Apparate into the Wizarding World with This Fun New Summer Program

by Karly WoodJune 27, 2021

Do you have a reader who hasn’t yet discovered the wonderful world of Harry Potter? This summer could change all that!

Wizarding World has just launched a free virtual hub that will transport first time Harry Potter readers like never before. Harry Potter Reading Magic is all about discovering the story and magic of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone/Sorcerer’s Stone through a five-week reading journey.

photo: Artem Maltsev via Unsplash

Over the course of the summer, readers can follow along with weekly experiences as they read. Not only will they be able to immerse themselves in the magical chapters, but young wizards and witches can whip up crafts, take quizzes, learn more about characters and rock chapter challenges. If this isn’t a parent’s summertime dream come true, we don’t know what is!

There are also lots of resources for parents, teachers and caregivers, and this fun initiative is poised to return annually.

But parents, you’re in more luck! Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone is also available to stream free on Alexa from Audible now until the end of July. Just say “Alexa, read Harry Potter Book One,” and sit back to enjoy your quiet time.

––Karly Wood

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Sesame Workshop Releases More Resources to Help Your Family Talk About Race & Racism

by Sarah ShebekJune 23, 2021

Kindness and inclusivity start at home and it’s never too early to start the conversation. As part of Sesame Workshop’s ongoing Coming Together initiative, new resources have launched specifically for military and veteran families. They emphasize racial justice, building a positive sense of identity, being an “upstander” and practicing self-care.

The content includes a special video featuring First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, a “Great Things” music video that highlights how military families can deal with “big feelings” and an “I Am Me” interactive game. You’ll also find professional development materials for work with military families and Sesame Workshop will partner with national military organizations to utilize these resources.

Previously, Sesame Workshop released content on the “ABC’s of Racial Literacy,” an ongoing initiative to help families talk about race and racism. You’ll find helpful videos, articles, printables and more so you can get everyone involved and engage even the youngest members of your family.

Five-year-old Wes and his father Elijah, first introduced in March, are back in two new videos. In “Proud of Your Eyes,” Wes helps his Filipino American friend Analyn process big feelings after she was teased about her eyes. In “Breathe, Feel, Share” Wes tells his family about getting teased for his lunch and they practice a simple coping strategy. You can also watch video featuring The Clutes, a Native family, that explores the ways families can talk to their kids about race and culture.

The kids in your home will enjoy printable activities, like “Welcome to Sesame Street, Wes and Elijah!” coloring pages and “I Am Somebody” cut-apart affirmation cards. And the grownups can read articles on “The 4 S’s of Anti-Racist Parenting” and “Racial Trauma and Responding to Racism.”

Sesame Street partnered with the Coalition for Asian American Children and Families and the National Black Child Development Institute to create these resources. You can find them for free in both English and Spanish online. Let’s come together at home to make the world a better place!

––Sarah Shebek

Featured image courtesy of Richard Termine, Sesame Street Workshop

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National Geographic Has 8 Weeks of Summer Awesomeness For Your Kids

by Sarah ShebekJune 4, 2021

Summer boredom busted! National Geographic just launched the Planet Possible Family Challenge and made it a lot more fun to get outside together. And don’t tell the kids, but a little learning will be involved, too.

Over the next eight weeks, look for a new challenge every Thursday to complete with your family. The first one is live now: explore the ground with a (homemade) magnifier! Each challenge has three parts: a DIY component, using the handmade tool or craft to explore biodiversity and tips on protecting the natural world.

The new program is part of National Geographic’s Planet Possible initiative, dedicated to inspiring everyone to live more lightly on the planet. While you wait for the next challenge, look around on the site for other entertaining and informative activities. Learn how to become a wildlife detective, forest bathe, or grow an indoor garden! You’ll also find more craft ideas, including making a homemade telescope or “elephant toothpaste.”

Time to start exploring! There’s no better resource than National Geographic for a little education on our beautiful world. Spend a little time outside this weekend and start June on the right note!

—Sarah Shebek

Images courtesy of Caitlin Holbrook (21st Century Fox) and Matthew Rakola

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Target’s Newest Badge Helps ID Asian-Owned Brands to Support

by Sarah ShebekMay 18, 2021

It’s easier than ever to support Asian-owned businesses online, thanks to a new initiative from Target. The retailer just announced a badge that identifies Asian-owned brands and they’re spotlighting these products online as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month continues.

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Whether you’re looking for coconut chips or a new children’s book, you can find the badge in the “At A Glance” section of the product description. It accompanies two other badges that Target has released in the past year: a Black-owned business badge and a women-owned business badge. And it’s in line with the company’s mission to leverage change and shift power to communities, as noted in March on the Target Foundation page.

“We stand firmly against racism, racialized misogyny, and xenophobia in all forms. Through our existing approach in driving systems-level change, we are committed to centering equity and investing in Black, Indigenous, and Person of Color-led (BIPOC) organizations. As part of our commitment to action against hate, we are investing $250,000 in organizations led by Asian Americans, working to empower the Asian American community, addressing gender-based violence and xenophobia, and advancing justice.”

—Sarah Shebek

Featured image courtesy of Target

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Too Much Produce in Your Garden? Here’s How to Donate It to People in Need

by Sarah ShebekMay 7, 2021

Gardening became a hit hobby during last year’s pandemic and the momentum has carried forward into 2021. But did you know that only half of home gardeners use all the food that they grow, according to a new survey from Bonnie Plants? The Grow More. Feed More. initiative is aiming to change that and tackle food insecurity in the process.

Bonnie Plants has partnered with AmpleHarvest.org, a non-profit that connects gardeners with food pantries based on their zip code. Together, they hope to encourage home gardeners to donate their surplus and help feed neighbors in need. Bonnie Plants will also donate 5 percent of their online sales through July to AmpleHarvest.org and committed $200,000 to help fight hunger.

“Many people don’t realize that you can donate the extra food from your garden directly to local food pantries,” said Mike Sutterer, Bonnie Plants President and CEO. “Most gardeners end up with extra zucchini, cucumber, tomatoes that they don’t know what to do with, and if all of these gardeners donated just a bag or two of vegetables, we could make a significant impact on food insecurity nationwide.”

Your plants are probably still in the seedling phase, but you can plan ahead for your donation once harvest approaches. Visit the AmpleHarvest website to find a food pantry in your area and get started. It’s an easy way for green thumbs to give back!

––Sarah Shebek

Video courtesy of Bonnie Plants/Feature photo: Filip Urban via Unsplash

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Celebrate “The Lorax’s” 50th Bday with One of These New Children’s Books

by Erica LoopApril 13, 2021

The Lorax is turning 50! In celebration of the Dr. Seuss classic, Random House Children’s Books is releasing an Anniversary Edition along with a few other eco-focused titles for the kiddos.

The publishing house recently announced the addition of The Lorax Project. Named after the beloved book, The Lorax Project is an environmental initiative aimed at supporting individual and community efforts to change the planet.

photo courtesy of Random House Children’s Books

The new eco-initiative will include the publication of 101 Ways to Help the Earth with Dr. Seuss’s Lorax (available in Sep. 21, 2021)! The new children’s book will feature kid-friendly ways to help the planet through activities, games and so much more. Not only will 101 Ways to help the Earth with Dr. Seuss’s Lorax focus on Earth-friendly ideas, the book is also printed on recycled paper.

Along with this new title, other Lorax-themed book releases for the 50th anniversary celebration include Dr. Seuss’s Thank You for Being Green and Speaking to the Trees, Would You, Could You Plant a Tree? With Dr. Seuss’s Lorax and Let’s Go to the Garden! With the Lorax.

—Erica Loop

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9 Organizations to Support Black Women, Children & Transpeople

by Jennifer SwartvagherApril 4, 2021

In the current social climate, you may be looking for ways to make a difference. You could directly help the victims’ families by donating to their own fundraising campaigns or you could contribute to organizations that support equality and social justice. We’ve rounded up just a few for you to check out.

Black Mamas Matter

Black Mamas Matter Alliance advocates for, drives research, builds power, and shifts culture for Black maternal health, rights, and justice.

Black Visions Collective

Black Visions Collective (BLVC) believes in a future where all Black people have autonomy, safety is community-led, and we are in right relationship within our ecosystems.

House of GG

Focusing on trans women of color in the south, House of GG creates safe and transformative spaces for the community to heal and nurture them into tomorrow’s leaders.

TransJustice Funding Project

The Trans Justice Funding Project is a community-led funding initiative founded in 2012 to support grassroots, trans justice groups run by and for Trans people.

The Okra Project

The Okra Project is a collective that seeks to address the global crisis faced by Black Trans people by bringing home cooked, healthy, and culturally specific meals and resources to Black Trans people wherever we can reach them.

The Marshall Project

The Marshall Project is a nonpartisan, nonprofit news organization that seeks to create and sustain a sense of national urgency about the U.S. criminal justice system.

Black & Brown Founders

Provide community, education, and access to Black and Latinx entrepreneurs, allowing them to launch and build tech businesses with modest resources.

Black Feminist Project

The BLK Projek harnesses the power of the local, good food movement to create economic development opportunities for marginalized women and youth. Empowering them to combat food justice while creating viable pathways out of poverty.

Black Girls Code

Introduces young and pre-teen girls of color to programming and technology.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: iStock

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Sesame Workshop Wants to Introduce Your Kiddo to the ABC’s of Racial Literacy

by Erica LoopApril 2, 2021

Sesame Workshop is debuting a new resource to help families talk to their littles about race and racism. As part of Sesame Workshop’s Coming Together initiative, the “ABC’s of Racial Literacy” provides a framework for parents to engage their children in meaningful discussions (on an age/developmentally appropriate level, of course) about race and identity.

The “ABC’s of Racial Literacy” includes videos that explain race and issues surrounding racism in ways young child can understand. This includes info from beloved characters and a few new Muppet friends.

Dr. Jeanette Betancourt, Senior Vice President, Sesame Workshop, said in a press release, “At Sesame Workshop, we look at every issue through the lens of a child. Children are not colorblind—not only do they first notice differences in race in infancy, but they also start forming their own sense of identity at a very young age.”

Betancourt continued, “‘The ABCs of Racial Literacy’ is designed to foster open, age-appropriate conversations among families and support them in building racial literacy. By encouraging these much-needed conversations through Coming Together, we can help children build a positive sense of identity and value the identities of others.”

Kay Wilson Stallings, Executive Vice President of Creative and Production, Sesame Workshop, added, “The work to dismantle racism begins by helping children understand what racism is and how it hurts and impacts people. Sadly, today’s announcement comes at a time of racial and social discord when many families are in need of support in talking to their children about racism.”

Learn more about Coming Together: The ABC’s of Racial Literacy and find resources for your family on Sesame Workshop’s website here.

—Erica Loop

Photo courtesy of Sesame Workshop

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by Karly WoodApril 2, 2021

Happy World Autism Awareness Day! In honor of this special day, Sesame Workshop is expanding its Sesame Street and Autism: See Amazing in All Children initiative by adding brand new videos and activities.

Julia, a 4-year-old Sesame Street Muppet with autism, is taking center stage in the new videos that will also include a new episode on HBO Max and PBS KIDS. Available for free in English and Spanish on SesameStreet.org/autism, the resources help children and families to cope with changes in routines and other uncertain scenarios.

photo: Sesame Street

The new Julia-centric episode, Match It!, will premier on Apr.8, on HBO Max and PBS KIDS. In addition, parents can find tons of other resources that include:

Original videos starring Julia, her family, and Sesame Street friends, including A Pizza Problem, Indoor Picnic, and Starfish Art Show
New storybook, A Little Bit Different, A Little Bit the Same
A new interactive game, Making it Work
New articles on strategies for parents and caregivers

Sesame Workshop is working to expand the initiative in other ways this month as well. SeaWorld Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa, Sesame Place Philadelphia and Beaches Resorts will feature physically distanced meet and greets with a Julia walkaround character! Additionally, Glo Pals is introducing light up versions of Julia and Elmo that instantly light up in bright colors when they’re dropped in liquid.

You can visit SesameStreet.org/autism for even more info and resources.

––Karly Wood

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Celebrate Earth Month with Starbucks’ New Merch

by Erica LoopMarch 31, 2021

Starbucks is celebrating Earth Month with new can’t-miss merch that’s good for you and good for the planet!

The beloved brand announced its commitment to become a resource0positive company earlier this year. Now with Earth Month on the horizon, Sbucks is adding a new line of reusable merchandise to help customers reduce and eliminate waste.

As part of the Planet Positive Initiative, Starbucks has made a multi-decade commitment to reducing its waste, water and carbon footprints by 50 percent by the year 2030. This April the company will highlight the initiative with an Earth Month Game for loyalty members, the Starbucks Odyssey Blend Coffee, Starbucks Earth Day To-Go Hot and Cold Cups and the reusable Siren Waves Tote Bag.

The new Earth Day To-Go Hot Cup comes in a 16-ounce size and the To-Go Cold Cup is available in a 24-ounce option. These tonal mint green cups let you reduce waste in a super-stylish way.

Along with the reusable to-go cups, Starbucks is also debuting a mint green Siren Waves Tote. Not only does the bag help to eliminate the paper and plastic waste generated from disposable options, but it’s also made from 100 percent post-consumer recycled PET.

The new merch doesn’t end with the to-go cups and the tote bag. You can also nab a 16-ounce Mint Green Plastic Tumbler, 12-ounce Stainless Steel Tumbler with a Recycled Plastic Lid, 100 percent post-consumer recycled glass Clear Water Bottle and 16-ounce Recycled Glass Cold Cup.

Head to your local Starbucks to grab this limited edition collection before its gone.

—Erica Loop

Photos courtesy of Starbucks

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