May 2014
Table of Contents Wordsearch: Celebrating Mother’s Day!.................page 7 Make it Yourself!.................................page 8 The Book Report: Books for the Very Young by Connie Goldsmith....................... page 11 Who Wrote That? Sue Fliess by Patricia Newman........................ page 14 Summer Guide.............................page 16–20 Travel: Anaheim, Not Just About Disneyland Anymore by Carmel L. Mooney....................... page 21
• 20 Zoo Admissions • 20 Carousel Tickets • One hour reserved party area near the Conservation Carousel • Staff Assistant • Lunch, Ice Cream and Cupcakes for 20
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Calendar of Events................ page 23–24 Parties! Parties!........................ page 26–27
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CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide â&#x20AC;˘ MAY 2014
Maidu Museum and Historic Site events
• May 16, Friday, Campfire: Friday, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sit under the stars at the outdoor amphitheater to enjoy native stories around the campfire. Roasting sticks and marshmallows provided for a sweet program’s end. Museum doors open at 7 p.m. $5 per person, $16 family of four, under 2 are FREE. • May 17, Saturday, Night Out at the Museum, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. FREE Night Out at the Museum, part of the 3rd Saturday Art Walk. Native American artist Stan Padilla will speak about his new exhibit of book illustrations. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Program starts at 7. Light refreshments will be available. • May 17, Saturday, Rock Art Mysteries, 8 to 9 p.m. Take a walk through the historic site to observe petroglyphs by lantern light- the best way to see them. Journey back in time and explore ideas about the purpose of these mysterious symbols carved in stone thousands of years ago. Museum doors open at 6:30. Lantern tour starts at 8, following the FREE “Night Out at the Museum” event. Fees: $6 per person. The Maidu Museum is open: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 3rd Saturdays 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Guided Tours Saturdays at 10 a.m. Self-guided tours on weekdays. Admission fees are: $4.50 adults, $4 senior/child, $2 after 2 p.m. The museum is located at 1970 Johnson Ranch Drive, Roseville. For information, call (916) 774-5934 or visit www.roseville. ca.us/indianmuseum.
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www.valcomnews.com Publisher: George Macko General Manager: Kathleen Egan Contributing Writers: . Connie Goldsmith, Carmel L. Mooney, Patricia Newman Art Director: John Ochoa • Graphic Artist: Ryan Wunn Advertising: Jen Henry • 916-429-9901 Distribution/Subscriptions: George Macko Cover Photo: Happy Twin Girls by Donnie Ray Jones www.flickr.com/donnieray/9477327336/
California Kids! is published monthly and distributed to more than 1,000 locations in the Sacramento Valley, including all of Sacramento County, and portions of Yolo (Davis and Woodland), Placer (Rocklin and Roseville), El Dorado (Cameron Park, El Dorado Hills, Placerville) counties. Subscriptions are available for $30/year. Mail prepaid check or money order to California Kids!, 2709 Riverside Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95818. Make sure to specify the person and address to which you wish issues to be mailed. Deadlines for advertising and calendar listings are the 25th of the month prior to publication. Calendar listings should be mailed to 2709 Riverside Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95818, faxed to (916) 429-9906, or e-mailed to kathleen@valcomnews.com. Copyright 2014 by Valley Community Newspapers Inc., 2709 Riverside Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95818. Phone: (916) 429-9901. Fax: (916) 429-9906. E-mail:kathleen@valcomnews.com. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.
MAY 2014 • CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide
Dinosaurs, pyramids, outer space brought to life by unique education toy
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aser PegsÂŽ is rocking the toy world with its new National Geographic Society kits. Laser PegsÂŽ, the industry pioneer of LED construction toy sets, brings ancient mysteries like the dinosaurs and pyramids, and modern marvels like space travel to life with the new product line. Laser PegsÂŽ is the worlds first toy construction set that uses low voltage current to light up when pieces are connected. The toys teach kids creative abstract thinking, problem solving, math skills, pattern recognition and improved hand-eye coordination. Laser PegsÂŽ kits are sold at Target stores and specialty toy retailers nationwide. For more information, visit: www.laserpegs.com.
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Have fun coloring!
MAY 2014 • CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide
Treats for Mother’s Day!
Chocolate Strawberries with Dark and White Chocolate By Stephanie Gallagher About.com Cooking for Kids
T Pink Lemonade Cupcakes www.bettycrocker.co
You will need: 1 box Betty Crocker® SuperMoist® natural vanilla cake mix 3/4 cup frozen (thawed) pink lemonade concentrate 1/2 cup vegetable oil 1/4 cup water 3 eggs Pink food color, if desired Frosting and Garnish 2 containers Betty Crocker® Whipped fluffy white frosting 6 tbls frozen (thawed) pink lemonade concentrate Pink food color and pink candy sprinkles, if desired
You will need to: 1. Heat oven to 350°F. Place paper baking cup in each of 24 regular-size muffin cups. Make cake batter as directed on the box, using cake mix, 3/4 cup lemonade concentrate, 1/2 cup oil, the water, eggs and food color. Divide batter evenly among muffin cups. 2. Bake 20 to 22 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes; remove from pans to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes. 3. In large bowl, beat frosting, 6 tablespoons lemonade concentrate and the food color with electric mixer on low speed until blended. Frost cooled cupcakes. Garnish tops with candy sprinkles.
hese chocolate strawberries look impressive, but they are actually quite simple to make. The key is to keep the chocolate at a low, warm temperature while you’re dipping the berries. Look for large strawberries with long stems. They look better when dipped in chocolate and the long stems make it easier to do the dipping. Prep time: 20 minutes, cook time: 5 minutes, total time: 25 minutes Yield: 16-20 strawberries
You will need: 2 6 oz. dark chocolate bars (or 12 oz. dark chocolate) 1 tsp. butter 1 quart strawberries 6 oz. white chocolate candy melts or white chocolate chips
You will need to: • Line a baking sheet with waxed paper or parchment paper. • Break up chocolate, and place in a chocolate melter or in the top of a double-boiler with butter. Melt completely. Or place the chocolate pieces and butter in a microwave-safe container and heat on 50% power for 30 seconds. Stir, and repeat until melted. • Meanwhile, wash strawberries and dry well with a paper towel. The strawberries need to be dry in order for the chocolate to adhere to the them. • Holding strawberries by the stem, dip in chocolate, coating strawberries well. Let excess chocolate drip off strawberries. Place chocolate strawberries on prepared baking sheet to cool completely. • Place white chocolate candy melts or chips in a microwavesafe container. Heat on 50% power for 30 seconds. Stir and repeat until melted. With a fork, drizzle white chocolate over chocolate strawberries. There’s no need to take chocolate strawberries off the baking sheet. Just let the excess white chocolate drizzle onto the waxed paper. • Let strawberries cool completely. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Makes 1 quart dark and white chocolate strawberries.
CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide • MAY 2014
Effie Yeaw Nature Send us your Photos! Center Events Free Weekend Activities • May 3, Saturday, Critter Corner, 10:30 a.m. Have you ever wondered where our animals come from and why they are here? Come nose to nose with a few of our resident animals, hear their story and learn all about what makes them unique.
California Kids! is looking for themed photos to use for our monthly publication. This is your BIG chance to land a cover shot! For more info please contact kathleen@valcomnews.com
• May 4, Sunday, River Stroll, 1:30 p.m. Follow a Naturalist for an afternoon stroll along the river. See what changes are happening along the American River as we approach the Summer season. • May 10, Saturday, Ways to Make Native Plants Part of a Water-Wise Home Landscape, 10:30 a.m. Guest speaker Pam Bone, Landscape Horticulturist and Lifetime Master Gardener, will shares tips to make your garden water efficient. Pam will cover proper design; soil management, including composting and mulching; irrigation systems, including low volume drip and micro-sprays; and plant selection, featuring natives that do well in local landscapes, as well as how to mix them with other compatible Mediterranean plants. • May 11, Sunday, Abalone Necklace Making, 1:30 p.m. Come out this Mothers Day to make a one-of-a-kind craft from Mother Earth. Learn the skill of making abalone necklaces like the native Maidu people did. Bring mom along or take your craft home for a beautiful handmade gift. • May 17, Saturday, Birding for Families, 10:30 a.m. Bring the family out for a birding and nature walk led by a Naturalist and our special guest guides from the Sacramento Audubon Society. Birdwatchers of all levels welcomed. Make sure to bring your binoculars, or we can loan you a pair. • May 18, Sunday, Unleash Your Inner Animal, 1:30 p.m. Join a Naturalist for an afternoon of channeling your inner animal to create an animal mask of your favorite oak woodland creature. Have fun getting creative and learn some fun art techniques. Supplies provided, space is limited. • May 24, Saturday, Raptors of the River, 10:30 a.m. Raptors of the River: Take a walk on the wild side in hopes of spotting some of the raptors that call the river’s edge home. Learn about these amazing birds of prey and what species can be found in our area. • May 25, Sunday, Open Wide,1:30 p.m. Slither on over to the Nature Center to learn all about snakes and lizards during a lively hands-on (if you dare) presentation that is sure to engage and enlighten. The Effie Yeaw Nature Center is located 2850 San Lorenzo Way, at California Avenue and Tarshes Drive, Carmichael. Donations are gratefully accepted. There is a $5 per car entrance fee into Ancil Hoffman County Park (Free to members). For more information, call (916) 489-4918 or visit www.sacnaturecenter.net.
MAY 2014 • CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide
Celebrating Mother's Day!
H
ey Kids! Mother’s Day is a day honoring mothers and motherhood. Many people give gifts, cards and other treats to the mother figure in their lives. See how many hidden words you can find related to this wonderful day. Look carefully, as words can appear vertically, horizontally, diagonally, backwards and upside down.
N E E K I S S E S G H E D C S H Y S
T R L F Y X E R N S U X B S A L L O
H O N O R R E S H C G U H P R I I N
X P M B A T C O R M S H P Q I X M S
F O U B H B A S F A M I L Y X R A O
R T S G L V G Q G C N B X G G X F L
Breakfast in bed Candy Cards Caring Children Daughters Dinner Out
A Y U Y E L N O W E H I N K S T M F
M A Y E E L I W S E T I K S E B E T
D N X E S D R S S B V N F G T A M E
L U M Y B H A E L I U K L B U R O E
Y X T D R B C X G C N A O B O S R D
Family Flowers Giving Grandma Gratitude Happiness
S G X N A A L D M D F N W Y R H I U
B R E A K F A S T I N B E D E N E T
C I I C B A X S K E W N R C N A S I
A X N E R D L I H C G R S S N R G T
R P E Y T D U S T M A G I M I F L A
D O D G D Y G D V O Y E S T D E Z R
S A M D N A R G S M U M E N T O R G
Honor Hugs Kisses Memories Mentor Mom Sons
Make it yourself! Daisy Bookmark T
his pretty daisy bookmark is quickly and easily made with fingerprints by all ages of children - a perfect little gift for Mother’s Day or any special occasion
You will need: Green card, yellow and white paint
You will need to: Cut out a rectangle from green card. Cut little snips along each end to form a fringe. Down the length of the card print 3 yellow finger prints. Around each yellow finger print, print a circle of white petals. Easy, but very pretty!
Daisy Picture C hildren can sew this pretty daisy picture to give as a gift (mount it and frame in a simple frame) or use it on the front of a card for someone special, perfect for Mother’s Day.
You will need:
Craft Foam Vase You will need: Green craft foam, craft foam flowers or other embellishments, double sided sticky tape, glue, construction paper
You will need to: Draw around a cup to make a circle on the foam and cut out. Cut out a rectangle of green foam about 10cm by 15cm. Roll into a tube and use the double sided tape to join together. Cover one edge of the tube in glue and stand in the center of the circle. Glue the foam flowers on to the vase and then leave to dry. ***Cut out a flower and make your own message for mom.
Decoupage Tray T his decoupage tray is a super gift which kids can make for Mother’s Day or any other special occasion. And how about serving a surprise breakfast in bed on it.
You will need:
White and yellow embroidery thread or yarn, green card or construction paper, needle with large eye (blunt for younger children)
An old or inexpensive tray, the plainer the better, or a craft “blank”, emulsion paint (if required), photos, colored paper, glue, acrylic varnish
You will need to: Sketch out your design on the back of the card. Put the card on a folded newspaper, and, following the outline that you have drawn, punch holes with your needle. Try to space them evenly. Tape one end of the thread to the back of the card to secure, and sew your design in place. Either frame the picture for a special gift, or glue your daisy to the front of a card for a spring birthday, Mother's Day or Teacher Appreciation week card.
You will need to: If necessary, give the tray a coat or two of emulsion paint. Arrange your photos until you are happy with the look of the tray, then carefully glue them down. Cut out letters from colored paper to spell out the name of the recipient, and glue these to the tray. Paint over the top with a layer of glue to seal any loose edges and then leave the tray to dry. Paint on a layer of acrylic varnish to protect the tray.
Crafts courtesy of: www.Activity Village.co.uk - Keeping Kids Busy
CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide • MAY 2014
Fairytale Town Presents Summer FunCamps for Children
F
airytale Town offers more than 15 exciting and educational summer camps for children ages 4 through 12. Each weeklong FunCamp is designed for a specific age group and features a unique theme, including visual and theater arts, literature, puppetry, animals, gardening and more. Children can explore new areas of interest or dive deeper into their favorite topic. FunCamps are $130 per camp, to register visit www. fairytaletown.org. For more information, visit www.fairytaletown.org or call (916) 808-7462. Children Ages 4 - 6 • Farmer Brown’s Junior Farmers, Monday - Friday, June 16 - 20 and August 11 - 15, 9 a.m. - Noon. Farmer Brown introduces campers to the daily regimens that keep Fairytale Town’s friendly flock of farm animals fit and healthy. Campers will get to know these barnyard buddies while learning historical information and participating in related hands-on activities. Please note: Campers will have direct contact with Fairytale Town’s animals and animal feed. Some children may be allergic to the natural oils found in animal fur/hair and feed. Instructor: Jim Hernandez. • Rock School - Monday Friday, June 23 - 27 and Jul. 28 - August 1, 9 a.m. - Noon. Channel your inner rock star in this rockin’ FunCamp! This camp features hands-on experience with several instruments, including guitar, bass, drums and keyboard. Campers will also explore rock ‘n’ roll history and participate in rock-related art activities. At the end of the week, parents and loved ones are invited to a rock show put on by the campers. Rock School is perfect for beginning musicians, but no previous experience is necessary. Please note: This FunCamp gets loud! Instructor: Jessie Abbey.
fun in this gardening camp. This FunCamp covers the basic essentials of home gardening with a focus on environmentally “green” practices. Campers will also receive an up-close perspective on Fairytale Town’s own unique gardens and plants. Instructor: Kayla Willett. • Puppet Palooza - Monday - Friday, July 14 - 18, 9 a.m. - noon. Every story can be told with puppets. This FunCamp teaches students the original nursery rhymes and fairytales that inspired the play sets at Fairytale Town. Campers are then encouraged and inspired to retell the classic tales using puppets they create. Each day brings a new story. Campers will make a variety of puppets, including paper bag, sock and marionettes. Instructor: Kayla Willett. • Little Artists - Monday - Friday, July 21 - 25 and August 4 - 8, 9 a.m. - Noon This camp introduces the world of art and basic art concepts to budding artists. Campers participate in a wonderful week of art projects featuring wall-to-wall drawing, cutting, pasting and painting in a relaxed environment. Topics include primary and secondary colors, drawing, sand art and patterns. Instructor: Elizabeth Vang.
Ages 6 - 12 • Adventure Play - Monday - Friday, June 16 - 20 and July 28 - August 1, 1 - 4 p.m. Adventure Play FunCamp teaches children about the natural world through science-based experiments and discovery play. Concepts include basic survival skills, weather identification, plants and animals. Campers will take nature walks, make bird feeders, construct cardboard forts, use a solar oven and more. A different adventure awaits campers each day. Instructor: Wendy Her. • Curtains Up! - Monday - Friday, June 23 - 27, 1 - 4 p.m. Fairytale Town presents a theater arts camp that emphasizes creative playmaking onstage and offstage. Curtains Up! covers all aspects of theater, from acting and scriptwriting to costume design and set and prop construction. Campers will write, design, produce and perform their own short play in one fast-paced, funfilled week. Instructor: Amelia Bethel. • Zap! Boom! Pow! Comic Book Basics - Monday - Friday, July 7 - 11, 1 - 4 p.m. The perfect FunCamp for budding artists who want to draw, draw and draw some more. A special emphasis is placed on dynamic anatomy, character development and sequential storytelling tech-
niques. The primary focus is on classic silver age and modern manga art styles. Campers will have the option to create their own comic book or a freestanding art piece to display in a “comic book convention” setting. Instructor: John Lee.
food through a series of fun hands-on experiments, including magical floating eggs, color changing milk, ice cream making and more. Please note: Campers will not be using a stove or cooking with an open flame. Instructor: Wendy Her.
• Farmer Brown’s Farmers - Monday - Friday, July 14 18, 1 - 4 p.m. Farmer Brown gives a more in-depth and detailed look at what it takes to keep our friendly flock of farm animals fit and healthy. Campers will have plenty of hands-on contact with our fuzzy, furry barnyard buddies while learning historical information and participating in related hands-on activities, including learning how to harness, halter and safely handle animals. Campers will also assist in the daily grooming, cleaning and afternoon feedings of all our animals. Please note: Campers will have direct contact with Fairytale Town’s animals and animal feed. Some children may be allergic to the natural oils found in animal fur/hair and feed. Instructor: Jim Hernandez.
• Young Picassos - Monday - Friday, August 4 - 8, 1 - 4 p.m. This FunCamp covers the exciting variety found in the world of art. Campers will try their hand at different art media, including watercolors, prints, clay and mixed media. Campers will also explore making 3-D and found object works of art. This camp is specifically designed for the young artist who wants to try it all. Instructor: Andy Graham.
• Mad Food Science Monday - Friday, July 21 - 25, 1 - 4 p.m. Food and science are combined in this newly imagined FunCamp. Campers will learn nutritional concepts and explore the scientific properties of
• Write Now - Monday - Friday, August 11 - 15, 1 - 4 p.m. In this creative writing FunCamp, aspiring authors who wish to strengthen their storytelling skills will find a happy haven of literary labor packed with plenty of artful advice, energetic exercises and freestyle fun. The camp will cover fiction, non-fiction, prose and poetry, plus art illustrations. Instructor: Karin Stevens. For more information, visit www.fairytaletown.org or call (916) 808-7462.
• Earthworks Garden FunCamp - Monday - Friday, July 7 - 11, 9 a.m. - Noon. Fairytale Town offers plenty of green-thumb MAY 2014 • CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide
“Traumatic Brain Injury: from concussion to coma,” By Connie Goldsmith
Twenty-First Century Press, imprint of Lerner Publishing Spring, 2014; for ages ten and up National Science Teachers Association Recommendation Photo courtesy Fairytale Town
T
raumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major topic in the news these days, and it’s a concern for every parent. Of the 1.7 million Americans officially diagnosed with TBI each year, 52,000 die from their injuries. And that doesn’t count the unreported TBIs, which experts estimate range from two to four million more incidents. TBIs range from concussions to penetrating head injuries to life-threatening brain swelling and coma. The aftereffects can be devastating, including impaired memory and concentration, loss of hearing, physical disabilities, depression, seizures, and in the worstcase scenario, death. Concussions and brain injuries can occur at any age and with many activities. Among the youngest children, falls account for the most concussions. Children fall while they or their caregivers are navigating stairs. They fall in tubs and showers, out of windows and in playgrounds. Many children are also injured in motor vehicle and bicycling accidents. Learn how to make the home safer for children, and the importance of consistently using properly installed infant and child car seats. Among eight- to thirteen-year-olds, concussions occur most often in football, basketball, baseball and soccer. In high school the greatest number of concussions occurs in football, girls’ and boys’ soccer, and girls’ and boys’ lacrosse. Goldsmith shows the impact of traumatic brain injury and concussion through personal stories, including those of National Hockey League player Derek Boogaard and U.S. Representative Gabby Giffords, both of whom sustained serious brain injuries, with vastly different outcomes. She covers the causes of concussions in chapters relating to sports, the military, falls, and motor vehicle accidents. Find out how concussions and brain injuries are diagnosed and treated. You’ll
10
Fairytale Town Events
• May 3 and 4, Saturday and Sunday, Puppet Show: “Hansel and Gretel,”12:30, 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. Puppet Art Theater Company will perform the classic tale of “Hansel and Gretel.” After being left in the forest to fend for themselves, Hansel and Gretel discover a house made of Gingerbread. Little do they know the house belongs to a wicked old witch. Tickets are $2 for nonmembers in addition to park admission, and $1 for members. Tickets can be purchased at the Fairytale Town main gate or at the entrance to the Children’s Theater 15 minutes prior to show time. For more information, visit www.fairytaletown.org or call (916) 808-7462.
people living with TBIs and the doctors who treat them. And you’ll learn about amazing medical technologies that help victims recover and promise hope for the future. In addition, the author examines new safeguards, including testing and research for better treatment, along with ways to prevent head injuries. Full color photos, charts, and statistics add to the appeal of this book. Connie Goldsmith (www.conniegoldsmith. com) lives in Carmichael where she writes for adults and children. She’s a nurse who has written about concussion and traumatic brain injury for other nurses and for parents in her column in California Kids, “A Note From the Nurse.” Her newest nonfiction juvenile books, “Bombs over Bikini,” and “Traumatic Brain Injury: from concussion to coma,” are now available. Other books include: “Battling Malaria: on the Front Lines Against a Global Killer,” and “Influenza,” one of the USA Today Health Reports series. Her books can be found in school and public libraries, and at online booksellers.
• May 8, Thursday, Mad Hatter Meets Sherlock Holmes Fundraiser, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Fairytale Town mixes the zaniness of the Mad Hatter with the elementary logic of Sherlock Holmes in its second annual offsite fundraising event. Held at the elegant Masonic Temple in Downtown Sacramento, the Mad Hatter Party features chocolate delicacies, wine and food pairings, and live music, plus a live auction and raffle with exciting prizes. All proceeds benefit nonprofit Fairytale Town’s programs and park improvements. Tickets are $50 per person and will be available for purchase at www.fairytaletown.org beginning March 15. Cocktail, costume or business attire. Sponsored by Downey Brand LLP, Crowe Horwath LLP, Otto Construction, Gilbert Associates, Inc., Sacramento magazine, and Yelp. For more information, visit www.fairytaletown.org or call (916) 808-7462. • May 17, Saturday, Farms, Friends and Fairytales, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Join Fairytale Town for a fun-filled celebration of agriculture. Arrive early to watch Fairytale Town’s twin Babydoll sheep get sheared, then watch as the wool is spun into thread using an old fashioned spinning wheel. Plus, participate in agriculture-themed hands-on activities, shop the mini farmer’s market, and visit with local area farms and organizations. This program is free with paid park admission. Weekend admission is $5.50 for adults and children ages 2 and older. Children ages 1 and under are free. For more information, visit www.fairytaletown.org or call (916) 808-7462. From March through October, the park is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., weather permitting. From November through February, the park is open Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., weather permitting. For more information, visit www.fairytaletown.org or call (916) 808-7462.
CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide • MAY 2014
THE BOOK REPORT
Books for the Very Young By Connie Goldsmith
C
hildren are never too young for books. Infants can benefit from the sound of a parent’s voice and the closeness of a shared story. Babies can learn sounds and words by listening to a story. Teething children can even chew on sturdy board books made of heavy cardboard. But perhaps most of all, early exposure can instill a love and respect for books from the very beginning. If you’re not reading to your child, give it a try and see how your little one responds. “Five Little Monkeys Reading in Bed,” by Eileen Christelow. (Houghton Mifflin). This new reprint of an old favorite is sure to make your little ones giggle at its silliness and rollicking rhyme. “When the five little monkeys are ready for bed, their mamma reads stories, then kisses each head. It’s bedtime for monkeys! Now turn out the light. Oh, Mama! Oh please! One more story tonight.” These monkeys can’t get enough. As soon as Mama leaves, they read a puppy story and cheer at the end. They’re so noisy “ . . . that Mama rushes in. What’s all this racket? This chaos? This din?” But time after time, little monkeys pull out another book and time after time, Mama comes in. Finally she takes all their books. Then . . . what do little monkeys hear? Mama in her room laughing at one of their stories. “Lights out! Sweet dreams! No more reading in bed,” they tell her. “Cat Says Meow, and other animalopoeia,” by Michael Arndt. (Chronicle). While older children may be asking what the fox said, the littlest ones enjoy learning what common animals say. It’s comes as no surprise that the cat says meow, dog says woof and pig says oink. It does come as a delightful surprise to see this talented
graphic illustrator form the animals from the sounds they make. For example, the ears on a dog head are made of w. The eye and nose are each an o, and the mouth is an f – WOOF. Your child will love spotting the letters on the animal, the NEIGH on a horse, the OINK on the pig. The bold colors and simple shapes are especially appealing. Imaginative. Unique. These are a few adjectives to describe this beautifully crafted book. ** Reviewer’s pick of the month**
“Octopus’s Garden,” by Ringo Starr, illustrated by Ben Cort. (Aladdin). This brilliantlycolored book features an electric- orange octopus and five children who want, “. . . to be under the sea in an octopus’s garden in the shade.” Yes, it’s the old Beetles favorite brought to new life! If you ever wondered what an octopus’s garden looks like, here’s your chance to find out. The undersea spectacle is as amazing as you might have imagined. And as if the book weren’t enough of a treat, it also comes with a CD. Ringo Starr himself first sings, then reads the lilting words that he helped bring to life so long ago. This is a stunningly beautiful rendition of the song so many of us loved when we were young.
“We’re Going to the Farmers’ Market,” by Stefan Page. (Chronicle). Many children regularly visit farmers’ markets, because northern California is home to some of the nation’s best. In this brightly colored board book, readers set off to visit the local farmers’ market. “To market, to market, we are on our way. So many groceries to find on this warm sunny day!” We see market stands bursting with fruits and veggies,
along with eggs, milk and cheese. When the shopping basket is filled to the brim, we go home, “To kitchen, to kitchen, we chop, stew and bake.” Children will enjoy this short story, while parents will value the lessons learned about the bounty to be found at farmers’ markets. If you’ve not taken your child to a farmers’ market, check out the huge one in Davis and the many smaller ones in the Sacramento region.
Connie Goldsmith (www.conniegoldsmith.com) lives in Carmichael where she writes for adults and children. Her newest nonfiction juvenile books, “Bombs Over Bikini: the World’s First Nuclear Disaster,” and “Traumatic Brain Injury: From Concussion to Coma,” are now available. Other books include: “Battling Malaria: on the Front Lines Against a Global Killer,” and “Influenza,” one of the USA Today Health Reports series. Her books can be found in school and public libraries, and at online booksellers.
“Spot the Dot,” by David A. Carter. (Scholastic). This best-selling author/illustrator is a master of pop-up and pull-the-tab books. This innovative novelty book teaches colors to toddlers in a most engaging way. Each page features a, “Spot the [color] dot,” hidden under flaps, behind pull-tabs and within a turn-wheel. The last page is a giant pop-up with at least fifty colored dots of all sizes. It’s not as easy it sounds to find the dot. The sought-for dot nests among many other dots of other colors, sort of a “Where’s Waldo?” for the very young.
MAY 2014 • CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide
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SUMMER’S in SESSION
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CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide • MAY 2014
For Baby! Newest Offerings from Kmart Home Essential Home Boy’s Shaped Plate Puffer Fish ($3.99) Cleaning his plate will be a pleasure when he can use this boy’s shaped plate from Essential Home. This cute plastic plate is formed in the shape of puffer fish with a colorful, silly puffer fish pictured in the middle. This lightweight plate will be easy for him to carry to the sink or dishwasher and he’ll feel special having his very own dinnerware for every meal.
Essential Home Whale-Shaped Straw Cup ($4.99) Sweeten each sip with this whale-shaped straw cup by Essential Home. This cute cup features a colorful design that your little one is sure to love. The flexible straw is easy to use, and the sealed, spill-resistant lid makes this cup easy to refill and perfect for travel. Plus, cleanup is a breeze because this molded cup is dishwasher safe. Available at Kmart, www.kmart.com
MAY 2014 • CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide
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Who wrote that? The Creators of Your Child’s Favorite Books Featuring Sue Fliess
By Patricia Newman
S
ue Fliess grew up in Modesto in a house with an awful orange carpet that was vital to a game called Lava Monster that she and her sister played with their dog, Paws. “We would spread pillows and bean bags around the floor and jump from thing to thing without touching the orange carpet,” she says, the smile obvious in her voice. “I can almost hear the dog going nuts and my mom cooking in the background.” Fliess uses the anecdote as an example of her safe and happy childhood. “I was encouraged to dream big,” she says, and as a result, she had the confidence to do or be whatever she wanted—a theme that permeates her books for young readers. Fliess wrote as a child, penning early poems and short stories for her family. “I kept on writing as a young adult in college,” she says, including a short-lived “Dear Sue” column in her college newsletter. After graduation she worked as a publicist for Penguin Putnam and the publication bug bit her. Although Fliess is bubbly and energetic, she shared “dreadful poems” with her writing group. One day before the meeting officially began,
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Fliess told a funny anecdote about a prima donna author she’d dealt with that day. The group roared with laughter, and one of her writing group partners suggested that she was better suited to humor. Fliess never looked back. An extension class at the University of California, Berkeley, a children’s librarian at the Mountain View Library, and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (www.scbwi.org) all provided significant direction and motivation for Fliess to learn the craft of writing picture books. In 2007, Shoes for Me! received a letter of commendation from an SCBWI contest, which said in part, “we look forward to the imminent publication of your manuscript.” Fliess prepared for the onslaught of publishers who would no doubt request her story.
In Fliess’ case, “imminent publication” meant two years before the manuscript sold and another two before it was published. Such is the glacial pace of children’s publishing, but Fliess did not despair. “[The prize] gave me confidence, hope to keep going, and something of merit to include in cover letters to editors and agents,” she says. Additionally, inspiration surrounded her in the form of two sons and a dog. One day she read a rather dry truck and car book to her eldest son, Owen. “I wondered if there was a more fun way to talk about the trucks that was still educational,” she said. Tons of Trucks put Fliess’ creative spin on existing titles by thinking about the way the trucks moved. For instance, a backhoe became a scoop and dig truck. Let’s Build, Fliess’ newest release, came from her sons who were on a treehouse kick. The only trees in Fliess’ back yard were lemon trees—definitely not treehouse worthy—but a ginkgo tree in the front yard did the trick. The next time Fliess sat down to write she started a story about a father and son who build a treehouse together. In a perfect example of the way the revision process works, Fliess’ editor worried that a treehouse might be too ambitious for the dad and suggested a dog house. Fliess vetoed the dog house because she wanted the bonding experience between dad and son to lead to “something special for the son.” Fliess compromised on a fort, and at the end “the dad becomes the first member of the son’s club.” Fliess writes from her Mountain View home, but her life is a constant tightrope of family, books, and a part-time job as a copy writer for eBay’s marketing department. “I don’t write every day, but I do something for my books every day,” she says. That “something” might be revising,
brainstorming new story ideas, or promoting published work. Just recently, Fliess successfully lobbied Whole Foods to carry A Gluten-Free Birthday for Me! Every Fliess book shares her sparkling humor and her “dream big” philosophy, and is guaranteed to light up Patricia Newman visits schools! Her newest book Plastic, Ahoy! Investigating the Great Pacific Garbage Patch a Junior Library Guild Selection, is now available. Visit her website at www.patriciamnewman.com for more information.
LEARN MORE ABOUT SUE FLIESS Visit: http://www.suefliess.com/
SELECTIONS FROM SUE FLIESS’ LIBRARY Shoes for Me!, Marshall Cavendish, 2011. A Dress for Me!, Marshall Cavendish, 2012. Tons of Trucks, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2012. Robots, Robots Everywhere!, Random House Little Golden Books, 2013. A Gluten-Free Birthday for Me!, Albert Whitman & Co., 2013. How to Be a Pirate, Random House Little Golden Books, 2014.
Upcoming Let’s Build, Amazon Children’s Publishing, Two Lions, May 2014. Robots, Robots Everywhere!, Random House Children’s Books, board book edition, July 2014. How to Be a Superhero, Random House Little Golden Books, July 2014. The Hug Boo, Random House Little Golden Books, spring 2015. Books for Me!, Amazon Children’s Publishing, Two Lions, spring 2015. A Fairy Friend, Christy Ottaviano Books, Holt, 2015. We’re Getting a Pet!, Random House Little Golden Books, fall 2015. I’m a Ballerina!, Random House Little Golden Books, 2016. CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide • MAY 2014
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et ready to move your feet and dance in the streets morning, noon and night when the 2014 Sacramento Music Festival and Jubilee returns over Memorial Day Weekend, Friday, May 23 through Monday, May 26 in Old Sacramento. The parade takes place Saturday, May 24 at 10 a.m. and the event runs Friday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to midnight, Saturday 10 a.m. to midnight, Monday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Sacramento Music Festival is presented by the Sacramento Traditional Jazz Society with support from the Sacramento Convention and Visitors Bureau. For more information, call (916) 444-2004 or www. sacmusicfest.com.
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CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide • MAY 2014
MAY 2014 • CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide
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Keeping Camp Costs Budget-Friendly American Camp Association®
M
ost parents were well aware of the recession long before the official announcement in late 2008. Many families have taken steps to trim any “fat” from their budgets – the purse strings are simply pulled too tight to factor in a night at the go-cart track or that family trip to the Grand Canyon. Parents may not realize that even with tightening budgets, the life-changing experience of camp is still within reach. “I’m a great believer in you don’t have to go to the most expensive camp to have a great camp experience,” said Phil Lilienthal, former camp director of Camp Winnebago in Maine and Global Camps Africa CEO. If you’re dealing with an experienced and caring staff of camp counselors, “you can have a program in a parking lot, and it can be great,” he said. Parents looking for budget-friendly camps should keep the following in mind: • The ACA camp community generates $39 million annually for camp scholarships. Don’t be afraid to call the camp director and ask if financial assistance is available. • Contact your area’s regional office of the American Camp Association. Go to www.CampParents.org and click on the Local Offices link at the bottom of the page. • Check with your church or synagogue. • Get in touch with social services groups in your community. • Visit individual camp Web sites. Most clearly outline whether or not they offer financial assistance for their campers.
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CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide • MAY 2014
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Courtesy American Camp Association®
Camp Howe, Goshen, MA.
Five Reasons Your Child Needs Camp American Camp Association
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here’s no doubt that summer camp is fun. Kids get to sing silly songs, play funny games, swim in lakes, and tell spooky stories around a campfire. This is the image of camp that has been captured and memorialized in films, books, and television programs for the past fifty years. But there’s much more to camp than just a good time. In addition to fun, parents should be aware of these five reasons their child needs camp. 1. Camp forever changes your child… for the better – American Camp Association® (ACA) research has confirmed that camps build skills necessary to prepare campers to assume roles as successful adults. Campers said that camp helped them make new friends (96%), get to know kids who are different from them (93%), feel good about themselves (92%), and try things they were afraid to do at first (74%). 2. Camp teaches your child to “move it, move it” – Camp provides children the opportunity to try new things and participate in human powered activities. According to surveys by both the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, an American child is six times more likely to play a videogame on any given day than to ride a bike. An estimated 22 million of the world’s children under the age of five are already considered obese. According to research conducted by ACA, 63 percent of children who learn new activities at camp tend to continue engaging in these activities after they return home. This leads to continued physical exercise that lasts a lifetime. MAY 2014 • CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide
3. Camp keeps all that hard work from going to waste - Camps understand the critical role they play in helping young people learn and grow. Many offer programs that help reduce summer learning loss, bolster academic enrichment and socialization, provide opportunities for leadership development, and ensure that campers achieve their full potential. 4. Camp allows kids to take a deep breath and feel the nature – Camp is a great way for your child to unplug from the iPod® and plug into the world around them. According to a study by two Cornell University environmental psychologists, being close to nature can help boost a child’s attention span. Additionally, a study conducted by the University of Essex in England concluded that nature can help people recover from pre-existing stresses or problems, has an immunizing effect that can protect from future stresses, and helps people to concentrate and think more clearly. In some instances, camp may be the only time a child is in contact with the natural world. 5. Camp is fun – It’s true; kids do sing silly songs and play funny games at camp. Children are allowed to play in a safe and nurturing environment, and are allowed to just be kids. Play is a powerful form of learning that contributes mightily to the child’s healthy physical, emotional, social, and intellectual development. According to an American Academy of Pediatrics report, creative free play protects a child’s emotional development and reduces a child’s risk of stress, anxiety, and depression. To find the perfect camp for your child, visit the Find A Camp feature on ACA’s parent Web site at www. CampParents.org.
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Call Jen for ad rates 916-429-9901
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Authentic Year-Round Education Camp American Camp Association®
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ducation reform has become a widely debated topic in communities and homes nationwide. Today’s children are tomorrow’s leaders, and current debate suggests the current education system may not be providing the 21st century skills needed to become successful, productive adults in tomorrow’s world. Often, this discussion is missing one critical component: Camp. The American Camp Association (ACA) reminds families that camp fosters year-round education through: • Developmental Growth - such as independence, self-sufficiency, and learning to overcome adversity, is the foundation for academic achievement. Research shows that participation in intentional programs, like camp, can help stem summer learning loss – providing experiences that challenge children, develop talents, and expand horizons. • Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic Camp was founded by educators. Today camps continue the practice of using things like environmental studies, map reading, and habitat restoration to teach problem-solving, math, and biology. Camps also promote reading and
writing, whether through quiet time in a bunk, or scheduled time for journal and letter writing. • Partner with Schools - Camps and schools often partner together to create exceptional learning opportunities, even when school is not in session. According to ACA’s recent survey on Camp-School partnerships: * Fifty-eight percent of responding camps said they partner with schools either directly or indirectly. * Approximately 43 percent of responding camps said that they partnered with schools primarily to keep children engaged throughout the year. * Targeted programs include teamwork, social skills, and problem solving. For more information about preparing for the summer camp experience, or to find a camp, parents can visit www.CampParents.org. About ACA The American Camp Association® (ACA) works to preserve, promote, and enhance the camp experience for children and adults. ACA-Accredited® camp programs ensure that children are provided with a diversity of educational and developmentally challenging learning opportunities. There are over 2,400 ACA-accredited camps that meet up to 300 health and safety standards. For more information, visit www.ACAcamps.org.
Photo courtesy American Camp Association®
Guitar Player. Camp Pemigewassett, Wentworth, NH
Gearing Up for the Perfect Camp Experience American Camp Association®
T
he summer season is right around the corner, and for approximately 10 million children nationwide, this means one thing — it’s time to start gearing up for camp. There is a lot more to consider than just shorts and t-shirts when packing for camp. The American Camp Association® (ACA) provides the following tips to help families get ready for the perfect fun-filled camp experience. • Pack Light — Remember your camper will be living out of a duffel bag, trunk, or suitcase for the duration. Packing light helps campers keep track of items and guarantees that they can handle their own luggage at camp. • Check Camp Packing Lists — Individual camps should provide a recommended camp packing list, complete with any required equipment, preferred footwear, etc. Be sure to carefully review what is needed, paying special attention to those items that may not be permitted at camp. • Label, Label, Label — Laundry pens, iron-on labels, and press and stick labels will distinguish your camper’s belongings from those of other cabin or tent mates. Most camps ask that you label each item, including clothing, personal items, and toiletries. Make sure that your child can identify the label used. • Wear Those Shoes — Make sure that your child’s clothing and footwear are comfortable and appropriate. Sending a camper in brand-new hiking boots can result in sore feet and time spent sitting out of exciting activities. • Plan Together — Decisions about camp, like what to pack, should be made together. The more ownership your camper has in these decisions, the easier the adjustment and transition to camp will be. Families should contact their camp director for specific questions and packing suggestions. For more information on preparing and packing for camp, families can also visit ACA’s family resource site at www.CampParents.org.
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CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide • MAY 2014
Anaheim’s Not Just About Disney Anymore by Carmel L. Mooney
O
n our recent annual pilgrimage to Disneyland and California Adventure, we stayed at the Anabella Hotel which proved to be a fantastic location for convenience and ease. Each day and night we walked the easy block and a half or so to Downtown Disney for dining and our entrance to the parks that are still magical no matter how old the kids get. The Anabella was clean, moderately-priced, comfortable, the rooms are very large, and my teen enjoyed the spacious pool and jacuzzi that felt heavenly after walking miles around both parks all day. The Anabella also has dining and shopping options on property which added to the convenience. Parking was safe and accessible. We really could not have asked for a better locale to enjoy Disney fun. Anaheim has had its changes in recent years with regards to Disney-themed additions but Anaheim is now much more than just Disney. While truthfully Disney has poured multi millions into new hotels and dining, Anaheim is enjoying a whole new look and appeal or a wellplanned face lift. No longer just a large city with Disney as the only focus, Anaheim is well on the way to becoming a hip destination of its own or in the very least a place where excellent
shopping and eclectic dining can be enjoyed away from the Disney hub. One of the most exciting developments is Anaheim’s trendy historic district known as the Anaheim Packing District. Soon the Anaheim Packing House with open with 40,000 square feet of boutique food and beverage vendors, live music and shared seating. Currently the adjacent Packard Car Showroom houses a new twist to the gourmet burger for a more grown up palette at Unami Burger and Anaheim Brewery. This unique eatery showcases in artfully designed light fixtures, over 500 sequential license plates uncovered when the ground was escavated. The burgers are succulent and varied. Try the Truffle Burger or the Welsh Rabbit Burger, and if you are smart, order it with smashed potato fries which are delicious served with homemade-fromscratch condiments. The pub next door is a pleasingly “no TV” brewery, pub style with a gorgeous historic bar from a yearsgone-by local hotel. In case that isn’t grown up enough for you, there are now 40 public golf courses in the Anaheim area, the Anaheim Ballet, and the Men’s and Women’s Olympic Volleyball Teams practice there. The Gypsy Den offers unusual teas, coffees, snacks, desserts and sandwiches on rustic stools and funky furniture.
MAY 2014 • CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide
Photo courtesy:
Anaheim/Orange County Convention and Visitors Bureau
Not upscale enough for you? Up the street lies an interesting trio for men. The dads, granddads, big brothers, and uncles in your clan will love this! Three interconnected mens’ shops. The Good Californian Haberdashery, Heart and Sole, and Barber Shop offer a retro-resurgent opportunity to get an old-fashioned gentlemen’s barbershop service, shop for the highest quality men’s shoes and buy the duds to show it all off at the same time. Barber is a bit like blended Mayberry and Cheers where you can get a beer and shave and everyone knows you, or not. While Anaheim still offers the same Disney-themed fun as always it now offers a more mature and cultured side where moms and dads can feel a bit pampered as well and more mature visitors feel like they can now blend the fun with the more refined and cultured aspects of a family vacation.
Call Jen for ad rates
429-9901
www.anaheimoc.org
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Water Safety Fact:
Drowing is 100% preventable A Message from First 5 Sacramento
D
rowning can occur from a variety of activities including swimming, bath time, playing near pools, hot tubs or fresh water, and even with a bucket of water. This tragedy can be avoided with the correct level of active supervision and education. First 5 Sacramento provides the following tips to help parents and caregivers keep children safe in, out, and around water and pools: • Watch your children constantly around water. Never turn your back, even for a moment. Children can drown in as little as one inch of water. • Identify all water hazards. Don’t leave water in buckets where children can reach them. Keep lids to toilets closed. • Fence your pool on all four sides with a barrier that is at least 5 feet high. Move lawn chairs, tables, and other potential climbing aids away
from the fence to help keep children out. • Alarm your door if you have an outdoor pool. • Never leave a child unattended in a bath. Don’t answer the door or phone. • Always designate an adult to watch children at a pool especially at large gatherings. • As cute as they are, flotation devices can’t always keep your child safe. Inflatable toys or swimming aids can become dangerous when they suddenly shift position, lose air or slip out from underneath. • At lakes and rivers, children should always wear a life jacket. There is the life jacket loan program provided through the California Department of Boating and Waterways (www.dbw.ca.gov) if your child does not have a life jacket. Warning: Fast moving undercurrents can still appear as calm surface water so never let your child enter the water alone.
Did you know?
• Drowning is a silent death. There are no warning signs of splashing or other distress. • According to a national study of drowning-related incidents involving children, a parent or caregiver claimed to be supervising the child in nearly nine out of ten child drowning-related deaths. • Two-thirds of drowning deaths occur in the summer, between May and August, and most commonly on the weekends. • The majority of infant (less than 1 year old) drowning deaths happen in bathtubs or large buckets. It is imperative that whenever a child is near or in water he or she is being actively supervised at all times, no exceptions. It only takes a split-second for a child to get into a dangerous water situation causing a fatal accident. For more information on water and general child safety visit Safe Kids at www.safekids.org.
About First 5 Sacramento Research shows that a child’s brain develops most dramatically in the first five years and what parents and caregivers do during these years to support their child’s growth will have a meaningful impact throughout life. Based on this research, California voters passed Proposition 10 in 1998, adding a 50 cents-per-pack tax on tobacco products to support programs for expectant parents and children ages zero to five. In the last year, First 5 Sacramento distributed approximately $14 million a year in Prop 10 revenues to programs and services that meet local needs. Each county has a First 5 Children and Families Commission providing unique local services for that county. Surrounding First 5’s include: First 5 Yolo: 530-669-2475; First 5 Placer: 530-745-1304; and First 5 El Dorado: 530-672-8298.
Discovery Museum Science and Space Center events • Wondrous Wildflowers, Saturday and Sunday, May 3 and 4, 12:30 to 4 p.m. Wildflowers delight us with their colors and scents. Celebrate Wildflower Week at the Discovery Museum. Children 12 and under plant flower seeds to take home. Enjoy the smell of flowers by assembling a scented sachet. The acreage allows for young explorers to spot flowers, as well as wild critters. Remember, admission includes planetarium shows at 1 and 3 p.m. for ages 4 and older. • International Astronomy Day, Saturday and Sunday, May 10 and11, 12:30 to 4 p.m. Celebrating the night sky all day long. It is International Astronomy Day and what better place to commemorate the stars then your local planetarium? The center offers the only publicly available planetarium in the Sacramento. Shows are 1 and 3 p.m. for ages 4 and older (included with admission). Children 12 and under make their own constellation to take home as a souvenir. • Something’s Fishy at the Discovery Museum, Saturday and Sunday, May 17 and 18, 12:30 to 4 p.m. When learning about prehistoric times, most people think about dinosaurs. But did you know fish have been around even longer than dinosaurs? This weekend at the museum, the highlight is on ancient fish. View the fish fossil collection and make a fish print poster to take home as a souvenir. Admission includes planetarium shows at 1 and 3 p.m. for ages 4 and older.
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• Fossil Fun for Everyone, Saturday-Monday, May 24–26, 12:30 to 4 p.m. Journey into the past this holiday weekend and enjoy an up-close look at fossils from prehistoric times. From plants to trilobites to dinosaurs, the museum has an extensive collection. Children use fossil stamps to take home a decorative banner as a souvenir. In addition to this special themed weekend, discover the “Blast from the Past”exhibit, highlighting rocks, crystals, fossils and dinosaurs. Planetarium shows are at 1 and 3 p.m. for ages 4 and older. • Terrific Tyrannosaurs, Saturday and Sunday, May 31 and June 1, 12:30 to 4 p.m. There is a plethora of T-rex excitement this weekend at the Discovery Museum Science and Space Center. Explore the museum’s Nature Trail to learn about the prehistoric animal. Visit Blast from the Past, with rock, fossil and dinosaur exhibits. The museum as a special area dedicated to this colossal beast- including a lifesize model of a T-rex lower jaw. Enjoy fun time in the classroom by completing a jointed paper T-rex craft (children 12 and under). Planetarium shows are at 1 and 3 p.m. for ages 4 and older. The Discovery Museum Science and Space Center is located at 3615 Auburn Boulevard, Sacramento. General admission: $8 adults (18+), $7 seniors (60+), $7 teens (13-17), $6 children (412), $0 children (3 and under), ages appropriate for 4 to 12 years old. For more information, call (916) 808-3942 or visit www.thediscovery.org. CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide • MAY 2014
Calendar of Events Arts & Crafts
Nature Events
May 14, Design a Poster, 4 p.m., 2443 Marconi Avenue, Sacramento. Bring the kids, ages 6 to 12, to the Arcade Library a make a poster of your favorite children’s book. Everyone who makes a poster will receive a free children’s book to keep. For more information, call (916) 264-2920.
Every Saturday, through May 31, Free Hiking, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Deer Creek Hills Preserve. Explore newly marked trails on 4400+ acres of a working cattle ranch. A self-guided trail will be yours to run, explore with your kids, do landscape photography, bird watching or create your own art. Observe wildlife or simply stroll the green lush hillsides, at Deer Creek Hills Preserve. Bring your cell phone, sturdy boots, water supply and high energy snacks. Check-in with the Sacramento Valley Conservancy staff, exchange cell phone numbers and handoff your signed liability form. The gates to the private preserve are unlocked at 9 a.m. and locked at 1 p.m. All ages are welcome and there is no entry fee. Register online at www.sacramentovalleyconservancy.org/calendar.asp
May 17, Sunflower Power, 2:30 p.m., 601 Alhambra Boulevard, Sacramento. Why do plants produce seeds? California Food Literacy will be at the McKinley Library to show children, ages 6 to 12, how to remove sunflower seeds from the flower, create seed packets to take home, and make a spread called Sun Butter. Enjoy the butter on graham crackers and read a book about Sunflowers. For more information, call (916) 264-2920.
MAY 2014 • CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide
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Calendar of Events Special Events May 2, 16, Read to a Dog, 2 p.m., 8900 Elk Grove Boulevard, Elk Grove. Looking for a fun way to boost reading skills while making new friends? Kids, ages 6 to 12, are invited to the Elk Grove Library for Read to a Dog program. Bring your own books or borrow one from the library, then read aloud to a furry friend. Sign up in the library for 10-15 minute sessions. Additional parking is available south of the library at Journey Church. For more information, call (916) 264-2920. May 6, 13, 20, 27, Read to a Dog, 3:30 p.m., 5605 Marconi Avenue, Carmichael. Specially trained therapy dogs are at the Carmichael Library waiting for children to come read to them. For kids ages 6 to 12 years old that are reading. Earn credit for the time spent reading and earn a book, too. For more information, call (916) 264-2920. May 6, 13, 27, Homework Zone, 3:30 p.m., 7335 Gloria Drive, Sacramento. Trained volunteers serve as Homework Coaches and Teen Mentors to students in grades 1-8, offering free homework assistance in all subject areas at the Robbie Waters Pocket-Greenhaven Library. For more information, call (916) 264-2920. May 6, Read to a Dog, 3 p.m., 601 Alhambra Boulevard, Sacramento. Read to a dog at the McKinley Library
is a fun and proven method for boosting a child’s reading skills by reading to a trained therapy dog and adult volunteer. Children may bring their own books to read to a furry friend, or they may borrow a book from the library’s collection. For more information, call (916) 264-2920. May 6, Lego Block Party, 6 p.m., 828 I Street, Sacramento. Children, ages 6 to 12, are invited to the Central Library for Lego fun. The library will supply the Lego and Duplo blocks. Come build in the Kids Place, street parking will be free after 6 p.m. For more information, call (916) 264-2920. May 7, 14,21,28, Sing Along With Mr. Cooper, 4 p.m., 5600 South Land Park Drive, Sacramento. Join neighborhood favorite, Mr. Cooper, at the Belle Cooledge Library, for 30 minutes of music time and freeze dancing for kids up to 7 years old. For more information, call (916) 264-2920. May 8, 15,22, Homework Zone, 4 to 5 p.m., 5600 South Land Park Drive, Sacramento. Free drop-in homework help at the Belle Cooledge Library for grades 1-8. Their trained teen homework coaches help students complete school assignments and develop effective study skills. Held in the Community Room. For more information, call (916) 264-2920. May 9, After School Book Club, 4 p.m., 5605 Marconi Avenue, Carmichael. Join the staff at the Carmichael Library for the Second Friday of every
month to talk about the book, play trivia games, and have fun. For more information, call (916) 264-2920. May 17, Saturday, Deane Dance Production, 7 p.m., 2300 Sierra Boulevard, Sacramento.This spring production is presented by the Deane Dance Center. The ballet is entitled, “The Story of Noah’s Ark.” It will also be held Sunday, May 18, at 2 p.m. Original music by Henrik Jul Hansen. Admissions are adults $15, seniors and students $12 and children $10. Tickets are available at the door or call (916) 4530226. For more information, also visit deanedancecenter. com. May 21, Food Preservation Demonstration, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., 4145 Branch Center Road, Sacramento. The Sacramento County UC Cooperative Extension Master Food Preservers offer the public a demonstration: Cherry Berry Goodies: Cherries and Strawberries. There is a $5 material fee, no advanced registration is required. For more information, call (916) 875-6913. May 27, Read to a Dog, 6:30 p.m., 5600 South Land Park Drive, Sacramento. Read to a Dog is a fun and proven method for boosting a child’s reading skills by reading to a trained therapy dog and adult volunteer. Children may bring their own books to read to these furry friends, or they may borrow a book from the library’s collection. Held in the community room. For more information, call (916) 264-2920.
Storytime & Puppet Events May 3, Storytime, 2:30 p.m., 601 Alhambra Boulevard, Sacramento. Kids, ages 6 to 12, are invited to the McKinley Library for storytime and music. Alan Candee will entertain and engage with new and familiar songs and stories. For more information, call (916) 264-2920. May 4, 11, 18, 25, Baby Storytime, 12:10 p.m., 828 I Street, Sacramento. Bond with your baby and make new friends at the Central Library. Baby Lapsit Storytime is designed to encourage early literacy development through shared reading, songs, games and movement. Recommended for birth through 24 months, but older kids are welcome. Held in Kids’ Place on the lower level. For more information, call (916) 264-2920. May 6, 13, 20, 27, Baby Lapsit, 2443 Marconi Avenue, Sacramento. Come to the Arcade Library for this program designed for you and your baby (0-8 months). There will be parent/child interaction through stories, songs, rhymes, finger plays, and more. For more information, call (916) 264-2920. May 6, 13, 20, 27, Toddler Storytime, 11:20 a.m., 2443 Marconi Avenue, Sacramento.
Enjoy stories, songs, rhymes and fingerplays, designed for children ages 18to 3 years at the Arcade Library. Join the staff for playtime before the program at 10:50 a.m., which gives toddlers a chance to play with age-appropriate toys and caregivers a chance to socialize. For more information, call (916) 264-2920. May 7, 14, 21, 28, Toddler Storytime, 11:15 a.m., 891 Watt Avenue, Sacramento. Listen, sing, play, create and have fun a Arden-Dimick Library toddler storytime program. There will be a craft activity, and stay and play time. For more information, call (916) 264-2920. May 8, 15, 22, 29, Preschool Storytime, 891 Watt Avenue, Sacramento. Listen, sing, play, create and have fun at the Arden-Dimick Library preschool program. There will be a craft activity or stay and play time. For more information, call (916) 264-2920. May 10, Puppet Show, 2 p.m., 5605 Marconi Avenue, Carmichael. Bring the kids to the Carmichael Library for a special puppet show. Perez and Mondinga is the story of a cockroach who marries a mouse. This Mexican fable tells the tale of how Perez and Mondinga settle down, hold a wonderful fiesta and defeat the evil Cat who tries to ruin everything. For more information, call (916) 264-2920. May 29, Preschool Storytime, 10:15 a.m., 5605 Marconi Avenue, Carmichael. Join Miss Angela at the Carmichael Library for stories, songs, and a craft. This program is for children ages 0 to 5. For more information, call (916) 264-2920. May 29, Toddler Storytime, 11:15 a.m., 5605 Marconi Avenue, Carmichael. Join Miss Angela for stories, songs and fun at the Camichael Library. This program is for children ages 0 to 5.
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CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide • MAY 2014
Engage Your Kids This Summer! Natural Science concepts emphasized Hikes in the nature preserve Encounters with resident animals Crafts, games and more!
www.sacnaturecenter.net
Effie Yeaw Nature Center in Carmichael, CA
How fun could your child’s summer be?
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Friday, May 23 6:30 - 9:30pm Bridgeway Lakes Boathouse 3650 Southport Pkwy. $12 1st child, $9 each additional Kinder - 5th
Registration for West Sacramento summer, youth programs opens Thursday, April 10 at 8:30am. Register online at westsacfun.org or in person at the Community Center at 1075 West Capitol Ave Recreation Center at 2801 Jefferson Blvd or call (916)617-5320 for more information! MAY 2014 • CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide
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Art Party Ideas www.birthdaypartyideas4kids.com
Invitation Ideas for an Art Party â&#x20AC;¨â&#x20AC;˘ Make invitations for an Art Party in black and white coloring book design and attach a crayon so birthday party guests can color in the invitation. â&#x20AC;¨â&#x20AC;˘ Have your child color a picture on the front of blank note cards, then send through the printer to add the birthday information on the inside.â&#x20AC;¨â&#x20AC;˘ Any brightly colored pre-made invitation Art Party Decorations â&#x20AC;˘ Attach large sheets of white butcher block paper to cover the table(s) where the children will be sitting. On the white paper scatter pens, pencils, markers and color crayons around the table and ask them to color where they will be sitting. â&#x20AC;˘ Use empty paint cans to hold flatware. â&#x20AC;˘ Set out large artist palettes with a different colored candy (skittles or M&Mâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work great) in each place on the palette. â&#x20AC;˘ Use artist palettes for plates. â&#x20AC;˘ Buy several different packages of solid colors plates,
napkins, cups and flatware and mix and match them around the birthday cake table. â&#x20AC;˘ Tie brightly colored helium balloons on the backs of chairs around the table and tie with several different colors of curling ribbon. â&#x20AC;˘ Tie brightly colored helium balloons outside on the mailbox. Large crayons (the big plastic Crayola banks), large paint brushes (string mops) and posters. â&#x20AC;˘â&#x20AC;˘â&#x20AC;˘Fun Ideas - Ask your local home improvement store for aprons or find inexpensive aprons at the craft store. Use to keep clothes clean and also as a party favor they can decorate and take home. Art Party Games â&#x20AC;˘ Paint the nose on the clown- Draw or print out a large poster size clown. Place a large round white circle where his nose is. Assign each party guest a different color paint. Blindfold them and one at a time have them try and paint a nose on the clown in their color with a round sponge brush. The birthday party guest who gets their color nearest to the nose wins. â&#x20AC;˘ Play Dough Sculptures - Give each child a small can of play dough. Tell them they will be sculpting differ-
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ent things that are birthday related â&#x20AC;Ś but they only have 1 minute to make their sculpture. Call out a birthday item and have all the kids sculpt that item within 1 minute. Then have them mash their creations into a ball and call out another birthday item. Some fun birthday items for the kids to sculpt are: birthday cake, candle, cupcake, number (age of the birthday child), balloon, ice cream in a bowl, etc. â&#x20AC;˘ Hopscotch -Teach everyone how to draw the hopscotch board and then give them instructions on the game of hopscotch.  Art Party Activities Art Centers - Set up several Art centers around the art party area. Some fun art center ideas are: â&#x20AC;˘ Dart Paintings - Pin balloons filled with paint on canvases and let the party guests throw darts at the balloons to pop them. Have one large canvas that the birthday child can hang up in their room after the art party or use smaller canvases and let each party guest take their masterpiece home as a party favor after the party. â&#x20AC;˘ Sidewalk Chalk - Set out several containers filled with sidewalk chalk on a paved surface and let the party guests make their own sidewalk art. For fun you can also set out spray bottles filled with water (for erasing) and items to trace around. Â
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Chocolate Spa Birthday Party www.birthdaypartyideas4kids.com
Chocolate Spa Invitation Ideas • Write out the party information onto pink and brown flip-flops and ask that they wear them during the party. • Buy large candy bars and replace the labels with those you make yourself on the computer or simply print party info on large labels and stick to the chocolate bars. • Send bunches of chocolate kisses wrapped in pink tulle with the Chocolate Spa invitation attached by pink and white curling ribbon. • Complete with home made spa recipes - HYPERLINK “http://birthdaypartyideas4kids. com/homemade-spa-recipies.htm”free chocolate spa homemade recipes - Includes chocolate face mask and other facials, lip balm, scrubs, masks and bath salts. Decorations for a Chocolate Spa Party • Pink and Brown are great colors for a chocolate spa party. Buy plates, cups tablecloths and balloons in these colors - combinations of stripes and polka dots are fun too! • Candles or white Christmas lights. • Make large Hershey kisses from aluminum foil - or make cut-outs of Hershey kisses with poster board and glue on
foil to stick to the wall. Make large circles and decorate like M&M’s. Chocolate Spa Party Games • Candy Bar Wrapper Game - Hand out a few mini chocolate bars to each guest. In the center of the work area have scissors, glue sticks, ribbon, buttons, etc. and a paper doll. Let each guest make a dress for the paper doll using only the chocolate bar wrappers and the extras. This would be a fun game or activity to have in the “waiting room” between spa treatments. At the end of the party have a fashion show. • Candy Bar Unwrapper - This game is played like hot potato - have guests sit in a circle and then put on some music. Pass around small bars of chocolate and when the music stops tell the person they can eat the chocolate …. If they can unwrap the bar while wearing gloves. Hand them a pair of large work gloves and see if they can unwrap the chocolate in 30 seconds. Start the music and keep going around the circle for everyone to have a turn. Activities • HYPERLINK “http:// birthdaypartyideas4kids. com/homemade-spa-recipes. htm”Make homemade spa treatments either with the girls help or before the party
MAY 2014 • CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide
and then use them at different stations. • Paint toes and fingernails pink with brown dots or stripes. • Decorate flip flops with jewels or make funky flip-flops. See HYPERLINK “http:// birthdaypartyideas4kids.com/ flipflopcraft.htm”flip flop craft page for complete instructions and directions on how to make this easy party craft with just material scraps or ribbon. Party Food Ideas • Chocolate fountain - set out plates of fruit, marshmallows, pretzel sticks, etc. that the guests can dip into the chocolate fountain. • Smores, brownies, M&M’s, chocolate cookies, Oreos, etc. • Hot chocolate • Serve sparkling cider in champagne glasses • Strawberry smoothies with drizzles of chocolate syrup • Set up a chocolate candy buffet with containers filled with chocolates, malted milk balls, M&M’s, etc. Let guests eat from the buffet throughout the party or have them fill up a small sack or container to take home as a party favor.
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