A Look at the White House        

            Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out (Candlewick Press) was conceived and co-created by the National Children's Book and Literary Alliance.  It is an incomparable collection of essays, personal accounts, historical fiction, and poetry that melds with an equally stunning array of original art to offer a multifaceted look at America's history through the prism of the White House.  Starting with the 1792 call for designers to plan a presidential mansion and continuing through the present day, Our White House takes in everything from the amusing antics of presidents' children and pets to the drama of the White House ablaze and the specter of war; from the role of immigrants, African-Americans, and Native Americans to the thoughts and actions of many presidents themselves. 

        More than 100 celebrated authors and illustrators have donated their prose, poetry, and art to help young people become informed citizens.  These highly engaging writings and illustrations, expressing varied viewpoints and interwoven with key historical events, are a vital resource for family sharing and classroom use - and a stirring reminder that the story of the White House is the story of every American.

Neighborhood Open Gyms  

        Kids in elementary school and junior high are invited to join the fun of supervised open gym time at neighborhood schools.  Drop in for 20 minutes or longer - it's up to you!  Open Gym runs from November 1, 2008 through March 2009 (except for Christmas Break).  All gyms will be closed on holidays.  Open Gym is a free service courtesy of a partnership of the Boise Independent School District and Boise Parks and Recreation.  Locations and hours may be subject to change. Call 384-4256 for more information. 

Grades K-6

    •   Hawthorne Elementary School, 2401 Targee, 10am-2pm, Saturdays & Sundays
    •   Liberty Elementary School, 1740 E. Bergeson, 10am-2pm on Saturdays & 1-4pm on Sundays
    •   Koelsch Elementary School, 2015 N. Curtis, 10am-2pm Saturdays & Sundays
    •   Valley View Elementary School, 3555 Milwaukee, 10am-2pm on Saturdays & 1-4pm on Sundays 

Grades 7-12

    •   Les Bois Junior High, 4150 E. Grand Forest Dr., 9am-noon on Saturdays & 1-4pm on Sundays
    •   Hillside Junior High, 3536 Hill Road, 8-11am on Saturdays & 1-4pm on Sundays
    •   East Junior High, 415 Warm Springs Ave., 9am-noon on Saturdays & 1-4pm on Sundays

Travel Safety Tips           

            Traveling with kids can be a challenge.  The American Academy of Pediatrics (aap.org) has tips for the entire family, whether on the road or in the air. 

Traveling by Airplane

• Allow yourself and your family extra time to get through security - especially when traveling with younger children.
• Talk to your children before coming to the airport about the security screening process. Let them know that their bags (backpacks, dolls, etc.) will be put in the x-ray machine and will come out the other end and be returned to them.
• Discuss the fact that it's against the law to make threats such as "I have a bomb in my bag." Threats made jokingly (even by a child) can result in the entire family being delayed and could result in fines.
• Similar to travel in motor vehicles, a child is best protected on an airplane when properly restrained in a car safety seat appropriate for the age, weight, and height of the child, meeting standards for aircraft until the child weighs more than 40 pounds and can use the aircraft seat belt. You can also consider using a restraint made only for use on airplanes and approved by the FAA. Belt-positioning booster seats cannot be used on airplanes, but they can be checked as luggage so you have them for use in rental cars and taxis.
• Although the FAA allows children under age two to be held on an adult's lap, the AAP recommends that families explore options to ensure that each child has his own seat. Discounted fares may be available. If it is not feasible for you to purchase a ticket for a small child, try to select a flight that is likely to have empty seats.
• Pack a bag of toys, books, and snacks to keep your child occupied during the flight.
• In order to decrease ear pain during descent, encourage your infant to nurse or suck on a bottle. Older children can try chewing gum, filling up a glass of water and blowing bubbles through a straw (4 years of age or older), or blowing up balloons (8 years of age or older).
• Consult your pediatrician before flying with a newborn or infant who has chronic heart or lung problems or upper or lower respiratory symptoms.
• Consult your pediatrician if flying within two weeks of an episode of an ear infection or ear surgery.

Homemade Meals from a Local Author             

            Chicken has always been a popular choice when it comes time for dinner.  So it's simple to imagine why rotisserie chicken cooking has become a hot trend in family cooking, easy cooking, healthy cooking, and delicious cooking.  The Rotisserie Chicken Cookbook, written by local Eagle resident Michelle Ann Anderson, shares nearly 200 recipes converting store-bought rotisserie chicken into quick, convenient, and delicious meals. 

        Anderson is the recent winner of the 47^th Annual National Chicken Cooking Contest. She has appeared on the Food Network as a guest of Linda Gassenheimer's Food News and Views, and is a monthly contributor to Treasure Valley Family Magazine.

Baked Chicken Ziti

Pasta oozing with melted cheese...the ultimate comfort food!

Makes 4-6 servings

Ingredients

Kosher salt to taste
8 ounces ziti
2 cups diced rotisserie chicken
1 28-ounce jar prepared chunky garden style pasta sauce
1 8-ounce container sour cream
½ cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves, chopped
2 cups shredded Italian blend cheese

Directions

1.   Preheat the oven to 350°.  Spray a 2-quart casserole dish with cooking spray.
2.   Bring a large stockpot three-fourths full of water to a boil; lightly season with kosher salt.  Stir in the ziti.  Cook for 4 to 5 minutes.  The pasta should be very undercooked.  Drain.
3.   Stir together the chicken, pasta sauce, sour cream, and cooked ziti.
4.   Pour half the sauced ziti into the casserole dish; sprinkle with half the basil and half the cheese.  Pour in the remaining ziti, followed by the remaining basil and remaining cheese.
5.   Bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until the ziti is tender but firm and the cheese is melted.

World Music for Kids       

        Sesame Street Playground (Putumayo Kids) is an exciting world music adventure for kids, with each song produced in its country of origin.  This 13-song  CD  features favorite Sesame Street Muppets, plus characters developed to reflect the unique cultural and social development needs of children in each host country.  Elmo, Big Bird, and Snuffleupagus join the rest of the Sesame Street family to perform familiar tunes, as well as original songs from international Sesame Street shows, in an array of different languages.

    Sesame Workshop President Gary Knell points to the importance of using music to introduce children to other cultures.  "Music is an extremely powerful medium [that] can elicit a wide range of emotions simply from the pace, volume, or melody.  While musical style is unique to different regions of the world, music itself is something we all have in common."

Habits of Happy Kids 

            The 7 Habits of Happy Kids (Simon & Schuster) by Sean Covey, illustrated by Stacy Curtis, introduces young readers to the well known 7 Habits through an irresistible cast of characters and accessible stories that give parents the tools to help explain useful life lessons.  The book includes  a tip to parents from the author, as well as discussion points and next steps, at the end of each story.  This book helps to teach kids timeless values and principles - from figuring out how to take charge of their own lives to discovering why balance is best. 

Family Reading Week  

    Area libraries will be celebrating Idaho Family Reading Week, November 16-22, 2008.  This year's theme, "AR-R-R-R-R-RE You Reading" reminds us of all the great opportunities our libraries offer.  Contact your local library to find out how they are participating.

Tips for How to Raise a Curious Reader!

• Be animated; use different voices and facial expressions as you read.
• Decide on a regular time to read each day, even five or ten minutes gets children ready to read on their own.
• Let your child turn the pages and point to words as you read.
• Encourage a love of words by playing rhyming and word games, singing silly songs, or writing stories together.
• Ask questions about the books you read together. If your child is older, talk with him or her about the books they are reading.
• Choose books that support your child's interests, from dinosaurs to wizards.
• Reread your child's favorite books whenever asked. After several readings, ask your child to tell you the story.
• Involve your child in the reading by asking questions. Ask "what" questions - avoid questions that require a simple "yes" or "no" answer. You might ask, "What do you think will happen next?" Remember to give your child time to think about the question and respond.
• Most important - have fun reading to your child!

Information provided by the Read to Me program, a service of the Idaho Commission for Libraries.