Eating out with young children... 0

Guest blog post by author Anna McQuinn

So this story was born of a particular experience...

I went to visit friends who had, shall I say, a 'lively' toddler. A babysitter was booked so we adults could go out for dinner, but at the last minute, my friends got a call to say she couldn't make it.

My lovely friends thought it would be just too much to expect their little boy, David, to sit quietly with us while we ate, and suggested we order out... but I was sure he could cope and went out to my car to get my teddy (a longer story...) Dan.

I sat David down and told him that we were going to a restaurant but we were not sure Dan would be able to behave. I asked David if he would take charge of Dan, explain to him that he would have to sit nicely while we waited for food; that he was not to play with the cutlery, the plates OR the food; but that we would bring along some toys. It wasn't quite an opportunity for play, but close... and David seemed keen to take responsibility!

We were lucky to have a wonderful elderly waiter, just like Bruno. Not only did he get a suitable chair for David, but he got one for Dan too AND put a napkin on both their laps - exactly as he did for the adults.

I can report that Dan did really well, and only had to be called to attention once or twice by David! And we all had a wonderful meal and evening together.

So when I came to write this story of course I had to chanel this experience almost exactly (except that Leo has his own Mr. Seahorse).

Just this weekend - a few weeks before publication, I welcomed David to my home. He was accompanied by his wife Levi and his young son, Huxley, as well as his brother Dylan. We didn't go out to lunch, but I can report that Huxley behaved beautifully at the table at lunch and David, Levi and Dylan enjoyed my old story - and my new one!

For more tips for taking toddlers to eat out, click here.

10 Beautiful Ways to Help Children Through Tough Transitions 0

Big emotions for children are hard to deal with, especially when it comes to big changes in their lives. That transition from what they're used to into something new and unknown creates anxiety and stress, which can be amplified depending on how big that change is. In these moments, they need that extra care and support to help them understand what is occurring in their lives.

Ten Beautiful Things is a perfectly balanced book encompassing dark emotions and a simple yet effective way in handling it as Molly Beth Griffin takes readers on a journey of beauty in a time of darkness. Paired with Maribel Lechuga’s charming illustrations, readers are able to feel Lily’s emotions as they rise and fall throughout the car ride to her new home with Gram. The discovery of ten things that are beautiful helps Lily work through her emotions and adjust to her new life. By the end of the story, Lily is able to come to the realization that she has a place to belong alongside someone she loves.

Griffin’s narrative is both plainspoken and pitch-perfect. From close-ups of characters to rural landscapes with shifting light, colors, and weather, Lechuga’s handsome digital pictures illustrate the story expressively. An emotionally resonant picture book.—Booklist, starred review

Tips to help you and your child deal with stress from transitions:

• Give them time and space. If you’re able to prepare for the big change coming, be sure to give them time to process.
• Listen to your child. Help them label their emotions and work through them. Let them ask questions and answer them as simply as you can in a positive way.
• Read to your child. Find picture books related to the change and spend time with your child reading.
• Play with your child. Give kids a way to distract themselves and relieve their stress. Playing is good for both adults and kids to do together.
• Maintain your routines. Feeling stable is important during hard transitions. Try to keep to your routine as much as possible, like regular meal times and bedtimes.
• Take care of yourself. Be a positive role model by doing what you need to manage your own stress. Be sure to eat healthily, exercise, relax, or talk to someone as needed.
• Create visual aids. Do calendars or countdowns. Create a map. Visual aids help children understand when the transition is happening and how it’s happening.
• Keep positive. By focusing on the positives about the transition, it helps reassure your child and gives them a chance to see the change as a new experience.
• Do mindfulness and relaxation exercises. If the transition is hard, it’s important to find ways to handle that stress, whether through breathing exercises or guided imagery.
• Finally, try finding ten beautiful things. This mindfulness exercise is time spent together and the exploration of all the good around you.

If you have a copy of Ten Beautiful Things or plan on getting one, check out the activity guide to help children explore emotions and changes in their lives. There's also a deep dive into the book with Molly Beth Griffin in this video.

Lily breathed in the mud smell
and focused on just that.
It poured itself into some of the empty spaces in her.

—Ten Beautiful Things by Molly Beth Griffin, illustrated by Maribel Lechuga

About the Book:

Hardcover
ISBN: 9781580899369 
Price: $17.99 USD
Ages: 5-8
Page Count: 32
11 x 8.5

About the Creators:

Molly Beth Griffin is a graduate of Hamline University's MFA program in writing for children and young adults and a writing teacher at the Loft Literary Center in the Twin Cities. She is the author of Loon Baby and Silhouette of a Sparrow.

Maribel Lechuga is the illustrator of Seaside Stroll. She has always felt an attraction to drawing and art, and she was fascinated by cartoons of the 1990s. She studied art at the prestigious Escuela de Arte 10 (Artediez) in Madrid. www.maribellechuga.com

Adela's Mariachi Band releases on August 13, 2024 0

Charlesbridge to develop new STEAM series in partnership with Office of Fresno County Superintendent of Schools. 0

Charlesbridge Publishing announces a partnership with Count Play Explore, a grant-funded initiative led by the Office of Fresno County Superintendent of Schools, Early Care and Education Department, to develop STEAMWORKS—a new series of sixteen fiction children’s books about science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM). Eight board books for ages 0–3 and eight picture books for ages 4–7 will be published in 2026 and 2027. All will be available in both English and Spanish.

These playful, child-led stories will feature characters who use scientific or mathematical thinking to solve everyday problems and answer questions that matter to them. “We hope to inspire enthusiasm and confidence in children’s abilities as powerful thinkers, problem solvers, and innovators by creating books that ignite curiosity, promote inquiry, and cultivate a lifelong love of STEAM,” shares Naomi Reeley, Program Coordinator for Count Play Explore. Yolanda Scott, Publisher at Charlesbridge, adds “Combining the science and math experts at Count Play Explore with the Charlesbridge commitment to publish diverse, quality titles makes for a winning partnership we’re all excited to develop.”

The STEAMWORKS mission is to show children of all backgrounds and experiences that STEAM is fun, STEAM is everywhere, and STEAM is for everyone. Alexandra McKenzie, STEAMWORKS Program Director, has begun the search for books that fit this vision. “We’re looking for stories that will introduce STEAM topics to young children in fun and engaging ways, while highlighting diverse voices and experiences,” she shares.

Charlesbridge is currently accepting STEAMWORKS submissions from authors who can authentically portray a wide variety of children with different abilities from diverse backgrounds and family structures. Visit https://www.charlesbridge.com/Steamworks for more information and submission guidelines.