What do you get when a science fiction and fantasy writer ventures into the realm of children's books? Sometimes, just sometimes, you get introduced to a fierce and fluffy warrior bear that leads you on an epic adventure.
Spark and the League of Ursus by Robert Repino follows Spark, a cuddly toy bear by day, and protector of children at night. Spark is a member of a secret society of stuffed animals. This society's mission is to protect children from monsters.
When a child goes missing and her owner is threatened, Spark and her stuffed animal friends, put aside their own fears to solve the mystery and secure the return of the missing children.
Spark and the League of Ursus is Robert Pepino first children's book. Some of you may know Robert Repino from his previous works. He is also the author of Mort(e), Culdesac, and D'Arc.
Stuck at home? Don't feel blue. A good book is always there for you.
We gave this book to our 10-year-old NeatoBambino (a 5th grader) to read and she gave it two thumbs up. She said it was a must read if you are a stuffed animal lover.
Spark and the League of Ursus by Robert Repino has a suggested age of 9-12 years old. The book is scheduled to be on sale April 21, 2020 and is published by Quirk Books.
Taiwan Premier Su Tseng and the Taiwan government is taking a very different approach in how it advises its citizens. Instead of punishing its people for fear based impulse purchases, it is encouraging them to buy as much as their panicked heart desires.
Writing on his Facebook page late on Thursday (March 19) in a post entitled "Buy as much as possible, there's plenty of goods", Taiwan Premier Su Tseng-chang said it was the ideal opportunity to buy more Taiwanese products in a boon for the economy.
"Taiwan is a kingdom of fruits, a kingdom of fisheries, and a big food-processing country. During the Wuhan pneumonia epidemic, as the economy was slowing down, of course the government encourages everyone to enthusiastically buy," he wrote.
Is Mr. Su attempting to use a little reverse psychology on his people? <wink> <wink> Maybe!
When social distancing threatens one of the biggest farmer's markets in the country what does it do? It converts into a Drive-Thru Farmer's Market.
The Beaverton Farmers Market was open on Saturday, but things looked a little different. Instead of people walking up to vendors, they drove up. The market was converted to a drive-thru process.
Ginger Rapport is the market manager. She said she wanted to find a way to keep the market open, while still complying with newstate guidelines. While bars and restaurants are closed, grocery stores, retail stores, and workplaces are exempted.
The Fargo Police Department put together a funny little video of one of their trained police dogs sniffing out black market items - hand sanitizer!
“Our canine unit has adjusted their training a bit to account for black market items,” the police department joked on Facebook.
Public Information Officer Jessica Schindeldecker told Storyful the video was put together as a joke, and that a small bit of marijuana, a substance Kilo is well-trained to find, had been placed in the bag alongside the hand sanitizer.
K9 Officer Kilo may not have really found any hand sanitizer, but that doesn't make him any less of a hero.
While US and Australia hoard toilet paper, the French are hoarding something a little more edible. They are stockpiling bread. Apparently access to fresh baguettes is so important to the French people, bakeries have been deemed an essential-service business and are allowed to remain open despite strict social distancing regulations.
"We've seen people come in who want to buy 50 baguettes at a time. There's something like a psychosis in some people."
Mr Labbe said there need be no concern over supply, even as some bakers have taken to placing a limit on sales per client.
"We have flour, yeast and salt. There is no problem to produce bread."
Let's all pray for the health of everyone, especially those who provide essential services. Long live the baguette!
So, you suddenly find yourself at home with a kid, or three. First, don't panic. They can sense fear, especially the pre-teens and the teens. Second, take a moment to thank a teacher. Even those teachers that you didn't love are amazing people. They showed up to work every day and wrangled upwards of thirty or more of these little creatures. Now finally, take a deep breath and a moment for yourself. You got this. We are here for you. We are with you. We are stumbling through this jungle right along side of you.
For many of you it's been a while since you have had to direct your children's learning, much less their entire day. If you are a veteran homeschooling parent, feel free to read along and laugh at us non-homeschooling folks. You have been in the weeds a while. For those of us newbies this is a trial by fire. When full day kindergarten started we kissed their little heads and put their real learning into the capable hands of trained professionals. Sure we were around for homework and extracurricular activities, but let's be honest, the vast majority of their day was organized by others. Now it's up to us to organize their entire day and that's not just a little frightening, it's really frightening. The good news is that the professional educators are trying to figure this out. The bad news is that some of the districts are still scrambling to come up with a plan, much less ready to take it live. That's okay, this isn't permanent. You just have to figure out how to survive for a little while.
Okay, onto the fun stuff. Here's a list of 15 ideas (some great, some good, and possibly some terrible) to help keep the sanity at your home. May the force be with you!
1. Get your math on! Free online learning tools like Khan Academy. This site is great for mathematics, but also offers other topics like Arts and Humanties and Science. The learning age range is huge. They have work geared towards little kids all the way to high schoolers.
2. Have a library card? Many libraries offer access to thousands of free ebooks. Just because the libary is closed doesn't mean you can't download a good book to read.
3. Being isolated from your peers can be really lonely for teens and preteens. The kids these days text a lot, but really only chat in person. Encourage them to pick up the phone and actually talk to someone. It's amazing how uplifting a little chat can be.
4. Encourage older teens to try their hands at a free college course. They won't get any credit for the class, but the real benefit is in the knowledge gained. Yale University, for example, offers several Open Yale Courses.
5. Search the telly, or the idiot box as my teen jokingly told me I should call it, for educational programming. There are plenty of educational shows out there. You just need to look for them. Watch a documentary, recorded theater performance, or Shakespeare play screen adaption.
6. Pull out the board games and dust off the puzzles. It's a great time to spend some quality time together.
(Yes, my kids did pull out the Pandemic game to play. Teenagers have a strange sense of humor.)
7. Learn to code. Scratch MIT is great option for younger kids. YouTube is full of tutorials for older kids. If you are looking to buy a course, there are also services like Udemy that offer some interesting class options for not very much money.
8. Find yourself eating at home more than ever before? Now is the perfect time to teach your kids to cook. We know that it's harder and harder to run to the store. Don't let that stop you. Learning to improvise when you cook is a great skill. We like to think of it as Chopped: Quarantine Edition.
9. Teach your kids a skill you haven't taught them yet. With all this free time, teach them all those great life skills that your parents taught you. Practical skills are still important. Think how to do laundry, iron, or sew a button. When they leave the nest they will need these skills.
10. Let your kids teach you a new skill. Your kids are smart and full of knowledge. Let them be your teacher. I have no doubt that they would love to pass on some of their knowledge to you. When they leave the nest you might need this skill.
11. Don't be afraid to email those fantastic teachers you know. I am betting a lot of them would be happy to guide you in the right direction. They may not be able to provide you with a lesson plan, but they can probably share some great online learning websites and tips.
12. Schedule some physical education into the day. Being home and staying mostly indoors doesn't mean you have to be couch patato. Staying active has great physical and mental health benefits.
13. Get out into the garden if you can. If you are lucky enough to have private outdoor space, use it! Sunshine is a great disinfectant and fresh air is beneficial for the soul.
14. Get organized. Being organized doesn't come naturally to everyone. I know it doesnt to me. If it doesn't come easy to you or your kids either, it's a great time to try to grapple those rooms, closets, and drawers.
15. Teach your kids to clean. Cleaning, like organizing and cooking, is an amazing life skill. If you don't already have your kids help out, now is the time. The added benefit is a clean house. Remember many hands make light work when it comes to cleaning.
Bonus: Laugh, laugh, laugh and tell those kids and teens you love them. In the meantime, try to find the joy in your forced bonding experience. Think of it this way, in many locations across the US those teens are now required by law to hang with us terribly uncool parents.
This is a reminder to please lock and remove valuables from your vehicle. Never, ever leave precious toilet paper (toilet tissue, bath tissue, lavatory paper, or whatever else you call it) in plain sight. To reduce the possibility of theft please hide all stockpiled toilet paper appropriately.
The Eugene Police Department reports it received an online report where the rear window of an SUV was completely shattered and the thief took all valuables including two cases of 30-roll toilet paper and some valuable business and personal items.
A rear window can be easily replaced, but replacing 60 rolls of prime toilet paper is another matter.
So, how would you feel about being kept in the dark about the coronavirus pandemic? Apparently the producers of Germany's Big Brother have been keeping the contestants in the dark. Most have them have been in the house since February 6th. They have no idea that there is a pandemic going on in the real world. After some backlash, however, it appears the plan is to update the contestants on live television.
Is Germany having a run on toilet paper like the US and Australia? I really hope the show plans on at least gifting them some toilet paper and hand sanitizer when they are finally let out of the house.
Are you looking for a fun way to remind someone you love that they are special? Be kind and gift them the Mister Rogers Bath Bar Mini Soap from the NeatoShop. This practical little gift is sure to put a smile on their face. It is a wonderful way to remind someone that they are special and to please wash their hands.
Be sure to check out the NeatoShop for more great Bath and Body. New items arriving all the time.
Don't forget to stop by the shop to see our large selection of customizable apparel. We specialize in curvy and Big and Tall sizes. We carry baby 6 months all the way to 10 XL shirts. We know that fun, fabulous, and wonderful people come in every size.
Some days you need a little more help to find the happy. On those days may we suggest channeling the inner positivity of Bob Ross with the Bob Ross Happy Little Mints from the NeatoShop. This cheerful little tin, of peppermint flavored mints, is there to remind you that there is still plenty of beauty all around you.
Be sure to check out the NeatoShop for more great Mints & Candies. New items arriving all the time.
Don't forget to stop by the shop to see our large collection of customizable apparel and bags. We specialize in curvy and Big and Tall sizes. We carry baby 6 months all the way to 10 XL shirts. We know that fun, fabulous, and optimistic people come in every size.
Written by Tania del Rio and Created and Illustrated by Will Staehle
We at, Neatorama, love books! How can you not love books? Books smell and feel great! They provide a form of escape that, in this nutty world we live in, is sometimes necessary and craved. Books help people forget their fears and find bravery in the strength of others.
Given the craziness that the world is experiencing now, we truly appreciate the people at Quirk Books for sending us this lovely copy of Warren the 13th and the Thirteen-Year Curse. This book is the final installment of the trilogy. In first book, Warren the 13th and the All-Seeing Eye, and the second book, Warren the 13th and the Whispering Woods, we were introduced to Warren. Warren is a twelve-year-old orphan and hotel heir who lives in a fascinating hotel.
In this final book, we find Warren in his thirteenth year. As we continue to follow him on his journey we see that his life continues to be fraught with intrigue and danger. More importantly, however, he is still surrounded by a cast of fascinating characters.
Navigating his trusty hotel turned ship, Warren, travels the high seas in an attempt to rescue his best friend from an elusive traveling circus. Did we mention that his best friend is actually a multi-eyed octopus-like creature named Sketchy? How can you not be charmed by a book with an octopus-like creature.
Warren the 13th and the Thirteen-Year Curse is a really beautifully illustrated book. Enclosed in this teal and black book you are likely to find the kind of drawings that inspire you to pick up a sketchpad and a pencil. The colors are simple, but the details are captivating.
Reading is always a great way to stave off bordeom, encourage imagination, and escape your troubles. We encourage everyone, young or old, to read a good book today.
Warren the 13th and the Thirteen-Year Curse (Quirk Books) is scheduled to be available for sale on March 24, 2020. It is suggested for children ages 8-12.
As you go about your day working, playing, washing your hands, or stockpiling for armageddon, accidents are bound to happen. When injury strikes, the Leech Bandages from the NeatoShop are there for you.
Real leeches can be harder to come by than toilet paper and hand sanitizer, so sometimes you just have to settle for the imitation. When medicinal leeches are out of stock at your local leach dealer try a Leech Bandage. They don't suck, but they do have pretty pictures of your favorite parasitic bloodsucker.
Be sure to check out the NeatoShop for more great Bath & Body. New items arriving all the time.
Don't forget to stop by the shop to see our large selection of customizable apparel. We specialize in curvy and Big and Tall sizes. We carry baby 6 months all the way to 10XL shirts. We know that fun and fabulous people come in every size.
Don't let chaos and fear rule your world. Channel your inner super hero with the Wonder Woman Sticky Notes from the NeatoShop. Each booklet contains a set of Wonder Woman themed sticky notes and is here to remind you that you are a warrior. Lasso your truth and remind yourself that there is nothing that you can't overcome.
Be sure to check out the NeatoShop for more great Office & Desk stuff. New items arriving all the time.
Don't forget to stop by the shop to see our large selection of customizable apparel. We specialize in curvy and Big and tall sizes. We carry baby 6 months all the way to 10 XL shirts. We know that fun, fabulous, and powerful people come in every size.
Are you looking for a way to add a little practical magic to your life? Store your most prized, and mysterious, possessions in the Alchemy Zipper Bag available at the NeatoShop. This sensible bag is splendid for housing makeup, pencils, or other some objects.
The Alchemy Zipper Bag features a spellbinding design. The pouch is sure to elevate or transform your style.
Don't forget to stop by the shop to check out the large selection of customizable apparel. We specialize in curvy and Big and Tall sizes. We carry baby 6 months all the way to 10XL shirts. We know that fun, fabulous, and enchanting people come in every size.
People think the Pacific Northwest is a beautiful and peaceful place to live, but make no mistake some areas are just baaad. Did you know that we have goats holding people hostage? No kidding! This criminal might be the Greatest Of All Time!
