Wednesday Comix!

Wednesdays are lame, right? Wrong. Although they're not Fridays, or Thursdays, or Tuesdays, for that matter, Wednesdays are still pretty darn cool. First, you lucky peeps out there get to read this here blog. And second, all the BRAND NEW comic books hit store shelves!! This week, I read AQUAMAN VOL 1.: THE TRENCH, a collection of AQUAMAN #1–6 (The New 52) by DC Comics. Yes, I know I'm a week (or two) behind, but this collection cannot be missed. A fresh, exciting, and funny new look at the King of the Seven Seas.

(FYI: Awesome transition about to happen. Wait for it…)

However, if you prefer an all-ages Aquaman adventure, wet your whistle with Capstone's  DEEPWATER DISASTER, part of our DC SUPER HEROES chapter book series.

Either way, you can't lose. Yay for Wednesday!!

Read on,

Donnie

I See Fall

After a long, hot summer, today's weather in Minnesota is pretty sweet.

Award News!

We were excited to hear award news earlier this week. Great work to everyone involved!

The Ocean Story by John Seven, illustrated by Jana Christy, has won the 2012 Frances and Wesley Bock Book Award for Children's Literature, sponsored by the Neumann University Library and the Neumann Institute for Franciscan Studies. The award recognizes only one children’s book each year which demonstrates ethical values and moral attitude and action, appeals to a child’s sense of wonder and curiosity, and instills a compassion for all creation. The Ocean Story joins noted past winners which includes Zen Ties by Jon Muth.

The 2013 Teachers Choice Awards for Children’s Books has named the My Little Planet series by Charles Ghigna, illustrated by Ag Jatkowska, among the best resources for the classroom. The award, sponsored by Learning magazine, is exclusively judged by teachers in the classroom. Entries are evaluated on quality, instructional value, ease of use, and innovation.

Happiness at the Library

Before school started, my oldest daughter spent some time at my parents' house. When they took her to the local library (which is new and amazing), this is what she said:

"This is a dream come true! This place is bigger than the mall!"

My heart nearly burst with pride.

Foodie Friday: Zeke's Ice Cream in a Jar

We did it! We made it through the first week of school. So how should we celebrate? The book Zeke Meek vs the Stinkin' Science Fair might hold the answer.

In the book Zeke and his best friend Hector make ice cream in a jar. Of course, it doesn't work out exactly as Zeke and Hector planned, but they do get a bit of delicious ice cream—a very little bit! (Read the book to find out why...) 

This ice cream would make a great treat for the end of a great week. You can find the recipe for Ice Cream in a Jar in this great Zeke Meeks activity kit, a free downloadable on Capstone Kids. The kit has an activity, games, and interviews with the author and illustrator, too. Check it out!

First Day Jitters...

For many of the school-age Capstone kids — the children of all of the employees here at Capstone — the first day of school is either today or Thursday.  We've all been shopping for supplies, we've met the new teachers (or will in the next couple days), and we've helped our young fashionistas choose their first day outfits. Everything is in order, yet we might be a bit nervous. At least, I am.

You see, my daughter, a third-grader, is moving up to the intermediate school. The kids are much taller, the school is much bigger, and she's been told that there are a LOT of bullies there. I can't help but worry she'll get lost in the hall. But I know she is going to be alright. She knows quite a few older kids, including her sixth-grade brother. And she is a happy, confident kid...a bit like our Katie Woo. And we all know that Katie Woo Rules the School!

Yet if my nerves get the best of me, I have the perfect antidote. The great staff at North Intermediate put this video together. It got my kids excited for school, and best of all, it made me feel confident that these great educators are excited and ready for a great year of learning. Happy first day of school!