ONCEKids Back to School Checklist (Part 3 of 4)

By: Kate Camillo

Hi guys. Welcome back. As you can see this is the third part of a series, check out the previous blog posts to get caught up to what we’re going to talk about today. We are all sick and tired of seeing the same blogs and posts about pencils and glue sticks and folders. While those are important, we’re here to discuss more unconventional things that need to be addressed in time for back to school.

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Back to school is a busy time for all, kids have to be put back on a schedule that they were not used to during the summer. It is best to ease your child in because the last thing you want is a tantrum the first day of school because they are tired and don’t want to get ready for school. Start by waking them up a little bit earlier than they normally would. If your child is a natural early riser (which if you are that lucky, I’m jealous), then you have nothing to worry about. I’m not saying wake them up at 6 am, but maybe 9 instead of 10, the act of being woken up is going to prepare them for school. Along with wake ups in the weeks leading up to school, it is good to have your child get ready, such as getting dressed and eating after the wake up so they are used to having to do something in the morning. This is very different from them waking up whenever they please and wearing pajamas all day. Lastly, you should set time aside where they have something they have to do, to mimic a school day. Maybe have them read for half an hour, or sit and focus on something like the Fujimini game. You don’t have to play teacher and whip out a lesson plan, but an hour of having something they have to do will prepare your children for the inevitable, school. Of course these things are in no means necessary, nor do you have to do them everyday, but this could help with potential argument that occurs the morning of the first day of school.

Once school starts it is going to be hard to focus on anything else. You’ll ask them how their day was and help them with their homework and learn how to do whatever math teachers are teaching these days. It can be hard to connect with your child outside of this. Next on our list is making time to spend with your child that can help your relationship and help them detach from school. You can read together, play the Fujimini game together, check a weekly blog such as the Fujimini one, or anything else you can think of. It is important to make time to hang out with your kid. Don’t get so caught up in back to school that you forget the relationship you had in the summer, the fun one where you played games and went to the park.

Fujimini Island is a community that can help you do this, we have a game, a blog, an instagram, a website, coloring pages and so much more. We see the value of parents being with their kids and are here to help. (Another shameless promo, I’m sorry, but not really because it’s my job). Promo or not, that statement still holds true, we are here to help bond together mother (or father) and kids.

Checklist so far:

• Provide your kids downtime
• Encourage new forms of reading
• Get their creative juices flowing with imagining stories
• Ease them into structure
• Spend time together

Countdown until September 1st: 25 days!! It’s getting so close! I can almost smell the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches!!!

Find ONCEKids Publishing on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram here.

I hope you’re enjoying the last couple weeks of summer and we’ll see you next week!

ONCEKids Back to School Checklist (Part 1 of 4)

Written by Kate Camillo

Back to school! Back to school! Let’s shout it from the rooftops! It’s almost that time where we can send our kids back to school!! Best time of the year! I’m sure you saw the title and were like “nope, I’m out”, but don’t worry this is not going to be your basic back to school list comprised of pencils and 2 inch binders, which leads me to wonder if 2 whole inches are really necessary. This is our ONCEKids out of the box checklist designed to remind you of the not so obvious things to prepare for the upcoming school year.

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We have to start prepping for this time as a collective mom-unit. The night before the first day is not the time to figure out how this show is going to be run. We have to have our routine mastered, our pencils sharpened and our kids well-rested. I am sure your child’s wonderful educators will provide you with a list of items they need in the classroom and in their backpack. I STRONGLY suggest you buy tissues, pencils, and other things in bulk for your child’s teacher as a sign of appreciation on top of the list they give you because most of the supplies bought for classrooms is paid out of pocket by the teachers, not provided by the school. But we’re here to talk about what goes on at home, after school and before school.

While back to school can be stressful for us, it is actually more stressful for the kids. It is a complete change in their routine of staying up, watching movies, sleeping in and eating Mickey Mouse shaped chocolate chip pancakes in the morning, or more likely eating Eggos and Trix cereal. Kids need down time once school starts! They need time to relax and wind down after a long day of studying spelling words and learning their times tables. (This is only kind of sarcastic). Video games are some of the best ways for kids to relax. They get to focus on something else. I mean you’ve been here, you’ve read all the reasons why video games are fantastic, there’s no reason for me to repeat myself. But, I am going to direct you to my previous blog posts if you have absolutely no idea what I am talking about. Fujimini Island the game is coming out right in time for back to school. Yes, I did just shamelessly promote myself and product. But more importantly, they need to escape school after they finish their homework, watch a show, read a book, play a game.

Alright, so this series (if we can even call it that), will continue next week and maybe even on to the week after. I really don’t know. If I’m being completely honest, I haven’t written it yet. One thing I do know is that it will pick up right where this left off with more items for our back to school checklist that is not really a back to school checklist. Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Also, the Fujimini Island blog will be up soon with character descriptions that really complement the books.

Countdown until September 1st anybody? 40 days. FORTY. That’s 3,469,985 seconds in case you were wondering. Let me know your child’s first day in the comments down below and I’ll add that to our countdown at the end of every blog.

Video Game Advantage for Kids: Video Games = Good? (Part 5 of 6)

By: Kate Camillo

Welcome back guys! I hope everyone has been enjoying this series so far. We are almost done and will be moving on to a new topic in the next couple of weeks. Before we get down to business, I just want to suggest to you guys to follow ONCEKids and Fujimini Island on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for updates, posts, and much more! 

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Let’s talk about parent-child relationships. It can sometimes be hard to relate to your child if you have completely different interests. Video games can be a great way to connect with your child. You can play together or against each other. Video games also switch up the dynamic between parent and child. It will be your child’s turn to teach you how to do something. This will give your child a chance to have a leg up over mom and dad in something. This can do wonders for a kid’s confidence and overall mood. By giving a child the opportunity to teach a skill, you are helping their communication and social skills. They are also learning the value of practice and patience. Playing a game together is a great way to bond, the conversation between the two of you will come naturally. Playing against each other is also a great way to bond. It will spark a healthy competition between the two of you and will create a continuous setting to spend time together. No one gives up after a loss, there is always a rematch! Always a “same time, same place!” Always an “I’ll get you next time!” This ensures more time to bond, compete and grow a relationship. 

Video games help as a way to alleviate many things such as anxiety, stress, pain and cravings. The focus needed for games can be used as a helpful distraction from everyday bothers. Video games let you escape the outside world and completely dive into a new one where those everyday stresses do not exist. What a great book can do for some, a great game can do for others. Your kid had a hard day at school, let him go play his favorite game for an hour and watch his bad mood get replaced with an awesome one!

I am going to take this opportunity to drop a quote from a CBSNews article about a study done on effects of video games on children and I am sure it will speak for itself. “Those who played video games ... were associated with the highest levels of sociability and were most likely to say they were satisfied with their lives. They also appeared to have fewer friendship and emotional problems, and reported less hyperactivity than the other groups." 

The next time you see your child playing a video game ask to watch or even join! Hope you enjoyed this week’s blog and we’ll see you next week!

ONCEKids Continues Their Commitment to Reading With the Literacy Project

The holiday season is also known as the season of giving, and that was no exception this season at ONCEKids. Author of the Fujimini Adventure Series, Eileen Wacker, and her staff at ONCEKids are committed to literacy and spreading a love of reading to kids everywhere. We strongly believe that no child should be devoid of the joys reading can bring. So to provide the wonders of a great book to children who don’t have many (or sometimes any) books to call their own, Ms. Wacker donated thousands of books to various schools and children’s hospitals across the country, including 10 inner city schools in New York City alone. 

To learn more about the ONCEKids literacy project, watch the video below:

ONCEKids Publishing is run by literacy advocate and Mompreneur Eileen Wacker.  Click here to find her acclaimed books

ONCEKids Shares Pictures From This Year's Orange County Children's Book Festival

On September 28th, OnceKids joined over 150 other authors, illustrators, and publishers at the 11th annual Orange County Children’s Book Festival. The festival was created by Barry Ackerman to promote literacy and a love of reading in children everywhere, a message that still stands strong today. Since it’s inception in 2004, the festival has grown substantially, with over 130,000 attendees this year. 

OnceKids was so excited and honored to have our beloved author Eileen Wacker and her amazing Fujimini Adventure Series featured at this year’s event and it could not have been more fun! 

Scroll below to see some of the photos from this year’s festival:

1. Setting up our booth!

2. Prepping for the big day!

3. Author Eileen Wacker and two of our amazing actors

4. Early on in the festival

5. Blue Penguin and our new friend share a high five

6. Our first visitors!

7. More high fives!

8. One of our biggest attractions of the day- Face painting! 

9. Our new adorable friend

10. Lia from OnceKids is ready!

11. Another great shot of author Eileen Wacker with actors Anita Vora and Jason Richter

12. Cassidy getting ready to rock out in our Blue Penguin suit!

13. Author Eileen Wacker

14. Little fans get a sweet surprise from the Blue Penguin

15. Author Eileen Wacker signs her new book for a fan

16. A snap shot of the main stage from the OC Book Festival!

These are just a few of the many photos from our awesome weekend at the Orange County Children's Book Festival! If you weren't in attendance for this year's festival make sure to make an appearance next year and experience what is becoming one of the largest children's book festivals in the country.

To learn more about the characters and world of Fujimini Island, click here

Join OnceKids at the Annual Orange County Children’s Book Festival

This upcoming week on September 28th, the only children’s book festival in all of California is taking place. Over 39,000 attendees are expected this year, making it the biggest one yet! Families with children of all ages come to meet and buy books from the the 150 authors, illustrators, and publishers that will be there. And this year that list includes OnceKids! 

The Orange County Children’s Book Festival was created in 2004 with a vision of increasing literacy and a love of reading in children. We at OnceKids, strongly support and believe in this vision, so we could not be more thrilled to be able to be a part of it this year. Author of our beloved Fujimini Adventure Series, Eileen Wacker, admires the dedication and level of commitment made to reading by Orange County and the Corporate sponsorship required to keep this event coming back every year. 

We are excited to announce that at this event we will be launching Ms. Wacker’s seventh addition to the Fujimini Adventure Series, Blue Penguin and the Sensational Surf, as a multi-media book. It will be available in print, ebook, animated app, and dvd. The first six books will be available as well for families to buy and enjoy!

Escape for a little while and enter the Fujimini World at Booth 50, which will feature a variety of fun and exciting activities. Parents and children can watch our YouTube interviews regarding reading trends and discussions about the characters in the books, and get their picture taken or interview Jason James Richter, Anita Vora (two of our amazing actors), and author Eileen Wacker. But the fun doesn’t stop there; kids can get their face painted or temporary tattoos, play our latest game app, Fujiscene, or color in our special coloring corner. The actors and author of the animated books will perform a live rendition of the “Making of the Animated Book”, where children will laugh and learn about how our latest animated book was created. 

Join author Eileen Wacker on September 27th at the Hilton Hotel for a “Pre-Event Cocktail Hour”

Join us for gifts, conversation, and a toast to the Orange County Children's Book Festival.

Actors Anita Vora and Jason James Richter will also be present to meet and greet fans, answer questions, and talk about the animated books. 

The Pre-Event will take place at the Hilton Hotel on September 27th from 4:30 to 6pm.

Join Us May 14th For Zulily's Kids Book Collection

There is a lot of excitement buzzing through OnceKids as we prepare for tomorrow’s big event! Join our Fujimini Island book series and characters for Zulily’s Kids Book Collection on May 14th. 

If you haven’t heard of zulily or visited their website, zulily.com, you are seriously missing out! The company features clothes and other items for moms, kids, and babies. There is a wide variety of amazing brands but the best part is the amazing prices you can get them for- sometimes up to 70% off! And with a selection that changes daily, there is always something new to choose from. 

We are proud to be joining Zulily’s Kids Book Collection, featuring the Fujimini Island Box Set. Our four book box set holds Green Hamster and the Quest for Fun, Red Penguin and the Missing Sushi, Silent Samuari and the Magnificent Rescue, and Pink Hamster and the Big Birthday Surprise. Regularly priced at $29.99, tomorrow is your chance to get the set for just $9.99! 

Learn more about our Fujimini Adventure Series and check out Zulily’s amazing prices at:

http://fujiminiisland.com

and

http://zulily.com 

'Bucket List' Holds to Inspire Life

In recent years, movies and TV shows, such as The Buried Life, have brought the old term bucket list to our attention, but what really is a bucket list and why make one? A bucket list is a list of all the goals you wish to achieve and experiences you want to have before you die. They can be simple goals or big dreams. 

Creating a bucket list is important because it reminds you of what is really important. Most people spend their time getting caught up in the chaos of daily life, feeling like each day is just passing them by. 

To learn more about the inspiration and ambitions detailed in this article and Eileen Wacker's acclaimed book series, visit ONCEKids.

A bucket list will maximize every moment of life and encourage us to live life to its fullest. It is an eye-opening activity and gives the writer enthusiasm about the future, which is a crucial component of happiness. Plus, it's just fun to create! You can always remove things from your list or just keep forever adding to them. It is always a great feeling to cross things off as you accomplish them. 

When writing your bucket list, ask yourself certain questions to jog your memory if you feel like ideas are escaping you. Important questions to ask include:

• What if you were to die tomorrow? What would you do today?
• What have you always wanted to do that you haven't yet?
• What countries do you want to see?
• If you had unlimited time, money, and resources what would you do?
• What activities or skills have you always wanted to learn? 
• What would you like to achieve within your love life, social life, family, career, health and so on
• What do you need to live life to the fullest?

These are just a few of many questions you can ask yourself when writing your bucket list. Don't hold back when writing, with your bucket list you don't need to be too realistic, the sky is the limit! 

To find Eileen Wacker's acclaimed books, the Fujimini Adventure Series, click ONCEKids.

We at ONCEkids are strong believers in following your dreams and reaching beyond the ordinary. 

So tell us! What is on your bucket list? 

2012 Olympics Opening Brings Brits Strength

The media praised the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics for its humor and eccentricity. In its review The New York Times headlined "A Five-Ring Opening Circus, Weirdly and Unabashedly British", while newspaper's London correspondent, Sarah Lyall, called it a "slightly insane portrait of a country that has changed almost beyond measure since the last time it hosted the Games, in the grim postwar summer of 1948." Zhou Libo, a host on "China's Got Talent", commented that he felt the 2008 Beijing was solemn while 2012 London represents humor. He further commented that "solemnity and stateliness tells the world you are strong. Humour lets the world feel you are strong; it's about confidence." The true strength of the ceremony was in the light-hearted nature and self-mocking tone. Its ceremony proved to be very unique to any others, and just plain fun! It was clear that even the Queen was enjoying herself! 

To learn more about the culture in this article and Eileen Wacker's acclaimed book series, visit ONCEKids.

Despite much praising of the ceremony, it did receive some criticism. Greek media praised the ceremony to be entertaining, but felt it lacked the true sprit of the Olympics. They felt it was "too British" and had a "sense of exaggerated British national pride and a sense humor which not all the world understands." Critics said that it was like a big party and very fun, but lacked what a proper Olympic opening ceremony should have. Russian observers also felt it was "incomprehensible to non-Britons." 

To find Eileen Wacker's acclaimed books, the Fujimini Adventure Series, click ONCEKids.

Much praise came to the Queen for her role alongside 007 Daniel Craig in the James-Bond feature. In the past the Queen has been seen as reserved or unapproachable, but that was all changed after her participation in the opening ceremony. She proved to be very involved and let her true Olympic spirit shine. 

Tell us what you thought of the London 2012 Opening Ceremony! 

Incheon Airport Provides Exclusive Culture between Flights

Travellers won't dread layovers anymore if it means a stop at the Incheaon International Airport! In an attempt to break away from the rigid stereotypes that airports have, the Incheaon International Airport has created a revolutionary idea that will change the way people travel. Instead of sitting around feeling bored and tired while waiting to board the plane, passengers can now indulge in a range of diverse cultural events offered. 

To learn more about the Asian culture in this article and Eileen Wacker's acclaimed book series, visit ONCEKids.

Performances ranging from classical to traditional are held in the Korea Traditional Cultural Experience Center within the airport. In the center, waiting passengers can play traditional Korean instruments such as the "gayageum" and "janggu" or try handicraft such as kite and fan making. 

While travelers can also try on traditional Korean costume and purchase traditional crafts, such as Korean ceramics. Watch a reenactment of the queen and king of the Joseon Kingdom during the "Walk of the Royal Family" parade, at the passenger terminal. Another exciting feature of the cultural experience at the Incheaon Airport is that it is free for foreigners! 

To find Eileen Wacker's acclaimed books, the Fujimini Adventure Series, click ONCEKids.

The Incheon International Airport has topped the Airport Service Quality, which is conducted by Airports Council International, for seven years in a row for fabulous service. 

'Visit South Korea' in 2012 offers Fun, Culture, Excitement

The chaos and excitement of South Korea has always provided the perfect vacation spot for the eager tourist, but for 2012 there are even more reasons to head East. 

Visit Korea Year has been an ongoing campaign project for two-years, but 2012 is the final year of the campaign.  Visiting Korea during Visit Korea Year allows you access to the exclusive discounts and promotions that have been designed during this time to make Korea a more desirable place for travelers. These coupons, free bus shuttles, hotel deals, and KTX discounts of up to 30 percent won't last forever! This is the perfect opportunity for visiting!

To learn more about Asian themes, please visit Fujimini Island, find Fujimini Island on Facebook, follow Fujimini Island on Twitter.

Another reason to visit Korea this 2012 is the recent boom of K-Pop. This year has proven to be a good year for K-Pop and if you're a dedicated follower, now is the perfect time to witness some of the chaos for yourself. The passing of events such as the 21st Seoul Music Awards back in January or the Big Bang Concert shouldn't set you back, there is still plenty more to come in the exciting, constantly growing world of K-Pop music. 

Even if you're not a fan of K-Pop, there are still plenty of aspects of Korea that make it the place for you to visit this year. A reason that is proven challenging to argue with: the food. Explore deeply rooted tradition with thousands of mouth watering recipes in the local restaurant or at big events and food festivals, such as the 2012 Korean Food Festival.


To learn more about the this article and Eileen Wacker's acclaimed book series, visit ONCEKids, ONCEKids on Facebook,  ONCEKids on Twitter.

Expand your learning with events such as the 2012 International Exposition in Yeosu. The Exposition is opening under the theme "The Living Ocean and Coast", with the goal of sharing knowledge and dealing with issues regarding not only the ocean but also marine technology and sustainable resources. 

Even transportation is easier in Korea with the new express train, the ITX. Running at 180 kph, the ITX travels between Seoul and Chuncheon. Dubbed a "must-see" route by the Visit Korea Committee, Chuncheon is home to mountains, lakes, lake islands, and architectural as well as historical treasures. 

Though K-pop may rule when it comes to music, but Seoul's wide variety of tastes attracts the big international names in genres such as heavy metal, jazz, electronica, and indie pop/rock. Groups such as LMFAO have played in Seoul this year and the big names will surely continue to come. 

Technology-lovers can thrive during a trip to Korea with newer events such as Korea's Olleh Smartphone Film Festival. This innovative tech-themed event, on its second year of existence, promotes and celebrates the future of smartphone development. Creativity and boldness are encouraged at this festival with competitions for professional and amateur filmmakers with cash prizes for the winners. 

RIP Children's Artist Maurice Sendak, Great Video

Acclaimed children's author Maurice Sendak, widely considered the most important children's book artist of the 20th Century, known for Where the Wild Things Are, In the Night Kitchen and Outside Over There passed away on May 8, 2012 aged 83.

ONCEKids Publishing, home of the Fujimini Adventure Series holds great respect for the author.  We believe strongly in the importance of children's stories much like Mr. Sendak authored.  In tribute, below is a very funny interview conducted by Comedy Central's Stephen Colbert.  The conversation manages to cover several good topics, while bringing up good laughs and keeping it light.

To learn more about Asian themes, please visit Fujimini Island, find Fujimini Island on Facebook, follow Fujimini Island on Twitter.

Grim Colberty Tales with Maurice Sendak

Author and illustrator Maurice Sendak contemplates the complexity of children and the simplicity of Newt Gingrich.

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