Laurie Gelman

Ready for Her Next Chapter as Class Mom in Yoga Pant Nation by Laurie Gelman

By Elizabeth Elston

The hilarious and irreverent Jen Dixon is class mom—again— in YOGA PANT NATION (Henry Holt and Company; 978-1-25077757-7; July 13, 2021; $26.99; Hardcover) by Laurie Gelman. And Jen’s final year as class mom is a breeze until the PTA president asks her to champion the school’s annual fundraiser, a notoriously challenging job which, as we know, is right up Jen’s alley.

It’s pretty much mayhem as Jen deals with a temperamental fundraising committee, the Hindenburg of bake sales, and countless other natural and unnatural disasters that deter her from reaching her goal of raising $10,000. She is also dealing with her tenyear-old son Max, who may or may not be a fifth-grade bully.

But outside of William Taft Elementary, Jen’s life is good, even if she and her daughter Vivs don’t see eye-to-eye on the whole parenting thing. She’s a grandma for the first time to two-year-old Maude who is, by Jen’s description, “delightful and delicious.” And she’s taking her love of spinning to the next level by attempting to become an instructor and finding an unlikely ally in her husband Ron’s crazy ex-wife Cindy.

As ever, when life gets crazy, humor is Jen’s best stress relief. Her acerbic emails to the class parents and friendly spars with her daughter over how organic is organic-enough for baby food will have readers laughing out loud and texting Jen’s best lines to their friends. Laurie Gelman was born and raised in the Great White North. She spent twenty-five years as a broadcaster in both Canada and the United States before trying her hand at writing novels. The author of Class Mom and You’ve Been Volunteered, Laurie has appeared on Live with Kelly and Ryan, Watch What Happens Live, and The Talk, among others. She lives in New York City with her husband, Michael Gelman, and their two teenage daughters.

ADVANCE PRAISE FOR YOGA PANT NATION

“Another homerun for Laurie Gelman! Yoga Pant Nation is hilarious and warm, with sharp observations and unforgettable characters. When I wasn’t laughing, I was cheering, rooting for a chaotic yet loving family that somehow manages to figure it all out.” —Byron Lane, author of A Star is Bored

PRAISE FOR THE CLASS MOM SERIES

“Something tells me that Laurie Gelman has been volunteered many, many times. This is a must-read and a love letter to all those underappreciated multitaskers, who just want to be left alone.” —Kelly Ripa

“Gelman’s laugh-out-loud follow-up gets an A.” —People “[A] funny, charming debut novel…With its appealing tone and a sweet mystery at its core, Class Mom offers up refreshingly likable characters in relatably goofy situations.” —Good Housekeeping

“Gelman gets right to the point reuniting readers with the main character they fell in love with in her debut,Class Mom…Her antics are laugh-out-loud funny, and she shows no signs of slowing down. The tone and pacing are excellent, and new characters, who come with their own issues and snark, are delightful.” —Library Journal, *starred review*

“Wisecracking Jen Dixon is back in Gelman’s enjoyable follow-up to Class Mom. This refreshing take on modern suburbia will appeal to fans of Lauren Weisberger.” —Publishers Weekly

“Dixon’s emails to and escapades among the concerned parents of Kansas City have the same anodyne quality as an old-fashioned television sitcom, with a pratfall, a wisecrack, and a chuckle every few minutes like clockwork… Just add chardonnay.” —Kirkus Reviews

For more information, visit: www.hudsonbooksellers.com/ book/9781250777577

Fourth Annual Family Fun Day and Back to School Bash for Local Cancer Patients in Need

Photos by Annie Watt

Fifty families touched by cancer enjoyed Cancer Alliance of Help & Hope’s (CAHH) 4th Annual Family Fun Day at Fun Depot in Lake Worth on June 24, 2021, underwritten by philanthropist, Janet and Mark Levy of Palm Beach. This special event was a chance to bring families that have been struggling because of a cancer diagnosis together for an enjoyable and funfilled afternoon.

Over 150 guests enjoyed spending a special day with families and friends at Fun Depot, spending hours playing arcade games and participating in interactive activities at Fun Depot. Families were treated to a pizza party with homemade cupcakes and cookies decorated in back-to-school decorations, balloons, and live music. One of the highlights of the afternoon was the $10,000 raffle drawing that consisted of big screen TV’s, computers, tablets, and other electronics. The energy and excitement built as Janet Levy announced that 8-year-old, Martha Chun-Chavac was the grand prize winner of a 55-inch Samsung TV! Everyone walked away with a prize worth anywhere from $100 to $800.

In addition to the raffle prizes, every family received a $100 Publix Food Gift Card. 65 children received a custom-filled by grade backpack in the child’s favorite color with school supplies to ensure that they have the tools they need for a successful year of learning. “We were thrilled to once again provide a special day of fun for these families that have been struggling because of a cancer diagnosis,” said board member Janet Levy of Cancer Alliance of Help & Hope. “CAHH raises funds to assist cancer patients and their families by providing need-based financial assistance, information resources and access to services and support groups in our community. It was a wonderful afternoon that brought many smiles as they enjoyed a special day at Fun Depot!”

About the Cancer Alliance of Help & Hope, Inc. Organization: The Cancer Alliance of Help & Hope, Inc., based in Palm Beach, Florida is a charitable organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of local children, women and men and their families, who are touched by cancer, by providing need-based financial assistance, information resources and access to services and support groups in our community. CAHH seeks to provide respite to those receiving a devastating cancer diagnosis. As a 501(C)(3) formed in 2003, the organization has helped over 10,000 cancer patients and their families who live and/or receive treatment in Palm Beach County and dispersed over $5 million. Cancer Alliance of Help & Hope focuses on assisting patients with their ordinary living expenses such as rent and mortgage, utilities, auto and health insurance, car payments, food, and other basic necessities.

For more information, please visit www.cahh.org or call 561-748-7227.