Comments (5)

By Mom Unplugged, March 19, 2008 9:13 pm

Yesterday I had an email from Beth who is organizing an “unplugged week” at her school and is looking for the following:

“…suggestions on books (i.e. stories that have children finding out how fun it is to unplug). I have a bunch on the 5-8 year olds, but after that, the selection peters out. “

There are just a few books that I can think of that might be appropriate:

Fix-It, by David McPhail is the sweetly illustrated story of a bear named Emma who awakes one morning to find the TV broken! She wails and cries and begs her parents to fix it. By the time the TV is fixed, Emma is happily reading stories to her doll and her cat and has no interest in TV anymore. Would appeal to younger readers (under 8).

Of course there is also the poem “Jimmy Jet and his TV-Set” by Shel Silverstein (from his wonderful book Where the Sidewalk Ends). Very amusing. It is suitable for older kids and would most likely make an impression on them, but perhaps does not exactly teach the joy of unplugging. Read the poem here.

The last book that might fit the theme is Wild About Books by Judy Sierra. Although this award-winning book doesn’t mention unplugging the TV, it does describe a zoo full of animals and the fun that they have when they discover reading (and writing) books. This is a helpful and entertaining book because it is written at a level that younger children can understand, yet older children (if they aren’t “too cool” for it) might enjoy too. It mentions many familiar books and series (Harry Potter, Nancy Drew, Goodnight Moon, The Wizard of Oz, etc.) and literary terms (drama, haiku, mystery, etc.). There are even a few plays on words that only older kids would understand.

Beyond these three ideas, I am at a loss.

I don’t know what the format of Beth’s “unplugged week” is, but for older children (above age 8) there are probably not a lot of pro-unplug TV books out there (on the contrary, many seem to “tie-in” with popular TV-series).

If it were my “unplugged week” to organize, I would probably work on emphasizing the joy of reading. I would also focus on books that teach older children fun games and activities that they can do without TV. There are many books of activities that teach “lost arts” in our hi-tech, video-oriented age. Here are a few:

So my question to you is: Do any of you have book ideas for Beth? If so, I am sure that she would appreciate some suggestions. Please leave a comment with your ideas!

PS. How about organizing an “unplugged week” at your school too? National TV Turn-Off Week is April 21-27.

Comments (3)

By Mom Unplugged, March 13, 2008 10:17 am

Tuesday morning is story time at our local library. This week’s book was so cute that I was moved to write it up as my recommended book of the week: White Rabbit’s Color Book written and (very sweetly!) illustrated by Alan Baker.

This is the story of an adorable white rabbit who finds three pots of paint, red, blue, and yellow. Since these are all primary colors, you can probably see where the plot is headed! Sure enough, white rabbit decides to jump in the paint and turn himself different colors, but some of the color changes are rather surprising. For example when he jumps in yellow he turns yellow, but when he hops into the blue paint after that, does he come out blue? No, he is green of course!

The adorably detailed illustrations are what really make this book stand-out. It is a fun way to introduce the confusing concept of mixing colors. It might be a fun accompaniment to an art session (or homeschool lesson?). Plus the rabbit theme is very appropriate for a nice springtime or Easter read.

While finding the links on Amazon, I see that Alan Baker has written a whole series of other cute-looking educational rabbit books. This is a series worth checking out!

Comments (22)

By Mom Unplugged, March 7, 2008 1:41 pm

For the last few weeks I have been talking about The Bubblegum Books TV Turn-Off Week contest: Show Your Shiny Side (open to all preschool and elementary-aged kids, whether traditionally schooled, or homeschooled - deadline is next Friday, March 14th). The contest is based on a neat book entitled Something Shiny, Something Round by Julie Goulis and illustrated by John Ferguson.

I have a fun surprise today: Brad Hauber of Bubblegum Books very kindly sent me an autographed (signed by author Julie Goulis), hardcover copy of their book Something Shiny, Something Round to give away on my blog! Thanks Brad!

The book’s rhyming text tells the story of three children playing outside on a snowy day. While they play, they come across a shiny, metal hubcap in the snow. The children imagine all sorts of different things that the hubcap might be and the colorful illustrations show their imaginings inspired by the shiny, round disc: a pirate adventure at sea, a warrior with an ancient shield, etc.

One of the most fun things about this book are the activity ideas at the end based on some of the children’s adventures. This is a very clever and useful tie-in to this story of children engaging in simple, imaginary fun.

There are two other books in the series (also by Goulis and Ferguson): The Things a String Can Be (the theme for last year’s TV Turn-Off Week contest) and the most recent, The Topsy-Turvy Towel. Let’s hope that Bubblegum Books continues this very worthy series.

I am so happy to be able to give away a book that really illustrates and encourages imaginary play. This seems to fit in so well with my recent posts about the newly discovered benefits of simple, creative play (Imaginative Play and Cognitive Function and Creative Play Makes for Kids in Control), as well as the Shiny Side contest.

So, if you are interested in winning this autographed book, please leave a comment. I will close comments next Friday night and will randomly draw a winner who will be announced here on Saturday, March 15th.

Even better, is that you have TWO chances to win. Head over to Wildwood Cottage where Jenny is also giving away a signed copy of Something Shiny, Something Round. She too, will announce her winner on Saturday, March 15th.
Good luck!

Comments (0)

By Mom Unplugged, February 29, 2008 8:41 pm

What makes your pre-school or elementary-aged child shine?

“Bubblegum Books is asking kids to write about – or even draw – their most creative ideas for doing fun things during the week of April 21–27, 2008 [TV Turn-Off Week]. Submit fun and educational ideas about ‘what makes you shine.’ It can include an activity, person, adventure—or even something imaginary.”

Reminder: Deadline for the Bubblegum Books/TV Turn-Off Week Contest is March 14th.

For more information, please read my post: An Unplugged-Contest! “Show Your Shiny Side” or visit the Bubblegum Books contest page.

The contest is based on the book Something Shiny, Something Round, by Julie Goulis and illustrated by John Ferguson.

NEW INFORMATION: Bubblegum Books welcomes homeschoolers!

“Homeschoolers can definitely join in the fun too. The contest is open to all elementary-aged and pre-school aged children. Just specify what grade level your child is. Prizes will be awarded by grade level. Where it asks for school phone/address, etc., just include your home information. The organizers of TV-Turnoff Week and Bubblegum Books work with a lot of schools, so the form is probably geared more for schools. We hope you’ll be able to enter and show what makes you shine when the TV is off.

- Brad Hauber - Bubblegum Books”

So don’t forget…March 14th is the deadline. And if you win something, please let me know!

Comments (11)

By Mom Unplugged, February 20, 2008 9:32 am

“What if there were no TVs, computers or video games in your life? That’s exactly what national TV-Turnoff Week is all about – and the “Show Your Shiny Side!” contest is asking elementary-aged kids to come up with imaginative ways to spend their time during those days.” -Bubblegum Books, TV-Turnoff Contest

It’s February, which means it’s almost March, which means April will soon be here. What happens in April? TV-Turnoff Week of course! April 21-27 to be precise. It is also time for Bubblegum Books’ annual TV Turn-Off contest.

Last year I wrote about the 2007 contest (which was based on their book The Things a String Can Be by Julie Goulis and John Ferguson), but back in those days no one but my sister and my ever faithful friend Wishy read my blog. Hopefully this year, I can drum up a bit more support for this fun and worthwhile contest.

Here are all the details:

This year’s contest, again held in conjunction with the Center for Screen-time Awareness, is based on the book Something Shiny, Something Round, also by Julie Goulis and illustrated by John Ferguson. Bubblegum is committed to inspiring children to be creative and use their imaginations. Each book comes with a bonus activity guide too.

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HOW DO YOUR KIDS ENTER AND WHAT DO THEY DO?:

+ Dream Big! Let us know what makes you shine. You can draw and/or write your idea(s) on a separate sheet of paper. Go ahead and get creative. The more details, the better.

+ Open to elementary-aged kids.

+ Complete the ENTRY FORM and staple it to your entry. Please print clearly. Attach one form for each individual entry. (Teachers: Please mail class sets in one flat envelope.)

+ All entries become the property of the Center for Screen-Time Awareness and Bubblegum Books. Please make a copy of your submissions as submissions will not be returned.

+ Submit to:

Center for Screen-Time Awareness

2000 29th Street, N.W.

Lower Level # 1

Washington, DC 20007

DEADLINE: March 14th, 2008

WHAT CAN THEY WIN AND WHEN WILL THEY KNOW???

+Winners will be announced during Turnoff Week (April 21-27, 2008)

+Prizes will include t-shirts, frisbees, pencils, stickers, books and other rewards for excellence.

+The grand prize will be a visit by the author and/or illustrator to the winning school.

NOTE TO TEACHERS - Special Educator Contest:

Educators - develop the most interesting way to make this “shiny” contest part of your class. We are looking for integration, educational value and fun. The plan should also be submitted no later than March 14. The winning teachers will receive gift certificates to a local store and/or a local restaurant.

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To read the press-release, here’s the link. For an easily-printable PDF version, click here. Why not print this and hang it in your children’s school or library? Let’s make this a national Unplugged Project!