Kids VT, Winter 2023-24 by Seven Days

WINTER 2023-24

5 TIPS FOR COLD-WEATHER WALKS

RESULTS INSIDE! COLORING CONTEST

7 FAMILY-FRIENDLY EVENTS

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

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Enter the magical Land of the Sweets with Vermont Ballet Theater’s production of...

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Tickets are $10 for adults at the door and kids under 12 are FREE

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SKINNYPANCAKE.COM 11/1/23 12:31 PM

STAFF QUESTION STAFF & CONTRIBUTORS

What’s your favorite kind of snow?

COME FIND IT ALL!

SQUISHY STUFF, SPARKLY THINGS CLOTHES TO WEAR, SHOES TO TRY ON CANDY TO EAT, GAMES TO PLAY PUZZLES TO SOLVE PLAYMOBIL & LEGO TO BUILD SQUISHMALLOWS & STUFFIES TO HUG MARKERS, CLAY, BACKPACKS, NESTING DOLLS, GIGGLES AND FUN

THUNDERSNOW, when I’m lucky enough COPUBLISHER/EDITOR

Cathy Resmer

cathy@sevendaysvt.com

to experience it. Also hoarfrost — the feathery frost that turns plants into ice sculptures on an extra-cold day.

RACHEL MULLIS, CONTRIBUTOR

COPUBLISHER

Colby Roberts

colby@sevendaysvt.com CONSULTING EDITORS

Dan Bolles Alison Novak ART DIRECTOR

Kirsten Thompson

The kind that falls overnight and SURPRISES ME IN THE MORNING with a blanket of white covering all the bare branches.

Cat Cutillo

k16t-SimonSays0523.indd 1 © ANNA KUZMINA | DREAMSTIME

MULTIMEDIA JOURNALIST

12 Main Street Bristol simonsaysvt.com • 453-6945

CATHY RESMER, COPUBLISHER AND EDITOR

cat@sevendaysvt.com EVENTS DIRECTOR

Katie Olson

katie@sevendaysvt.com ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Kaitlin Montgomery kaitlin@kidsvt.com

PROOFREADERS

Martie Majoros Angela Simpson PRODUCTION MANAGER

John James CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Don Eggert DESIGNERS

John James Rev. Diane Sullivan CIRCULATION MANAGER

Matt Weiner BUSINESS MANAGER

I really love a BIG BLIZZARD when I don’t need to go anywhere and I’m all hunkered down with snacks and supplies. DIANE SULLIVAN, COLORING CONTEST ARTIST

Marcy Stabile CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

The kind that STICKS

TO MY DOG’S NOSE

LI S

and makes good snowpeople!

Snack on the BITE-CLUB NEWSLETTER for a taste of this week’s flavorful food coverage. It’ll hold you over until Wednesday. SUBSCRIBE AT

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12/21/20 6:07 PM

RE ST

©M

BL AC

H |D

EMILY HAMILTON, CALENDAR WRITER

PHOTOGRAPHERS

ST I ME

Andy Brumbaugh Jeb Wallace-Brodeur

COLBY ROBERTS, COPUBLISHER

Emily Hamilton Astrid Hedbor Lague Rachel Mullis Jennifer Sutton Emilia Williams

There is no way I could limit my answer to just one. I like wet snow and dry snow. Snow globe fluff and sideways pelt. I like the powder and the mank, the packed and the chunk. It can be bumpy, deep or made by humans. THEY’RE ALL EQUALLY FUN!

5/19/23 11:49 AM

ILLUSTRATOR

Annelise Capossela

P.O. BOX 1164 • BURLINGTON, VT 05401 802-985-5482 • SEVENDAYSVT.COM/KIDSVT

Published 4x per year. Circulation: 43,000 at 800 locations throughout northern and central Vermont. © 2023 Da Capo Publishing Inc. All rights reserved. Editorial content in Kids VT is for general informational purposes. Parents must use their own discretion for following the advice in any editorial piece. Acceptance of advertising does not constitute service/product endorsement. Da Capo Publishing shall not be held liable to any advertiser for any loss that results from the incorrect publication of its advertisement. If a mistake is ours, and the advertising purpose has been rendered valueless, Da Capo Publishing may cancel the charges for the advertisement, or a portion thereof as deemed reasonable by the publisher. Da Capo Publishing reserves the right to refuse any advertising, including inserts, at the discretion of the publishers.

I love a snow where it’s warm enough to be outside in it without your skin hurting — and the snow is really GOOD SNOWBALL SNOW. ASTRID HEDBOR LAGUE, MEALTIME COLUMNIST

CONTRIBUTOR’S NOTE Rachel Mullis, author of “Winter Wanderland,” is a freelance writer and journalist. She writes regularly for national and global organizations focused on sustainability, and her work appears locally in Seven Days. She lives and walks in Burlington with her husband, daughter and dog. Learn more about her at rachelmullis.com. KIDS VT WINTER 2023-24 k8v-PreventChildAbuse0211.indd 1

5 1/27/11 11:33 AM

Point your kids' compass toward FUN next summer.

Let Kids VT lead the way! save the date:

Saturday, February 10, 2024 10 A.M.-2 P.M. BURLINGTON HILTON

FREE ADMISSION! REGISTER AT: CAMPFINDERVT.COM PRESENTED BY:

OUR 27th year!

The Fair is a great opportunity to:

SCIENCE

OUTDOORS ARTS

GYMNASTICS EDUCATION

ANIMALS SPORTS 6

KIDS VT WINTER 2023-24

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Discover dozens of great regional summer camps and schools. Connect with representatives and get your questions answered. Get all your research and planning done in one day and have fun, too.

Scan the code to visit the Vermont camp and School Finder!

Do you run a camp or class?

Contact Kaitlin Montgomery for more info about exhibiting at the fair and getting listed on campfindervt.com:

kaitlin@kidsvt.com 802-985-5482, ext. 142

11/10/23 10:17 AM

WINTER 2023-24

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Save the Dates

A child-centered alternative education, dedicated to the philosophy and teachings of Maria Montessori.

Seasonal fun for the whole family

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Children ages 18 months to age 12 14

Winter Wanderland A cold-weather walk doesn’t have to be a chore

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All inquiries: info@mscvt.org or (802)-479-0912

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A Q&A with Brattleboro author and illustrator John Steven Gurney

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1/25/23 4:07 PM

Where learning is rooted in relationships.

NOW ENROLLING FOR 2024-2025

Challenge Completed Good Citizens gather for a Statehouse awards ceremony Welcome Staff Question 5

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bellwetherschool.org 11/1/23 2:27 PM

On the Cover

Columns 13 Mealtime 23 Use Your Words Just for Kids 21 Coloring Contest 22 Coloring Contest Winners “Winter Wanderland” illustration by Annelise Capossela. Find more of her work at annelisecapossela.com. Untitled-2 1

KIDS VT WINTER 2023-24

8/15/22 10:20 AM

KIDS VT WINTER 2023-24

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT... B Y A L I S ON N OVAK

Eye on Education News Vermont families can use from Seven Days

lison Novak covers K-12 education and childcare for Seven Days. As a former elementary school teacher — and the parent of two teens — Novak draws from firsthand experience to cover her beat. Here are a few of her stories from this fall. Follow Alison’s coverage each week in print in Seven Days and online at sevendaysvt.com.

Melissa Haggett teaching reading to first graders at Vergennes Union Elementary School

Indoor fun and learning for Indoor fun and learning for young children and families! young children and families!

Visit through Sunday Sunday Visitus us Tuesday Tuesday through 10:00am-4:00pm 10:00am-4:00pm 66 Row 66 Merchants Merchants Row Rutland, 05701 Rutland, VT VT 05701 (802) (802) 282-2678 282-2678 Admission: person (ages (ages1+) 1+) Admission: $8 $8 per person

A PIONEERING POLICY

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FILE: DARIA BISHOP

“Champlain Valley School District Spells Out the Rights of Transgender and Nonbinary Students,” October 25, 2023 The Champlain Valley School District has become the first in Vermont to clearly spell out the rights of transgender and nonbinary students in a wide-ranging policy its school board approved unanimously.

AFTER MIRO

DAYS VT.CO SEVEN 8 NO.52

Too ma ny Ver and can mont kids stru educat ors rev ggle to read. erse a yea Wh rslong at went wrong BY ALISO N NOVA slide in K, PAGE literacy? — 26

OCTO BER NT VOICE ENDE INDEP ONT’S

hunt at

Sasquatc

PAGE

h Festival 36

Restoring

“Northfield Newcomers Launch a Childcare Program,” September 13, 2023

inside!

H IT

THE HUMAN TOLL

“In Barre, Immeasurable Loss, Resilience and an Uncertain Future,” August 23, 2023 Part of recovering from the July flood is financial, but other aspects are harder to quantify: the trauma of the flood itself and the displacement and isolation it has created. K Y OF

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P H ILI P C A R C

Facing a shortage of spots in schools that serve students with

During the school year, Middlebury resident Will Robinson teaches

LEAF THROUG

Fall issue

TES

“Two School Districts Create Their Own Programs for Students With Special Needs,” September 6, 2023

Vermont

GOING PUBLIC

PAGE 38

preschool at a Head Start program in Addison County. In the summer, he hikes. A lot.

TRAILBLAZING TEACHER

“A Vermont Teacher ThroughHikes the 115 Tallest Peaks in the Northeast,” September 6, 2023

tnut in

Blake Pierson and Andrea Lively, recent Vermont transplants raising two young daughters in Northfield, have forged their own path to start Rainbow Gardens. Advocates, who worked to pass a historic childcare bill this year that puts more than $100 million dollars annually into the childcare sector, are hopeful that more people will follow in their footsteps.

FILE: ALISON NOVAK

LEARNING CURVE

the ches

11/10/23 9:35 AM

Dec 16 and 17 • 12-3 pm Jungle Party

VERM

Today, only about half of Vermont third graders read proficiently. Results are far CREATURE FEA TURE GROWTH IND USTRY worse for children of color and those with disabilities or living in poverty. In a deeply reported cover story, Alison explores why Vermont kids are struggling with reading. “The stakes are high,” she writes. “Low literacy is linked to a host of negative effects, including poor health, poverty and incarceration. And there are less obvious costs,” she adds, including shame.

special needs, the Essex Westford and South Burlington school districts have launched their own in-house programs this year. Administrators say this approach will cost the same as — or less than — the districts currently spend and will provide other benefits for students who will be able to learn closer to home.

PAGE 15

4-11, 2023

VOL.2

“Too Many Vermont Kids Struggle to Read. What Went Wrong — and Can Educators Reverse a Yearslong Slide in Literacy?” October 4, 2023

On the

Andrea Lively and Blake Pierson with their two children

Mayoral candidate mull runss

READING RECKONING

k12v-Wonderfeet1123 1

Will Robinson

Check out Alison's story about Vermont principal Ken Cadow, a finalist for a National Book Award, on the cover of the November 15 issue of Seven Days.

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9 11/10/23 9:00 AM 7/2/20 12:06 11/21/19 2:43PM PM

Save the Dates Winter fun for the whole family BY EMILY HAMILTON

FEBRUARY 17-25

Sweet Child o’ Mine

Sweet-toothed Vermonters of all ages learn all about one of the Green Mountain State’s most enduring agricultural traditions at Billings Farm & Museum’s MAGIC OF MAPLE. This week of festivities includes sugar on snow sampling, horse-drawn sleigh rides, crafts, story times and more.

Saturday, February 17, through Sunday, February 25, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., at Billings Farm & Museum in Woodstock. Regular admission, $10-17; free for members and kids 3 and under. Info, 457-2355, billingsfarm.org.

DECEMBER 16 & 17

DECEMBER 2

Family Flicks

The NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S FILM FESTIVAL returns to the Hop this year, bringing small cinephiles the opportunity to sample award-winning shorts from 13 countries. Whether it’s the cartoon tale of a young soccer player facing off against a goose or an inspiring documentary about an animator, there’s something for every young film lover.

EA M S TI M E / M A RY S M N

Saturday, December 2, 11 a.m. & 2 p.m., at Loew Auditorium, Hopkins Center for the Arts, Dartmouth College, in Hanover, N.H. $5; preregister. Info, 603-646-2422, hop.dartmouth.edu.

Visions of Sugar Plums

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s beloved Christmas ballet gets the Green Mountain State treatment at Vermont Ballet Theatre’s VERMONT’S OWN NUTCRACKER. Local dancers shepherd audiences through the tale of Clara and the nutcracker prince, their adventures through the Land of Sweets, and their battle with the dastardly Mouse King. Saturday, December 16, 2 & 7 p.m., and Sunday, December 17, 1 & 6:30 p.m., at the Flynn in Burlington. $20.55-49. Info, 863-5966, flynnvt.org.

DECEMBER 1-3 & 7-9

Bah, Humbug!

The ghosts of Christmas past, present and future appear to audience members of all ages in Middlebury Acting Company’s A CHRISTMAS CAROL. The brand-new adaptation of Charles Dickens’ famous fable tells the story of a miserly man who learns about the true spirit of the season.

Cello, It’s Me E/ KATERINA

Vermont Youth Orchestra warms audience members’ hearts in the dead of winter with its February concert, “TURNING POINTE.” The young musicians play soaring selections from Pyotr Ilycih Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake,” Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s “Hiawatha,” and American composer Amy Beach’s Gaelic Symphony in E Minor. Sunday, February 11, 3 p.m., at the Flynn in Burlington. $22-25. Info, 863-5966, vyo.org.

KIDS VT WINTER 2023-24

COURTESY OF ARIELLE THOMAS

SOLOVYEVA

Friday, December 1, Thursday, December 7, and Friday, December 8, 7 p.m.; Saturday, December 2, and Saturday, December 9, 2 & 7 p.m.; and Sunday, December 3, 2 p.m., Town Hall Theater in Middlebury. Pay what you can; preregister. Info, 382-9222, townhalltheater.org.

FEBRUARY 11

FIND MORE FAMILY FU EACH WEEKN

in the Seve n Days calendar, o r online at sevendaysv t.com/ familyfun.

Don’t miss these Kids VT events! DECEMBER 2

COURTESY OF VINCENT COTNOIR

SPECTACULAR SPECTACULAR: A TALENT SHOW FOR VERMONT’S RISING STARS Performers ages 5 to 16 sing, dance and play music on stage at Higher Ground in this showcase sponsored by the Skinny Pancake and Davis Studio. Saturday, December 2, noon, at Higher Ground in South Burlington. $10; preregister. Info, 865-1020 x110 or sevendaysvt.com/talentshow. FEBRUARY 10

KIDS VT CAMP AND SCHOOL FAIR DECEMBER 31

Midnight Madness

Burlington’s annual New Year’s Eve celebration, HIGHLIGHTS, is back and better than ever on the final night of 2023. This year’s lineup features a Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour-themed dance party, a wow-worthy Circus Smirkus performance and live music by one-man band the Suitcase Junket — with many more acts to be announced on November 30. Sunday, December 31, in downtown Burlington. $12-15; free for kids under 5. Info, hello@highlight. community, highlight.community.

FEBRUARY 3 & 4

Saturday Knight Live

Fear ye not: Thy gowns and doublets shall not lay abandoned ’til summer, for the WINTER RENAISSANCE FAIRE arriveth in the hamlet of Essex Junction. The family-friendly festivities run for two days and feature music, performances, sword-fighting demonstrations, and an artisan alley of craftspeople and mead makers from across New England. Saturday, February 3, and Sunday, February 4, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., at Champlain Valley Exposition in Essex Junction. $5-30; free for kids under 6. Info, 778-9178, vtgatherings.com.

AFTER SCHOOL, HOMESCHOOL TODDLER PROGRAMS + MORE!

commu nity theatre arts center, & galle ry

artistreevt.org 2095 Pomfret Rd, So. Pomfret, VT | 802-457-3500 k6h-Artistree1123 1

Parents and caregivers get face time with representatives from summer programs and schools from around the region in this annual expo sponsored by Vermont Federal Credit Union.

11/7/23 11:08 AM

CITY OF BURLINGTON

Saturday, February 10, 10 a.m. -2 p.m., at the Hilton in Burlington. Free; preregister. Info, 865-1020 x110 or campfindervt.com.

Contest deadlines coming up GREEN UP DAY CONTESTS On the first Saturday in May, Vermont celebrates Green Up Day, when residents pick up trash that’s accumulated over the winter along roadways and public spaces. Kids can help promote this annual tradition — and win prizes — by designing a poster, writing an essay or poem, making a video, or recording a jingle encouraging others to participate. All K-12 Vermont students are eligible to enter. Find more information at greenupvermont.org. Contest deadlines: Poster art: February 1. Writing: March 1. Video and jingle: April 1.

DESTINATION IMAGINATION This annual team competition gives kids from kindergarten through college a chance to explore the creative process, learn new skills, dive into STEAM — Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math — and create original work which they present at a statewide tournament in March. Email vtdicreativity@ gmail.com if you’d like to start a team. Find more information at creativeimagination.org. Deadline to start a team: December 15

Childcare is complicated. We're here to help. If you are struggling to pay for childcare, your child may qualify for Burlington's First Steps Scholarship. This program is available for Burlington residents only.

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KIDS VT WINTER 2023-24

1/26/23 9:08 AM

SEE THE STARS AT

2 0 2 3 TA L E N T S H O W F O R

V E R M O N T ’ S R I S I N G S TA R S

SATURDAY, December 2, at noon HIGHER GROUND BALLROOM Come see these rising stars wow the crowd with two-minute acts showcasing their talents: Adim Benoit Andre Redmond Anne Single Avery Ryan Bojan Harris Blake Von Sitas Cady Murad Caleb Rockcastle Caroline Clayton

Cristian Arhiri Elise Mical Georgia Kunkel Grace Mical Graham Long Holden Latimer Isak Duncan Kaylie Dusablon Marin Walsh

SPONSORED BY: Mayla Landis-Marinello Mira Biggs Niko Vukas Nolan Smith Piper Hall Riley Ayer Sara Conner Rowan Landis-Marinello

MEDIA SPONSOR:

Visit sevendaysvt.com/talentshow for more details! 12

KIDS VT WINTER 2023-24

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11/7/23 6:10 PM

MEALTIME

For Tots to Olympians...

Greek-Style Lamb Chops Comfort food for the colder months BY ASTRID HEDBOR LAGUE

ANDY BRUMBAUGH

he temperature is dropping — as I write this, we just had our first snowflakes flying — and that always makes me yearn for comfort food. This recipe satisfies that craving, and, even better, brings to mind the warm weather of Greece. The Mediterranean climate and landscape there favor grazing sheep over cattle, making lamb a great choice for a Greek-inspired meal. It’s a pricier meat here in the States, but it’s worth the occasional splurge — and sometimes you can find a good deal. Rosemary, garlic, oregano and lemon are all classic Greek flavors, and they all go so well with unctuous, decadent lamb chops. Even better, lamb chops cook in the broiler in minutes. I used lamb loin chops, but this recipe works just as well with lamb rib chops. I roasted some red potatoes with

Cochran’s Family

Season Pass

Greek-style lamb chops

olive oil, garlic and rosemary to go along with the chops and even tossed the roasted potatoes in the pan drippings from the lamb, which added delicious flavor. To go on the side, I sautéed up some spinach with shallots and garlic, finished with just a little cream and grated cheese. I used Parmesan, but feta would be delightful. My family prefers lamb at a mediumrare temperature, which is 140 degrees F. For best results, test each lamb chop so that any size differences don’t cause uneven cooking. K

Richmond, Vermont: The closest ski area to Burlington!

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11/10/23 8:57 AM

GREEK LAMB CHOPS Ingredients

•

1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

•

1 teaspoon dried thyme

•

1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped

•

zest and juice of 1 lemon

•

1 clove garlic, chopped

•

1 teaspoon salt

•

2 teaspoons fresh oregano, chopped

•

1 teaspoon ground pepper

•

4 to 6 lamb loin chops (or lamb rib chops)

Directions 1. Mix together all ingredients except lamb chops. Brush mixture generously onto the lamb chops. 2. Cover lamb chops lightly with plastic wrap and marinate for one hour at room temperature or overnight in the refrigerator. If you refrigerate, bring lamb chops to room temperature before cooking. 3. Preheat broiler. Line a large, deep pan (such as a lasagna pan) with foil and put a rack (such as a broiler rack or a cooling rack that fits into your pan) into it. A deep pan helps keep the drippings from splattering in your oven, and the lamb fat is quite flammable, so you want to contain it. 4. Place marinated lamb chops onto the rack, leaving about an inch between them. 5. Broil 12-15 minutes, or until internal temperature is 140 degrees F. 6. Remove lamb chops to a serving platter and tent with foil for at least 5 minutes to rest, then serve. KIDS VT WINTER 2023-24

Winter Wanderland Taking a winter walk doesn’t have to be a chore BY RACHEL MULLIS

ANNELISE CAPOSSELA

KIDS VT WINTER 2023-24

a bigger kid, she loves having the thermos on hand to slowly sip from, as do I. (Truth be told, hot drinks are a great tip for adults, too.)

ENGAGE THEIR SENSES

A lot of Vermonters gripe about winter. But as someone born and raised in California, I am endlessly fascinated by our state’s winter dreamscapes: how the snow transforms the landscape and the knife-cold air stings your cheeks. Or how the freeze-thaw-freeze of water can conjure up such mysterious sounds and textures.

TIME

RA | DREAMS

uring winter’s chilliest months, many people avoid taking unnecessary trips outside. But the lack of fresh air and natural light can take a toll on your mental and physical health, especially if you’re caring for a kiddo who’s bouncing off the walls. Some caregivers take the kids skiing or snowboarding to get outdoors. But not everyone can afford all the gear and lift tickets. And while downhill sports deliver a rush, they don’t do much to connect kids to the natural rhythms of the season. Fortunately, there’s another outdoor activity that’s free and accessible from your front door. In my opinion, it’s one of the best options for winter fun with a kid, aside from sledding or building a snow fort, and it’s good for adults’ physical and mental health, too: the humble winter walk. Wait! I know what you’re thinking. It’s too cold, or, My kid hates walks. But as an avid walker and parent of a 7-year-old, I’ve spent the past five years perfecting my techniques. I’ve also polled other caregivers and educators to round out the following guidance. Read on for five tips for taking your child on a winter walk ... and actually enjoying it.

DRESS FOR SUCCESS

A cold kid is an unhappy kid. In some cases, one unpleasantly chilling winter walk can set the stage for resistance to cold-weather walks altogether. The first defense against that resistance is to make sure kids are equipped for the experience. In Vermont, that means finding waterproof shoes or boots, warm hats, and insulated gloves. Ask around for hand-medowns or shop for used options. Most youth snow gear still has plenty of life left, since kids outgrow their clothes so quickly. Layers are important, too. Formfitting pants and long-sleeved shirts keep skin dry, while an insulating layer such as a snowsuit, puffer jacket or fleece holds in warmth. If it’s rainy or windy, you may want to add a windbreaker or rain jacket over the top.

BRING A THERMOS

When my daughter was 3, my boss shared a winter walk tip that changed our lives: hot chocolate. It can be any warm drink your child enjoys, but it helps if the drink is a special treat that they don’t get every day. Make the drink beforehand and put it in a thermos to bring along with you. This tip transformed our winter walks from arduous to adventurous, and it remains as popular today as it was four years ago. We call them Hot Walk-o-lates, and sometimes my daughter requests them. As a small child, the warm sugar rush sent her skipping ahead and running back for a quick top-up every few minutes. As

When my daughter was 3, my boss shared a winter walk tip that changed our lives: hot chocolate. Children are almost always curious about winter phenomena as long as they’re comfortable (see the first tip). Caretakers can draw out kids’ natural inclination to explore by asking questions and sharing observations. Examples might be looking for wildlife tracks or scat, listening for winter birds, or tasting fresh snow. Sometimes it helps to bring a prop, such as a ruler or magnifying glass, to encourage kids to take a closer look at what’s around them.

DESIGN A MISSION … OR DON’T

Some parents swear by geocaching as a means of getting kids excited about the outdoors. Caregivers help kids find “buried treasure” in a hidden container nearby by registering at geocaching.com and searching for a nearby site. Kids can use a smartphone or GPS to navigate to the loot’s location. (Just make sure to bring a small item to leave in the cache in exchange for taking one.) Another idea is the tried-and-true scavenger hunt. Some caregivers get fancy by plotting maps and clues ahead of time, but you certainly don’t have to. If you’re with a group, one of you can run ahead a bit to hide something simple, such as a goldfish cracker, and see who finds it. You could also ditch the objective altogether. Adults often plan a walk with an endgame in mind, but many children will happily spend an hour moving just a few feet. The goal of a “free-range” walk is not to get from point A to point B but rather to slow down and explore whatever seems interesting. It can be a hard shift for busy adults, but it’s a great way for everyone to be present in the moment and enjoy it. K

MY FIVE FAVE PLACES FOR WINTER WALKS IN BURLINGTON •

Ethan Allen Homestead: Once the snow hits, the park is a great spot to find animal tracks. If you like beavers, they’ve recently taken over an area right off the drive between the south parking lot and the main parking lot (in front of the homestead museum/education center). Dams and downed trees are everywhere.

•

Derway Island Nature Preserve: This hidden gem is right next to the Burlington Wastewater Plant on North Avenue. The cove is mere steps from the parking lot, flat and fascinating in every season. Just keep in mind it is surrounded on three sides by water.

•

Intervale Sea Caves at Arthur Park: A stone’s throw from North Avenue, these caves — once rumored to contain buried treasure — become accessible by foot once Long Pond freezes over. The only drawback is the steep downhill trail to get there, which becomes icy around the same time. You will most likely need spikes or traction cleats to get down.

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Ethan Allen Park: This park has it all: a playground; big rock walls; plenty of short, easy trails through the forest to get lost in; and a 40-foot-tall tower that is closed in winter but still impressive.

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Your neighborhood: Walking straight out the front door is as easy as it gets and helps kiddos get a better sense of their community. It can be fun to name specific routes based on things you notice or experience during the walk.

GET CREATIVE

Kids aren’t always in the mood for hot drinks or observation. This is especially true when it’s very cold or they have grown tired. By then, small children generally aren’t interested in assurances that movement will keep them warmer and get them back inside more quickly. If they’re too big to carry long distances, you could be looking at an unpleasant situation in below-freezing temperatures that turns a five-minute walk into a half-hour crawl of despair. Fortunately, I have another winter walk trick up my sleeve: Tell a story. It can be a retelling or a riff on their favorite story, but it’s also a lot of fun to make something up. Your story doesn’t have to be a Nobel Prize winner. All you need is a character or two, a problem they’re experiencing, and a resolution. When my daughter was younger, our go-to setting was a magical forest world. The forest was populated by unicorns and fairies whose conflicts centered on contests, parties, injuries or anything else that kept her attention. Whatever the story, have fun with it. Encourage kids to contribute ideas or run with the narrative themselves, and they might just forget about how tired and cold they are. Another variation on this idea is to visit a StoryWalk, where each page of a picture book is laminated and posted along a short nature trail. Several Vermont libraries host StoryWalks through town parks or trails. It’s a great option for early readers.

R.M. KIDS VT WINTER 2023-24

Cover art for Trolls Don't Ride Roller Coasters; The School Skeleton and Dinosaur Train

Keeping It Weird

Author and illustrator John Steven Gurney on writing for kids, his career and nice robots BY JENNIFER SUTTON

id you know that Ghosts Don’t Eat Potato Chips, Vampires Don’t Wear Polka Dots and Mummies Don’t Coach Softball? You would if you’d read the Adventures of the Bailey School Kids books, which include each of those titles. The 80-plus volume series, by Marcia Thornton Jones and Debbie Dadey, was published in the 1990s. Each volume follows a group of elementary students who try to determine whether an adult they encounter is actually a supernatural being. And each one shares the same illustrator: Brattleboro’s John Steven Gurney. His enticing book covers pull in early readers with rich colors and vivid expressions. Bailey School Kids is just one of several series Gurney has helped readers visualize. Others include A to Z Mysteries and Calendar Mysteries. He’s illustrated more than 150 chapter books, and his artwork can be found on board games, puzzles and a shopping bag for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Gurney also writes and draws his own stories, including the picture book Dinosaur Train and, more recently, the Fuzzy Baseball middlegrade graphic novel series, in which his self-described “weird and wacky humor” is on full display.

KIDS VT WINTER 2023-24

The books follow a team of batswinging, base-running animals called the Fernwood Valley Fuzzies as they take on one goofy opponent after another, including, in the recently released fifth volume, Baseballoween, a team of monsterlike animals called the Graveyard Ghastlies. Gurney grew up in Bucks County, Pa., received a bachelor’s of fine arts in illustration at Pratt Institute in New York and later a master’s at the University of Hartford in Connecticut. He honed his skills by spending his college summers drawing caricatures on the boardwalk of Atlantic City, N.J. Twenty-six years ago, he left Brooklyn and moved to Vermont with his wife, Kathie, now a pre-K teacher, and their two children. Gurney has visited dozens of schools to talk with kids about his work over the years, covering more than 30 states and six countries, including Vietnam, Saudi Arabia and Poland. When he isn’t busy writing and illustrating kids’ books, Gurney teaches illustration, drawing and visual storytelling at Kutztown University in Pennsylvania. Kids VT caught up with him at home in Vermont to find out what it takes to be a professional artist and how he convinces kids to keep reading.

KVT: It’s been said that to write a book for kids, you have to think like a kid. Is that true for you? JSG: Lots of times, I’ll see books and think, The 11-year-old me wouldn’t like that, or, The 6-year-old me would love that. So you have to be in touch with yourself when you were that age.

KIDS VT: How did your career as a children’s book illustrator get started? JOHN STEVEN GURNEY: It took a long time to get published. When I came out of college, my work was focused on social satire, and when I went around to children’s book publishers, they said it was a little too dark. When you’re 20, you’re writing and drawing for other 20-year-olds, and your friends think it’s cool. But I had to adjust to the market. Also, after you have kids, you definitely understand how you have to adjust.

KVT: You spent years illustrating A to Z Mysteries and The Adventures of the Bailey School Kids chapter books, among others. What did you like about that work? JSG: I had a great time doing the chapter books. Between those two series, it’s probably 100 books. For an illustrator, it’s really rare to have that kind of consecutive gig. It’s like being an actor: You get cast, and if you do well, they give you more parts like the first one. It was like a Norman Rockwell experience, because I got people I knew in Brattleboro to pose as models. And it was great to be able to visit schools and talk about those books, because the kids were always excited. I still get letters from people who say they loved those books when they were a kid. But the books weren’t quite as weird or as wacky as I wanted to be. KVT: What’s the origin story behind Fuzzy Baseball? JSG: I’ve always loved animals. If I

Fuzzy Baseballoween cover and interior art

No moral lessons, ever! ... The books I write are meant to be comedies. JOHN STEVEN GURNEY

hadn’t become an illustrator, I think I would have gone into zoology. And I like drawing animals being funny. Fuzzy Baseball was a picture book idea first, but when I visited schools to talk about other books I’d illustrated, I noticed that the graphic novel sections in school libraries were getting bigger and bigger. So I changed it into a graphic novel. KVT: How would you describe the books? JSG: They’re ensemble comedies. They’re not just about baseball. The characters are almost like a troupe of actors whose personalities emerge. I’ve tried to broaden the circle of who’s reading the books by bringing different groups of characters into it. One book has ninjas as the opposing team, another has robots, and another has dinosaurs. If you’re in first or second grade, you’re going to think the pictures are funny. Fourth and fifth graders understand the humor more than the younger ones do. And there are references that adults get a kick out of. KVT: Like the lines about tube socks, Edgar Allen O’Possum, and old-school, slice-and-dice TV infomercials. Those are aimed at adults, right? JSG: Yes, but I watched a lot of “Star Trek” as a kid, and for a long time I didn’t

understand half of what they were talking about, but I still loved it. Later, as I got older, it was like, Now I get it. I’m hoping for that kind of effect.

of mine because it’s above their reading level. I don’t want to come off negatively about librarians because they are my heroes. But if a kid likes the book…

KVT: What else did you watch or read when you were a kid? JSG: I watched Warner Brothers cartoons like Bugs Bunny, and I liked Mad Magazine. That’s the aesthetic I’m going for.

KVT: What role does teaching college students play in your work life? JSG: Being an illustrator is a solitary career, and I like being around other people. When I had kids at home, it was great, because I could be with them a lot. Maybe sometimes I had to stay up until 3 a.m. to finish a project, but that was fine. Working with students keeps me from being alone all day. It’s also fun. I create an assignment, and 25 students produce different responses. Sometimes what comes back is what I was expecting, and sometimes it’s a surprise, which is really cool.

KVT: How much was Fuzzy Baseball inspired by your own childhood baseball experience? JSG: I never played on an official team. I lived in a neighborhood with a lot of kids, and we just played in each other’s backyards. My organized baseball experience came later, as a dad, coaching. I was also a big Phillies fan. KVT: When you’re developing a book idea like Fuzzy Baseball, what’s your process? JSG: The first thing I do is sketch the characters, which helps me imagine their personalities. Then I start thinking about the gags, the comedy. The hard part is structure, stringing everything into a plot and giving the reader something to care about and be curious about. KVT: Do all the recent discussions about banning books affect what you do? JSG: Not a lot. Every now and then, you get someone who’s kind of rigid about what kids can read, but it’s more a situation of a librarian saying they don’t want kids reading a certain book

KVT: What are your goals as a children’s book author? To teach? Entertain? Impart a moral lesson? JSG: No moral lessons, ever! I don’t like it when books get sanctimonious. I’m glad that I illustrated A to Z Mysteries, but every now and then, the kids would say something like, “It’s time for lunch. Let’s go wash our hands.” Why is that in the story? It’s like a strange public service announcement. The books I write are meant to be comedies. There’s always some kind of hook, whether it’s baseball, ninjas, robots, dinosaurs. There’s always an opposing baseball team, but they’re not bad guys. I didn’t want to have a new set of villains in every book. My robots are very nice robots. K

Learn more about the Fuzzy Baseball series and other work by John Steven Gurney at johnstevengurney.com.

HOW TO TALK WITH YOUR CHILD ABOUT THEIR ART South Burlington’s Davis Studio shares these strategies for engaging your budding artist in conversation about their artwork. 1. Let them use their own words. Say, “Tell me about your artwork.” Avoid guessing or asking them, “What is it?” 2. Be specific with your comments, and ask interesting questions. Say, “Those repeating lines really catch my eye.” Avoid saying something vague such as, “Good job!” Say, “How did you do that?” or “What materials did you use?” Be curious about their art! 3. Give them time to identify their feelings. Say, “How do you feel about it?” Avoid quick praise such as “I love it!” or criticism such as “I don’t think you got the nose quite right.” 4. Take the time to really look at the art that was created. Slow down, observe, listen and pay attention to your child’s responses. Praise effort more than product: “Wow, I can tell you worked really hard on that shading.”

This interview was edited and condensed for clarity and length. KIDS VT WINTER 2023-24

Celebrating Civics Good Citizens inspire us to be better BY CATHY RESMER • cathy@sevendaysvt.com

PHOTOS: JEB WALLACE-BRODEUR

here are so many awful things happening in our world right now that it’s easy to give in to despair, to feel powerless and at the mercy of forces that seem beyond our control. But take heart! There are lots of things you and your kids can do to make an impact, especially in the communities where you live. Sometimes it’s as simple as picking up trash in a public place, or attending a fun community event and writing a thank you note to the organizers. Both of those activities were part of the 2023 Good Citizen Challenge, a youth civics project Seven Days and Kids VT created in 2018, with help from the Vermont Community Foundation. Organized around the theme of Vermont libraries’ summer 2023 reading program — “All SCOR EC AR D Together Now” —the 2023 Challenge included 25 activities that appeared on a bingo-like scorecard, tasks relating to Vermont history, government, local news and Open to all K-8 students

2 1 23 17 14 15 16 19 20 3 5 9 8 18 22 12 6 7 11 10 4 13 21 24 “Freedom and Unity”

Remember This

The Social Dilemma

Oldest Building

Organize Support

Room Where it Happens

Watch the News

What’s in a Name?

Running for Office

Clean Up

Stay Safe

Museum Piece

RY • VISIT RA

• VISI TY ARY BR

UR LOCAL LI YO

Pitching In

See the Spot

Deed Search

Shop Local

Who Turned on the Lights?

Connect With Neighbors

Think Globally

Read the Paper

Get Together

Blast From the Past

Listen to the News

Take Control

FREE

R LOCAL LI B OU

CELEBRATING CIVICS, P. 20 »

omplete the Challeng e by September 4, 2023, for a chance to win a $100 gift card to Phoenix Books and a FREE trip for two to Washington, D.C., from Milne

Travel! All who finish the Challenge will receive a Good Citizen sticker and patch, a pocket-siz e U.S. Constitution, and an invitation to a VIP reception at the Vermont Statehouse this fall.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Complete a horizontal, vertical or diagonal row of five activities (details next page).

3. Upload a photo of your completed scorecard, and evidence of your work, at goodcitizenvt.com. Or mail the scorecard and evidence, along with your name and contact info, to: Seven Days/ Kids VT, Attn: Good Citizen, PO Box 1164, Burlington, VT 05402-1164.

THE 2023 CHALLENGE IN 7 NUMBERS NO PURCHASE NECESSARY

TO WIN. PARTICIPAN

TS MUST BE 15 OR

2. Mark each completed box and snap a photo of each activity to show evidence of your work.

YOUNGER AND LIVE

IN VERMONT TO BE

ELIGIBLE FOR GRAND

PRIZE.

Number of Challenge finishers:

86 1,109

Estimated amount of money kids raised for flood relief efforts:

The Good Citizen group at the Morristown Centennial Library raised $529 for recovery efforts at the Johnson Public Library; Mallory Pittrich of West Rutland raised $320 to help her former nonprofit childcare center repair flood damage. Emry Mosehauer of Ferrisburgh wrote, “I convinced my brothers Ryker and Pearce to donate part of their allowance to VT Flood Response and Recovery Fund 2023 and all of us (me and my brothers) donated $260. I hope it helped!” Siblings Taylor and Rose Smith of Reading volunteered their time at a local shelter after the flood. Wrote Rose, “Some of our friends came to help, too.” 18

KIDS VT WINTER 2023-24

Number of kids who read an issue of their community newspaper:

Wrote Isla Slack of Lake Elmore: “I read the Stowe Reporter with my grandmother and discussed the articles.”

Number of kids who interviewed members of their local fire department or rescue squad:

Number of kids who visited their town offices:

Wrote Abigail Lawler of East Montpelier, “I went to a fire station and talked to our local firefighters. One question was if they get prank calls and they said a lot! It would really help if people stopped prank calling.”

Number of finishers who listened to episodes of “But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids”:

Number of kids who made art based on Vermont’s state motto, “Freedom and Unity”:

36 21 20

Anna Ryan of Arlington went to the town clerk’s office to meet and talk with clerk Robin Wilcox. She wrote, “Robin gave me a tour of the office, a large safe with town maps and other important info, and the town meeting space. What keeps Robin going through challenging times is the people that come in. She gets to see new people every day.”

Kess Hunter of Orwell listened to the episode “Why Is Social Media So Addictive?” She learned that, “If people don’t like your post, it can make you sad and it’s OK to talk to adults about social media.”

Wrote Tegan Bushey of Burlington: “When I hear the word ‘freedom’ the first thing I think of is birds, with the power of flight they are able to go wherever they want whenever they want. I believe the most unified kind of bird is geese. They have as much freedom as any other bird yet chose to travel together. To me, that is ‘freedom and unity,’ so that is what I decided to draw.

DISTINGUISHED CITIZENS ATTICUS LAWLER, EAST MONTPELIER

JACOB RYE, WATERBURY

Atticus did Activity #10, Read the Newspaper, and found out about a community event that he and his family attended. He also did Activity #24, Take Control, and took steps to manage his digital devices more effectively, including turning off notifications Distinguished Citizen Atticus Lawler with Courtney Lamdin on his texting app. He of Seven Days wrote: “I’ve noticed I’ve been checking my text messages way less, allowing me to be more focused.” He won a $100 gift card to Phoenix Books.

Jacob completed all of the activities, including #8, Stay Safe. He visited the Mad River Valley Ambulance Service, where he talked to two volunteers named Wren and Howie. He learned, “Volunteering makes Wren feel helpful and great.” He won a $100 gift card to Phoenix Books.

CHARLOTTE KRUEGER, JEFFERSONVILLE Charlotte completed all of the activities. For #14, Organize Support, she held a bottle drive that raised $110.80 for the Franklin County Animal Rescue. She wrote: “We posted about the bottle drive on Front Porch Forum and 10 people wrote back to us so we could pick up their bottles.” She won a $250 gift certificate to the Forget Me Not Shop, donated by Front Porch Forum.

Distinguished Citizen Charlotte Krueger with Jason Van Driesche of Front Porch Forum

OLIVER RAYMOND, HINESBURG Oliver did all 25 activities, including collecting three bags of nonperishable food for the Hinesburg Little Free Pantry. He won a $100 gift card to Phoenix Books. Distinguished Citizen Oliver Raymond with Katie DeSanto of Phoenix Books

Distinguished Citizen Jacob Rye with Jane Lindholm of Vermont Public and “But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids”

RILEY FOLEY, COLCHESTER For Activity #14, Organize Support, Riley held a donation drive for COTS. He wrote: “I made posters and asked Burnham Library in Colchester and Fletcher Free Library in Burlington to hang them up and be a collection Distinguished Citizen Riley spot for donations. They even Foley with Jason Van Driesche put it on their social media to get of Front Porch Forum more people interested. PopPop wrote to Front Porch Forum to let them know about my hygiene drive.” Riley collected enough for 16 personal hygiene kits and 11 more bags of various items. He won a $100 gift card to Phoenix Books.

The Good Citizen group from Morristown Centennial Library accepting a library award from Vermont Humanities executive director Christopher Kaufman Ilstrup

Grand prize winner Cecilia Neffinger with Scott Milne and Iris MacBeath of Milne Travel

HARRIET STERLING, FAIR HAVEN For Get Together, Activity #4, Harriet participated in Castleton’s Fourth of July parade and wrote this thank you note to the organizers: “I wanted to write to thank you all for your time, making the 4th of July parade happen! I rode in the Woodard Marine float. My favorite part was being with my friends. It feels really good to be a part of a community event. The parade is a favorite tradition of mine.” She won a $100 gift card to Phoenix Books.

Mary Neffinger and students from the Bixby Memorial Free Library accepting an award from Vermont Humanities executive director Christopher Kaufman Ilstrup

Distinguished Citizen Harriet Sterling with Cathy Resmer of Seven Days and Kids VT

Look for a new Challenge next summer. Sign up for email alerts at goodcitizenvt.com. Can’t wait that long? All of the activities from this and past Challenges are on the website, too. Challenge Organizers

Underwriters

Partners The Evslin Family Foundation

The Challenge is also supported by Journalism Funding Partners, which leverages philanthropy and fundraising to boost local journalism. KIDS VT WINTER 2023-24

Celebrating Civics

CONTINUED FROM P. 18

community support. Participants did five activities in a row to get “bingo” and complete the Challenge. We received completed entries from students from across the state, from Richmond to Reading, Arlington to Craftsbury, and everywhere in between. On Thursday, November 2, we celebrated these Good Citizens at the Vermont Statehouse in Montpelier. They gathered in the House chamber, where they heard about the historic building from state curator David Schutz and got some words of encouragement from Vermont Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas. “I love the energy you bring to this place,” she said. Speakers from our Good Citizen partners also addressed the crowd and presented six “Distinguished Citizen” awards to acknowledge participants who went above and beyond with their entries or emphasized some of the Challenge’s main themes. We’ve included their photos here, along with a shot of the grand prize winner, Cecilia “Cici” Neffinger of Ferrisburgh, who won the raffle for a free trip for two to Washington, D.C., including airfare and two nights in a D.C.-area hotel, courtesy of Milne Travel. Vermont Humanities gave away two $500 library prizes, as well, to libraries whose kids did outstanding work. The money is meant to be used for civics-themed materials and programming. Why should kids be good citizens? “Because,” Cici said, “if no one’s being a good citizen, then everything will just fall apart.” K

Clockwise from top right: Illustration of "Freedom and Unity" by Tegan Bushey; Riley Foley with donations for COTS; Oliver Raymond with donations for the Hinesburg Little Free Pantry; Oliver Raymond doing Activity #10, Read the Paper; Harriet Sterling’s entry for #9, See the Spot

Family Fun Time at the Y! With a GBYMCA Family Membership, you can • enjoy time in the pool during Family Swim • have fun in the gym during Open Rec or Family Rec • join a Group Fitness class with your child age 13 and older • take time to yourself working out on-site while the kids age 6 months - 8 years are safe and happy in Member Child Care Members register early + receive discounts on programs.

Stop by for a tour @298 College Street gbymca.org 20

KIDS VT WINTER 2023-24

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11/9/23 4:57 PM

JUST FOR KIDS Coloring Contest!

Three winners will each receive a $10 Tinkering Turtle gift card. Send Kids VT your work of art by February 28. Be sure to include the info at right with your submission. Winners will be chosen in the following categories: (1) ages 5 and younger, (2) ages 6-8 and (3) ages 9-12. Winners will be named in the Spring Issue of Kids VT. Send your high-resolution scans to art@kidsvt.com with “Coloring Contest” in the subject line, or mail a copy to Kids VT, P.O. Box 1164, Burlington, VT 05401.

Contest sponsored by

Title _______________________________________ Artist _____________________________________ Age ______________ Town __________________ Email _____________________________________ Phone _____________________________________

KIDS VT WINTER 2023-24

FLIP YOU’RE GONNA

OVER THIS CAMP

Waterskiing | Tubing |Sailing

GYMNASTICS 1-9 weeks sessions Counselor/Camper ratio of 1:5

dunkleysgymnasticscamp.com

802-318-1478 • 802-922-1714 dunkleysgymcamp@gmail.com

k8h-Dunkley'sGymnastics1123.indd 1

11/13/23 12:59 PM

JUST FOR KIDS COLORING CONTEST WINNERS Our judges at Seven Days were impressed by the fabulous submissions mailed in as part of this month’s coloring contest. Eda, 10, wowed us with a rodent decked out in a rainbow-colored outfit, surrounded by intricate, blackand-white textures. Eightyear-old Julia’s entry stood out with a striped student heading to school with a big yellow school bus. We fell in love with 5-year-old Louisa’s pink and red rodent surrounded by colorful hearts. Thanks to all who entered! We can’t wait to see what you send us next.

HONORABLE MENTIONS “THE RAINBOW FAIRYLAND”

Your child is unique. Their school should be, too.

Scarlett Lalonde, 6 Johnson

The Schoolhouse is a progressive, diverse learning environment serving preschool-8th grade. Tuition adjustment available.

“Heartariffic Day” Louisa Voorhees, 5

5& under

S. BURLINGTON

“SCHOOL IS OUT OF THIS WORLD”

Jack Witherspoon, 10 Montgomery

www.theschoolhousevt.org k8h-TheSchoolhouse1123 1

The winners of four passes to ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain and animal stickers are:

“BACK TO SCHOOL” 11/10/23 1:26 PM

Danielle Gregory, 9 Springfield “SPACE MOUSE”

WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A JOYFUL HOLIDAY SEASON

Ansel Enman, 10 Huntington “PEG”

Siena Keffer, 9 Montpelier “A WORD OF WONDER”

Willow Grace Pfeil, 9 Richmond

“THE MOUSE OF SCHOOL”

Colby Waldron, 8 Essex

“Going to School” Julia Williams, 8 EAST MONTPELIER

6 to 8

“COLORS OF THE RAINBOW”

Troy Nguyen, 8 Williston “SPARKY”

Jane Malinowski, 6 Burlington

TOP TITLES “NOTHING LIKE A HIKE”

Brooke McEnany, 9 Sheldon “PBLDIDO”

Rexley Daniell, 5 S. Burlington

50 Mansfield Avenue | Burlington, VT | 802-658-3992 WWW.MCSCHOOL.ORG 22

KIDS VT WINTER 2023-24

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11/8/23 4:59 PM

“NICE SQUEAKERS”

Margo Breiland, 6 Milton

“Rainbow Rodent” Eda Josinsky, 10 WINOOSKI

9 to 12

USE YOUR WORDS B Y E M I L I A WI L L I A M S

obsessed?

Find, fix and feather with Nest Notes — an e-newsletter filled with home design, Vermont real estate tips and DIY decorating inspirations. Sign up today at sevendaysvt.com/enews.