PaperSalt USA – Simple Tools for Families.  Their motto says it all!  This is an unbelievably friendly company that has an amazing concept!  They have the cutest books you’ve ever seen!  I came across PS on twitter @PaperSaltUSA awhile back and (yes you know me the procrastinator that I am in posting on the blog over recent years) was asked if I would do a review on their products.  I took them up on their offer, figuring a book would show up down the road – well first I was wrong…make that four books arrived on my door step two days later – much to my own disbelief!!  (I should take notes!) And if I might add they are quite the best!

The first one I felt drawn to was ‘being a boy‘ it was only appropriate since Lil Boo is a boy and all… It’s great! It is packed with a wonderful array of positive ideas and concepts in relating to being a boy…go figure!  Little tidbits of knowledge and wisdom that all boys should know and follow accordingly!

This is a book for boys from a very young age up through just before the independent teen age years.  Read it to your boys when young, or have them read it when a little older.  Topics include doing the right thing for others, telling mom you love her, self-confidence, and reminding boys that they have to bathe even though they might not want to!

The next one I thought was a GREAT idea for kids today was the ‘Kid Coupons‘ book – simply an easy go to guide to reward your kids and yourselves with positive concepts.  I mean who wouldn’t want to go have ice cream with mom and/or dad (especially in my case!) The coupons are perforated for easy removal and it is just a great way to reinforce a positive attitude with your kids.  It’s all about being involved with them and knowing me I am a firm believer in being involved, especially when it comes to Lil Boo!

The other two books included in the package were ‘Things to know before leaving the nest.’  I am not sure I want to own up to the fact that I don’t want Lil Boo to EVER leave the nest or not!!!!  Yes, guilty as charged – he may stay with us as long as he likes!! I say this now of course! Eventually he’ll head on out – at which time, I will need a ton of tissues!!  The other one, ‘Me‘ (link takes you to the ‘girls’ version) but either way, I think it will make a wonderful journal for Lil Boo, which I’ll more than likely have him start using come this January 2013.  He has so many wonderful things to say, ‘Boo’isms’ as I like to call them, perhaps this will be a great way to get them jotted down on paper.  The mind of a six-year-old is quite impressive!

Be sure to check out PaperSalt for yourself – they have an array of books available all wonderful, positive as well as funny! Most importantly, they are parents as well!

Welcome to Life on the Grid!

Peas Out!

~Cameron

…is an educational adventure for your children.  Based on the real life adventures of my son, Lil Boo.  Join Lil Boo and his adventurous friends on an array of journeys throughout the world we live in.  The show’s dialog will be a mix of real life interaction by the host of the show, Daddy Bookins(myself) as I interact along with Lil Boo the puppet in adventures with both on-location guests, as well as in the studios.  Then with a classic “knuckle explosion” we enter into the animated adventures of Lil Boo and friends, exploring that day’s educational theme while collecting all the key “treasures”!

Age Range: 3-7

What is your adventure?

A bit of history…

This project began back in 2009 with the children’s book, Outside with Lil Boo, the first book of the Peas and Bananas series. Peas and Bananas Outside with Lil Boo was an illustrated children’s book based on the creative events experienced through the eyes of Lil Boo. The events in the first story of the series were based on exploring an array of outdoor adventures from the eyes of a toddler. You follow Lil Boo and his imaginary friend Onote from the letters A to Z in a fascinating rhyming adventure outside.

We followed up in 2011 with the award winning sequel, At the Zoo with Lil Boo (which was successfully launched here on Kickstarter!), where again Lil Boo is an illustrated children’s book character based on the creative experiences and imagination of Daddy Bookin’s son. From the moment the sun rises, join the adventurous duo Lil Boo and Onote on a journey across the zoo. They learn about an array of animals from penguins to zebras, as well as make a new friend named, Roo! You never know what surprises will pop up in a child’s imagination.

The transition…

We have teamed up with the award winning production company J2 Media here locally in Chandler, Arizona to make this project a reality.  With J2′s expertise and industry know-how, we wanted to stick to our local and indie based roots while reaching out to a national and global audience for support.

The goal…

We need to fund the initial pilot episode of Adventures with Lil Boo.  That is our first and foremost goal.  Presently, we have a total of 26 episodes laid out for development, however we need your support in making the first one a success!  By backing this project you will be supporting our passion for children’s education and learning about the world we live in through the eyes of a child better known as Lil Boo.  Will you assist in making this a success? We would truly appreciate any support as we take this next step in our new adventure!

Welcome to Life on the Grid!

Peas Out!

~Cameron

What’s all the hype about Pen Pal Buddies? You’ve seen children’s authors Hayley Rose of Fifo The Bear and Daddy Bookins of the Lil Boo series talking about it endlessly – it’s their new Literacy Program for 2013! Take a look at what they are about…

Children today spend nearly 55 hours a week watching TV, texting and playing video games.  Instead, let’s get them reading, writing and socializing as they share their adventures with one another.

How do you get your kids excited about reading, writing and socializing with peers, while at the same time exploring the world around them?

Get back to basics!

Research shows that children thrive if they receive really good attention and care from their parents, teachers, and child care providers.  Speaking, reading, and writing are all linked.  Together these elements can be learned and practiced throughout the course of each day in age-appropriate ways.

Reading to Children

Studies show that reading aloud to children, beginning at a very early age, is the most crucial factor in children’s later reading success.  Children who learn to love books will be children who grow up to be good readers.  The very best time for children to learn to love books is while they are young.  You can help them by making story times a regular part of their day and by encouraging them in their early attempts to speak, read, and write.  Research now indicates that the 4- to 6-year-old age range is the sweet spot for teaching reading. Beyond the age of 6 or 7, teaching a child to read is a game of catch up.

When children enter school “familiar with reading,” they almost always become good readers in the early grades, and are far more likely to become better learners throughout their school years and beyond.  Studies have suggested that improving reading levels will improve health.  In 1999, only 53 percent of children aged 3 to 5 were read to daily by a family member.  Would you care to take a guess at the numbers today? In 2012, it was reported that 66% of parentsDO NOT read to their children at all!

Writing with Children

Want to get them excited about writing?  Step away from the computer and get back to basics.   Engage with them!  Children have plenty of stories to share.  Grab a pencil and paper – game on!

Socializing – What is your adventure? 

Sit back and listen – children are the best story tellers!  Reading and writing lead to socializing.

Pen Pal Buddies – Get Back to Basics!

The concept behind Pen Pal Buddies is to encourage three simple elements – Reading, Writing and Socializing!  Here is what we encourage you to do:

1. Read with your children.
2. Write with your children. (Did you know this includes coloring?)
3. Socialize what you read and wrote/drew about with each other. (Build a dialog.)

It is that simple.

Looking to build further dialog/interaction with your children? Fifo the Bear and Lil Boo of Pen Pal Buddies want to hear about your adventure!  Mail them your postcard (our address is listed here) and they will post your Adventure on the Map in the Mailroom!  Each week they will randomly pull one postcard from the mailbag and feature it on our Facebook Page and on the Front Page of PenPalBuddies.com.

Let Fifo the Bear and Lil Boo become your child’s new Pen Pal!  Sign up for their 2013 US Tour Package! Your child will receive a postcard each week from Fifo and Lil Boo from a new state as well as a Birthday and Holiday postcard along with an array of goodies to expand their horizons throughout 2013!

Take advantage of the IndieGoGo Campaign and sign up your children, nieces, nephews, grandchildren and more!

Welcome to Life on the Grid!

Peas Out!

~Cameron

Every now and then over the past few years we notice a change in Lil Boo’s behavior.  It typically shows its endearing love and devotion during a developmental change.  Better known as reaching a new milestone if you will…

This week we experienced another behavior change as he entered his first week of First Grade!  That is correct, Lil Boo is now officially in First Grade!  It seems like just yesterday I was writing silly haiku’s about ‘poop’ (so mature I know) along with an array of other nonsense items…

This week we endured tantrums from the days of destruction junction to mind shattering name calling…watching a six-year-old tossing his arms and legs about on the floor yelling and crying for no apparent reason calls for a celebration!!  Drinks are on me tonight!  ….truth be told…I do suspect some part of this to be directly related to my own snarkiness…I did have one, two maybe twelve discussions with Lil Boo over the summer of how he shouldn’t worry about being a grown up and truly focus on just being a kid!  I should have emphasized the kid portion…not toddler!

In all seriousness his actions are directly related to back to school anxiety.  See, Lil Boo absolutely adored…hell had a crush on his Kinder teacher and in his present mindset there will never be anyone as perfect as her….he has set the expectations extremely high.  Now we enter the First Grade, a new teacher, new friends, new classroom environment (same school) and his comfort level is tilted.  Change? Why must  life change?  Everything was just peachy.  He had a perfect world.  His Ying and Yang are all out of whack…Mister I only see things in Black and White is going to have to learn to adjust.  This is life…but why is he only taking it out on us? …oh yeah minor detail we are his parents…

The irony here is during meet the teacher night…Lil Boo was Mister Popular….what formally kinder knows EVERYONE?!?!  Walking down the hallway he had children from other grades 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th etc coming up to him asking how his summer was, what did he do, how has he been and so forth and so on… That is correct, he continues to amaze us each new day….the once Pre-Schooler who used to torment all the neighbors by chasing them with his bike as they pulled into their driveway from work to talk their ear off has rolled right into the boy who knows everyone in school.

Back to school anxiety? You betcha! It’ll fade away by Monday…Week One is behind us…he has bigger fish to fry…like learning to accept a dance request from the ladies!

To be continued…

Welcome to Life on the Grid!

Peas Out!

~Cameron

Well it has been a good run!  12 weeks ago, Lil Boo planted an array of sunflower seeds in the garden.  He watered them, watched them sprout and grow to over 6′ tall and then watched them bloom!!  Not sure where most of the excitement lays throughout the entire process as he was continuously amazed each week.  This was his sunflower project from beginning to end.  As the sun set last night, we have a feeling this may be the last week of sunflowers – the heat is on down here in the Valley – 110′s+ all week long and not much will make it through the heat.

We will most likely get the garden primed for the fall.  I remember a few years back doing posts about Lil Boo’s Lemon tree and a pumpkin patch from his late Granda.  I believe we have something to look forward to in the fall!  In the meantime, if you are fortunate enough to play outside this summer – go and play!!!

Welcome to Life on the Grid!

Peas Out!

~Cameron