Spook-A-Thon Time Already? You Betcha!

THE HUB TV NETWORK PRESENTS EIGHT- HOUR SPOOK- ATHON OF ‘R.L. STINE’S THE HAUNTING HOUR: THE SERIES,’

ADDS EVEN MORE SCARES TO ITS LINEUP AS SCHOLASTIC’S POPULAR ‘GOOSEBUMPS®’ TV SERIES JOINS SCHEDULE

Series Marathon Features Scariest Episodes From Season One
Featuring Guest Appearances by Hollywood’s Favorite Young Actors


LOS ANGELES – Kids, don’t let your parents watch TV alone on Friday, August 19 (6 p.m.-2 a.m. ET), when The Hub <http://www.hubworld.com/> TV Network brings viewers a lifetime of fright on just one night with an eight-hour block of 16 of the scariest episodes of the popular series, “R.L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour.”  The fright-fest sets the stage for the debut on The Hub of the wildly popular series “Goosebumps®,” beginning Tuesday, September 6 (Mondays -Thursdays, 5:30 p.m. ET).  

Goosebumps® the live-action, half-hour series produced by Scholastic Media is based on the best-selling books written by R. L. Stine and published by Scholastic.  The series has more than 300 million books in over 32 languages. Kids of all ages will enjoy all 80 episodes of the anthology series that takes place in a strange reality where nothing is ever as it seems. Normal kids find themselves trapped in scary situations and facing strange paranormal events. From evil Halloween masks to howling werewolves, spooky scarecrows to life-like dummies, and haunted amusement parks to toy towns that come to life, in “Goosebumps,” anything can happen!

“R.L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour: The Series” is a Hub TV Original Series which will begin its second season with all-new episodes this fall. The popular half-hour anthology series has become a must-do for young Hollywood actors, with season one guest stars including Ariel Winter (“Modern Family”), Debbie Ryan (“Suite Life on Deck”), Nolan Gould (“Modern Family”), Grayson Russell  (Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules).

About The Hub

THE HUB is a multi-platform joint venture between Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) and Hasbro, Inc., (NASDAQ: HAS) with a goal of entertaining, enlightening, empowering and educating children and their families.  The cable and satellite television network features original programming as well as content from Discovery's library of award-winning children's educational programming; from Hasbro's rich portfolio of entertainment and educational properties built during the past 90 years; and from leading third-party producers worldwide.  The Hub lineup includes animated and live-action series, specials and game shows, and the network extends its content through a robust and engaging online presence, www.hubworld.com <http://www.hubworld.com/> . The Hub rebranded from Discovery Kids on October 10, 2010, and reaches approximately 62 million U.S. households.  The Hub logo and name are trademarks of Hub Television Networks, LLC.  All rights reserved.

Visit The Hub on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/#!/hubtvnetwork <http://www.facebook.com/>


For more information on Goosebumps, visit mediaroom.scholastic.com/goosebumps <http://mediaroom.scholastic.com/goosebumps> .
 

Ice Cream Intel: Fun Facts in Honor of July ‘National Ice Cream Month’

Cowabunga Ice Cream company cites cool facts, fun figures and tasty trends about America’s favorite frozen confection

FORKED RIVER, NJ, July 2011 - In 1984, President Ronald Reagan designated July as National Ice Cream Month and the third Sunday of the month (July 17, 2011) as National Ice Cream Day. He recognized ice cream as a fun and nutritious food that is enjoyed by a full 90% of the nation's population. In the proclamation, President Reagan called for all people of the United States to observe these events with "appropriate ceremonies and activities." With this in mind, Cowabunga Ice Cream (www.CowabungaIceCream.com) - a national super premium designer ice cream and healthful frozen yogurt brand - would like to share some tasty tidbits about ice cream and its impressive impact on our nation.

Far more than just a delicious dessert, ice cream impacts America’s economy at large. “According to The International Ice Cream Association, the U.S. ice cream industry generates billions in annual sales and provides jobs for thousands of citizens,” notes Ellen Schack, founder and CEO of Cowabunga Ice Cream. “They report that about 9% of all the milk produced by U.S. dairy farmers is used to produce ice cream, contributing significantly to the economic well-being of the nation's dairy industry.”
If that wet your whistle for more ice cream intel, consider the below cool facts, figures and trends about America’s favorite frozen confection.

Did you know?...
• Each American consumes a yearly average of 23.2 quarts of ice cream, ice milk, sherbet, ices and other commercially produced frozen dairy products.
• The Northern Central states have the highest per capita consumption of ice cream at 41.7 quarts.
• More ice cream is sold on Sunday than any other day of the week.
• Ice cream and related frozen desserts are consumed by more than 90 percent of households in the United States. (Source: Mintel)
• Ice cream consumption is highest during July and August.
• In 1984, President Ronald Reagan designated July as National Ice Cream Month and the third Sunday of the month as National Ice Cream Day.
• The most popular flavor of ice cream in the United States is vanilla (27.8%), followed by chocolate (14.3%), strawberry (3.3%), chocolate chip (3.3%) and butter pecan (2.8%). (Source: The NPD Group's National Eating Trends In-Home Database)
• Children ages two through 12, and adults age 45 plus, eat the most ice cream per person.
The average number of licks to polish off a single scoop ice cream cone is approximately 50.
The History of Ice Cream and the Cone:
The true origin of ice cream is unknown, however reports of frozen desserts have been reported as far back as the second century B.C.

• The first official account of ice cream in America was recorded in 1700 from a letter written by a guest of Maryland Governor William Bladen.
• In 1812, Dolley Madison served a magnificent strawberry ice cream creation at President Madison's second inaugural banquet at the White House.
• The first ice cream cone was produced in 1896 by Italo Marchiony. Marchinoy, who emigrated from Italy in the late 1800's, invented his ice cream cone in New York City. Around the same time a similar creation, the cornucopia, was independently introduced at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair.
• Stephen Sullivan of Sullivan, Missouri was one of the first independent operators in the ice cream cone business. In 1906, Sullivan served ice cream cones at the Modern Woodmen of America Frisco Log Rolling in Sullivan, Missouri.

Sources: International Ice Cream Association, a constituent organization of the International Dairy Foods Association (www.idfa.org)

The Designer Difference
Cowabunga recently announced that its super premium designer ice cream brand has gone national, with its inimitable ice cream and probiotic frozen yogurt offerings now available for order and delivery throughout the continental U.S. through its online storefront at www.CowabungaIceCream.com.

“Cowabunga Ice Cream elevates the ice cream experience from ordinary to extraordinary by combining divine premium ingredients with distinctive flavors that leave our customers longing for more,” said Schack. “While our inspired ice cream blends are ultra rich and luxurious on the palate, our brand uniquely blends this exquisite epicure experience with the fun and relaxed sensibility of surfing and beach culture. This I call the ‘Cowabunga lifestyle,’ which translates to living life to the fullest and in abundance until it overflows. We’re anxious to share our ice cream, and the culture it represents, with food-and-fun-loving consumers and event planners across the nation.”

Whether for personal enjoyment, as a decadent gift for others, or in bulk to elevate corporate, social and other special events, Cowabunga Ice Cream offers a wide variety of perennial and seasonal flavors, with many that are exclusive to the brand. Offerings in its current designer ice cream line include:

Rodeo Drive Designer Flavors:
• Cookie Dough - Cookie dough flavored ice cream with chocolate chip cookie dough chunks and dark chocolate chips mixed in
• Mint Chocolate Chip - Cool mint flavored ice cream with dark chocolate chunks
• Cake Batter - Cake batter flavored ice cream that tastes just like out of the mixing bowl
• Almond Joy - Coconut flavored ice cream with almonds and dark chocolate chips mixed throughout
• Coffee Espresso - Rich coffee flavored ice cream with chocolate covered espresso beans scattered throughout
• New York Cheesecake - Luxurious creamy cheesecake flavored ice cream including real cheesecake chunks and graham cracker swirled throughout

Off 5th Avenue Chocolate Flavors:
• Classic Chocolate - A rich and decadent chocolate ice cream
• Death by Chocolate – Chocolate ice cream with chocolate chunks, chocolate cake “crunchies” and fudge swirled throughout
• Chocolate Peanut Butter – Chocolate ice cream swirled with creamy peanut butter

Lux Vanilla Flavors:
• Very Vanilla – A smooth and velvety vanilla ice cream unlike any other
• Take 5 – Vanilla ice cream with peanuts, caramel, and chocolate covered pretzels mixed in
• Rice Krispy® Treat - Vanilla ice cream with marshmallow swirled throughout and Rice Krispies® mixed in

Beverly Hills R.E.A.L. Yogurt – all flavors are low fat and contain probiotics to naturally promote healthy digestion:
• Red Velvet Cake
• Peanut Butter
• Chocolate Cable Car
• Strawberry

About Cowabunga Ice Cream
Cowabunga Ice Cream, with its flagship retail location at 44-I Manchester Ave, Forked River, NJ 08731, was originally founded to give the Jersey Shore community a friendly place to gather and enjoy high-caliber classic and healthy frozen desserts. As word spread about the taste and quality of Cowabunga ice cream, the company inspired to offer its unique approach to ice cream on a national level. Today, Cowabunga Ice Cream is known as the world’s first designer ice cream offering a luxe epicure experience that leaves consumers longing for more. In addition to its bevy of beloved ice cream flavors, Cowabunga also offers healthy frozen yogurts containing probiotics - the natural way to promote healthy digestion. The company’s ice cream and ice cream cakes are also available in bulk orders for special events. Learn more online at www.CowabungaIceCream.com.

Note to Editors: Cowabunga Ice Cream press kit, high-resolution artwork, and executive interviews available by request. For Cowabunga Ice Cream inquiries contact Michelle Barbara or Merilee Kern, Kern Communications, 858-577-0206, Michelle@kerncommunications.com.

New RoseArt® Activity Kits Exclusive Limited Time Launch at Target

Fun summer craft activities in an easy-to-carry box

05.19.2011– RoseArt® introduces their all-new Activity Kits, sold exclusively at Target stores, for a limited time only, May 22 through July 9, 2011. RoseArt® activity kits inspire creativity and encourage kids to get in touch with their inner-crafter by providing everything needed to create the fun projects pictured on each box!

Activities include:
• Origami Animals
• Mini Metallic Mosaics
• Clay Buddies
• Color Surprise Art
• Make Your Own Pin Wheels
• Paint Your Own Wood Cars
• Create Your Own Kaleidoscopes
• And Many More!

The 7 Days of Fun kits challenge kids to create one craft a day for an entire week with projects such as origami animals, sand art, sequin art, clay buddies and much more! The Me & You Activity Kits include everything needed for two crafters to create together, providing a great bonding activity for kids with their parents, friends, siblings, grandparents and babysitters! Project themes include Paint Your Own Wood Cars, Create Your Own Kaleidoscopes, Pin Wheels, Pen Sand Art, Color Surprise Art among several others.

Twitter Pitch

For a limited time only, shop @Target for the all-new @RoseArtFun summer fun activity kits!

News Facts

• New RoseArt® Activity Kits will be available exclusively at Target Stores nationwide from May 22 to July 9.
• RoseArt® 7 Days of Fun kits provide everything you need for a craft a day for a whole week.
• RoseArt® Me & You Activity Kits include all the supplies needed for crafting fun for two!
• RoseArt® Activity Kits cost just $4.99.
• RoseArt® Activity Kits are recommended for kids 6+.

20th Anniversary of Thelma & Louise!!!

TAKE A RIDE OF A LIFETIME TO

COMMEMORATE 20 YEARS OF

"Exhilarating!" - The Washington Post

"This wincingly funny, pertinent and heartbreaking road movie means to get under your skin, and it does.” - Rolling Stone

Experience the unforgettable adventure for the first time on Blu-ray February 8th

LOS ANGELES, CA (January 4, 2011) – The adventurous twosome can now be seen like never before! THELMA & LOUISE arrives February 8 for the first time on Blu-ray from MGM Home Entertainment in time to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the film. Buckle up for the road trip of your life or relive the thrills once again with the star-studded cast including Susan Sarandon (Dead Man Walking, The Rocky Horror Picture Show), Geena Davis (Beetlejuice, The Fly), Brad Pitt (Inglorious Bastards, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button), Michael Madsen (Reservoir Dogs, Kill Bill), and Harvey Keitel (The Piano, Taxi Driver).

Directed by action master Ridley Scott (Black Hawk Down, Gladiator) from an Oscar®-winning* screenplay by Callie Khouri, Thelma & Louise is a thrilling, full-throttle adventure hailed as one of the best road movies of all time. Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis star as accidental outlaws on a desperate flight across the Southwest after a tragic incident at a roadside bar. With a determined detective (Keitel) on their trail, a sweet-talking hitchhiker (Pitt) in their path and a string of crimes in their wake, their journey alternates between hilarious, high-speed thrill ride and empowering personal odyssey even as the law closes in.

The special 20th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray will be available for a suggested retail price of $19.99 U.S./$21.99 Canada. Prebook is December 29, 2010.

20th Anniversary Edition Thelma & Louise Blu-ray Special Features – (U.S. Catalog #M123251 and CAN Catalog #M123252)

    ●    Commentary by Ridley Scott
    ●    Commentary by Susan Sarandon, Geena Davis and Callie Khouri
    ●    Deleted and Extended Scenes
    ●    Extended Ending (with Commentary by Ridley Scott)
    ●    Documentaries and Featurettes, including "Thelma and Louise: The Last Journey"
    ●    Original Theatrical Featurette (with and without promotional narration)
    ●    Multi-Angle Storyboards: The Final Chase
    ●    “Part of You, Part of Me” Music Video by Glenn Frey
    ●    Trailer and TV Spots

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc., through its operating subsidiaries, is actively engaged in the worldwide production and distribution of motion pictures, television programming, home video, interactive media, music and licensed merchandise. The company owns the world's largest library of modern films, comprising around 4,100 titles.  Operating units include Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc., United Artists Films Inc., Ventanazul, MGM Television Entertainment Inc., MGM Networks Inc., MGM Domestic Networks LLC, MGM Distribution Co., MGM International Television Distribution Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Home Entertainment LLC, MGM ON STAGE, MGM Music, MGM Worldwide Digital Media, MGM Consumer Products and MGM Interactive.  In addition, MGM has ownership interests in international TV channels reaching nearly 120 countries.  MGM ownership is as follows:  Providence Equity Partners (29%), TPG (21%), Sony Corporation of America (20%), Comcast (20%), DLJ Merchant Banking Partners (7%) and Quadrangle Group (3%).  For more information, visit www.mgm.com.

# # #

Press materials available at www.foxpressroom.com

Follow Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment on: Twitter @FoxHomeEnt

For Screeners please contact FoxMGMRequests@hillandknowlton.com (Media Only)

Media inquiries: Jennifer Lang, 310.369.3980; jennifer.lang@fox.com /

Jenn Quader, 949.223.2308; jenn.quader@hillandknowlton.com

Online requests: Scott Neumyer, scott@click-comm.com

Canada: Bernice Couto, 416.486.7219; Bernice.couto@gcicanada.com

Thelma & Louise
Street Date:	February 8, 2011
Prebook Date:	December 29, 2010
Screen Format:	Widescreen
Audio:	English 5.1 DTS HD Master Audio, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital and French 5.1 DTS
Subtitles:	English/French/Spanish
U.S. Rating:	R
Total Run Time:	129 minutes
Closed Captioned:	Yes

The Hub: Holiday Lineup, Full of Family Favorites!

The week culminates with a three-day holiday weekend of programming that includes two new episodes of “R.L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour: The Series,” from the best-selling author and master of scary tales, R.L. Stine.

Highlights of The Hub holiday schedule follow:

• Hub Special Presentation: “The Christmas Toy” (Friday, December 24, 8 a.m. – 9 a.m. ET; encore presentation: Saturday, December 25, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. ET) Celebrate the magic of the season in this one-hour, Jim Henson Christmas special where the toys in the playroom magically come to life when people are not around.

• Hub Special Presentation: “Atomic Betty: NO-L 9” (Friday, December 24, 3 p.m. – 4 p.m. ET; encore presentation Saturday, December 25, 11 a.m. – noon ET) Atomic Betty (Tajj Isen) has to stop Maximus from turning singing planets from a forgotten constellation into ornaments for his Christmas tree.

• A special Hub holiday-themed episode of “Hubworld” (Friday, December 24, 6:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. ET) The Hub presents a special holiday-themed episode of the weekly, live-action pop culture magazine show “Hubworld,” that infuses what's happening in the life of everyday kids with what's happening on The Hub. Actor-magician Justin Willman hosts.

• A special holiday-themed episode of “Family Game Night” (Friday, December 24, 7 p.m. – 8 p.m. ET) The Hub presents a special holiday-themed episode of the new live-action series “Family Game Night,” featuring your favorite Hasbro board games that become larger-than-life experiences where families compete for cash and prizes!

• Hub Family Movie Night: “Muppets Christmas Carol” (Friday, December 24, 8 p.m. – 10 p.m. ET; encore presentation Saturday, December 25, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. ET) The Muppets take on the Dickens classic about the miserly Scrooge (Michael Caine) learning the true meaning of Christmas after being visited by the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future.

• “The Adventures of Chuck & Friends” (Friday, December 24, 10 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. ET; encore presentation Saturday, December 25, 10 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. ET) A new holiday-themed episode of the animated series “The Adventures of Chuck & Friends.”

• Hub Original Series Premiere: “R.L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour: The Series” (Saturday, December 25, 8 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. ET; encore presentations Saturday, December 25, midnight and 12:30 a.m. ET) Anthological storytelling returns to television in this half-hour live-action children’s series, based on the works of best-selling author and master of scary tales, R.L. Stine. The Hub will premiere two new episodes “A Creature Was Stirring” (8 p.m.) and “The Dead Body” (8:30 p.m. ET.)

• Hub Family Movie Night: “Muppets Take Manhattan” (Saturday, December 25, 9 p.m. – 11 p.m. ET; encore presentation Sunday, December 26, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. ET) Kermit, Fozzie Bear and the entire cast of Kermit's musical Manhattan Melodies head for the Big Apple with plans to turn their small play into a big hit!

• Hub Family Movie Night: “Larger Than Life” (Sunday, December 26, 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. ET; encore presentation Sunday, December 26 8 p.m. – 10 p.m. ET) Jack Corcoran (Bill Murray) is left an Elephant in his father's will and has to get the animal from the East Coast to California in just 5 days so he does not miss his big speaking engagement.

• Hub Family Movie Night: “Good Boy!” (Friday, December 31, 8 p.m. – 10 p.m. ET; encore presentation Saturday, January 1, 2011, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. ET) A canine agent, Hubble (Matthew Broderick), from the star Sirius has been sent to verify the rumors that dogs have failed to take over the Planet Earth. Starring Molly Shannon, Kevin Nealon, and Cheech Marin.
Additional Hub holiday programming includes: (All time ET)

• “The Wonder Years”
(Monday, December 20, 9 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.; Tuesday, December 21, 9 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.; Wednesday, December 22, 9 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.; Thursday, December 23, 9 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. and Thursday, December 30, 9 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.)

• “Happy Days” - (Monday, December 20, 10:30 p.m. – 11 p.m.; Tuesday, December 21, 10 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. – 11 p.m.; Wednesday, December 22, 10 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. – 11 p.m.)

• “Laverne & Shirley” - (Tuesday, December 21, 11 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.; Wednesday, December 22, 11 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. and Thursday, December 30, 11 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.)

• “Pictureka!” - (Wednesday, December 22, 4 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.; Thursday, December 23, 4 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.; Friday, December 24, 4 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.)

• “Family Ties” - (Wednesday, December 22, 8 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.; Thursday, December 23, 8 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.)

• “Doogie Howser, M.D.” - (Wednesday, December 22, 9:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.)

• “Fraggle Rock” - (Wednesday, December 24, 2:30 p.m. – 3 p.m.)

• “Atomic Betty” - (Friday, December 24, 2:30 p.m. – 3 p.m.)

• “Honey I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Series” - (Saturday, December 25, 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.)

• “The Adventures of Chuck & Friends” - (Monday, December 27, 9 a.m. – 1p.m.)

• “The Twisted Whiskers Show” - (Monday, December 27, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.)

• “The WotWots” - (Tuesday, December 28, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.)

• “My Little Pony Friendship is Magic” - (Tuesday, December 28, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.)

• “Animal Mechanicals” - (Wednesday, December 29, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.)
• “Pound Puppies” - (Wednesday, December 29, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.)

• “Dennis and Gnasher” - (Thursday, December 30, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.)

• “G.I. Joe Renegades” Marathon - (Thursday, December 30, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.)

• “Cosmic Quantum Ray” - (Friday, December 31, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.)

• “Hub Exclusive: “G.I. Joe Renegades” and ‘Transformers: Prime’” - (Friday, December 31, 4 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.)

• “Transformers Prime” Marathon – A Hub Original Series:

• “Transformers Prime”- Part 1 of “Darkness Rising” (Friday, December 31, 4:30 p.m. – 5 p.m.)

• “Transformers Prime” - Part 2 of “Darkness Rising” (Friday, December 31, 5 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.)

• “Transformers Prime” - Part 3 of “Darkness Rising” (Friday, December 31, 5:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.)

• “Transformers Prime” - Part 4 of “Darkness Rising” (Friday, December 31, 6 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.)

• “Transformers Prime”- Part 5 of “Darkness Rising” (Friday, December 31, 6:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.)
In addition to great holiday programming, The Hub will host a special “Naughty or Nice” contest on Saturday, December 25, 8 a.m. – 10 a.m. ET. Children can vote online beginning Monday, December 6 for their picks of The Hub’s naughtiest and nicest animated characters. The top two winners from each category will be featured on The Hub. For additional contest information and to vote for your favorite characters, visit www.hubworld.com/vote

The Hub

The Hub is a multi-platform joint venture between Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) and Hasbro, Inc., (NYSE: HAS) with a goal of entertaining, enlightening, empowering and educating children and their families. The cable and satellite television network features original programming as well as content from Discovery's library of award-winning children's educational programming; from Hasbro's rich portfolio of entertainment and educational properties built during the past 90 years; and from leading third-party producers worldwide. The Hub lineup includes animated and live-action series, specials and game shows, and the network extends its content through a robust and engaging online presence at www.hubworld.com. The Hub rebranded from Discovery Kids on October 10, 2010, and reaches approximately 60 million U.S. households. The Hub logo and name are trademarks of Hub Television Networks, LLC. All rights reserved.

-The Hub--

For press materials and show art, visit press.discovery.com

Contact Information:

Crystal Williams Miranda Gooding
The Hub Bender Helper Impact
818-531-3673
Crystal_Williams@hubtv.com
Miranda_Gooding@bhimpact.com

Cool Stuff Every Kid Should Know - About Cities Around the USA!

Arcadia's series "Cool Stuff Every Kid Should Know" is awesome! After I read the six titles I was sent, I let my niece read them, and then we read them together, and she agreed: "Aunt Jane, now I want to go to these places and see this stuff for real!" I agreed. Even cities I'd already seen took on new wonder, after I read these simple little books.

I read "Cool Stuff Every Kid Should Know" about Buffalo, NY; Charleston, SC; Orlando, FL; Atlanta, GA;, and Cincinnati, OH.

Each book had 48 pages and 70 color photographs, and each page was laid out in a very easy and interesting way, making it fun for Stephanie and me to read and point things out to each other.

The books are suggested for readers age 7 - 11, but seriously, I think anyone of any age would enjoy learning about the various cities in our country.

Each book is $9.99.

I am seriously considering putting together a trivia competition at school, based on the information in these books. I think they're perfect for such things, at home or at school. Homeschoolers, especially, might be interested in this series.

The author, Kate Boehm Jerome, loves to write educational books for kids! Her award-winning programs are avidly read by thousands of young people in homes and schools throughout the United States. Kate is an active volunteer in her local school district and is a member of various Boards and organizations that promote both child and adult literacy - and, in particual, science literacy.

the publisher, Arcadia Publishing, is committed to American manufacturing. All books are manufactured entirely in South Carolina on American-made, FSC certified paper. the FSC logo assures consumers that the paper comes from forests tht are managed to meet the social, economic, and ecological needs of present and future generations.

What happened in 1927 that helped Canada and the United States become even better neighbors?

How do the streets in Charleston stay so clean?

What do Orlando's animals and its waste water have in common?

What does Atlanta's "Celebration of the Century" have to do with ancient Greece?

What city is nicknamed "Porkopolis?"

See what I mean? These books are masterpieces of important trivia and information about the cities in our own country.

P.S. Do you know the answers? Prove it in the comments!

The Day Leo Said "I Hate You"

I was especially interested in this book because of my nieces and nephews; it will soon be Christmas and I love to give the gift of books. I was already familiar with the author, Robie H. Harris, and am a fan of her book It's Perfectly Normal, so I approached this new book already smiling.

When I finished reading the book, I was still smiling.  It's just simply lovely.  I can't wait to read it to my little nieces and nephews!

Here is the release, and every word of it is true.  I know.  I've got the book on my lap as I type!

The moment those dreaded words - "I hate you! - pop out of a young child's mouth, almost every child wishes they had never been said.  In The Day Leo Said, "I Hate You!" (Little, Brown), now available in paperback, renowned author Robie H. Harris shows how strong but perfectly normal feelings like anger and frustration can lead to such outburst, and how one child and his mother successfully deal with those feelings and ultimately reaffirm their love for each other.  In a few short pages and in a caring and reassuring manner, Harris and three-time Caldecott Honor illustrator Milly Bang convey some big emotional truths about the inner lives of young children.


Leo hates it when Mommy says "No," and today it feels like she just won't stop saying it.  "No string beans in the fish bowl!"  "No toothpaste down the toilet!"  "No drawing on the wall!"  Leo is angry and frustrated.  But when the words "I hate you!" pop out of his mouth, he instantly wishes he could stuff them back in.  Then his biggest fear sets in: Will Mommy hate him for saying those three words?


But the mother in The Day Leo Said, "I Hate You!" handles the moment beautifully, explaining to Leo that while words have the power to hurt others, she never stops loving him, even when he expresses strong, angry feelings.  It's a powerful lesson about empathy and love, one that affirms Leo's inner experience and leads him - and the book's audience, young children - toward greater emotional understanding.  Once Leo's anger is acknowledged and dealt with, he can bond with Mommy over their hatred of broccoli, smelly cheese, and runny noses and, in a sweetly satisfying ending, Leo draws a loving picture of his mommy.


The Day Leo Said "I Hate You" pairs Harris for the first time with Molly Bang, whose rich, saturated colors and expressive figures add depth and emotional resonance to a story that readers will find both entertaining and comforting.  The book received starred reviews in Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews and School Library Journal, which praised "Harris' wisdom and sense of humor regarding early childhood behavior," wile Kirkus wrote that "Harris' patient take on a difficult topic will make this must-have reading for many a parent and child."


Robie H. Harris is known for portraying the emotional lives of young children with wisdom, honesty, and humor.  A master at expressing complex human emotions in simple scenarios with simple language and a compelling story, Harris helps young children and their parents understand and deal with those strong, but perfectly normal feelings like anger, frustration, and jealousy.  By creating characters who not only express, but also move through these feelings, Harris' candid, insightful- and at moments humorous - stories ultimately reaffirm the importance of love and acceptance in human relationships, especially those of young children and their parents.

The Day Leo Said, "I Hate You"
Written by Robie H. Harris
Illustrated by Molly Bang
Published by Little, Brown
November 2010
Ages 3-6 - 32 pages
$6.99 Paperback
ISBN: 978-0-08350-8

I want to add something else:  this book was, of course, written with very young children in mind, to soothe them when they utter words of hate and frustration that hurt someone else.  However, very often, a young parent will find comfort in a book such as this, just as much as their child will.