How America’s New Cabinet Can Lead Successful Change Initiatives

The inauguration of a new president in Washington, D.C., also means a new Cabinet with goals and ideas different from those in the previous administration.

But these new Cabinet secretaries face an old challenge: Bringing change to departments of the federal government staffed by people who have grown accustomed to thinking and acting in certain ways.

And anyone who’s ever tried to implement change initiatives knows that it takes a dogged effort to avoid failure.

 “Various reports and studies have found that 60 to 70 percent of change initiatives don’t produce the desired results,” says Paul Thornton, who conducts leadership training programs and is author of Precise Leaders Get Results.

If President Donald Trump’s Cabinet appointees want to succeed in their new jobs, Thornton says, they need to ask themselves these questions about change and come up with precise answers:

• Why change? The Cabinet members need to pinpoint the problem or opportunity that requires the change initiative. What’s the compelling reason to change?
• Who needs to change? Thornton says the first step is to identify the specific people who need to change. Beyond that target group is the secondary group; this includes people who can support and help the target group. For example, for a child to change his or her behavior, parents need to make changes to support the child. In business, the secondary group includes the managers of the employees in the target group and other people who influence them directly or indirectly.
• What Specific Changes Are Required? Thornton says he’s often heard company presidents and senior leaders make statements such as, “We need a values-driven culture.” “We need to change the culture to be more customer-focused.” “To survive, we need to be more entrepreneurial.” People in the audience nod and applaud these pronouncements, but they leave the meeting not knowing what they need to do differently, he says. “If you can’t describe the specific change as it relates to someone’s behavior, then the change effort is doomed to fail,” Thornton says. “People need to know exactly what they need to stop doing and start doing.”
• What Resources Are Needed? It takes time, effort, and money to train and motivate people to change. Without adequate resources, the change effort will flounder and fail. “Leaders must champion the change initiative and that includes allocating the required resources,” Thornton says.
• Is everyone able and willing to change? Once leaders identify the target group, secondary groups and the specific changes required, they need to answer these additional questions: Are these people able to change? Are they motivated to change?

“Too often, leaders simply espouse vague goals like ‘world-class,’ ‘customer-focused,’ ‘adding value,’ and ‘positive culture,’” Thornton says. “These phrases may sound exciting and hopeful, but they are just empty words without further clarification. The Cabinet secretaries will need to make sure they aren’t relying on vague ideas, but can state plainly and precisely the direction they’re going.”

About Paul Thornton

Paul Thornton, the author of Precise Leaders Get Results, is an author, trainer, speaker and professor of Business Administration at Springfield Technical Community College in Springfield, Massachusetts. He has designed and conducted management and leadership programs for UMASS Medical School, Kuwait Oil Corporation, and United Technologies, providing leadership training for over 10,000 supervisors and managers. Thornton’s books include Leadership-Off the Wall, Be the Leader, Make the Difference, and Leadership: Best Advice I Ever Got. He has also written articles that have appeared in USA Today, Management Review and Leadership Excellence.

Grab Your Juice Fast And Go Healthy This New Year!

Too much holiday cheer? Fatty foods, sweet treats, alcoholic drinks?

Fear not! The New Year is your chance to hit the reset button and go healthy.  One study showed that people gain weight between October and December and another one to three pounds between Christmas and New Year. About half the weight was lost quickly, but the other half hung around for a while.

One way to quickly lose weight is to try a fast, says best-selling author and nutritionist Cherie Calbom, known as “The Juice Lady,” whose latest book is The Juice Lady’s Guide to Fasting (www.juiceladycherie.com). You can lose at least a pound a day and recharge your energy, she says.

Sugar, fat, and alcohol damage the body in more ways that just adding on pounds. Studies show that alcohol and sugar contribute to fatty liver disease. Other studies show that sugar is as addictive as cocaine. No wonder we find it hard to stop eating sweets once we start. And according to a study published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation, eating too much animal fat may damage your hypothalamus, the area of your brain that regulates energy balance.

If wellness is your New Year goal, juice fasting gives your immune system a boost with its abundance of antioxidants such as vitamin C and carotenoids that strengthen the immune cells. It’s also a great way to look younger and more refreshed.

The juice fast is the best post-holiday detox diet. With a juice fast, you give up solid foods, and enjoy delicious, nutrient-rich beverages. Juicing is particularly beneficial because it’s broken down like a predigested food. It’s very easy to absorb the nutrients, which get right into your system.

Start with Calbom’s 3-day cleansing juice fast for a quick detox and reset. Juices flush the system and their antioxidants bind to toxins and carry them out of the body so they don’t damage cells. The only thing to watch is fruit if you have diabetes or hypoglycemia. Although you can add a small amount of low sugar fruit like green apple or berries for flavor.

If you aren’t sure you can hack a liquid fast because you’ll crave flavor, think again. Here are three of Calbom’s favorite recipes, designed to taste great while cleansing out the holiday junk.

Weight Loss Buddy Cocktail

Serves 1
Jerusalem artichoke juice combined with carrot and beet is a traditional remedy for sat-isfying cravings for sweets and junk food. The key is to sip it slowly when you get a craving for high-fat or high-carb foods. 

1 Jerusalem artichoke, scrubbed well
3-4 carrots, scrubbed well, tops removed, ends trimmed
1 green apple (lower in sugar than red or yellow)
½ cucumber
1-inch chunk ginger root
Cut produce to fit your juicer’s feed tube. Juice ingredients and stir. Pour into a glass and drink as soon as possible.

Beet- Berry Liver Cleanse Juice

Serves 1-2
Beets have been used as a traditional remedy for liver cleansing by many naturopathic doctors and nutritionists. 

2 medium beets
1 cup blueberries
1 green apple
1 large carrot
1 broccoli stem
1 lemon, peeled
1-inch chunk ginger
1/2 cup coconut water
Juice all ingredients. Add coconut water, stir, and enjoy!

Green Muscle Mender

Serves 1
Are you strength training? Spinach helps your muscles recover due to its high magnesium content—157 mg per cup.

1 large handful spinach
1 green apple
1 cucumber
1-inch chunk ginger root
2-inch piece fresh turmeric root (optional)
Juice all ingredients, stir, and enjoy!

Ready to Take Action?

1. Get a juicer that’s easy to use or find a good juice bar. You can also use freeze dried juice powder in a pinch.
2. Drink 3-6 glasses of juice a day.
3. Drink 8 glasses of water to flush your system.
4. Check out the Dirty Dozen at ewg.org. You’ll want to avoid the most heavily pesticide-sprayed produce and get organic when it comes to these twelve.
5. Pick the best day to start and get all your produce assembled in advance unless you’re going to your local juice bar.
6. Many people find it easiest to start on a weekend day.

About Cherie Calbom, MSN (aka The Juice Lady)

Cherie Calbom MSN holds a Master of Science degree in whole foods nutrition from Bastyr University. Known as “The Juice Lady” for her work with juicing and health, she is the author of 32 books including her latest The Juice Lady’s Guide to Fasting and Sugar Knockout. She and her husband offer juice cleanse retreats throughout the year, 30-Day Detox online and Garden’s Best Juice Powder. She has lectured worldwide on juicing, detoxing and fasting including consulting for the Royal Family of the UAE. Winner of the TTAC Lifetime Achievement Award for her work with juicing and detoxification, her blogs and books on juicing, cleansing and health have helped thousands of people live healthier lives. You can connect with her on Facebook and Twitter and sign up for her free newsletter at www.juiceladycherie.com.

The Party No One Wants To Plan

People rarely like to dwell on the fact that they or a loved one will die someday, even though it’s an inevitable part of life.

From a practical standpoint, we would make preparations to ensure that survivors aren’t placed in financial jeopardy, and that they know the deceased person’s final wishes.

“But the reality is that people procrastinate because the topic is too painful to think about,” says Susan Alpert, author of Later is Too Late: Hard Conversations That Can’t Wait (www.susanalpertconsulting.com).

Alpert, who lost her husband suddenly after 46 years of marriage, knows from experience about the confusion, chaos and disastrous financial consequences that occur, and she believes it’s time for people to make a change in their thinking and planning about death.

“No one wants to admit that life has an end, but picture your spouse, your children, your parents, or anyone else you hold dear,” she says. “What would their lives be like if you died and hadn’t properly prepared your estate and legal documents?”

Survivors also are often left to make decisions about funerals or memorial services while they are still grieving. Just 23 percent of people over age 50 have planned for their funeral or burial, according to the AARP. Meanwhile, funerals come with a hefty price tag that keeps rising, with the average cost in 2014 at $7,181, according to the National Funeral Directors Association.

“Making arrangements for your own funeral may feel surreal,” Alpert says. “But imagine the pain others will have dealing with that if you don’t step up and do it for them – and take care of the cost now if possible.”

The good news, she says, is that despite the emotion involved, preparing for death can be handled over time and at your own pace, although it does require motivation and organization.

Among the things to consider:

• Collect important documents and details in one place. Some of the personal information that should be gathered together would include names of your doctors, your bank accounts, Social Security information, life insurance policies, a will and anything else that’s critical to your estate. Having all the important personal information in one place makes a huge difference in reducing stress and making the process easier for the person or persons left behind.
• Plan that funeral. It’s not a pleasant topic, but it’s natural to wonder how our lives will be honored after death. Our vision might not be the same as family members, Alpert says, so it’s important to decide how and where the final resting place will be and whether there should a funeral or a memorial service. Do you want a burial or cremation? Do you prefer an old-fashioned obituary or a simple social media announcement?
• Hire experts. “There is a business for every need, and the arena of death is no exception,” Alpert says. Try contacting a team of professionals – attorneys, accountants, financial advisors – who can help sort through all the financial and legal details ahead of time so there are fewer challenges to face at the time of death.

“The best way to honor a loved one’s legacy is to ensure that his or her wishes are carried out after death,” Alpert says. “But that shouldn’t happen at the expense of a budget when you’re grieving and can’t make clear decisions.”

About Susan Alpert

Susan Covell Alpert, author of Later is Too Late: Hard Conversations That Can’t Wait (www.susanalpertconsulting.com), is a lecturer, consultant, entrepreneur and frequent guest on national radio and television shows. Alpert, who holds a master’s degree in psychology and education, has been the owner of several multi-million dollar companies and is experienced in negotiation, finance, international services, and business. Alpert also is author of Driving Solo: Dealing with Grief and the Business of Financial Survival.

Mom Approved: BrainSkinz

Disclaimer: I received a product to review. All opinions are my own.

I may not have used a helmet when I was a kid to ride anything but on dad's motorcycle. Things are a bit different with my own kids. Of course, helmets are a bit more accessible now than they were when I was a kid.

My childhood:

My kids are a bit different. They wear a helmet with scooters, bicycles, 4wheeler, and more. My husband and I have even threatened to make them wear one with their hoppers and the rocking horse because they go crazy.

My husband and I were on a mission to find a helmet that would grow with Tbomb instead of buying him a new one every couple of years. He grew out of his first one and we passed it along to Snapper. However, we'd rather each of them have one that can grow with them and that is fun for them to wear. Thanks to Brainskinz, we have both!

Why brainskinz™ ?

brainskinz™ are fun, changeable helmets that your kids will love to wear! brainskinz™ are colorful, playful and just plain fun. brainskinz™ can be worn pretty much any time your kids are in motion*. And, when they get tired of a design, they can simply detach the current Shell and choose another from their collection. Keeping it fresh means keeping them on their melons!

Brainskinz are highly adjustable helmets to fit kids 7 and up. They meet bicycle and skateboard testing requirements. Your helmet is outfitted with soft, satiny padding for comfort, an adjustable clasp-style chinstrap and a dial-fit that perfectly conforms to your melon. Personally, I think the helmet itself looks really cool, but kids find fun in picking their shell. The shells are easily changed. Your child can do it by themselves- win for independence. 

Mom Approved For Summer Fun: Watermelon Ball

Disclaimer: I was sent a sample to review. All opinions are my own.

We have so much fun playing in the pool as a family. My husband and I are always looking for new games to play with the kids as well as ways for the adults to get some exercise in during the brutal South Carolina summers. I was sent the perfect solution from PlaSmart.

The Watermelon Ball is a unique ball that allows you to play games in the water. It is naturally buoyant, and it looks, feels, and behaves like a watermelon in the water. You can dribble, kick, intercept, and pass up to 10 feet underwater. It even bounces against the pool walls.

The Watermelon Ball is recommended for ages eight and up. It is sure to be loads of family and friend fun! I cannot wait for this summer to break it out in the pool, and probably take it to the lake with us. The hotel we usually stay at in the mountains has a larger pool than ours and we love catching it empty so we can play all kinds of games, so I know this will be packed to take along! This will be sure to add to our summer family fun! 

Book Review: Farm and Construction Activity Books

Disclaimer: I received a book to review. All opinions are my own.

My kids love activity and coloring books. They get bored just coloring, so when the book has activities as well, it is a winner. We have a basket full of them, so the kids can choose what they want at the moment. They have new favorites from Quarto Knows.

Construction by Walter Foster Custom Creative Team

Interactive fun with fold-out play scene, reusable stickers, and punch-out, stand-up figures!

Author: Walter Foster Custom Creative Team
Illustrator: Mattia Cerato

($6.99 here)

This interactive book introduces young children to the world of the bustling construction site. Vibrantly illustrated background, stickers, and punch-outs come together to provide hours of imaginative fun. The background scene, a stand-up panorama of the construction site, is perfect for stickering as the child envisions his very own site, and then serves as the backdrop to punch-out playtime. The sturdy punch-outs are perfectly sized for little hands, and include boy and girl workers and machinery. Stickers include jackhammer, hard hats, toolboxes, and more. Altogether, it makes for interactive play and limitless fun.

On the Farm by Walter Foster Custom Creative Team

Interactive fun with fold-out play scene, reusable stickers, and punch-out, stand-up figures!

Author: Walter Foster Custom Creative Team

Illustrator: Melisande Luthringer

($5.59 here)

This interactive book introduces young children to the world of the farm. Vibrantly illustrated background, stickers, and punch-outs come together to provide hours of imaginative fun. The background scene, a stand-up panorama of the farmyard and stable, is perfect for stickering as the child envisions his very own farm, and then serves as the backdrop to punch-out playtime. The sturdy punch-outs are perfectly sized for little hands, and include boy and girl farmers, animals, and machinery. Use stickers to keep chickens in their coop, horses grazing near the stable, or lead the cows to pasture. Altogether, Sticker, Punch-out, & Play!: On the Farm makes for interactive play and limitless fun.

My kids have had so much fun with these activity books. They have done the activities, put the stickers on the scenes, and spent hours playing with the punch-outs. In fact, they have used the scene as a base to play with their other toys on, pretty creative. Lately, they have been choosing this to go in their backpacks for appointments and it keeps them entertained while I have the other one in an appointment or therapy. That is definitely a winner with me!

Book Review: Science Books From Capstone

Disclaimer: I was sent some books to review. All opinions are my own.

We love science. I get so excited planning science lessons and look for fun things to supplement. Capstone is one of my favorite places to get fun science books to go along with our lessons. They always cover the subject in a thorough manner, that is also easy for young learners to comprehend. I keep the books with me while we are on that subject, and refer back to them often. If you haven't already, you must check out the science books offered from Capstone.

Forecasting Weather

by Terri Sievert

($7.29 here)

Should you bring your umbrella to school today? What if there's a snowstorm? Weather forecasters gather the information that helps us stay safe, warm, and dry every day.

Healthy Habits

by Rebecca Weber

($7.29 Here)

From one morning to the next, you can have a healthy day. See how exercise, rest, and good food should be everyone's Healthy Habits.

Mad Margaret Experiments with the Scientific Method

by Eric Braun
Illustrated by Robin Boyden

($9.95 here)


I'm Mad Margaret, and I'm not really mad, I'm just crazy about science! When a friend tells me he has a sneezing problem, I help him use the scientific method to solve it. I'm no Einstein, but I can tell you all about the scientific method!

History Option: 

My Hometown

by Russell Griesmer
Illustrated by Priscilla Wong

($15.95 here)

Every town has a story. Experience small-town life and American history with this nearly wordless picture book. A magical newspaper takes a young boy on a journey through the history of a beloved hometown, from the 1860s to present day. Striking illustrations celebrate main street Americana as the boy discovers the past and its importance.

Young Readers Review: Dalmatian in a Digger & Good Morning Superman

Disclaimer: I was sent samples to review. All opinions are my own.

I love kids' books. Seriously, I could sit and read kids books without my children. When I managed the bookstore, I would often find myself reading the new children's books as they came in. Luckily, my children indulge me and let me read to them. They get as excited about new books as I do. We were sent a couple of ARC (advanced reader's copies) from Capstone and quickly fell in love with these.

Dalmatian in a Digger

by Rebecca Elliott

($15.95 here)

Available 2/1/2017

Dugger! Dugger! Dugger! What’s that noise? Little Dalmatian is about to find out as he follows the booming noises of big construction vehicles in this energetic picture book.

The kids get so excited reading this book and love guessing what the sounds are coming from. When the book ends, the surprise really got them excited!

Good Morning, Superman!

by Michael Dahl

Illustrated by Omar Lozano

($15.95 here)

Available 3/1/2017

Look, up in the sky! It’s a bird. It’s a plane. It’s the . . . SUN! When morning comes, a young boy must prepare for his day, faster than a speeding bullet. Follow along as he leaps tall buildings (jumps out of bed) in a single bound, dons his heroic uniform (his clothes), and faces his greatest weakness (Kryptonite-colored toothpaste). Then it’s up, up, and away to daycare! The perfect companion to the bestselling author Michael Dahl's BEDTIME FOR BATMAN, this official DC Comics picture book will have Superman fans young and old delighting in their morning routines. Includes a morning routine checklist.

The kids love that their morning routine is so much like this young boy's routine. What did they get with it, pretending to be superheroes in everything they do throughout the day! Pretty cool!

Mom Approved: Brooklyn Owl

Disclaimer: I was sent samples to review. However, All opinions are my own. 

Annie Bruce, founder of Brooklyn Owl lives in Brooklyn, NY with her husband and her daughter, Bee.  She created Brooklyn Owl in 2010 as a way to make the world more colorful and cute, one accessory at a time.  Brooklyn Owl creates magical unicorn and monster horns, party garlands and cake toppers. Everything is handmade in New York City by Annie and her team of talented seamstresses.  Annie and Bee designed the Brooklyn Owl unicorn horn together when Bee was only four.  You can spot them galloping around New York City going on magical adventures.

I was sent 3 magical unicorn horns - two tween sizes for my kids and a mini for Snapper's doll. I knew my son would want one as well because those two kids will play anything together- it doesn't matter what it is. They have spent hours on magical adventures with these horns and Snapper's doll tagging along. I love them because they promote imagination, which all moms want. 

I was extremely impressed with the quality. My kids play rough and they are still 100% intact, so don't worry, they will last quite a while. They are made of quality materials and sewn together thoroughly. These horns will bring magic to any home- put them on cats, dogs, kids, horses, bunnies, dolls, teddy bears, or even yourself. 

Brooklyn Owl also creates sparkle skirts for mom and daughter- perfect for a day out together, party, or tea party. Also in their collection is monster horns, ears, horse and pony horns, clips and headbands, cake toppers, confetti, garland, and I'm sure there is more to come soon. 

Book Review: Woo! Jr Kids Activity Books

Disclaimer: I was sent books to review. All opinions are my own.

I love having a variety of workbooks for the kids. I take pages out and work them into our daily lessons. Different things like connect the dots, word searches, and logic puzzles are great independent work, help strengthen skills, and even break up the lessons to keep the kids from getting bored.

I'm always on the look out for different types of activity books for this purpose. Woo! Jr sent me a few that I immediately fell in love with. They offer holiday books, word searches, alphabet connect the dots, and more. These books are great for different levels of learning and help strengthen different skills. My kids love finishing a worksheet and finding a page from one of these activity books next in line.

Halloween Activity Book For Kids: Reproducible Games, Worksheets And Coloring Book (Woo! Jr. Kids Activities Books)

($5.99 on Amazon)

Enjoy 8 different fun screen-free kids activities for Halloween: Crosswords, coloring pages, mazes, dot-to-dots, hidden pictures, word searches, picture matching, and paper monster masks! This Halloween book for children contains original puzzles and games suitable for kids ages 3-12. With fun illustrations and the ability to photocopy pages for the classroom, daycare, or homeschool use, this book is sure to be an excellent resource to be used over and over again.

Christmas Activity Book for Kids: Reproducible Games, Worksheets And Coloring Book (Woo! Jr. Kids Activities Books)

($5.99 on Amazon)

Enjoy 8 different fun screen-free kids activities for Christmas: Crosswords, coloring pages, mazes, dot-to-dots, hidden pictures, word searches, picture matching and paper crafts! This Christmas book for children contains original puzzles and games suitable for kids ages 3-12. With fun illustrations and the ability to photocopy pages for classroom, day care, or homeschool use, this book is sure to be an excellent resource to be used over and over again.

Alphabet Dot to Dot Ages 4-6: Reproducible Worksheets for Preschool and Kindergarten Children

($5.99 on Amazon)

Woo! Jr. Kids Activities is back with alphabet worksheets for kids in Alphabet Dot to Dot! This book includes 90 dot to dot drawings labeled with alphabet letters A-Z. This book is suitable for children in preschool, kindergarden and first grade who are learning the alphabet and like to draw. Each page is an adorable coloring page when completed. With fun illustrations and the ability to photocopy pages for classroom, day care, or homeschool use, this book is sure to be an excellent resource to be used over and over again.

Word Search for Kids Ages 6-8: Reproducible Worksheets for Classroom & Homeschool Use (Woo! Jr. Kids Activities Books)

($5.99 on Amazon)

From Woo! Jr. Kids Activities comes a whole book of some of their all-time most popular online content - word searches for kids! This book includes 90 word search puzzles with excellent, educational vocabulary word lists suitable for ages 6, 7 and 8. It's a perfect first word search book! All words are 8 letters or less, and the puzzles are in large print for young eyes. With fun illustrations and the ability to photocopy pages for classroom, day care, or homeschool use, this book is sure to be an excellent resource to be used over and over again.

Word Search for Kids Ages 9-12: Reproducible Worksheets for Classroom & Homeschool Use (Woo! Jr. Kids Activities Books)

($6.79 on Amazon)

From Woo! Jr. Kids Activities comes a whole book of some of their all-time most popular online content - word searches for kids! This book includes nearly 150 word search puzzles with excellent, educational vocabulary word lists suitable for ages 9, 10, 11, 12 and up. With fun illustrations and the ability to photocopy pages for classroom, day care, or homeschool use, this book is sure to be an excellent resource to be used over and over again.

Book Review: Atlas of Animal Adventures

Disclaimer: I received a book to review. All opinions are my own.

I have a confession- I'm a nerd! I love dictionaries, encyclopedias, how-to books, atlases, and any other kind of informational book. I want to pass this love on to my children, so I always try to find wonderfully illustrated informational books for them. When I had the opportunity to review Atlas of Animal Adventures ($22.54), I had to give it a shot.

This book is absolutely beautiful, and a large book as well. You could actually use this as a coffee table book. I love keeping it handy for school and just randomly choosing a page to show the kids. We love looking at the illustrations and learning about the movement of animals. We have had a lot of fun with this book. We have also bought another to give as a Christmas gift!

From the team behind the best-selling Atlas of Adventures. Head off on a journey of discovery, with this book that collects together nature’s most unmissable events from between the two poles, including epic migrations, extraordinary behaviors, and Herculean habits. Find hundreds of things to spot and learn new facts about every animal.

Book Review: The Rootlets, Trouble In Plantasy Land

Disclaimer: I received a book to review. All opinions are my own.

Tbomb isn't quite ready to read most books on his own. He can handle some leveled readers and some simpler books, but he is only in Kindergarten. However, he loves books and we love to read together. I like getting him beside me to read a chapter book and asking him what different words are along the way. That gets him even more excited about reading.

One of the problems is finding books that really grab his attention. It isn't always easy for a mom to find books for her son. My little guy loves superheroes, science, and cars. That at least gets us started. When I was asked to review The Rootlets: Trouble in Plantasy Land ($12.99), I knew I had to give it a whirl.

I was so glad I did because he absolutely loved it! In fact, we have read it twice- once during read aloud time and once before bedtime (of course both of these were over the course of several days). This is the perfect book for any little boy who loves superheroes!

It’s opening day at Mr. Fungo Fungi’s magnificent amusement park, Plantasy Land…and The Rootlets couldn’t be more excited! With special surprises and newly sprouted rides, this is sure to be the greatest day ever! But when The Rootlets arrive at the park, they realize that something is terribly wrong…Plantasy Land is in trouble! Someone – or something – is destroying the park. Could it be The Great Zucchini – Mr. Fungi’s new magician? Or could there be an even greater danger lurking beyond the park? Most of all, can The Rootlets trust their new super rootabilities to help them save their favorite place on the planet?

Book Review: DK President Books Just In Time For The Inauguration

Disclaimer: I was sent books to review. All opinions are my own.

This is always an exciting time for someone like me- I love politics. I always get excited about the Inauguration and wish I could be there. Aside from that, it is a perfect time to teach children about how our country works. Even the youngest can learn something and be a witness to history.

I was so excited when Dorling Kindersley sent me some books to use with the kids. What a great teaching opportunity and I know that these books will be used for years. They are brilliantly written, full of information, and I'm sure my children will get something new each time we read them. These are wonderful books to add to your homeschool or classroom library for Inauguration, Presidents' Day, Independence Day, and so many other holidays, or teaching history in general.

DK Readers L2: What is the President's Job?

($3.37 on Amazon)

Find out what the president does as you learn about the executive branch of government and see what a day in the life of the commander in chief is really like.

This leveled DK Reader will build reading skills while teaching exciting political vocabulary and showing how the leader of the United States helps decide the country's laws, what traditions the president takes part in, and how the POTUS meets with other countries to make sure there is peace and goodwill.

Travel to Washington, DC, and take a sneak peek inside the Oval Office to see what it takes to be president in What is the President's Job?

Perfect for 5–7-year-olds beginning to read fluently with support, Level 2 titles contain carefully selected photographic images to complement the text, providing strong visual clues to build vocabulary and confidence. Additional information spreads are full of extra fun facts, developing the topics through a range of nonfiction presentation styles such as diagrams and activities.

DK Eyewitness Books: Presidents

($9.99 on Amazon)

An informative and visual guide to America's highest office, this DK Eyewitness book explores the history of the White House and the presidents who have served in it, and features a spread about the nation's 45th president, Donald Trump.

Follow the early lives and political careers of the US presidents and see how they came into office, with full-color photographs of campaign memorabilia, family portraits, handwritten letters, mementos, and more. Discover how Abraham Lincoln saved the Union, why teddy bears are named after Theodore Roosevelt, and how Thomas Jefferson doubled the size of the nation with the Louisiana Purchase.

Flip to the reference section in DK Eyewitness Books: Presidents to learn even more fun facts. Read iconic speeches, including Ronald Reagan's Evil Empire speech, John F. Kennedy's inaugural address, Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, and Washington's farewell address. Learn about presidential libraries and homes, national parks, Mount Rushmore, and Washington, DC.

Now revised and updated and available for the first time in paperback, DK Eyewitness Books: Presidents looks at key players, political events, and historic moments throughout each president's term. Learn how each commander in chief led the United States through war, political turmoil, and times of peace with full-page spreads and easy-to-understand information about America's history.

Each revised Eyewitness book retains the stunning artwork and photography from the groundbreaking original series, but the text has been reduced and reworked to speak more clearly to younger readers. Still on every colorful page: vibrant annotated photographs and the integrated text-and-pictures approach that makes Eyewitness a perennial favorite of parents, teachers, and school-age kids.

DK Eyewitness Books: First Ladies

($9.99 on Amazon)

From Martha Washington to America's newest first lady, Melania Trump, meet the 46 exceptional women who left their mark on the White House. See how the role of the First Lady has evolved from being a gracious hostess to encompassing humanitarian work and even policy making.

Filled with amazing facts, full-color photographs of personal mementos, family pictures, and campaign memorabilia, DK Eyewitness Books: First Ladies is a visual tour through US history. See Mary Todd Lincoln's mourning cape, Edith Wilson's tiara, Eleanor Roosevelt's writing desk, Pat Nixon's party favors, and more. Learn how Florence Harding, Hillary Clinton, and Michelle Obama redefined what being a First Lady means and involved themselves in causes to create social change and new policies.

Now revised and updated and available for the first time in paperback, DK Eyewitness Books: First Ladies tells the stories of our nation's first ladies and shows readers how each woman influenced the history of the United States.

Each revised Eyewitness book retains the stunning artwork and photography from the groundbreaking original series, but the text has been reduced and reworked to speak more clearly to younger readers. Still on every colorful page: vibrant annotated photographs and the integrated text-and-pictures approach that makes Eyewitness a perennial favorite of parents, teachers, and school-age kids.

Classroom Design Elements to Inspire Productivity

The look and feel of classrooms is changing to accommodate modern learning practices. As researchers discover new insights about the psychology of learning, more teachers are using their findings to tweak design elements and enhance the classroom experience.



In the modern classroom, teachers often spend little time lecturing to students. Instead, they act as mentors and provide support as needed while students engage with their subject matter individually. Using a number of educational approaches, these hands-on learning experiences improve student focus and retention rates. Here are some of the most intriguing advancements changing the look and feel of classrooms around the world:

Collaborative Learning Centers 
In the modern classroom, many students spend time working together to find creative solutions to questions and problems a teacher may present. Desk and chair combination desks were often difficult to manipulate for these types of learning exercises. Today, many desks are designed to move easily around the classroom so that the teacher can change the setup as necessary. Moving desks from activity to activity can change the entire experience of a classroom setting as well as the learning dynamics.

Makerspaces
A makerspace is a hands-on center that provides students with tools needed to explore hands-on concepts. Makerspaces may contain age-appropriate tools such as 3D printers, hardware supplies, electronics supplies, and building supplies. Students can use these classroom centers to explore concepts, apply creative solutions, and discover how theories apply to work in the real world. Makerspaces are only limited by a teacher’s or student’s imagination.



Flex-spaces
Classrooms that are large enough may have flexible spaces that feature larger tables, bookshelves, or other design elements. A teacher can move certain activities into a specific space to remove potential distractions from the learning environment and engage with students in a different way. These areas may even support occasional physical activities that teachers use to keep students focused on the task at hand. Many flex-spaces are casual areas, including beanbags, cubbies, and nooks for personal reading time or individual activity completion.

Ergonomic and Active Seating
Students often sit for several hours a day, just like adults in the working world. Developing good posture habits and protecting the neck and spine begin in the classroom setting. Ergonomic student seating supports student health and positive posture practices as they engage with technological devices or work on schoolwork. Active seating provides an extra range of motion so educators can add an element of fun to the classroom experience.



Biologically Supportive Lighting
The right lighting improves student focus, mood, and childhood development while reducing the risk of light-related headaches. Natural light is the best light for maintaining student health, but many schools are also exploring the benefits of using biologically attuned artificial lighting to maximize the benefits of proper lighting. Strategically placed windows and artificial light sources enhance the overall design of a classroom to encourage student productivity.


Wall Design
The way teachers use wall space is shifting to better accommodate modern classroom design. When budgets allow, many educational facilities are investing in audiovisual technology that supports the learning process. Advanced projectors, flexible displays, and other interactive features complement traditional classroom elements such as marker boards. These advancements provide teachers with the ability to change classroom décor to match the day’s lesson.

Visually Interesting Decoration 
Modern educational settings aren’t stark and professional, but warm and inviting. The colors and individual design elements add something new to the classroom experience. Instead of featuring straight edges, many modern solutions feature wave-like curves that create natural division in the classroom and promote flexibility.

The Element of Fun
Schools don’t need big budgets to incorporate design elements that engage students. Simple changes can transform any classroom setting into an engaging environment where students perform well on a regular basis. Simply hanging artwork on the walls, replacing outdated fixtures, or personalizing a classroom space with carpets and fun bulletin board displays can improve academic performance.



One of the most significant takeaways educators can learn from changing design standards is that personalization is key. A classroom should be safe and inviting, not institutional or monotonous. Students who feel supported in their environment can maintain their motivation and will perform better over time. Use these tips to transform your educational setting this year:

1. Start with one design element. Focus on maximizing a makerspace, investing in supportive seating, or creating a collaborative desk environment. Make small changes as time and budget allow. Something as simple as a charging station may improve student engagement in the classroom.
2. Ask students for feedback. While you may receive some non-serious answers, students often yield surprising insight. From classroom décor to improving seating arrangements, work collaboratively with the student body to create an engaging environment.
3. Embrace the concept of continual change. The world is changing at a rapid rate. New technology and research will continue to drive change in the field of education. Focus on providing students with the atmosphere and tools they need to thrive in an economy based on constant change.

Classroom design won’t change student behavior overnight, but it can significantly improve performance when used in new and creative ways. Keep these elements and tips in mind to transform your learning environment into a place that celebrates the educational experience.

Kids and Furniture: Can this Relationship Be Saved?

One Mom’s Kid-Generated Furniture Mishaps and How to Avoid Them

For decades, starting in 1953, The Ladies’ Home Journal ran a feature called “Can This Marriage Be Saved?” They presented serial marital issues from her point of view, his perspective and then the counselor weighs in on what will save the marriage. (Bear in mind this was 1953—well before Marriage Equality.) My mother subscribed to the magazine, and I remember reading this column as a child and wondering how men and women ever managed to live together. It was all so alarming.

Fast-forward a few years and I’m raising three boys. And they’ve pretty much destroyed every piece of furniture we own. What did you say? Your kids always respect your couch? Oh sure, mine do, too. Haha. That’s a lie. When people find out I’m in the furniture business, they say “oh, you must have a houseful of wonderful furniture.” I tell them of course I do. As long as I’m sure they will never set foot in my home.

My mother’s solution: the living room was only for guests. No one ever found out who was considered a guest, because the living room, with its white sectional and designer coordinated accessories, was off limits to anyone I’d ever met. As an adult, I never went near the living room.

This is my mother’s sofa. It was purchased in 1959. It’s still white. I still don’t sit on it.

 

But I wanted my boys to enjoy our home and to feel free to have their friends over.

Son #1 and Son #2 had a fight on top of the coffee table. The coffee table lost, as it’s glass top was shattered. This happened a few times until I sprung for a safety-glass

Son #3 sat on the end of the dining table and a piece just split off. This is how it looks after glue and reinforcements.

 

Another view of a dining table mishap, after one of my children experimented with the contents of a glowstick. I’m not sure what’s in there, but nothing you’d want on your table. Or your skin. Or maybe in your house at all.

 

There are ballpoint pen marks, unidentifiable splotches and questionable slits in the fabric on our arm chairs.

There is an oddly compelling stain on our kitchen bar when a graphic design was transferred to the wood from some unknown source.

 

Our refrigerator wears this goofy grin it acquired soon after arriving in our home. I’m not sure which of my children applied it, but the original tape has disintegrated into a gooey mess and I haven’t been able to remove it.

 

My boys all enjoyed entertaining their friends at our house, so it was never a question of one or two boys on the furniture. If they were at home, we had five or ten or twenty boys (the girls came later) lounging, bouncing on and generally disrespecting the chairs and sofas.

So, the first thing to remember about decorating a home with children is: avoid bringing any furniture into the house until your kids are in college. Haha, kidding!

Here are a few tips for kids-friendly home decor:

Forget the colors white, cream and light anything. Look for saturated color and patterns on furniture, walls and countertops. Even ceilings. My ceilings are painted blue. I tell my friends that it makes the rooms feel spacious. Sky-like. But the real reason is I remember the damage wrought by an agitated and then opened can of grape soda in the hands of a dangerous criminal—I mean child—and the stains that were never removable from the white walls and ceiling. Amazingly, my kids didn’t do that. It was a friend of mine, at my one-and-only slumber party in my parents’ newly-remodeled

Look for, what we call in the business, “bulletproof” fabrics. Usually, you’ll find that engineered fabrics will hold up to more abuse than natural ones. Microfibers will outlast cotton or silk. Look for fabrics that are washable (cleaning code W for those that take a water-based cleaner) and that have a high thread count. Velvet, denim and twill all wear well.

 

Details to avoid: Throw pillows. They scream “pillow fight” to any red-blooded child in the zip code. Buttons on upholstery. Just begging to be picked off and played with or eaten. Shelves and dressers that are not secured to the walls. Did you see that video on Facebook of the toddler trapped under a chest because he and his brother were jumping in the open drawers? Of course they were.

 

Learn to love leather furniture. Scratches in leather give it “personality.” Think baseball glove.

You’d have to work hard to seriously damage a catcher’s mitt.  Not that kids won’t attempt it. Best virtue of leather: it can be repaired. You can get a leather expert to come to your home and do magical things to a rip in the surface of your couch, and you’d never know the cut was there. Take the cost out of your kid’s allowance because it won’t be cheap.

For floors, make sure that you can damp mop whatever surface is underfoot. Area rugs are a tripping hazard and are hard to clean. Wall-to-wall carpet is much harder to maintain than solid surfaces such as tile, wood and linoleum.

It makes sense to invest in high-end wood furniture if you love the design and are willing to refinish it in a few years. If not, opt for inexpensive tables and cabinets that won’t be missed once they’ve taken a beating. Look for rounded corners on tables to avoid the inevitable eye-meets-edge-of-coffee table incident that lands you in the emergency room with one of your children.

So enjoy living with your kids and with your furniture. And if you think that once your offspring have left home for good and you can redecorate your home however you like, think again. Because if you’re lucky, soon it will be filled with……….grandchildren.

Book Review: The Tuttle Twins and The Road To Surfdom

Disclaimer: I received a book to review. All opinions are my own.

I love political science (I minored in Political Science in college and was in some pre-law programs in high school and college). I love studying the constitution and laws. In fact, constitutional law is one of my favorite subjects. However, I am not one to just believe what I read. I even like to study the constitution along with Supreme Court decisions and come to my own conclusions. I don't take what is told on the news for fact and I want my children to learn the same thing. I cannot wait to teach my children about The Constitution and teach them to study it for themselves. The book I was sent to review is right along with my thoughts on teaching children about the government and political science.

Until now, freedom-minded parents have had little to no educational material to teach their children the concepts of liberty.

The Tuttle Twins series of books helps children learn about political and economic principles in a fun and engaging manner. With colorful illustrations and a fun story, your children will follow Ethan and Emily as they learn about liberty!

The Tuttle Twins and the Road to Surfdom!

History abounds with examples of government officials making decisions, well-intentioned or otherwise, that harm others. Unfortunately, these unintended consequences are never anticipated and rarely considered once they occur. As the Tuttle Twins find in their latest adventure, central planning can ruin people’s lives.

Nobel prize-winning economist F.A. Hayek’s famous book The Road to Serfdom comes to life in this edition, showing that when people get what they wish for, they often get much more than they bargained. Read along as Ethan and Emily investigate a new road built to take travelers to a beach named Surfdom—and the disruption it brings to the entire community.

This book is 64 pages long and full of fun, colorful illustrations. Recommended reading age: 5-11.


Price: $9.99

Check out some of the pages from the book on the website. 

There are actually 5 books in the series: The Tuttle Twins: Learn About The Law; And The Miraculous Pencil; And The Creature From Jekyll Island;  And The Food Truck Fiasco; And The Road To Surfdom. Each book teaches about a different. fundamental parts of law. However, this is the side that is not frequently taught in schools. These are the subjects that we as parents are needing to teach our children, especially with the way the world is these days. More importantly, they teach children to think for themselves- which is my main goal of teaching my children.