Written by Sammie Vance, Youth Change-Maker
When I think of Christmas I think of family and traditions. This year will be a little bit different with the pandemic. There are some traditions that we will not be able to do, like big family gatherings, going to see the Christmas Carol, and watching a new movie in the theatre on Christmas Eve.
Interviewed by Lorrie Holmes
My book publishing journey has been chalk full of researching, learning, connecting, and growing! My goal in creating Hi It’s Me, I Have ADHD was, If my book can impact the life of one child with ADHD, then it will be worth it! Two years later, I now have a child who is diagnosed with ADHD. I have life experience with it. I am educated about it. I teach and coach children who have it. I am an author of a children’s book about it. I am also a mama to a daughter who is impacted by it! These are all of the things that have turned me into an expert on ADHD.
Katelyn Mabry, Author, Hi It’s Me, I Have ADHD
Since childhood, I have been involved with music in some way. From lessons, to choirs and even bands. After completing my degree in music education from Western University, I taught in public schools for a number of years before finding my dream job at Music Together of Kitchener-Waterloo. Here is where I can teach with passion in an environment that I love.
– Written by Justin Sather
My name is Justin Sather. I am 10 years old and I live in Los Angeles, California. Frogs are my favourite animal. I know a lot about frogs. Frogs are amphibians. They live on land and in water. There are over 5,000 different types of frogs that live around the world. I also know that frogs need our help.
Justin Sather, International Youth Changemaker
In Kindergarten I learned that frog populations are on the decline. Herpetologists discovered one-third of amphibian species are disappearing all over the world. They are shocked that so many frogs are dying. Frogs are indicator species. They breath and drink through their skin and this makes them sensitive to the environment. Sick frogs are telling us that the planet needs our help. Frogs have been alive for thousands of years. It made me sad to hear that frogs could go extinct. Frogs are interesting animals. It’s amazing that frogs start off as tadpoles. Also, I like all the bright coloured frogs. My favourite frogs are strawberry dart frogs, mossy, frogs, and the glass frog. All these frogs make the world more magical! My goal is to tell the world about the frogs. I want people to know frogs are telling us the planet needs our help. I want to teach people to take take of our planet. I started to sell toy frogs to my friends, family, classmates and neighbours, to raise awareness.
When children are immersed in nature, they gain self confidence, grit, and problem solving skills that they can use to thrive in all areas of their lives. At Wasatch Nature School our goal is to help each child plant seeds of the wonder that will sprout into a lifelong connection to nature and learning.
Kristy Nuttall, Marketing Director/Head Nature Teacher
We believe during these hard times, the world needs something to keep them motivated and stay safe. That’s why we wrote this song – to remind our young audience that we are in a pandemic and the only way out is to follow guidelines and regulations. Unfortunately, we are not able to go out as often or see friends and family, so music is something that is bringing us together.
-Paridice Music
I recall vividly the day I took notice of Paridice Music on social media. I was scrolling through my Instagram feed and stopped dead in my tracks on your cover song of Somebody You Loved. It was hauntingly beautiful and before the music ended, I was already messaging you to introduce us and ask if you’d be interested in writing a parody about wearing a mask as a plea to your young peers this Halloween. You checked us out and responded quickly with a yes and we were thrilled! In no time, you came up with these amazing lyrics and began recording the vocals. It was our honour to create this video for you and we hope the message resonates with our followers and far far beyond our reach.
-Lorrie Holmes, Editor, Kids News & Reviews
Photo by @karribrantleyphoto
My name is Brayden Eaton, I’m a 13 year old actor that is based in Los Angeles, CA. I am originally from Detroit, MI, and I have been a professional actor now for 3 years. Since I was 5 years old, I had begged my parents to become an actor. Being the good parents they are, they made me wait until they knew I was really serious, which was when I turned 10 years old. They allowed me to do local stuff like musicals and local commercials, but I wanted to do more. I knew this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. It wasn’t a hobby, it’s something I loved to do, so much so, I wanted it to be my job. I’m excited to be sharing my story with you today as an example that no matter your age, if you believe in yourself while pursuing your dreams and you work hard enough, you can make them happen.
Brayden Eaton, Actor
– Alana Schober, Founder and Owner of Sparx Studio
When I taught kids in the classroom with the set out curriculum, I found myself more drawn to teaching them lessons about social skills, health, and overall mental wellbeing. I strongly felt that these concepts were not taught enough in the everyday curriculum and that schools are focussed too much on academics. I think society and the education system needs to support kids to be empowered and healthy in addition to knowing what the square root of a number is.
Written & Illustrated by Saraa, Age 12. Saraa lives in Vancouver, British Columbia
My name is Saraa and I am twelve years old. I’m really excited that my story will be shared on Kids News and Reviews. It’s about how I feel about this Thanksgiving. I am excited about this because I think that a lot of other kids might be feeling the way I do too, and that is why I’m writing this story.
I think a lot of other kids might be feeling like me this Thanksgiving even if they do not have to write an assignment about it.
-Saraa
Growing up in Brazil and living in six different countries provided me an amazing opportunity to learn a lot about the children I worked with in all these multicultural environments. These children inspired me to create an imaginary world – one full of animals and fantasy.
Lucia Matuonto, Children’s Author & Illustrator
Interviewed by Lorrie Holmes
KIDS NEWS & REVIEWS: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself. Why you created your children’s books and what they are about.
LUCIA: I am a physiotherapist. I specialize in working with children with special needs, and I have enjoyed doing this for the past 14 years. For many years, I taught and treated children with motor and cognitive disabilities, and I have learned a lot about children through these experiences.