It’s the start of Banned Books Week here in the U.S., “an annual event celebrating the freedom to read and the importance of the First Amendment. . . . Banned Books Week highlights the benefits of free and open access to information while drawing attention to the harms of censorship by spotlighting actual or attempted […]
Helen and I devote this episode to kids’ music, inspired by a free, live concert we attended. Will They Might Be Giants, now with their third kids’ album, become the Schoolhouse Rock for the next generation? Is an album of “songs for kids with two moms” going to capture our children’s attention or is it
Time for another roundup. Yee hah! Youth and Schools Kevin Jennings, assistant deputy secretary for the Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools in the U.S. Department of Education, and founder of GLSEN, is speaking out about the beating of a high school student in Belleville, Illinois and the inaction (or cheering encouragement) of bystanders. Meanwhile,
Helen and I discuss a melodrama shot entirely at Ikea (without the staff knowing) and how motherhood may have helped Kim Clijsters win at the U.S. Open. We also give you our thoughts on the anime-crossover movie Ponyo, now out from Disney with Tina Fey, Cate Blanchett, and Lily Tomlin among those redubbing the Japanese
Elton John and his partner David Furnish may adopt a child, according to the BBC. The musician met a 14-month-old boy called Lev during a charity performance at an orphanage in the Ukraine, and said the boy has “stolen my heart.” The performance was part of John’s work with his AIDS foundation. He explained, “David
Helen and I offer some parenting-focused advice to Ilene Chaiken as she begins to develop her new series, The Real L Word. We also share some end-of-summer tips on camping with kids and preparing for back-to-school time. Finally, we draw some never-before-drawn parallels between Disney’s The Jungle Book and Nurse Jackie. What do the same-sex
Canadian musician Kate Reid, a self-described “homofolkie,” is working on an album for kids with two moms, according to an article in the Edmonton Sun: Reid hopes to interview children of lesbian couples during her current Canadian tour. She says she will listen to their stories and turn their experiences into songs for the CD,
(Originally published in Bay Windows, September 3, 2009.) “As a kid, Cinderella was basically my favorite fairy tale. I always loved it, even though it was cheesy,” says author Malinda Lo. “I decided to do a retelling of Cinderella since I never read one that I liked.” Lo’s debut young adult novel, Ash (Little, Brown,
Children’s musicians Erin Lee and Marci bring us the next of their regular posts with thematic recommendations for kid-friendly music, plus activities to make the songs an interactive experience for the whole family. Look for Erin Lee and Marci here on the first Monday of each month, or visit their homepage, www.gottaplay.org. I’ve created links
No Political Roundup this week as I’m spending some extra family time prior to my son starting school in a few days. Instead, here’s a video treat for all of you environment-loving parents out there: “Electric Car,” a song from Here Comes Science, the brand-new kids’ album by They Might Be Giants. Helen and I
