Play Room

Gear Guide:

the lunch bunch

Kids will actually have to take their lunches to school this year! That calls for a new lunch box. Find just the right fit with one of these choices.

Blue Dinosaur Lunchbox by SoYoung

The coolest of carnivores adorns this T-Rex-print lunch box. The detachable strap allows the pack to be worn messenger-bag style. Pro tip: The insulated liner pops out for easy daily cleaning. At Black Wagon. $34.

SO YOUNG THERMOS

Star Wars Episode VII Metal Lunch Box by Thermos

Go retro with a tin lunch box — maybe like the kind you had as a kid? FYI, the Force is strong in this choice — the durable case will stand up to harsh treatment. At amazon.com. $14.56.

Kids Insulated Lunch Box by Hydro Flask

Have a kid with the last lunch period who only eats things that have to be kept cold? This lunch pack, with two layers of insulation, is for you. Also a good pick for a tween who doesn’t want a “kids” lunch box. Available in eight colors. At hydroflask.com. $44.95.

Kids Lunch Bag by Bentgo

If you use the Bentgo Kids bento lunch tray or other bento boxes, this bag with a handle on top (!) will help keep artfully arranged lunches from sloshing around. The slim interior pocket holds an ice pack, while exterior pockets are designed for water bottles and utensils. At bentgo.com. $24.99. — Denise Castañon

HYDRO FLASK

Good Deeds: THE BROWN-BAG BRIGADE

One in five kids in Oregon experience

food insecurity. And for many of these children, their school provides the necessary meals needed for them to function and thrive Monday through Friday. But what about on the weekends? That’s where nonprofit Portland Backpack comes in.

Since 2017, staff members and volunteers have been lovingly assembling brown paper sacks to donate to Portlandarea children from food-insecure homes. When the children peek inside, they find a tasty, kid-approved meal, including oatmeal, mac ’n’cheese, fruit cups, granola bars and more, plus, a colorful, handmade card.

“When the pandemic began, we were providing 340 food sacks per week (and) we have grown more than two times,” says Executive Director Diane Rheos. “This is really due to the wonderful response by the public. We all seem to realize in this time of great need we want to make sure that kids are able to eat.”

Portland Backpack distributes 1,000 meals across 10 elementary schools each weekend — a recent increase of four schools — by working with an in-school coordinator who manages a food sack sign-up list. (The list is available in English, Spanish and

PORTLAND BACKPACK Vietnamese.) This summer, the nonprofit also partnered with Portland Parks & Recreation to provide 600 weekly food sacks at five parks alongside the city’s Lunch + Play program.

Rheos says it’s easy for families to volunteer for Portland Backpack. In fact, you can make food sacks without leaving the house. The nonprofit’s website has a handy list of recommended, nutritious foods and a fool-proof packing guide. Once the bags are packed, they can be dropped off at Portland Backpack’s office in Northeast Portland.

“We would love to continue to have families packing food sacks at home,” she says. “Kids and families can also create some loving care cards to express their care and encouragement to other kids. I love when we get care cards from kids. They are often so meaningful.”

For more information and how to volunteer, visit portlandbackpack. com. — Tiffany Hill

Kid to Know: The Paper Artist

Elise Then, a student at Beaverton’s Findley Elementary, scored one of the top five spots in Google’s 13th annual Doodle for Google art competition for kindergarten to 12th grade students across the country. She was the top winner in the fourth to fifth grade category. As a national finalist, she won a $5,000 college scholarship, Google hardware and fun Google swag. While Elise did not go on to win the grand prize, she was very excited to be named a finalist.

Elise’s artwork consisted of origami birds and other wildlife spelling out the word “Google.” She was inspired by the competition’s theme “I am strong because …” and her love of birds. Elise spent a month intricately folding paper for her Doodle. She picked up the art of origami as a way to make gifts for her mom. “On Mother’s Day last year, I wanted to do something very special for my Mom,” says Elise. “So I was searching on YouTube for the perfect Mother’s Day card. Then I came across an origami ‘I love you Mom’ card. After I finished making it, I realized that origami was really fun! And I realized origami was for me.” — D.C.

ELISE THEN

GOOGLE

Bookshelf: Prize-winning Paperbacks

If your kids are looking for their next great read, point them in the direction of these four award-winning children’s books by Oregon authors. Kim Tano and Madeline Shier, the children’s book buyers at Powell’s Books, spotlight these guaranteed page-turners. (Look for them at the Burnside, Hawthorne or Cedar Hills Powell’s locations, or order online at powells.com.)

A Game of Fox and Squirrels

by Jenn Reese 2021 Oregon Book Award Winner for Children’s Literature Eleven-year-old Sam just wants to go back to the way things were: Living in California with her parents, not sent to Oregon with her sister to stay with an aunt they’ve never met. But when her aunt gives her a strange card game, Sam finds herself caught up in a dangerous, magical challenge. And just as she comes to enjoy her new home, there’s a chance she could lose it. Great for ages 9 and up. $16.99.

MACMILLAN

The Wicked Deep

by Shea Ernshaw 2019 Winner of the Oregon Book Award for Young Adult Literature Shea Ernshaw delves deep into Wicca and magic in this YA fantasy novel set in a fictional small town in Oregon. Ernshaw does an excellent job of developing an atmospheric world that’s easy to get lost in, perfect for fans of Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman. Parents, keep an eye out for her adult novel, A History of Wild Places, coming out in December 2021. Recommended for ages 14 and up. $11.99.

SIMON & SCHUSTER

Strange the Dreamer

by Laini Taylor 2018 Oregon Book Award for YA and 2018 Printz Honor book Junior librarian Lazlo Strange’s dream is to uncover the truth of the mythical Unseen City. But when the chance comes to explore its remains, he finds that dreams can be more real — and more dangerous — than he expected. Who is the blue girl in his dreams? And what happened in the city of Weep? Recommended for ages 14 and up. $14.99.

LITTLE, BROWN AND COMPANY

Leave Me Alone!

by Vera Brosgol 2016 Caldecott Honor recipient and NYT Notable Children’s Books On a quest to finish her knitting in a quiet place, this determined grandmother travels to the forest, the mountains and even to the moon! A wonderful sense of humor makes this book one of our favorites! We also recommend this Portland author’s most recent picture book, Memory Jars, which came out in May. Great for ages 3 and up. $17.99.

MACMILLAN

Getaway: silverton

Visit pdxparent.com for more on hiking Silver Falls! year-round, so any season is a good time to visit.

Take a stroll through downtown Silverton, and you’ll see bright, detailed murals on nearly every block. For a place with a population of a little more than 10,000, Silverton has a surprising number of these large-scale paintings, more than 30 in fact.

When it comes time to eat, head to

TIFFANY HILL SILVER FALLS BREWERY

Just about an hour’s drive from Portland, the town of Silverton is just enough of a trip to feel like you’re on a fun family getaway, but not too far that it requires excess planning and endless rounds of “I Spy” en route. And Silverton itself, surrounded by nature — it’s known as Oregon’s Garden City, after all — and immersed in art and small-town charm is the perfect place to squeeze in one more long weekend before school starts.

Family Behaviors that Increase Your LGBTQ Child's Health & Well-Being

Research from the Family Acceptance Project® found more than 50 family accepting behaviors that help protect your lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer-identified (LGBTQ) child against health risks like depression, suicide and illegal drug use and help to increase your LGBTQ child's self-esteem, health and well-being. A little change makes a difference in decreasing your child's isolation and risk and giving them hope that their family will be there for them.

To make the most out of your Silverton stay, book a room at the Oregon Garden Resort. The 103-room property is perhaps best known for its close proximity to the famed Oregon Garden. But this family- and pet-friendly resort is both roomy and cozy. And since it’s minutes away from the 80acre Oregon Garden, you can beat the crowds, and the heat the following day. The sprawling grounds feature more than 20 specialty gardens, including the hands-on Children’s Garden. There’s a Hobbit House, a tree house and animal-shaped topiaries. The best part? Garden staff tend the foliage Silver Falls Brewery for top-notch IPAs and juicy burgers for the adults. The kids’ menu features sandwiches for little hands, including grilled cheese, peanut butter and jelly, turkey or ham, with a choice of fries, carrots or fruit. And for a brewery, they have a pretty decent nonalcoholic drink menu, too, including Crater Lake root beer on draft and house-made berry lemonade.

Pro tip: You can’t go to Silverton, without stopping at Silver Falls State Park (even if it’s not technically in Silverton). The gem of the Oregon state park system, the area is home to towering waterfalls and scenic vistas. Take it all in from the notable Trail of Ten Falls. — T.H.

Tell your LGBTO / gender diverse child that you love them

Ask your child if -and how -you can help them tell other people about their LGBTO identity

Find a congregation that welcomes your LGBTO / gender diverse child and family

Tell your LGBTQ / gender diverse child tbat you will be there for them -even if you don't fully understand

Speak up when others make negative comments about LGBTO people

Family support saves lives! BEHAVIORS THAT HELP ...

Support your child's gender expressmn

Welcome _1our child's LGBTQ friends to your home

Talk with your child or foster child about their LGBTQ identity and listen respectfully

even when you feel uncomfortable or think that being gay or transgender is wrong

Participate in family supeort groups and act1v1ties lor families with LGBTQ and gender diverse children to get support for yourself and your family and guidance for supportmg your LGBTQ child

Connect your child with LGBTO adult role models Use your child's chosen name and the pronoun that matches their gender identity

Talk with your religious leaders to help your congregation become supportive of LGBTQ people

Volunteer with organizations that support LGBTO people Require other family members to treat your child with respect

Bring your child tolGBTO groups and events

Tell your LGBTO / gender diverse child that you're proud of them

Stand up for your child when others mistreat them because of their LGBTO identity or gender expression at home, at school, in your congregation and in the community

The mare of these behariars that parents and families do, the better your L6BTII child's health & well-being Show affection when your child tells you or when you learn that your child is LGBTO

Get accurate information to educate yourself about your child's sexual orientation, gender identity and expression

Speak openly about your child's LGBTQ identity

Believe that your child can be a happJ. LGBTQ adult -and tell them they will have a good life

NaarlOW � MORE or Madarata Lenis DI Family a-,ti11 llmliln HIGH '--lffamily Acapli11 � • Better health • Less likely to be depressed • Higher self-esteem •3 times less likely to attempt suicide • Stronger social support •3 times less likely to think about suicide • Better family relationships • Less likely to have substance abuse problems

A Family and Community Acceptance Campaign FAMILY ACCEPTANCE PROJECT

In the Know: Cheering On LGBTQ+ Youth

The Oregon Family Support Network (OFSN) and the Family Acceptance Project (FAP) have teamed up to launch oregonlgbtqresources.org — a new website that helps increase family support for LGBTQ+ children and youth in Oregon. The resourcefilled site also promotes well-being, and aims to decrease health and mental health risks. Family support can, in fact, be life-saving for LGBTQ+ kids and youth. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that LGBTQ+ youth are at greater risk for depression, suicide and substance use. And FAP found that LGBTQ+ youth are eight times more likely than straight peers to attempt suicide if their families reject their identities. The website offers links to culturally specific family support groups, a list of crisis lines and evidencebased family resources including a free download of posters that show reaffirming actions parents can take such as connecting a child with LGBTQ+ role models and telling them they can have a good life as an LGBTQ+ person. — D.C.

Playlist:

Songs for Kids of ’80s Kids

Kindie folk artists Renee & Jeremy are back after a nine-year hiatus. The album Whole Lotta Love is a mellow reimagining of many hits that parents who grew up in the ’80s will instantly recognize. (Renee Stahl is no stranger to going to 1980s artists for material — her lovely version of Prince’s Starfish and Coffee brought the obscure song to a new generation.) There’s really something for everyone on the duo’s album, from a wry interpretation of the Pixies Where Is My Mind (wry because this is probably a question most parents have asked themselves often throughout pandemic life with kids) to the adventurer anthem Roam first recorded by The B-52s to Everyday People from Sly and the Family Stone. (Although ’80s kids probably know the song through Arrested Development’s 1992 remake.) For me, the best kids’ music albums are ones that don’t sound like the musical equivalent of a beeping, buzzing light-up toy. And by that standard, Whole Lotta Love rates among the top of albums I’ve reviewed. With soft and sublime vocals, and simple arrangements, this album is one you could even play at an adult dinner party. (Remember those?) Find out more at reneeandjeremy.com. — D.C.

Ask the Middle School Counselor

Q: My son is starting eighth grade at a new school. He’s shy and the pandemic didn’t help his social skills. I’m worried about him making friends. Any advice?

A: First and foremost, it’s OK to be worried, but make sure you center the conversation on your son’s feelings about friends. That said, he probably is feeling nervous about going to a new school after a pandemic. It sounds basic, but beginning with his interests is a good start. Is he into video games, books or art? Find those avenues at his new school. I firmly believe that even the shyest of students can find their kindred kids if they put themselves out there a little. We can help by finding organized activities to join as one start. My middle school has a bustling after-school program with a wide variety of clubs as well as in-school lunch gatherings from chess club to language club to guitar class. School counselors can help with some subtle direction — many a kid has made a long-term friend starting with a nudge from a counselor to sit together at lunch — so feel free to reach out to his counselor for a little help. Back to my first point, though: How you as the parent go about supporting him will make a big difference. It’s vital that you support and help without projecting your own feelings and worries on him. The quickest way to shut down a shy kid is to make him feel like there’s something wrong with him for not having enough friends. Go slow, encourage activities, ask questions, don’t push — and accept that he will find his way. He certainly isn’t alone in this pandemic social reset.

Sahjo Brown is a 20-year veteran of school counseling, mostly at the middle-school level. Her favorite part of working with middle schoolers is their desire to connect and build relationships; plus, their pop culture references keep her on her toes.