Young Adult Authors Unplugged From Arroe Collins

Hey it’s Arroe. This is Play It Forward. A look at the unexpected changes endured by entertainers, writers, camera people and all others affected but not infected by the global invasion of the Coronavirus. Real people. Real stories. The struggle to Play It Forward. Episode 113: In 1989, Dr. Yusef Salaam was just fifteen years old when he was tried and convicted in the “Central Park Jogger Case” along with four other Black and Latino boys. The Central Park Five, as they were known, spent between seven to thirteen years behind bars, until the true killer confessed and their sentences were overturned in 2002. At that point, they renamed themselves “the Exonerated FiveRecently he teamed up with Ibi Zoboi to create the young adult book “Punching the Air . It reflects not only Yusef’s story, but the stories of millions of young boys and girls of color who face the injustice of mass incarceration and the criminal justice system. Books have the power to change the way we think and transform societies.That’s Play It Forward. You can listen to the full conversations with these artists on three different podcasts. Like Its Live, Unplugged and Totally Uncut and View from the Writing Instrument found on all digital platforms.

Author Mark Shulman knows a lot about writing for kids. As the author of over 150 children’s books, he brings his trademark sense of humor to two of the latest installments in the SHOW ME HISTORY! GRAPHIC NOVELS series: Walt Disney: The Magical Innovator, and Susan B. Anthony: Champion for Voting Rights!. A dedicated researcher, Shulman digs deep to find interesting and often funny facts about his subject’s life, keeping kids (ages 8-12), but also comic book lovers, history buffs, and graphic novel fans engaged and entertained. (So they aren’t really novels, but full color biographies, just in the graphic novels format!)

After SEVEN Years, FIVE books, TWO million copies sold, THIRTY-FIVE weeks on the NYTimes Bestseller list, ONE-HUNDRED AND EIGHTY characters, TWENTY-NINE language translations throughout ONE-HUNDRED AND TEN different countries and across SIX continents, the EPIC tale between good and evil comes to a final showdown in the SIXTH and FINAL book of THE SCHOOL FOR GOOD & EVIL series by Soman Chainani. Say goodbye to what Entertainment Weekly calls “one of the most successful YA series of the decade.”

Since 2016, the students have been collectively translating Don Quixote into English. With the help of dozens of dictionaries and the approval of acclaimed Don Quixote translator Edith Grossman, they are adapting the 400-year-old Spanish tale—a story about a traveling dreamer who never gives up—into a bilingual musical based also on their own lives. Six-year old Sarah tells of her mother’s journey across the desert from Mexico riding on the back of a tiger. Alex, a very private teenager, sings her coming out song to standing ovations. As the kids perform their work, they deliver a message of diversity, love, hope, and resilience essential to us all.“People in the audience have told me that the performances lifted up their hearts, made them laugh, and moved them to compassion,” explained Haff. “The kids have said that after performing far and wide in college classrooms and government offices they now feel they belong, in the worlds of higher education and civic power; they belong in this country.” Drawing from his experiences inside and outside the classroom, Stephen Haff developed a new teaching method using AA meetings, Quaker prayers and psychotherapy to create a more empathetic and collaborative way to learn. In this welcoming environment, all agreed that there would only be one rule: “Everyone listens to everyone,” a rule that has unlocked spectacular potential. Kids as young as five and as old as 17 arrive at Still Waters in a Storm, an after-school program in a small room in Bushwick, Brooklyn, where they practice reading and writing in English, Spanish, and Latin. For the students, many living in constant fear of deportation, Still Waters is a refuge. For Haff, it is the sanctuary he built following a breakdown caused by bipolar depressionWritten with the same collaborative spirit that fills Still Waters, Kid Quixotes is both an inspirational memoir and expert examination of the power of translation, listening, and education, including in its pages a variety of voices and stories that often go unheard. About the Author: Stephen Haff is the founder of Still Waters in a Storm, a one-room school serving Spanish-speaking immigrant children in Bushwick, Brooklyn. Previously, he taught English at a public school in Bushwick for nearly a decade. He earned his MFA in Theater Studies at Yale, and has made a living directing plays and writing essays for the Village Voice and other publications. Stephen lives in Queens with his wife, children’s book author Tina Schneider, and their three children.

Bestselling Origami Yoda series creator Tom Angleberger was the perfect person to adapt the series—he’s a huge Geronimo fan! The series and character is a fan favorite for his family, and he read the books both to his kids and at his kids’ schools. On adapting this story to graphic novel format, Tom said, “I’ve wanted to draw comics since forever, but who would have believed I’d get to draw a famous(e) character like Geronimo Stilton? I’m a long-time fan, so I was able to really turn up the Geronimo-ness to 11. I had a ball!” You’ve never seen Geronimo Stilton like this before! About the book: A stinky smell is taking over New Mouse City! No mouse can live like this! Geronimo and his best friend Hercule, the private detective, head underground into the sewer world of Mouse Island to investigate. Can they save the city from the stench?

Nickelodeon's hit preschool series Blue's Clues & You!, a remake of the groundbreaking and wildly popular series Blue's Clues, has a whole new generation of preschoolers searching for clues with beloved puppy Blue and new live-action host Josh (Josh Dela Cruz). In a brand-new special episode, "Blue's Sing-Along Spectacular," airing July 14th at 9 a.m. (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon, it's Bluestock -- the Blue's Clue's music concert -- so Blue and her friends, pop star Ally Brooke, the sun (voiced by gospel sensation Yolanda Adams), Mailbox, Tickety Tock, Magenta, Josh, and Joe (Donovan Patton) take to the stage to perform show-stopping songs. Additionally, this summer will see the launch of brand-new Blue's Clues & You! toys that incorporate key elements from the show. The toys reinforce problem solving and creative play, and allow fans to interact with Blue and Josh in all-new ways. Podcast listeners will be also able to join in on the Blue's Clues & You! fun with the upcoming original podcast series, Blue's Clues & You!: Bedtime Stories (10 episodes), narrated by Dela Cruz, which wil let listeners skidoo with Josh and Blue into storybooks where sleepy-time adventures await.Raised in New Jersey, Dela Cruz was inspired to become an actor after watching the original Blue's Clues series. Josh recently appeared in Disney's Broadway production of Aladdin, as well as CBS' Bull, and ABC's Time after Time.

Did you know that a dog can make about 100 different facial expressions or that astronauts can grow two inches taller while in space? The 2021 edition of the New York Times bestselling National Geographic Kids Almanac 2021, U.S. Edition features all-new animal tales, explorer profiles, awesome inventions and fresh challenges for curious kids who want to learn all about the world and everything in it! It is packed with stunning photographs and interesting info designed especially for children ages 8 to 12 years. Kids will enjoy keeping up with our rapidly changing planet with this entertaining and informative assortment of games, activities and features on science, technology, conservation, history and more. The colorful compilation also includes an Almanac Challenge 2021 — which inspires kids to reduce their plastic waste and encourage others to do the same — and also highlights the winner of the 2020 Almanac Challenge!

Super Soccer Stars Proves It Can Be Done!Keeping your Children Active and Engaged During "Safe at Home" with Online Video Classes and Coaching for your Youth Soccer PlayerYou have been spending more time at home with your children and your family, working from home, home schooling and staying safe in our time of COVID-19 crisis. It's tough to keep young children happy, safe, active and engaged - they miss their friends, they are away from a regular routine, and everyone indoors begins to get "buggy."The team at Super Soccer Stars, which since 2000 has developed the largest corporately run youth soccer program in the country, knows your pain. They implemented their new online streaming video coaching services in February of this year, realizing that the COVID-19 crisis would impact their physical playing centers. They were well ahead of the national curve - realizing that youth sports are going to change forever, Super Soccer Stars from on-field instruction to digital "online" learning with the launch of their virtual classrooms and live-streaming services, including Soccer Stars @HOME and Skills & Drills Powered by Famer.Super Soccer Stars virtual classrooms and live streaming curriculum is now available online at SoccerStars.com.Parents, initially skeptical, have been "blown away" by what they have seen. Tapping in to their network of top youth soccer coaches and officials, the Super Soccer Stars live-streaming and online video sessions have enabled the organization to re-engage the youth soccer communities it has served since their founding 20 years ago.One parent, Stacy I., wrote that "as a long time "soccer mom" of my son going to Super Soccer Stars, I was so thankful and impressed that Super Soccer Stars quickly refocused their business model to offer virtual classes for my son in our home with outstanding instructors making it fun in these trying times for our children. As a mom of a five-and-a-half year old, I'm dealing with online home schooling and tons of virtual classes which already is a challenge with so much on-screen time, but Super Soccer Stars made me feel a lightness for my son that I am so grateful for. I have seen a lot of classes in the past 20-plus days, and I highly recommend Super Soccer Stars to still bring the ethos of who they are to our home."At the beginning of March, parent Marina Lewin wrote to the team at Super Soccer Stars, "My son, Thomas Richardson, is enrolled in the spring class. He is two years old and I am not sure how online classes would benefit him. Will you guys be considering refunds or credit towards future classes? Seems very unfair to those parents who pre-paid. We will definitely be discouraged from doing it in the future."A day later, Lewin wrote "please disregard my previous e-mail. I wanted to follow up on my email and say that we did our first online live class today and my son was very happy to see his favorite teacher Alex. It was really wonderful to see my son so happy. We are fine with doing it this way. I would like to pass a special thank you to coach Alex in our class and really appreciate that the administration is doing this."Another parent, Danielle S., wrote to Super Soccer Stars, "A huge thank you. I haven't been able to find on-line exercise that has been engaging for my five-and-a-half-year-old. His first live Soccer Stars was on Friday and he was totally engaged. Did the drills himself and practiced for about 20 minutes after. Thank you! ""Super Soccer Stars at home was awesome! My son enjoyed practicing his skills and had so much fun," said Venus L. "He can't wait until the next class.""We're so happy to see Coach Michael's face! My son is usually distracted within three minutes of an activity but not for the @ HOME virtual classes. He loved it and so did I! For the rest of the week I'll be hearing "I'm Coach Michael" and then will be told to go sit against the wall! We are already looking forward to seeing you again next week," wrote-Kara H.According to Adam Geisler, Chief Executive Officer of Super Soccer Stars, "Parents initially reacted with a great deal of skepticism, but once they see the classes and the level of coaching and interaction, they are totally blown away by it. We are not doing what other organizations are doing with pre-taped sessions and little individual attention, we are providing live, interactive sessions with the children and keeping them engaged and connected.The coaches with Super Soccer Stars share a passion for soccer and a passion for working with children. Experienced coaches, teachers and players, the diversity of the Super Soccer Stars coaches allows each coach to bring a unique patience, energy, and creative flair to every class.Launched in response to the Coronavirus COVID-19 crisis and the resulting "social distancing" efforts that have closed schools and recreation programs across the United States, the Super Soccer Stars digital curriculum was developed to keep children's bodies and minds active while a

With Sal and Gabi Fix the Universe, best-selling author Rick Riordan (as editor/publisher, not author) presents the sequel to the critically acclaimed Sal and Gabi Break the Universe, a brilliant sci-fi romp with Cuban influence. Among many other challenges, Sal and Gabi have to try to make everything right with our world when there is a rogue Gabi from another universe running loose.Author CARLOS HERNANDEZ has published more than thirty works for fiction, poetry, and drama, including Sal and Gabi Break the Universe, and a book of short stories for adults entitled The Assimilated Cuban's Guide to Quantum Santeria. He is an English professor at City University of New York, and he loves to both play games and design them.That’s the gift of these books: not just a rosy ending but a universe built around people’s fundamental goodness and grace, grounded in the events of daily life. In the construction of Sal and Gabi’s world, Hernandez has himself fixed our own universe—not by removing its flaws but by populating it with people who care for one another. It’s a place for readers to live in, a haven they can always escape to for comfort and for hope. And also, fart jokes. But mostly hope. Starred review, BooklistA hilarious, heartwarming, and absolutely unmissable sequel. Starred Review, Kirkus

You may have already seen Dr. Ibram Kendi and Jason Reynolds on TV talking about STAMPED: Racism, Antiracism, and You: A Remix of the National Book Award-winning Stamped from the Beginning and if so , then you know this is NOT a history book. This is a YA book about the here and now to help us understand why we are where we are.Dr. Ibram X. Kendi's National Book Award-winning Stamped from the Beginning revealed the history of racist ideas in America, and inspires hope for an antiracist future. This edition of STAMPED is reimagined and reveals the many insidious forms of racist ideas for teens and YA readers so that they can identify and stamp out racist thoughts in their daily lives. It is a gripping, fast-paced, and energizing narrative written by beloved award-winner Jason Reynolds. It is on the NYT Bestseller list, the USA Today bestseller list, the Wall Street Journal bestseller list, and the Indiebound bestseller list. And here are some great interviews & reviews:CBS THIS MORNING The Daily Show with Trevor Noah

The Hot Chocolate Talk is a bold public awareness campaign created by Committee for Children, designed to help families start the conversation about preventing child sexual abuse; to offer warmth and comfort to understandably uncomfortable conversations when discussing unwanted touching and private body parts.While it’s natural to feel awkward at the thought of broaching the subject with your child, the good news is that the Hot Chocolate Talk provides simple, research-based conversation starters to help you weave these critical safety conversations into everyday interactions you have with your children such as during bedtime, reading time, and at meals.

FUTUREPOP. The group is comprised of 2boys and 2girls ages 11-13. They are being produced by Grammy Award winning production team - The Stereotypes. They have released two cover songs/videos in the past 3 weeks and will be releasing original material later this year. They are a lot of F U N! :)Don’t Start Now - Dua Lipa:https://youtu.be/QkDHcRAJH1MCircles - Post Malone:https://youtu.be/uYUfIrCTMfUSocials:IG: @futurepopofficialTiktok: @futurepopofficialFacebook: @officialfuturepopTwitter: @WeAreFuturepopWebsite: futurepop.com

Curious kids can investigate their way through entertaining, imaginary and family-friendly mysteries in Solve This! Forensics, by Kate Messner and Anne Ruppert, the latest book in National Geographic’s hands-on STEM-focused series. Because this book is designed to introduce kids to the incredible world of forensic science, little adventurers can step into the role of “daring detective.” Fascinating pages filled with curious capers encourage readers to work diligently to solve the mysteries — using the step-by-step instructions as their guide!Readers will analyze several mock cases from start to finish, investigating the crime, evidence and suspect lists to unravel clues and crack cases. Kids will learn to study smudges on a screen, dust for fingerprints, examine footprints at a crime scene, analyze toxicology tests and more, as they dig deep to solve the fun mysteries at hand.Before putting their knowledge to the test, readers are introduced to the many branches of science, the kinds of evidence that exist and the tools that detectives use daily, including an Automated Fingerprint Identification System and a Shoe print Database. Once the basics of forensic science and crime scene investigation are covered, science lovers will be ready to tackle the hands-on activities and get in on the action-packed world of solving crimes!

The Star Dunes is the fourth installment of Explorer Academy, the fact-based fiction series deemed “captivating” by the editors at Parenting.com. This series features even more thrilling adventures, complete with science, technology, culture and code breaking, and will have kids on the edge of their seats as the action-packed plot intensifies. Follow 12-year-old Cruz Coronado during his time at the prestigious Explorer Academy, where he and 23 kids from around the globe are training to become the next generation of great explorers. In addition to making new friends and attending cool classes, Cruz must also work to unlock clues to his family’s shadowy past if he is to solve the mystery of his mother’s untimely death. About The Star Dunes: In this exciting follow-up to The Double Helix, a major discovery catapults Cruz and the Explorer Academy team into the limelight and they head off to Africa. After yet another strike from Nebula, someone close to Cruz ends up on the brink of death, leaving the ship in turmoil and Cruz and his team down a major player. The discovery of his mom’s next clue leads Cruz to a vast desert — and just when he thinks he’s run out of leads for solving the mystery of her tragic disappearance, an unlikely ally helps him pursue another piece of the ongoing puzzle. Can Cruz and his team stay one step ahead of Nebula and find the next piece of the hidden cipher? About Explorer Academy series: The Star Dunes is the fourth book published under the National Geographic Kids Books fiction imprint, Under the Stars. For more adventures with Cruz and his fellow explorers, fans can head to ExplorerAcademy.com to watch the Explorer Academy animated series “Brain Freeze,” play Explorer Academy-inspired games, find the latest updates on The Star Dunes and more! The release of Explorer Academy: The Star Dunes follows on the heels of National Geographic’s successful first annual Recruitment Day — a global tour designed to inspire kids to think big, stay curious and keep exploring the world around them. Armed with a team of powerful female explorers, the worldwide tour reached more than 13,000 students via 30 educational and inspiring events — and generated nearly 9 million media impressions via notable national, local and trade publications in support of The Double Helix.

Following the successful debut of its first-ever kids’ fact-based fiction series, Explorer Academy, National Geographic’s new Under the Stars imprint introduces its second action-packed fiction series, Zeus the Mighty, by Crispin Boyer. Humorous and heartwarming, readers embark on a thrilling adventure in this entertaining new middle-grade fiction series inspired by Greek mythology and ancient Greece, beginning with the first title in the seven-book series, Zeus the Mighty: The Quest for the Golden Fleas. About Zeus the Mighty:Within a pet center sitting atop Mount Olympus in Athens, Georgia, lives a menagerie of eclectic creatures each named after a powerful god or goddess. By day, Zeus — a tiny, overconfident hamster with a mighty appetite for power — and his gaggle of gods run on their exercise wheels and take catnaps. But at night these fearless furry friends bravely take on legendary mythological quests! In the series’ first thrilling adventure, Zeus the Mighty has one giant task in front of him: to find the “golden fleas” so he can solidify his position as “king of the gods.”

Captain Compassion is the bullying prevention superhero parents and educators can use to help communicate approachable, research-based bullying prevention information to kids. Research finds that preventing bullying at school must start at home. The superhero comic concept really resonates with kids, and it’s a great way to engage parents in how they can talk about bullying with their children. The Captain Compassion Campaign focuses on providing adults and children with tips that are delivered through an engaging comic book narrative featuring Captain Compassion and her sidekick Kid Kinder.

In 1996, Nickelodeon premiered the groundbreaking preschool series Blue’s Clues. The show’s unique interactivity—in which viewers help energetic girl puppy Blue identify clues to solve a puzzle—helped change the way kids watch television and has remained one of the most popular preschool shows of all time.Now, Blue and her crew are back in Nickelodeon’s remake, Blue’s Clues & You!, which features a brand-new live-action host Josh (Joshua Dela Cruz) alongside all-new CG animation and refreshed iconic items from the original series, such as an updated Handy Dandy Notebook.Raised in New Jersey, Dela Cruz recently appeared in Disney’s Broadway production of Aladdin, as well as CBS’ Bull and ABC’s Time After Time. Dela Cruz—who was inspired by the original series to become an actor—can discuss why Blue remains an iconic character in children’s television and what young viewers and their parents can expect from the new show.

Nikki and her bandmates are looking forward to an AWESOME summer on tour as the opening act for the world famous Bad Boyz! Nikki is a little worried when her frenemy, MacKenzie Hollister, weasels her way into a social media intern position with the tour. But she has a total MELTDOWN when she learns that MacKenzie is her new roommate! Will Nikki survive her dream tour as it quickly goes from AWESOME to AWFUL?! The drama continues in Dork Diaries 14: Tales from a Not-So-Best Friend Forever!

Get ready to swing and scat with WELCOME TO JAZZ: A Swing-Along Celebration of America’s Music, Featuring “When the Saints Go Marching In” from music educator and Welcome to the Symphony author Carolyn Sloan, with a heartfelt foreword by jazz musician and educator Nikara Warren, the granddaughter of renowned jazz pianist Kenny Barron.With interactive sound technology and vibrant, full-color illustrations, WELCOME TO JAZZ brings the wonders of jazz to life. With the push of 12 sound chips on the side panel of the book, readers will become immersed in the instruments as they read about key concepts found in the music, like:· Beat: A steady pulse that keeps the music together.· Rhythm: The flow of long and short sounds played along with the beat.· Melody: A tune; the part of a song you are most likely to sing along to.· Improvisation: The art of creating new music on the spot.· Scat Singing: A form of improvisation where singers make up melodies and rhythms using nonsense syllables like be-bop, du-we-ah, or zoo-zoo-zi-zah!In addition to the interactive fun, readers will learn about the origins of jazz, with mentions of musical greats—like Louis Armstrong, King Oliver, and Duke Ellington—who added their own unique ideas to the genre. For example, Louis Armstrong popularized “When the Saints Go Marching In” when he recorded the song in 1938. And just as these musicians revolutionized jazz, so did the incorporation of new instruments—like the saxophone and the vibraphone—which created innovative, fresh sounds.

Tracey Hecht is the acclaimed author of The Nocturnals series of books for readers aged 5-12. She is talking to kids and parents about her new book, The Kooky Kinkajou, which engages parents, educators, and children around the serious topic of bullying in an age-appropriate manner. She is PASSIONATE about the topic. October is Bullying Prevention Month, and Tracey is very involved in getting kids and parents to help prevent bullying and promote kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. Check out Helping Kids Navigate Complex Times, an article she wrote about using books as a tool to teach social-emotional learning.

In every generation on the island of Fennbirn, a set of triplets is born: three queens, all equal heirs to the crown and each possessor of a coveted magic. Mirabella is a fierce elemental, able to spark hungry flames or vicious storms at the snap of her fingers. Katharine is a poisoner, one who can ingest the deadliest poisons without so much as a stomachache. Arsinoe, a naturalist, is said to have the ability to bloom the reddest rose and control the fiercest of lions. But becoming the Queen Crowned isn’t solely a matter of royal birth. Each sister has to fight to the death for it. The last queen standing gets the crown.

For the last two decades, Harvard evolutionary biologist Dr. Barbara Natterson-Horowitz, MD and science writer Kathryn Bowers have studied the natural world for insights into human health – cancer, heart disease, depression, drug addiction, etc. As they watched their teenagers entering the world of social media academic pressure, dating, driving, and more they started to question what they could learn from the animal world to help them guide their children through the rough teen years.The result was a 5-year scientific study of adolescence across species in WILDHOOD: The Epic Journey from Adolescence to Adulthood in Humans and Other Animals

The latest annual from the beloved brand that has ignited the explorer in all of us for more than 130 years, National Geographic’s Almanac 2020 offers everything you need to know about the world today — from science and nature to history, world cultures and the environment. Filled with exquisite photography, informative infographics, illustrated timelines and maps, this striking new edition honors the 50th anniversary of Earth Day with practical tips for improving your own sustainability habits. It also celebrates women past and present, illuminates space probes beyond our solar system and highlights top travel destinations around the world.

After angering his father Zeus, the god Apollo is cast down from Olympus. He lands in New York City as a mortal teenage boy. Now, without his godly powers, the deity must learn to survive in the modern world until he can somehow find a way to regain Zeus’s favor.It's not easy being Apollo, especially when you've been turned into a human and banished from Olympus. On his path to restoring five ancient oracles and reclaiming his godly powers, Apollo (aka Lester Papadopoulos) has faced both triumphs and tragedies. Now his journey takes him to Camp Jupiter in the San Francisco Bay Area, where the Roman demigods are preparing for a desperate last stand against the evil Triumvirate of Roman emperors. Hazel, Reyna, Frank, Tyson, Ella, and many other old friends will need Apollo's aid to survive the onslaught. Unfortunately, the answer to their salvation lies in the forgotten tomb of a Roman ruler . . . someone even worse than the emperors Apollo has already faced.

AMONG THE MAASAI is “a valuable record, showing both the successes and limitations of education . . . [an] enlightening account of teaching in East Africa” (Kirkus Reviews). In 1999, Cutler set off to Tanzania to teach English at the first school built for at-risk Maasai girls in East Africa. Driven by her desire to replace the risk of rape, forced marriage, and genital cutting with the life-changing power of education, Juliet learned to work alongside local educators and leaders to maximize her efforts in the context of the Maasai culture. Cutler returns to Tanzania regularly and is an advocate for improving girls’ education. All proceeds from the sale of Among the Maasai support education for at-risk Maasai girls.Juliet Cutler is a writer, an educator, and an activist. "Among the Maasai" is Juliet’s first book, though her literary and professional publications number more than two dozen. She has taught writing in many settings including as adjunct faculty for the College of St. Scholastica in Minnesota. She holds an MA in English from Colorado State University and a BS in education from the University of North Dakota. Juliet currently lives with her husband, Mark, in a community near Atlanta. When she’s not writing, Juliet consults as an education and exhibition specialist for museums, parks, and cultural centers throughout the world. You can learn more at https://julietcutler.com/.

In 1963, Sharon Robinson turned thirteen against the backdrop of the most tumultuous year of the Civil Rights movement. As the daughter of Jackie Robinson, Sharon Robinson had incredible access to some of the most important events of the era, including her family attending the March on Washington as guests of Martin Luther King Jr. But Robinson was also grappling with her own personal problems like going through puberty and being one of the only black children in her wealthy Connecticut neighborhood. Child of the Dream: A Memoir of 1963 (published by Scholastic Press) follows Sharon Robinson, author of numerous children’s books honoring her father’s accomplishments and legacy, in the year she turns thirteen as she tries to find her place in the fight for racial equality and justice.

In a world where so much is competing for a child’s attention, how do you raise a reader? It’s an accepted fact that reading is crucial for kids. Study after study shows that babies and toddlers thrive intellectually and emotionally when they’re read to, and that books help children of every age expand their language skills and comprehension of the world, boost their critical thinking and imagination, build empathy, and strengthen bonds with caregivers. At the same time, reading can be a source of stress for parents! Not only can it be a struggle to get a child off of a device, it can be difficult even knowing which books to read to a baby and stressful to get your child, even teenager, to read! Now from the experts of the "New York Times Book Review" - comes the ultimate guide to how to raise a reader. How do you raise a reader in this ever changing world of technology, devices and other distractions? Screen time may often be more appealing than reading time for a child. But with reading known to be so important, how can a parent encourage kids to make reading a priority? Reading can be a source of stress for parents: “Which books should I read to my baby, and how early? Is my child reading soon enough, fast enough, in an advanced enough way? How can I teach my child to prioritize books over screens? What’s the best way to use reading to give kids a ‘head start ’in today’s competitive landscape? With everything else going on, how can I help my child carve out the time to dive head long into a book?” In HOW TO RAISE A READER (Workman Publishing) leading book authorities Pamela Paul (who oversees all book coverage at the New York Times), and Maria Russo (editor of children’s books at the Times), answer all these urgent questions and many more!! It's an accessible guide, gorgeously illustrated by the renowned artists Dan Yaccarino, Lisk Feng, Vera Brosgol, and Monica Garwood. The book is divided into 4 stages of childhood—from babies to teens—and filled with practical tips, strategies that work, been-there wisdom, and inspirational advice

Following the global success of her seven-book fantasy series Septimus Heap, best-selling author Angie Sage is back with a brand-new fantasy novel, Maximillian Fly. The absorbing and darkly humorous book tells the story of Maximillian Fly—a human with cockroach features—whose quiet life is upended when he aids two human children in their escape from an oppressive governing power.Maximillian Fly wants no trouble. Yet because he stands at six feet two, with beautiful indigo wings, long antennae, and multiple arms, many are frightened of him. This gentle creature -- who looks like a giant cockroach -- wants to prove his goodness, so he opens his door to two SilverSeed children in search of a place to hide. Instantly, Maximillian’s quiet, solitary life changes. There are dangerous powers after them and they have eyes everywhere. But in this gray city of Hope trapped under the Orb, is escape even possible?Maximillian Fly is a masterful story brimming with suspense, plot twists, and phenomenal world building. This compelling novel delves into family dynamics and themes of prejudice, making the case for tolerance, empathy, and understanding.

School’s back in session as Nickelodeon premieres the reimagined game show Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader. Hosted and executive produced by John Cena, the new series puts kids squarely in the center of the action. It follows the original premise of kids helping adult contestants put their knowledge to the test with questions taken directly from an elementary school curriculum. In an all-new format that places kids in the center of the action, Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader contestants must revisit the classroom to answer six questions on a variety of subjects from the first through fourth grade, before moving on to the final round where they must race against the clock to answer five questions taken from the fifth grade. Each time the contestants answer questions correctly, their bank increases with a possible winning of $100,000. Newly-added elements to the show include an additional “cheat” option and new ways contestants can enlist the help of their grade-school classmates.Interviews will feature two kids who are regular contestants on the show. They're hometowns include: Atlanta, GA; Porter Ranch, CA; Broomall, PA; St. Cloud, FL; Los Angeles, CA and Queens, NY.Says host Cena: “I’m excited to partner again with Nickelodeon to host this new series, and I can’t wait to see kids defeat grownups who find themselves back in the classroom.”Nick is proudly taking a new direction in programming based on insights into today’s kids, who are the most diverse generation ever, and who cite shared experiences with their parents and family as their top priority.

From #1 New York Times bestselling Dork Diaries author Rachel Renee Russell comes the third book in the series about Max Crumbly—and his daily ups and downs in middle school.When we last left our courageous hero, Max Crumbly, and his trusty sidekick Erin, they had just finished foiling the plans of some bumbling thieves. But Max and Erin were trapped in a smelly, dangerous dumpster of doom and about to be discovered by the last people they wanted to find them.Now in this latest installment of Max’s journals, Max and Erin face foes both new and old as their misadventures continue. Can the two friends avoid detection—and detention!—while keeping South Ridge Middle School safe from bullies and criminals? Read the book to find out!

About Epic Athletes: Stephen CurryWhen you think of Stephen Curry, one word comes to mind: greatness. From shooting three-pointers with laser precision to his clutch ability to hit buzzer-beaters time and again, he has established himself as one of the best players in pro basketball. But greatness was never a guarantee for Steph. The son of a talented NBA player, he dreamed of one day playing professionally just like his dad. Yet Steph, who wasalways smaller and weaker than the competition, was told over and over that he would never be talented enough to be a college star or NBA player—let alone the MVP of the entire league. Through tenacity and hard work, he proved them all wrong and went on to dismantle the record books. With the high energy of a TV commentator, and featuring dynamic comic-style illustrations, this engaging biography tells the story of an NBA All-Star and the path he took to achieve his dreams.About Epic Athletes: Alex MorganU.S. Women's Soccer star Alex Morgan has earned each of these impressive titles throughout her incredible career. As a young girl growing up in Southern California, she dreamed of being a professional soccer player, fighting to compete on the international stage against the world's greatest athletes. Flash forward to the present and Alex Morgan has emerged as the face of U.S. Women's soccer, famous for her clutch, late-game goals, and an inspiration to kids across the country.

Writer, editor and education advocate Nathalie Le Du on Thursday, May 16th as she discusses:The importance of project-based, play-based learning and tinkeringHow real-life based characters help learning. Cartoon characters with five fingers as opposed to three (i.e., The Simpsons and Mickey Mouse) help children with everything from counting to patterning to arts and craftsThe importance of play combined with experimentation – teaching kids the important traits of resilience and persistenceHow her past experience helped to create these workbooksThe TinkerActive workbook experience: Each workbook starts with interactive and entertaining exercises that cover the essential math, science, and problem-solving skills. Then, apply what you’ve learned with exciting hands-on tinkering, making, and engineering activities that utilize common household materials and encourage kids to learn through play.Vetted by award-winning educators, TinkerActive Workbooks are an excellent supplement to schoolwork or at-home study, and each book is aligned to Common Core State Standards. TinkerActive Workbooks are designed to build your child’s fundamental math and science skills AND inspire them to try new things, discover new skills, and imagine new possibilities—a surefire way to encourage their love of learning.

Nicolette Farmer is running for class president, and the rest of the Farmer family tells her she’ll win by a landslide. A pack of overconfident lambs mistakenly hear lambslide and can’t believe there’s a slide made just for them. But when they can’t find one on the farm, there’s only one thing left to do: take a vote! They campaign. They bargain. They ask all the other animals if they, too, would like a lamb side. Will the lambs ever get their special slide? You’ll have to find out in this epic collaboration between Patchett and Glasser, who create the perfect children’s book!Ann Patchett is the author of eight novels and three works of nonfiction. She is the winner of the PEN/Faulkner Award, England's Orange Prize, and the Book Sense Book of the Year, and was named one of Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World. Her work has been translated into more than thirty languages.Ann has written about many things, but by far, she has had the most fun writing about this flock of happy, grumpy, confident, and pushy lambs.She is the co-owner of Parnassus Books in Nashville, Tennessee, where she lives with her husband, Karl, and their dog, Sparky.You can visit her at annpatchett.com . Robin Preiss Glasser has illustrated many children’s books, including the bestselling Fancy Nancy, Fancy Nancy and the Posh Puppy, Fancy Nancy: Bonjour, Butterfly, and Fancy Nancy: Splendiferous Christmas by Jane O’Connor. She is also the illustrator of America: A Patriotic Primer by Lynne Cheney. She lives in Southern California with her family, where they do not tend to a flock of lambs—and certainly do not know where the lambslide could possibly be.

Inspired by the fascinating work and real adventures of National Geographic Society explorers, the second title in the Explorer Academy series invites you to board the ship Orion, where Cruz Coronado and his team of loyal friends continue to experience adventures beyond their wildest dreams (including an up-close encounter with whales, inspired by the experiences of veteran explorer and underwater photographer Brian Skerry!). Explorer Academy: The Falcon’s Featheris the exciting follow-up to The Nebula Secret, the smash hit which kids are calling “action-packed,” “gripping,” and “one of the best books I have ever read!” It immerses young audiences in a captivating tale of intrigue and fast-paced action as the team navigates the world of the Explorer Academy while also trying to solve the second piece of a puzzle that may have cost Cruz’s mother her life. Whether it is cracking hidden codes or reaching the northernmost point of human civilization, Explorer Academy will continue to excite every young explorer and fan alike.

Andrew Zimmern has eaten a smorgasbord of local specialties-from coral worms in Samoa to horse-rib-and-rectum sausage in Kazakhstan-over his 12 seasons as host of Bizarre Foods on the Travel Channel. Entertaining? Always! Stomach-churning? Sometimes. But above all, the 4-time James Beard Award-winning television personality, chef, entrepreneur, teacher, author...and dad...is on a mission to promote cultural acceptance, tolerance and understanding through food. In AZ AND THE LOST CITY OF OPHIR: Alliance of World Explorers, Volume One (Beaver's Pond Press; February 5, 2019; 978-1-64343-986-0; $15.95 Hardcover), written by Andrew Zimmern and H. E. McElhatton, with full-color illustrations by Lisa Troutman, Zimmern draws young readers into a whirlwind adventure, packed with intrigue, danger, magic, and culinary curiosities. In his first work of fiction, Zimmern introduces a 12-year-old hero who shares his taste for intrepid eating. Proud of his "iron stomach," young AZ will eat anything-sautéed grasshoppers, squashed worms, even cafeteria meatloaf lurking in the school dumpster-no matter how strange, stinky, slimy, gritty, grimy, or gross. When the novel opens, AZ is excited to spend the summer with his archeologist parents on a dig in the Siberian tundra. Sadly, his dreams are dashed by a bad report card. Instead of exploring, he'll be stuck in summer school and grounded at the home of his odd Uncle Arthur. Resigned to two months of math drills and bland food, AZ is thrilled when Uncle Arthur reveals his covert mission with the Alliance of World Explorers (AWE) and whisks him along. At the introductory reception, AZ meets two kids his age, Edward (an egghead) and Lux(a staunch vegetarian). After a time-traveling mishap, AZ and his new friends wind up in Ophir, the Lost City of Secrets, fabled for its endless supply of gold. Filled with wonder, this ancient Egyptian city also has a dark side. Relying on his friends and his gut, AZ sets out to unravel Ophir's mysteries-and find a way back home. But first, he must brave cursed tombs, blood-thirsty crocodiles, one repulsive villain, and a feast-fried tarantulas, chocolate-coated caterpillars, and more-to challenge even his stomach.

Born in 1943, R.L. Stine started out writing jokes and funny stories. He moved to New York City in the mid-1960s, after graduating from The Ohio State University. In 1986, Stine published Blind Date, his first horror novel for young adults. He launched his popular Fear Street book series three years later. Beginning in 1992, Stine found international acclaim writing the Goosebumps series, which spurred the creation of additional series and nearly 200 books.He was born Robert Lawrence Stine in Columbus, Ohio, on October 8, 1943. Stine began writing stories at the age of 9, using an old typewriter that he found. He initially made up jokes and humorous stories, not the spine-tingling tales that later made him famous.Stine's father worked as a shipping clerk in a warehouse, and his mother stayed home to look after young Robert and his two siblings. Stine has described himself as "a very fearful child," and said that his mother gave him one of his first serious frights by reading Pinocchio. "The original Pinocchio is terrifying ... He goes to sleep with his feet on the stove and burns his feet off!" Stine said of the classic tale, according to the HarperCollins website.At The Ohio State University, Stine remained focused on the lighter side of life. He edited the school's humor magazine, The Sundial, for several years. After graduating in the mid-1960s, he moved to New York City.In New York, Stine worked as a writer and editor. He eventually landed a position at Scholastic, Inc., working on children's magazines. He created a humor magazine for kids, Bananas, in the mid-1970s, and later launched Maniac magazine for the company. Outside of his day job, Stine wrote humorous books for kids under the name "Jovial Bob Stine."After losing his job at Scholastic during a company reorganization, Stine began writing full-time. He branched out into the horror genre, beginning his first scary tale with only the title-Blind Date. The book received a warm welcome when it was released in 1986, as did Twisted and The Baby-Sitter, released in 1987 and 1989, respectively.Stine launched his first horror book series for young adults, Fear Street, in 1989. Described as "where your worst nightmares lives," the series explored the dark misadventures of students at Shadyside High School. Fear Street grew to include roughly 100 novels, eventually selling more than 80 million copies.In 1992, Stine started taking younger readers on their own thrill ride with the Goosebumps series. These books, which he produced through his wife Jane's Parachute Press book-packaging company, targeted the tween market. The first title, Welcome to Dead House, was quickly followed by more novels. At one point, Stine was writing one or two books each month. Each title featured the trademark elements of the series: Page-turning plots and daring cliffhangers at the end of each chapter.Goosebumps soon became a literary phenomenon. The books became bestsellers in the United States and abroad, and were eventually translated into 16 different languages. Goosebumps was turned into a television series as well. The tremendous popularity of the series turned Stine into one of the most successful children's writers of all time, drawing comparisons between Stine and adult horror writer Stephen King.As the 1990s came to a close, Goosebumps fever began to fade. Stine launched a new series in 2000, Nightmare Room, with each title featuring an online component. In 2004, he mixed humor and horror in Who Let the Ghosts Out?, the first book in the Mostly Ghostly series.

Bullying has long been a serious problem in our schools and cyber bullying has increased exponentially as social media consumes our children and teenagers. We only hear about the most tragic cases in the news where the bullying victim has taken their own life. But it is a too- common occurrence in schools throughout the country—from elementary through high school. A new study by CNA, the non-profit research and analysis organization, presents the most effective bullying prevention programs in place throughout the country. In addition, CNA experts highlight the most successful support practices in place that help bullying victims deal with the potentially damaging effects of aggression and grow beyond them.

After the tragic shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High Schoolon February 14, 2018, journalism teacher Melissa Falkowski and broadcasting teacher Eric Garner knew their students needed to tell their own story. Edited by Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School (MSD) journalism and broadcasting teachers Melissa Falkowski and Eric Garner, the newly published, WE SAY #NEVERAGAIN: Reporting from the School That Inspired the Nation, is a collection of first-person accounts, richly researched and reported articles, and photographs by and about the students at MSD. The book is divided into three parts: Activism, MSD Strong, and What Comes Next, with chapters within each part that include hard-hitting, passionate, and topical writing on activism, recovery, the national response, and most important, the way forward. Through their reporting, essays, and documentary photography and filmmaking, the students detail their thoughts, fears, dreams, and strategies for a better future. Student contributors include Ryan Deitsch, David Hogg, Christy Ma, Nikhita Nikoola, Delaney Tarr, and MSD students from the school newspaper, The Eagle Eye,and the school TV station, WMSD.

Every episode of Grimm, Grimmer, Grimmest features a Grimm fairy tale retold with a fresh and surprising twist. Featuring curious creatures and mischievous foes, each story is punctuated by hilarious commentary from a classroom of kids who question their way through these creepy tales. Starting October 21st, the ten-episode series will roll out one new show each day leading up to Halloween—during which time the series will be free to listeners via the Apple Podcast App. This podcast series is the perfect entertainment alternative to screen time for kids whether listening at home, on the go, in cars, or in classrooms nationwide, and it activates kids’ imaginations and instigates fantastic, fun conversation.

How to keep your kids safe onlineYour go-to guide for one of the greatest dangers facing children today. A perfect book for the long summer months, when parents and kids will be navigating their newfound free time together.According ​to ​a ​2015 ​study, ​children ​spend ​an ​average ​of ​six ​and ​a ​half ​hours ​per ​day ​on ​screens, ​and ​the figure ​is ​rising. Ninety-three percent of teen Facebook users share their real name, sexting is now the 6th top-ranked issue in the list of health concerns for US children, and a 2016 report indicated that 33.8 percent of students between ages 12 to 17 have been victims of cyberbullying in their lifetime. Children face real dangers online, but how can parents protect their children without isolating them from the reality of our digitally connected world?Parent Alert! includes ​cybersecurity ​advice ​from ​one ​of ​the world’s ​leading ​security specialists, ​Will ​Geddes, who coaches parents on the risks of cybercrime, sexting, cyberbullying, phishing, cyberstalking, grooming, nude selfies, and other internet dangers, and offers practical ​advice so ​that ​children ​can ​be ​engaged ​in ​modern ​media ​but ​still ​safe. Aimed at both children and parents, Parent Alert! speaks to digital natives and the less tech-savvy so that parents and children can negotiate their online presence without pitting one side against the other.

Please stop destroying our trombones.And with that, we're off and running. The book is vibrant and bursting with color on every page - just like the New Day! There are graphs and graphics breaking down New Day's 483-day tag title reign - which the book focuses heavily on - as well as getting-to-know-you Q and A sessions with all three members, infographics, New Day quizzes, and a bunch more. To be honest, this book more closely resembles a book-sized and book-length version of the dear, departed WWE Magazine than any book you've ever read before. Except that it's entirely about the New Day.All of those are good things, of course. The whole thing is undeniably as close as possible to being in the voice of Big E, Kofi Kingston, and Xavier Woods. Woods breaks down his favorite hairstyles, Kofi lists his favorite pairs of shoes, and Big E even gives you step-by-step instructions on how to perfect your hip gyrations.Peppered throughout are little two-page entries that tell the story of the New Day, from Woods recruiting them, to their gospel era, to the crowds coming around on them through sheer force of will. These passages are pretty honest, and a good dose of reality in between by-the-numbers spreads and getting to know New Day's various animal mascots.If you have a younger fan in your life who loves the New Day, this book would make a perfect gift, or if you miss that WWE Magazine aesthetic or love the New Day aesthetic, you should probably check it out. If you plunked down money for a box of Booty-O's . you should probably pick this up as well.My hope is that someday, one of these three men will actually sit down and write a for-real autobiography, but that just wouldn't make sense as a stand-alone New Day product. The Book of Booty does. And then some.

I live by one rule. You think I'm weird so I'm always going to prove it. Especially when I get a little note asking for a Christmas wish "Could you please talk to my students? But you have to be Santa Claus." Ho Ho Ho! I love Movement School! Go Mavericks!

When her 12-year-old son challenged her to write a book that he would actually want to read, author ALANE ADAMS knew she had her work cut out for her. Flash forward to the present day, and that challenge has manifested itself in Adams’s award-winning LEGENDS OF ORKNEY trilogy, concluding this fall with THE RAVEN GOD.Full of action, adventure and Norse mythology, the middle grade series is perfect for fans of Percy Jackson and guaranteed to hook even the most reluctant of readers (just ask her son!). Her books are part of PopCulture classroom and taught at schools and she has an incredible online book club for schools.As a literacy advocate and founder of Rise Up Foundation (which has donated thousands of dollars and books to schools and libraries), Adams knew that there was something more she could do in order to encourage kids to pick up the series. Earning her title as a transmedia author, Adams decided to partner with Artifact Technologies to create BattleKasters, an interactive mobile game designed after the world of Orkney. With the ability to cast spells and interact with other players in real time, BattleKasters was a hit at Comic Cons across the country.

The engineers and creators of The World Record Paper Airplane Book and Kids’ Paper Airplane Book, Ken Blackburn and Jeff Lammers, are back with a revamped POCKET FLYERS PAPER AIRPLANE BOOK and swooping to new heights with two entertaining new companions: SPACE FLYERS PAPER AIRPLANE BOOK AND FLYING CREATURES PAPER AIRPLANE BOOK (Workman Publishing, on sale: October 3, 2017, ages 8 & up). Discover the world of miniature aviation with vibrantly colored and gorgeously designed collections of aircraft, spacecraft, and flying creatures—from the Saber to the Phoenix, the Alien Clipper to the Cosmojet, and the Beetlebot to the Stinger.. Perfect for holiday gifting and flying in the office or the classroom (shhh!), Pocket Flyers Airplane Book, Space Flyers Paper Airplane Book, and Flying Creatures Paper Airplane Book will serve as a fun introduction to STEM for younger folders and transport the young at heart to a favorite childhood activity. Ken Blackburn is an aerospace engineer and four-time Guinness World Record holder for paper airplane time aloft (last record: 27.60 seconds). How he set the record:Developed the World Record airplane at 13years oldSet record 4 times from 1983 to 1998Key to doing better is more practice, work harder Ken will REVEAL: THE SECRETS OF HOW TO MAKE A SUCCESSFUL WORLD RECORD AIRPLANE!He'll also teach your listeners about the keys and tricks to paper airplanes fly successfully including:LIFT:Lift is from fast air over airfoilFast air comes from curvature and nose up at an angleFLAPS / ControlsPaper airplane elevator keeps nose up at an angleWing AngleKeeps plane from rolling overFLAPSMost important for low speed turnsPaper airplane rudderBend right to turn right, left to go leftBALANCEHeaviest part forwardWing moved aft About the Authors: Ken Blackburn works for the Air Force doing aeronautical research in Florida. Co-author Jeff Lammers is an engineer and entrepreneur based in Colorado. He flies small planes in his spare time.

HarperCollins Publishers will publish three more books in the bestselling THE SCHOOL FOR GOOD AND EVIL series! The next three novels, called THE SCHOOL FOR GOOD AND EVIL: THE CAMELOT YEARS, will begin publishing in Fall 2017 with THE SCHOOL FOR GOOD AND EVIL #4: QUESTS FOR GLORY. This follows after the end of THE SCHOOL FOR GOOD AND EVIL #3: THE LAST EVER AFTER and begins a new era in the Endless Woods – the Camelot Years. Readers will follow their favorite characters beyond the school, as they set out on their epic quests to achieve fairy tale glory. “We are so thrilled to expand the rich world Soman has created,” said Antonia Markiet, Senior Executive Editor at HarperCollins Children’s Books,. “We know his fans will love QUESTS FOR GLORY and the adventures that await them in the new books.” “Like so many of Soman’s readers, I couldn’t help wondering what came next for the characters I’ve grown to care so much about. Happily for us, we’re about to find out…” commented Senior Editorial Director at HarperCollins UK. “The first three years of school were just the beginning,” Soman Chainani said. “I can’t wait for Readers to see what becomes of their favorite Evers and Nevers as they graduate into their fairy tales. Because as the fairy tale world gets bigger, so do their stories.” To prime the market for this new installment in the series, THE SCHOOL FOR GOOD AND EVIL: THE EVER NEVER HANDBOOK went on-sale on July 12, 2016. This full-color, illustrated book is an immersive guide to surviving the Endless Woods and is perfect for fans and new readers alike. And this past summer, the New York Public Library recommended THE SCHOOL FOR GOOD AND EVIL as one of its summer reading series picks for high-schoolers: https://www.nypl.org/events/summer/reading-challenge/book-list-6.

In recent years there has been an increasing focus in popular culture on the rising numbers of boys seeming to be at loose ends in their early adulthood - with fewer attending college, pursuing work away from home, or starting families of their own. And while there are several factors contributing to this “crisis of men,” many nod to a culture that does not support the ideals that encourage boys to flourish and grow into motivated, courageous and kind adults. Recognizing this negative effect that our culture has on boys, popular educator Heather Haupt sought a way to encourage her own three sons to develop strong character. Now, in KNIGHTS IN TRAINING: Ten Principles for Raising Honorable, Courageous, and Compassionate Boys, she shares how to instill essential values in boys by captivating their imaginations and appealing to their love of adventure. Based on the Knights’ Code of Chivalry as depicted in the French epic Song of Roland, she offers ten character-building codes that teach boys the importance of respecting women, pursuing excellence, and standing against injustice.

In this week’s episode of MASTERCHEF, the Top Six split up into two teams, and have 75 minutes to create an entrée for VIP guests who range from firefighters to professional softball players, and construction workers to pilots. The guests will then vote on which dish they prefer and the winning team will receive a huge advantage later on in the competition. Next in the MASTERCHEF kitchen, the young cooks face an elimination challenge and welcome two surprise guests who will join in the fun – Miss Piggy and Swedish Chef! Then it’s up to the judges to decide who will go home in the all-new “Junior Edition: The Muppets Take MASTERCHEF” episode of MASTERCHEF airing Thursday, May 4 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. (JRM-512) (TV-PG)Host/Judge: Gordon Ramsay

“When a book takes you on an adventure, it's a good thing and allows you to think about something in a new way. When a book also reminds us how to treat what we have, it's even better because it’s a win win. That's exactly what Julian has done with his book . . . he's given us a Win Win.” —Whoopi Goldberg“I’ve always admired Julian Lennon’s singing, because for all he has seen of the world, his melodies contain such childlike wonder . . . his words, too. Buy this book, and his words turn into actions.” —Bono"It's rare to find a beautiful book that speaks directly to kids, in both a playful and thoughtful way, about something as important as caring for our planet and all of its inhabitants. Touch the Earth combines this magic with true hand-to-page interactivity deftly woven into the narrative (and illustrations), creating a story I believe both kids and adults will want to read over and over again." —Laurie BerknerFrom internationally known singer, songwriter, environmental activist, and the son of the late John Lennon, Julian Lennon—along with New York Times bestselling author Bart Davis and beloved Croatian illustrator Smiljana Coh—comes TOUCH THE EARTH, an inspiring and lyrical story about how children can change the world and make it a better place.In this debut picture book, readers will jump aboard the White Feather Flier, a magical plane that can go wherever you want, just point it up in the air, or down into the water. The White Feather Flier’s mission is to take children to places all over the world, engage them in helping to save the environment, and to teach them how to keep it clean for future generations.A passion project that comes from the heart, this stunningly-illustrated book is inspired by the white feather he was given by his father when he a was young. TOUCH THE EARTH is the first in a planned trilogy of similarly-themed picture books, and each will be released one year apart on Earth Day. A thrilling interactive experience à la Press Here, readers will participate in the action by pushing buttons within the book to help “fly the plane.”Lennon has written an original poem to accompany the release of this legacy book, and all proceeds will be donated to the White Feather Foundation.