad takes the Pteranodon kids on an overnight camping trip where they watch both a sunrise and a sunset learning that the sun rises in the east and sets in the west.  The kids also find out more about nocturnal (night-active) animals and diurnal (day-active) animals.  If you miss this episode airing on television, CLICK HERE to watch it online via Watch Cartoons Online at your own convenience.  Dinosaur Train episodes can also be streamed via Hulu, Netflix and YouTube.

PLAY - Under the Night Sky: Act Nocturnal!

DO -  Moon Observation!

EXPLORE -  Explore the sky from various locations in the world with NASA Watch the Skies! All Sky Camera Network.

For a complete list of challenges, visit the Nature Trackers page on PBS Parents!  As your kids participate in the Dinosaur Train Nature Trackers Summer Challenge share your experiences by posting your stories and photos at the Henson Family Hub on Facebook and Twitter using the hashtag #NatureTrackers.

The Spinfords

 ** A Geek Daddy received the featured product for free to review**

As my children have begun reading on their own we've switched up the bedtime story routine.  Now instead of my simply reading a story to them before they go to sleep, one night I'll read a story to my daughter than move over to my son's room where he reads one to me.  We alternate the next evening with my reading a story to my son than my daughter reads one to me.  The last few nights I've read to each of my twins the children's book THE SPINFORDS written by AnnMarie Martin and illustrated by Stevie Hannigan then they've each taken turns reading it back to me on different evenings when it was their turn to read aloud at bedtime.  When it comes to THE SPINFORDS, readers learn that you can't always teach a new spider old tricks ... and that is OK!

In the story, the Spinford family is a group of spiders who have for generations performed a circus act where they spin beautiful webs portraying images of creatures and landscapes.  They've been doing the same old routine for years but still continue to have big audiences attend the circus every night.  When their youngest son, Salvatore, joins the act though he doesn't want recreate the classic images the family is known for producing but rather wants to impress audiences by creating webs featuring intricate abstract and geometric patterns.  The family becomes angered and embarrassed that Salvatore is straying away from their old tricks that are a proven success bringing Salvatore to tears.

With the help of his grandfather and cousin, Salvatore obtains the confidence to show off his unorthodox webs by providing a surprise closing act at one of the Spinford's shows.  At first his parents and siblings are horrified at the spectacle that Salvatore is putting on, but then notice that the audience is amazed by the unusual web designs that the young spider is creating before them.  The spiders realize that just because someone may do something in another way than they normally do it doesn't make him or her wrong or bad...just different.

The book does a nice job of promoting the value of self-confidence and teaching children that just as every spider web is unique so is each person which is a wonderful and beautiful thing.  It encourages youth to embrace their uniqueness to take pride in themselves and aspire towards making the world a better place.  Salvatore's experience imparts upon children the importance of having the confidence to be yourself no matter what.

THE SPINFORDS also highlights the value of embracing diversity and tolerance towards new ideas and ways of doing things within our society.  For children, fitting in to the uniformity of your friends and family is often a very big deal.  Any parent has probably witnessed this in the most basic sense of a child trying to decide what clothes to wear to school or when going out with friends so they fit in and feel comfortable around their peers.  It is easy to forget as adults how strong the pressure to not be different can be as a child. THE SPINFORDS shows children who may be confronted with much more significant circumstances where they are different from others around them because of race, gender, religion, disability, physical features or a variety of other factors that being different is nothing to be ashamed of.  It also reminds us all, parents and kids alike, that providing empathy and encouragement to others is important because as author Ann Marie Martin wonderfully puts it "we all need some help weaving our own webs sometimes."

THE SPINFORDS is available to purchase on Amazon.  For more information about the book, please visit www.thespinfords.com.  Also have some fun with a special child in your life creating his or her own unique Salvatore with this coloring page.

Major League Baseball Customized Fathers Day Uniforms Support Prostate Cancer Awareness & Research

I had to take a second glance and ask the other people in the room with me if there was something wrong with the TV while watching the Detroit Tigers game on Fathers Day as the team's uniforms seemed different.  In fact, they were.  For the first time ever, Major League Baseball (MLB) was having their teams wear customized uniforms and caps for Fathers Day with a "baby blue" theme to them.  While I'm a traditionalist when it comes to the uniforms that sport the Old English D and appreciate keeping a classic look to the outfits, in my opinion these Fathers Day uniforms were very sharp!

For the last several years, MLB has had its teams don pink uniforms on Mothers Day to show support for breast cancer survivors and promote awareness on the topic.  The reproductions of these official pink Mothers Day uniforms and caps that were made available for purchase to fans have had their MLB licensing royalties donated to the non-profits Susan G. Komen and Stand Up to Cancer.  This year the initiative was expanded to include Fathers Day.

The focus of the Fathers Day MLB promotion was to raise awareness, and some money, for prostate cancer prevention.  According to the American Cancer Society, 1 in 7 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime with 1 in 39 men dying from the disease.  Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer related deaths for men residing within the United States behind only lung cancer.  Fortunately, if discovered early and treated many men can survive prostate cancer.  CLICK HERE to learn more about prostate cancer from the American Cancer Society.

As with the Mothers Day specialty uniforms, these unique Fathers Day ones will have their MLB licensing royalties donated to charity as well go to the Prostate Cancer Foundation and Stand Up to Cancer.  If you like these replica jerseys and caps don't wait to long to grab one as they are meant to be collectible items produced in limited supplies.  I'm not a fan of the flat brimmed snapback caps that seem to be all the rage lately so I'm glad New Era also produced a more traditional Fathers Day version of the ball cap for dads like me who appreciate the vintage look.

Check out all of the Fathers Day looks that were worn around Major League Baseball by all the teams for their June 19th games:




Major League Baseball teams will also be wearing special patriotic themed uniforms on the Fourth of July.  MLB's licensing royalties from these replica Fourth of July caps and jerseys will be donated to the the veterans' support charity Welcome Back Veterans.

So what to think of these special themed uniforms for sporting teams? Love them, hate them or just don't care? 

FINDING DORY: Review + Activity Sheets

I took my 7 year old daughter to go see FINDING DORY and she found the movie absolutely adorable.  In this sequel to 2003's FINDING NEMO which won the Academy Award for "Best Animated Feature", the friendly-but-forgetful blue tang fish Dory is on a mission to reunite with her loved ones, and everyone learns a few things about the real meaning of family along the way.  It is a touching, well-done film that is perfect for a summer family outing to the movie theater and will definitely be a contender for its own Best Animated Feature Oscar.



As is the norm with movies from Disney's Pixar Animation Studios, a short film is shown before the feature presentation of FINDING DORY.  Called "Piper" it tells the story of a hungry sandpiper hatchling who ventures from her nest for the first time to dig for food by the shoreline.  The only problem is, the food is buried beneath the sand where scary waves roll up onto the shore.  This short directed by Alan Barillaro and produced by Marc Sondheimer was delightful to watch and was a wonderful themed pairing to the sea life themes of FINDING DORY.  On the drive home from the movie theater my daughter told me that Piper was her "favorite pre-movie movie" she's ever seen.

Since seeing FINDING DORY my daughter has been constantly asking me "Who is Sigourney Weaver?"  The movie begins with Dory (voiced by Ellen DeGeneres), still forgetful with her short-term memory problem, living happily on the Great Australian Barrier Reef with clownfish Marlin (voiced by Albert Brooks) and Nemo (voiced by Hayden Rolence).  When an event triggers Dory's memories so that she begins to remember glimpses of her family and where she came from, the blue tang fish heads off to rediscover her past.  This leads her to travel across the ocean to the Marine Life Institute (MLI), an aquarium and fish hospital on the coast of California, searching for her parents. Marlin and Nemo follow in close pursuit hoping to catch up to their friend and keep Dory  out of trouble and danger.  As Dory swims towards the MLI aquarium she is warmly welcomed to visit the place by the cameo voice of Sigourney Weaver.  In the film, Weaver welcomes the aquarium's human visitors and narrates educational points at its exhibits projected through loud speakers.  All the kids in the theater who apparently had no clue who the actress is were looking at their parents wondering why the adults were chuckling at the repeated references to Sigourney Weaver throughout the movie.  This very well could become the signature gag of FINDING DORY.

The MLI serves as the principal location for the adventures in this film as Dory, Marlin and Nemo explore it looking for clues to Dory's past.  FINDING DORY is not as much about searching to physically locate a missing Dory but rather about rediscovering her past so she can find elements of her life that she has been missing.  Since the MLI plays such an important role in this movie here are some fun educational activity sheets that you can incorporate into your FINDING DORY movie experience that tie into it.



Dory, Marlin and Nemo are assisted in exploring MLI by a new cast of characters that include Hank (voice of Ed O'Neill), a cantankerous "septopus" -- an octopus who only has seven tentacles because he lost one in an aquarium incident -- who frequently escapes his tank; Bailey (voice of Ty Burrell), a beluga whale who is convinced his biological sonar skills are on the fritz; Destiny (voice of Kaitlin Olson), a nearsighted whale shark; Flake (voiced by Idris Elba) and Rudder (voiced by Dominic West), a pair of lazy sea lions; and a pack of very cute otters.  For the most part these new characters are entertaining and likeable but to be honest are just frankly not as interesting as the supporting crew from FINDING NEMO.  With the exception of Hank who is a great addition to the movie, really steals the show and is better than any of the supporting characters from FINDING NEMO.  I found all the scenes involving Hank very funny and entertaining.  Hank was by far my favorite character in the movie.  Plus you'll want to watch all the humorous sequences involving him that they incorporate into the credits. My daughter didn't agree with me though on Hank being the best part of the movie giving that honor to ... baby Dory.

I have to admit that I never found Dory that endearing of a character in FINDING NEMO and was wondering how well her being the main character in a film would work out.  In FINDING DORY, the movie creates a connection between the audience and the character through flashbacks featuring an adorable baby Dory that made everyone in the theater go "awe" every time she appears on the screen.  These flashbacks combined with heartwarming story elements really allow Dory to stand on her own as a successful lead character for the movie.  My daughter LOVED baby Dory and to be honest I did too.

Check out some of the new characters from FINDING DORY in these fun coloring pages:



So will Dory, Marlin and Nemo along with their new found friends at the MLI find Dory's parents?  You'll have to go to the movie to find out!  I will say though that you need to stay through the credits to see one final scene that really brings FINDING NEMO and FINDING DORY together full circle in a humorous way.  Just Keep Swimming to your local movie theater to see FINDING DORY while it is at the cinema as it really is worth the big screen experience.

FINDING DORY is rated PG and is 97 minutes long.  The PG rating is attributable to scenes that include a potentially scary incident with a one-eyed squid and a horrific moment with Dory trapped in a bucket full of dead fish that could be disturbing for some children. For more information, visit movies.disney.com/finding-dory

Be a Super Hero this summer when it comes to Food Allergies

With summer starting children will be breaking from the normal day-to-day school routine.  This can be a challenging time for kids with food allergies as they begin to interact with new people and visit out of the ordinary places during summer camps, family vacations, amusement park excursions or trips to the zoo where there may not be a familiarity with dealing with this medical condition.  FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education), one of the leading non-profit advocacy groups for the 15 million Americans with food allergies, wants to help educate those who aren't afflicted with food allergies to have an understanding of the safety issues important for those who do have them. Plus FARE wishes to remind those with food allergies (especially children) along with their family and friends not to let your guard down when it comes to maintaining safety practices over the summer break.  You can be a FARE super hero this summer by being cautious and considerate regarding food allergies!



As an educational tool, safety kit, and fundraiser, FARE is offering a special Summer Pack for $29.95 (plus shipping) to help children with food allergies during the summer break from school.  It is a simple, fun way to store and carry all your favorite summer allergy-friendly products.  Plus all proceeds support FARE's mission!

The FARE Summer Pack includes a cinch bag, a medicine storage kit, a food allergy restaurant card, a food allergy tip sheet and a common symptoms of anaphylaxis magnet:

FARE cinch bag:  big enough to carry a water bottle, epi-pens, and all the other stuff kids haul around with them during the summer months.  It also displays foodallergy.org to encourage people to learn more about the topic and give them a heads up that this is an issue to be cautious about.

Medicine Storage Kit:  Can accommodate two epinephrine auto-injectors, a large bottle of antihistamine, and a list of emergency phone numbers.  It is bright red so it is easy to spot!

A Food Allergy Restaurant Card to present to the chef while dining out to outline the foods and ingredients you must avoid.

Common Symptoms of Anaphylaxis Magnet lists the most common symptoms of anaphylaxis and what to do in an emergency so that camp counselors, coaches, babysitters, and other people who may be supervising a child with food allergies can have easy access to the information.

Parents who have a child with food allergies that will be outside a lot in hot weather may also want to consider purchasing a FRIO Epinephrine Cooling Bag which isn't included in the FARE Summer Pack.  It keeps epinephrine at a stable room temperature during the hot summer months! This reusable 5.5” x 7” wallet has insulating qualities that are activated by water – no refrigeration or ice needed – and holds 2 epinephrine auto-injectors. When activated, the FRIO cooling pack keeps its low temperature for a minimum of two days, even in temperatures of 100 degrees Fahrenheit. This is a great item to add to your emergency supply kit, travel kit or camping kit as there is no refrigeration needed. 

FARE has also posted a special SAFE FOR THE SUMMER section on its website.  It includes tips on emergency preparedness, traveling, summer camp, and barbeques.  Summer Barbeque Tips for Hosts & Guest and Managing Food Allergies at Camp are two very informative articles I'd recommend everyone take a moment to read.  This special educational section of the FARE website also highlights four important points for families dealing with food allergies to remember over the summer months:

1. Avoid the heat: Epinephrine is sensitive to light and should be stored at room temperature. Never leave your auto-injectors in a vehicle, where temperatures can rise to the triple digits. 
2. Prevent: Make sure you remain vigilant about reading labels and never take chances with foods you're unsure are safe.
3. Prepare: Summer is a great time to prepare for the school year, including learning how to advocate for your child and about the guidelines and laws that help ensure the safety and inclusion of students with food allergies. 
4. Practice: Using a trainer or expired auto-injector, practice how to use the device. Review your Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plan with the entire family and all caregivers.

Dealing with my own children's food allergies is something that our family has to be constantly vigilant about.  I shared my story about being a food allergy dad on the FARE blog which you can read here.  We're lucky in that my children attend a school with a peanut free campus which provides a lot of peace of mind regarding their safety while they are attending classes but have to admit it can be easy to become complacent when they aren't guaranteed as protective an environment during the summer months when out and about.  Please be a Super Hero this summer by being cautious and considerate about food allergies.  Your actions could save a life!