The great Baby Einstein scam

By Parenting on Shine

"Of course it was too good to be true.

The New York Times reported Thursday that Disney is offering a refund to buyers of its ubiquitous “Baby Einstein” videos, which did not, as promised, turn babies into wunderkinds. Apparently, all those puppets, bright colors, and songs were what we had feared all along—a mind-numbing way to occupy infants.

This news has rocked the parenting world, which had embraced the videos as a miraculous child-rearing staple. Videos that make your kid smarter while you prepare dinner? Genius!

Or not. According to the article, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under two years old stay away from watching screens. In the letter threatening Disney with a class-action lawsuit for 'deceptive advertising,' public health lawyers hired by Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood cited a study which found a link between early television exposure and later problems with attention span.

For many parents, this was the most unsettling of 'duh' moments, and a confirmation that nothing, when it comes to child-rearing, is as ever easy as we'd like to make it. So why were we so quick to seize on Baby Einstein videos as technological tutors?

Call it the perfect storm of parenting. Who doesn’t want to believe that there is a magical, wondrous, no-parental-guidance-required product that will turn their kids into Mensa members? The combination of our lack of time, our paranoia over our kids performance, and our faith in technology primed this generation of parents to accept the clever advertising around 'Baby Einstein' as truth, just as parents before us have seized on corporal punishment, or the teachings of Dr. Spock.

Still, the idea that a caper this big could be pulled off (according to the Times, in “a 2003 study, a third of all American babies from 6 months to 2 years old had at least one 'Baby Einstein' video') is mind-boggling. Disney’s refund is about as close as we’re going to get to an actual admission that we were sold snake oil, and it casts a pall over the other 'educational' toys out there."

VIDEO: How to Get Your Kids to Eat Healthy

Courtesy of fit365.com

Prevent your kids from becoming obese! These tips will have your kids beggin' for more veggies.

VIDEO: How To Make a Where the Wild Things Are Children's Halloween Costume

How To Make a Where the Wild Things Are Children's Halloween Costume on Howcast

Mom and dad make scary movies even scarier

By Linda Carroll / msnbc.com (CLICK to read more)

"Parents have been told over and over not to let kids watch TV alone. But now a new study shows that advice can backfire: Researchers found that children who watched television with their folks were almost four times as likely to be frightened by scary programs as those who viewed alone.

As the season of ghouls and gore (and horror flicks on cable) begins — and as some parents worry the new film “Where the Wild Things Are” may be too intense for their youngsters — this new study highlights the confusion many parents experience as they try to ease kids’ fears.

The findings were perplexing even to the authors of the study. They had expected to prove that parents had a comforting effect on their kids, according to the report in the upcoming issue of the journal Child: Care, Health and Development. Instead they found that parents’ attempts to offer solace to scared kids may just make matters worse."

Taoist Vedic Math Tricks—How to do Long Division

How to Occupy Kids When You Are Teaching the Other Ones

By Linda Wooldridge

Creating a school box that contains Lego blocks, crayons and coloring pages is a great way to keep a child occupied, while homeschooling other children. Provide fun activities and assignments for preschool children with tips from a homeschool teacher in this free video on education.

VIDEO: How To Make a Diaper Cake

How To Make a Diaper Cake on Howcast

Toys That Make Learning Fun

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Bill Cosby: Listen To Your Children

This Sunday (9/20/2009 @ 7PM EST) on MSNBC, Bill Cosby will be leading a series of townhall meetings entitled, "About Our Children." This really looks good. Don't miss it.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Cursive writing is fading skill, but so what?

By msnbc.com (CLICK to read more)

"Charleston resident Kelli Davis was in for a surprise when her daughter brought home some routine paperwork at the start of school this fall. Davis signed the form and then handed it to her daughter for the eighth-grader's signature.

'I just assumed she knew how to do it, but I have a piece of paper with her signature on it and it looks like a little kid's signature,' Davis said.

Her daughter was apologetic, but explained that she hadn't been required to make the graceful loops and joined letters of cursive writing in years. That prompted a call to the school and another surprise."

How To Begin Homeschooling

By spottybanana (via Howcast.com)

Homeschooling can be done successfully. This guide will help you get started. In this guide you will learn the basic steps to begin homeschooling.

You Will Need

• The desire to home school your child
• 1 child

Warning

• First check with your state's laws regarding homeschooling.
• Fact — Homeschooling your child can be done with practical advice, persistence and some help getting started.

Step 1: Filing paperwork
If applicable in your state file the approriate documents with your local superintendent

Tip—One parent is all that is needed however if there are two parents having a supportive spouse is very helpful.

Step 2: curriculum
Choose a good curriculum using either traditional books or online programs. Your local public library will be the most valuable resource you can imagine. Find something at your local library: URL

Tip— In your search for a good curriculum, make sure you find one that is good in Math and English. One way to find a good curriculum is ask other home school parents what they use and why they like it. You can customize your overall curriculum by purchasing your math, language arts, history, etc. from separate vendors.

Step 3: activities
Include field trips & sports activities in your teaching plan. Make everything educational — even the trip to the grocery store. You could chat about where the foods come from (think geography, manufacturing, supply chain management). Be creative!

Step 4: home school group
Look for a home school group in your area. A good way to do this is to join an online group to get information about your local home school community.

Step 5: schedule
Set up a daily schedule and try to stick with it. However, homeschool can be flexible, too. Remember, public schools were designed to teach masses. At home, you can customize your day to focus on something that is happening in the world or follow up on a profound question your child asked this morning. Make it fun!

Fact—Did you know that "According to the U.S. Census Bureau as many as two million American children are schooled at home, with the number growing at 15-20% per year." Source: http://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0053.html

Fact—Home schooling takes work but can be enjoyable for both parent and child. Use encouragement and love and the experience can turn into great memories. It's an incredible opportunity to instill moral values and respect for others, create a passion for learning, and mold your child to be an informed and involved citizen of the world!

Copyright Howcast Media, Inc.
Learn to do more, and contribute your own How-To's at www.howcast.com!

VIDEO: How To Use Chopsticks

Wasn't sure whether to post this on my personal blog or here on the homeschooling site. Decided that maybe some homeschoolers just might want to learn how to use chopsticks. ;-)

How To Use Chopsticks on Howcast

VIDEO: How To Make a "Pencil" Pencil Holder

By SimpleKidsCrafts.com

This nicely done video demonstrates how to create a "pencil" pencil holder out of a potato chip can.

SIMPLE KIDS CRAFTS: How To Make a "Pencil" Pencil Holder on Howcast

VIDEO: Guide To Homeschooling — How To Homeschool

This is an excellent homeschooling primer video by Sue Daniels, who has homeschooled her children for over 14 years. It's very straightforward with good, solid information that's general enough to be applicable in all 50 states.

Guide To Homeschooling - How To Homeschool on Howcast

VIDEO: How To Display Your Kid's Artwork

DadLabs demonstrates a great solution for displaying your kid’s artwork in your home. Using curtain rods from Ikea and some cool hanging clamps, you can create a rotating gallery to feature your kiddo’s brilliant art.

How To Display Your Kid's Artwork on Howcast

VIDEO: How To Neutralize Mean Girls

I think this video has really good and "doable" advise for girls who encounter those "mean girls." Even homeschoolers run into them...video is well-done.

How To Neutralize Mean Girls on Howcast

VIDEO: How To Decorate Your Locker

I know we don't normally HAVE lockers if we're homeschooling, but I liked the decorating ideas of this video so much that I thought maybe homeschoolers might wanna see it all the same. I have a couple teenagers in public high school now, so I know they'd be interested in this one. Enjoy.

How To Decorate Your Locker on Howcast

Time management for homeschool families

By Jeanne Noorman / Grand Rapids Homeschooling Examiner (CLICK to read more)

"If the quote “For every minute spent in organizing, an hour is earned, ” is true, than homeschoolers would be well advised to spend time organizing their time.

With academics, enrichment classes such as music and PE, and extra-curricular activities to coordinate for each student in the home along with daily and weekly household tasks (cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping), doctor’s appointments, church commitments and more, time management skills and/or a time management system are essential in achieving a balance in your homeschool. Stephen R. Covey, best-selling author of The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, comments that “the best thinking in the area of time management can be captured in a single phrase: Organize and execute around priorities.”

Priorities in a homeschool will vary according to the ages of the students and the dynamics of the family. A working mother will have to schedule school around her paying job; while a stay-at-home mom can be more flexible with her schedule. Other aspects to be taken into consideration when setting priorities in the homeschool household are learning styles, homeschooling methods and curriculum choices. Active, younger children and those with shorter attention spans will need regular breaks while doing their school work. These short breaks can be utilized by mom to do quick household chores such as changing a load of laundry, unloading the dishwasher or returning a phone call. Older students should be able to work independently for longer stretches of time.

CLICK on the full article link above for a few time management tips offered by experienced homeschoolers."

Homeschoolers hit the gridiron for first time in New Orleans

By Mike Hoss / Eyewitness News wwltv.com (CLICK to read more)

"John Burke is a 13-year-old eighth grader who has been homeschooled his entire life. And he loves football, but as a homeschooler, there wasn't a team.
Video: Watch the Story

So his dad made him an offer.

'He said that he would put me into school so I could play high school football,” John Burke said. “I felt it was a strange idea.”

That's not a problem anymore. Now there is the home school Saints, New Orleans' first tackle football team made up entirely of homeschool kids. Thursday was just their second time in action.

“Yeah it’s exciting, I love football in general and the adrenaline rush of being able to go onto the football field after never being able to play,” said player Sam Mauras. “Its just exhilarating to go out and represent New Orleans.”"

Adding homeschool to your traditional school life

By Sarah Wilson / San Jose Homeschooling Examiner (CLICK to read more)

"Homeschoolers often incorporate aspects of traditional schooling into their curriculum. Whether it be workbooks, assigned reading, structured study time, or scheduled lessons, homeschoolers take what fits their child’s needs and adapt it accordingly.

So why can’t parents of traditionally schooled children do the same? The answer is, “They can!”

First, parents need to understand what homeschooling is not. It is not a simply explained teaching style. It is not an easily followed lesson plan. It is not something you 'do.'

Instead, it is a way of approaching learning that is impossible in a classroom setting crammed with 20 to 45 students. It is observing your child with the goal of understanding just how he learns. Some good articles can be found at A2Z Homeschooling. The point of this exercise is to figure out how your child needs information presented in order for it to stick. Perhaps she needs to gather it on her own. Or, he may need to experience it. Or, she may need to move around while hearing new information. Or, he may need to teach it to someone else.

Keep in mind that in order to maintain classroom management, children are often taught in one style. If a child doesn’t fit that style, she may create problems in the classroom or act out in other ways. If this is your story, you must look beyond what you’ve been told and really see your child. The schoolteacher is not the parent. The principal is not the parent. The school counselor is not the parent. The thick manila folder people keep slapping under your nose is not the parent. You are. Take some time to really learn what makes your child tick. It will make a world of difference in your lives together, homeschooling or not.

Parents always want how-to books to figure out this homeschooling thing. And there are loads of books out there to read. One good list is at A2Z Homeschooling (this is an excellent site). Another is on the Gifted Homeschoolers Forum site (many resources are not 'gifted specific). As your child is already in school with a curriculum being taught, do not bother with homeschooling curriculum books. The last thing a child who has been in school all day needs is more school."

Back to school shopping for an organized homeschool

By Jeanne Noorman / Grand Rapids Homeschooling Examiner

CLICK to read more

"Plastic crates are inexpensive and portable storage for your homeschool books and curriculum.

We’ve all heard the saying, “A place for everything and everything in its place,” but what do you do when the everything outgrows the places?

Bookshelves and inexpensive plastic crates can become a homeschooler’s best friends, and now is the best time to buy them. With back to school and off to college sales going on, Meijers, Target, Walmart and K-Mart carry a wide assortment of shelves and school storage items, and the prices are reasonable, so if need be you can purchase several.

“The key to good organization is not a one-size-fits-all method,” says Karen Ehman, homeschool mom and author of The Complete Guide to Getting and Staying Organized. While some homeschool families sell their used books each spring, it is common for homeschool families, especially those with children in multiple grades, to accumulate and keep a multitude of books from year to year."

Unraveling how children become bilingual so easily

Unraveling how children become bilingual so easily - Yahoo! News: "The best time to learn a foreign language: Between birth and age 7. Missed that window?

New research is showing just how children's brains can become bilingual so easily, findings that scientists hope eventually could help the rest of us learn a new language a bit easier.

'We think the magic that kids apply to this learning situation, some of the principles, can be imported into learning programs for adults,' says Dr. Patricia Kuhl of the University of Washington, who is part of an international team now trying to turn those lessons into more teachable technology.

Each language uses a unique set of sounds. Scientists now know babies are born with the ability to distinguish all of them, but that ability starts weakening even before they start talking, by the first birthday.

Kuhl offers an example: Japanese doesn't distinguish between the 'L' and 'R' sounds of English — 'rake' and 'lake' would sound the same. Her team proved that a 7-month-old in Tokyo and a 7-month-old in Seattle respond equally well to those different sounds. But by 11 months, the Japanese infant had lost a lot of that ability."

Office Deport CONTEST: Project Backpack

Here's a great way to keep an artistic kid busy this summer: Office Depot just launched a competition to design a backpack using Sharpie Markers. The winning entry will be produced and sold and there will be $10,000 in prizes.

Customers can enter the contest by creating a design on one of four Office Depot canvas backpacks that can be purchased ($14.99 each; available in blue, pink, olive and green khaki, that will include two free individual Sharpie markers of your choice) from a participating Office Depot store, or by downloading an official contest template from www.myprojectbackpack.com. After designing the backpack using Sharpie markers, participants can upload a photo or scanned image of their backpack to www.myprojectbackpack.com along with their official entry form.

The contest launches June 28th and all entries must be received by September 19, 2009.

VIDEO: Myths About Homeschoolers

Hilarious YouTube video put together by a couple homeschooled young ladies; very clever and entertaining AND definitely makes a good point! Nice job.

LD OnLine :: Making It Stick: Memorable Strategies to Enhance Learning

We all use strategies throughout our day to remember the variety of facts and ideas we need to retain. Strategy use forms a critical part of our learning experience. Strategies help us organize information into patterns and encourage purposeful learning. Our brains are selective. Brains tend to remember information that forms a memorable pattern.

It is valuable for us, as teachers, therapists, and parents, to have a basic understanding of how we remember information so we better appreciate the need for strategies. As we understand the purpose, we become better equipped to help our students understand and use strategies.

How to Let Homeschooled Children Study Languages?

by Audrey Morales

Foreign language learning is considered to be one of the most important and advantageous endeavors that learners of any age can invest their time, money, and effort in. For families who are homeschooling their children, they are often asked about how they put foreign languages in their children’s curriculum. At this age of advanced technology, homeschooling parents don’t need to worry since there are many available tools online which they can easily choose from.

Homeschooled children have the advantage of choosing which languages to learn and they can choose the ones which are not commonly taught in regular schools. There is a growing need of learning Oriental and critical languages, why not let your children learn those languages?

Studying foreign languages at home could be challenging: children may have a hard time in learning pronunciation and accents unless the teacher of languages is a native speaker of the languages being taught. There are available downloadable software and educational sites on the internet which provide audio tools for language learning however; there are some feedback on some tools that say that some are not spoken by native speakers of the language being learned.

The good thing with learning foreign languages at home is that children can learn them at their own pace; they can progress to another level once they have covered all aspects and finished all lessons of the language on the level that they are in. They don’t have to worry about keeping up with their peers as how it usually happens in regular classrooms.

Another option for homeschooled children to improve their foreign language skills is to study languages abroad. This may literally take children away from home but this will give them an experience they will treasure for the rest of their lives. Having the opportunity to study languages abroad will help them build confidence within themselves as they tackle tasks in language learning in a different place, a place where the language they are learning is spoken as a native tongue by the people around them.

Studying languages abroad will give young learners the chance to be immersed in the language they are learning, the culture and history of the city and country; as well as have the opportunity to meet new people both locals and foreigners who are also learning languages like them! They will be learning not only about the culture of the place but also of other nationalities.

The experience of studying language abroad will also help young students become independent; they will be living in a different place for a period of time and they will learn how to take care of themselves. Most programs offer homestay options where language learners will be living with host families while other programs offer dormitories where they will be staying with other language learners from different parts of the world.

Several researches have found that children are fast and efficient language learners and they become aware of more things and cultures if they learn foreign languages. Let your children study languages and help give them a better future and a better outlook towards the world.

A Note from MEET ME AT THE CORNER, Virtual Field Trips for Kids

Natalia Paruz and the Musical Saw A Virtual Field Trip from MEET ME AT THE CORNER Natalia affectionately known as the "Saw Lady", has spent over a decade bringing the rare art from of playing music on a carpenter's saw to audiences around the world. Television appearance include FOX ( Good Day New York), ABC ( Good Morning America), VH1 ( Behind the Muisc, and  NPR's  A Prairie Home Companion. Take a virtual field trip with  MEET ME AT THE CORNER to the The New York Library of Performing Arts and learn about the history of the musical saw and hear Natalia play Amazing Grace.

Big Universe Taking Book Website to the Next Level

Big Universe Taking Book Website to the Next Level: "Big Universe Inc., an award-winning Internet newcomer, is taking its educational service to the next level with the launch of its premium subscription, which multiplies benefits on this children's picture books website.

The premium subscription enables online members to read the most beautiful story books in children's publishing in their entirety, as well as print the books they have written using the site's innovative Big Universe Author tool. The website is a cost-effective option for educators struggling with budget cuts during the current economic crisis.

"The buzz this company is making is phenomenal," said Anil Hemrajani, founder and CEO of Big Universe Inc. "Publishers, educators and parents can't wait to get involved with this new service, but that's not that surprising," explained the website's creator. "We have put together a really strong value proposition for teachers and parents, as well as for the children's book publishers, who are partnering with us on this venture."

Members have created more than 5,500 books to date -- stories which can be shared with other site users once the books have been submitted and approved by a review board. Users can track reader feedback and stock personal favorites on virtual bookshelves. Kids can share their favorite books with others and improve their reading, writing and computer skills, as well as their hand-eye coordination as they learn to place text, pictures and animation in self-generated e-books."

New Book Helps Kids Stop the Bully Machine

New Book Helps Kids Stop the Bully Machine: "Parents, teachers, and other caring adults believe that kids deserve to feel safe, secure, accepted, and valued, whether at home or at school. Yet every day too many kids are being teased, called names, harassed, or threatened--or worse. To the kids being bullied, it can feel like a powerful machine has taken control of their lives: the Bully Machine.

GOOD-BYE BULLY MACHINE by Debbie Fox and Allan L. Beane, Ph.D., (Free Spirit Publishing, $6.99 softcover, $12.99 hardcover) was written to teach kids ages 8 and up what bullying is, why it hurts, and what they can do to put a stop to it. Part of the Bully Free Classroom™ line of resources, GOOD-BYE BULLY MACHINE engages kids with clear messages and unique collage art."

How to teach your kids 'fractions', with a tape measure

How to teach your kids 'fractions', with a tape measure | eHow.com: "Ask any carpenter to add or subtract fractions, and it will seem like he's a mathematician on the subject. It's because he is so familiar with fractions as he uses them every day. It's a procedure we use in the trade known as 'cross taping'. We'll show you 'how to'."

How to Learn Fractions

How to Learn Fractions | eHow.com: "Learning fractions can seem scary when you're looking at all those numbers. However, even preschoolers can learn fraction basics."

Getting Started With Home Schooling

Getting Started With Home Schooling | Homeschooling: "Home schooling had provided many advantages and benefits to both parents and children. That’s why many parents have opted for home schooling in providing their child the indispensable education that their children need.

However, some parents find home schooling a daunting task. So, for parents who find home schooling a bit of an overwhelming task, here is a list of some tips on how to get you started in home schooling your child"

How to Do Free FieldTrips

How to Do Free FieldTrips | eHow.com: "If you are a home school mom then this list is for you! Here are some ideas for free eductional outings for you and your children."

How to Disprove Homeschooling Myths that Hold You Back from Homeschooling

How to Disprove Homeschooling Myths that Hold You Back from Homeschooling | eHow.com: "There are many homeschooling myths out there that many mom and dads believe. These myths hold parents back from enjoying the greatest adventure they will ever have with their children."

How to Homeschool a Child in Preschool

How to Homeschool a Child in Preschool | eHow.com: "Homeschool activities can really enhance a child's growth. Preschool-aged kids want to taste, touch, feel, smell and listen to everything around them. Your child needs the opportunity to experience the world. Follow these steps to expand her education and have fun at the same time."

How to Meet Educational Standards for Homeschooling

How to Meet Educational Standards for Homeschooling | eHow.com: "Thanks to the work of many organizations and individuals, homeschooling is legal in all 50 states. Each state sets its own regulations, which range from very lax to somewhat troublesome. It is important to meet your state's mimimum requirements, and, fortunately, excellent resources are available to help you navigate the law."

How to Demonstrate how a Solar Eclipse Blocks the Sun

How to Demonstrate how a Solar Eclipse Blocks the Sun | eHow.com: "During a solar eclipse the moon moves between the earth and the sun, and totally blocks the sun from view. Sometimes it is difficult for children to understand how the moon, which is so much smaller than the sun, could hide the sun from our view during an eclipse. This simple illustration will show children how this is possible."

How to Decorate with Chalkboard Paint

How to Decorate with Chalkboard Paint | eHow.com: "Chalkboard paint is so fun to decorate with. You can use it in the kitchen for bulletin boards and recipes. Chalkboard paint is perfect for kid's bedrooms and playrooms. And it's even fun for furniture and repurposing thrifting finds.

The most popular color for chalkboard paint is black, but it comes in virtually any color you can think of. Just visit your local paint store and pick out your favorite color, come home and let your imagination guide you!

Here are some ideas to get you started."

How to Create your own Home school Materials List

How to Create your own Home school Materials List | eHow.com: "This is my own home school materials list. You can add or remove as you want. We all have several items we love to purchase for our kids and also it varies from grades and subjects.

Remember the more subjects you teach your child, the possibilities are you will need more materials than this one I created myself."

How to Create a Unit Study Book List Using Online Resources

How to Create a Unit Study Book List Using Online Resources | eHow.com: "The internet is an excellent modern convenience. You can do or find just about anything you need with just a click of the mouse. As a teacher and a home schooling mother, I have learned how to save a lot of preparation time by creating my unit study book lists using online resources. By following a few simple steps, you too can create a fabulous unit study book list from the comfort of your home."

How to Create a Choiceboard

How to Create a Choiceboard | eHow.com: "Choiceboards are great tools for teaching children to structure their free time and to be more responsible for their choices. Not all choiceboards are created equal though. This will show you how to create an effective choiceboard in a few easy steps."

How to Conduct a Virtual Field Trip

How to Conduct a Virtual Field Trip | eHow.com: "Virtual field trips are fun and interactive. They provide a way for you to explore things with your kids that are being taught to them in a more in-depth and hands-on way. Use the handy tips below to make your next virtual field trip even more exciting. You will be able to gain more from them, if you know how to navigate."

How to "Socialize" Your Homeschooled Children

How to "Socialize" Your Homeschooled Children | eHow.com: "What exactly is 'socialization'? According to the Mirriam-Webster online dictionary, it is the transitive verb that means '1. to make social; to fit or to train for a social environment. 2a: to constitute on a socialistic basis b: to adapt to social needs or uses 3: to organize group participation.' So, let us address this concern regarding socializing homeschooled children, in steps to ensure that they are indeed 'socialized' properly."

How to Apply for a Homeschool Group Fee Waiver for a National Wildlife Refuge Field Trip

How to Apply for a Homeschool Group Fee Waiver for a National Wildlife Refuge Field Trip | eHow.com: "National Wildlife Refuge visits are wonderful home school field trip destinations. With some pre-planning and organization, your group can enjoy a structured school visit with the both the parking fees and the entrance fees waived. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service must comply with strict guidelines concerning entrance fee waivers. Organized school groups conducting trips for educational purposes must follow set guidelines to secure an entrance fee waiver."

How to Answer the Question, "Why Homeschool"

How to Answer the Question, "Why Homeschool" | by mizchulita of eHow.com: "Why homeschool? This is a question that many homeschooling families hear quite often. Some people are hostile towards homeschooling, while others genuinely want to know why families homeschool. Answers differ depending on the individual family, but here are some of the reasons that I use!"

Danville fifth-grader pens children's books

Danville fifth-grader pens children's books - ContraCostaTimes.com

"Paris Morris has a lot of stories to tell about her twin sisters, and the 10-year-old author is sharing them through a new series of children's books set in the Bay Area.

'I love to write,' the fifth-grader said. 'I like how I can choose a story and people can hear my story.'

New Year Publishing, a business co-owned by her father, mainly does books for professional speakers and businesses, but it recently launched its My Friend Paris series with two books: 'I'm Having Twins!' and 'My Twins Are Coming Home.'"