Video Interview with Robert Sabuda

Do you know Robert Sabuda? Sure you do! He's the author of those WONDERFUL pop-out books such as 'The Twelve Days of Christmas' and 'Cookie Count: A Tasty Pop-Up'. Well, the website, Reading Rockets has an 18 minutes video (broken into VERY short segments) in which Robert Sabuda discusses when he became fascinated with pop-up books, the challenges he faced with his first pop-up book, and how he makes those pop-up books. Check it out here. While you're on the website visit the page that links to other video interviews.

Did You Know? The New $5 Bill

There's a new $5 bill on the way! The $5 bill will look pretty much the same, except it will have shades of gray and a splash of purple (Mrs. Sharoff's favorite color!). The new bill will start being available on March 13, 2008. Read more about it here.

Follow You, Follow Me

That's the motto over at Wayfaring a website where you create you own personalized place-by-place map for others to follow. Once you create the map you can share it with your friends, family, and practically anyone you wish to. And if you're planning a group vacation where everyone wants to get their two-cents worth in, this is the perfect planning tool since it allows collaboration on building the map.

What's great about this map is that you can actually insert information about each stop, along with a description. If it's a restaurant think about including items you would recommend someone order. Distance between stops is also listed, which could provide helpful if you are designing a walking tour or even a cross-country trip.

Time for Bed

Not sure what to title this post yet, so I'll wait until I'm done writing. As I was looking through my Bloglines.com I came across this post from Connect With Kids entitled 'No Sleep After Gaming'. Basically, studies are showing that teens who spend two to three hours watching tv, playing video/computer games, or playing music will find it more difficult to fall asleep. I thought this article was timely for me since I tend to spend a lot of time on the computer after dinner, though I have to say I don't seem to be having any trouble falling asleep! LOL The article went on to provide the following tips for parents:

Studies in children have shown that playing interactive video games can lead to significant increases in heart rate, blood pressure and respiratory rate, "and thus a higher arousal state of the central nervous system.” (National Institutes of Health, NIH)

A new study shows that the bright light of a screen may alter the body's biological clock and suppress the natural production of melatonin that's critical to the normal sleep-wake cycle. (WebMD)

In the hour before bedtime, which experts say should be a time to relax and prepare for sleep, the majority of adolescents watch TV or surf the Internet. (National Sleep Foundation)

Sleep requirements: (National Sleep Foundation)
18 months to 3 years should get 12 to14 hours/night
3 to 5 years should get 11 to13 hours/night
5 to12 years old should get 10 to11 hours/night
Teens should get 9.25 hours/night

Create a bedtime routine. Bedtime routines are important, regardless of a child's age. It should include at least 15 to 30 minutes of calm, soothing activities. Discourage television, exercise, computer and telephone use, and avoid caffeine (found in many beverages, chocolate and other products). (National Sleep Foundation)

Track Santa -- the Tech Way!

I just got the latest Google Earth Sightseer e-mail and I needed to share the following with you:

It's that time of year again - the time for good food, good cheer, and, if you've been good, presents! NORAD ( North American Aerospace Defense Command) has been tracking Santa for over 50 years through their NORAD Tracks Santa program. This year NORAD Tracks Santa has partnered with Google to track Santa's trip. The countdown begins on December 1st, on http://www.noradsanta.org/, where children and families can find a new kid-friendly game or activity every day until December 24th. You can also countdown the days and hours until Santa's flight and track his real-time location on December 24th by adding the NORAD Tracks Santa iGoogle gadget.

On December 24th starting at 1:00 am PST users will be able to track Santa's trip in real-time on http://www.noradsanta.org/ or download Google Earth and the special Santa Tracking file from the website for an enhanced, 3D Santa tracking experience.

Robert Munsch's Website

One of my favorite children's authors, Robert Munsch, has an ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS website. Some of my favorite books are available in audio format on the website. My favorite, 'Stephanie's Ponytail' is available in audio format. In fact, it's even READ by Robert Munsch! Now how cool is that?!? What's your favorite Robert Munsch story?