Eileen Wacker Gives Her Take on Kids and Reading in an Article Featured on Baltimore's Child

Author, CEO of ONCEKids publishing, and mother of four, Eileen Wacker, was recently featured on Baltimore’s Child with her candid article about the subject avoided by many parents: their children’s reading skills. The busy working mom sheds light on the truth behind kids and reading; that most parents don’t find themselves with kids who love to read and just can’t wait to turn off the television and pick up a book. From a young age, it is drilled into our minds that good reading skills are vital for any success in school, so when parents find themselves with a child who is not picking up reading easily they panic- but Eileen is stepping in to say not only is that completely normal, but its okay. Nowadays, parents feel immense pressure to have their kids be excellent at everything and always one step ahead of their peers, when the reality is that for most parents that just isn’t the case. 

Click here to read the full article on Eileen's take on kids and reading

Learn more about the award-winning Fujimini Adventure series.  Purchase the books here

Your Guide to Planning a Stress-Free Thanksgiving Dinner

Thanksgiving is the perfect time to relax, watch football, eat till you (almost) feel sick, and just be thankful for what you have- that is if you aren’t hosting Thanksgiving. If you have ever hosted Thanksgiving dinner at your house before you probably know that the experience can be the opposite of relaxing. And if it is your first year hosting the festivities at your house I imagine you are probably already stressing out over the guest list, menu, decorations and everything else that goes into planning a food-abundant party. 

Thankfully (pun completely intended), Meg Galvin from SparkPeople Blogger has created a “Stress-free Thanksgiving Planning Guide” complete with weekly preparation steps to help Thanksgiving dinner hosts enjoy the holiday as much as their guests do. She advices beginning planning three weeks prior to the holiday, so if you haven’t already begun doing so than you should get on that ASAP! 

Here is what you should have already done:

1. Make a guest list of family and friends you wish to include

2. Send invitations and ask people what they plan to/can bring 

3. Once you know how many people will be attending, take an inventory of all the china, glassware, serving dishes, and silverware you own (don’t worry about everything matching!)

4. Choose your decor; including napkins, candles, tablecloths, and fall related decorations.

What you should start doing this week:

1. Finalize your menu

2. Shop for all non-perishable items

3. Pick your turkey (fresh versus frozen)

4. Make and freeze a meal for yourself for the Wednesday before Thanksgiving

Meg’s Turkey tips:

If you plan on buying a frozen turkey, get it now. Avoid buying any turkey over 15 pounds because the bigger the turkey, the older it is*

What to do the week of Thanksgiving:

1. If you bought a frozen turkey, thaw it out. Make sure there is room in your refrigerator and use a large pan to catch any juice that escape as it thaws. For every four pounds the turkey weighs, allow 1 day of thaw time.

2. Clear out or eat any leftovers to make plenty of room in the fridge

3. 2 days ahead: make any desserts and clean the house

4. The day before: 

-Prepare side dishes that can be held over night

-Pick up any last minute items such as rolls or ice

-Figure out how long you’re going to need to cook your turkey for

-Set out all serving dishes and utensils 

-Chill beverages

5. The day of:

-Clean bathrooms

-5 hours before: rinse and pat turkey dry, put the bird in the oven, and run the dishwasher

-3 hours before: begin to assemble side dishes and set up the carving board

-2 hours before: set up dessert table 

-1 hour before: set up beverage table, check turkey

-30 minutes before: bake rolls and make gravy

-15 minutes before: carve your turkey

Then give yourself a pat on the back because you just prepared and cooked an awesome Thanksgiving meal and now it is time to enjoy yourself with your food and guests! Worry about the mess later…

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

A Reminder of Why We Wear Pink in October

October is not only the month for spooky costumes and apple picking but it’s also the month dedicated to breast cancer awareness. Students, athletes, and organizations across the country are going pink this month to represent and support breast cancer survivors everywhere. 

To join to fight against breast cancer, staff at ONCEKids has dedicated themselves to “thinking pink” for October. But this concept means so much more than just a color. So although we love and participate in the idea of pink, I want to remind you the purpose behind that (awesome) color. 

Breast Cancer Awareness Month was created to spread awareness and encourage steps towards prevention of the disease that affects 1 in 8 women during her lifetime. It was also created to support, encourage and inspire hope in those who are currently battling breast cancer or who have recently overcome it and their loved ones. The color pink symbolizes hope, unity, and a common cause: to overcome the disease that more than 12.4% of women fight. Integrating pink into our daily lives reminds women fighting breast cancer that they are not alone and that there is hope. In 2011, more than 2.6 million women fought and won their battle with breast cancer. 

So while “Pinktober” remains an amazing idea, lets not forget why and for whom we are going pink for in the first place. Some breast cancer fighters have expressed concern that in the sea of pink, the message behind Breast Cancer Awareness Month has been drowned out. So let us remind these strong mothers, daughters, sisters, wives, and friends that behind all the pink the message stands clear and stronger than ever- the key to prevention is awareness and this month we will be dedicated to spreading that awareness to everyone around us. 

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 

Celebrate Being a Woman this Saturday on International Women's Day

The upcoming weekend is a time of excitement for a lot of people, for college students it may be the start of spring break, for others it may just be a time to relax. But this weekend is an exciting time for other reasons too- because on Saturday it’s not just the start of the weekend, it’s also International Women’s Day!  

International Women’s Day is a special holiday because it is a day where the whole world is celebrating and acknowledging the beauty of being a woman. This day is also for remembering the influential women in our history and how their bravery and motivation has gotten us women where we are today. In addition to honoring these women, on this day and every day after, we are encouraged to follow their example when forging ahead and creating our own milestones in gender equality. 

The message of this day deeply resonates with our own messages and beliefs at ONCEkids. We at ONCEkids applaud the accomplishments women make everyday in historical ideas and shifting societal norms. Excelling in both their careers and in their roles as mothers, modern women have achieved and are continuing to achieve what was once thought to be impossible- what we were once told was impossible. 

their home and at work. Women everywhere are stepping out of the shadows to rise above as powerful employers and employees, challenging

It is because of the women in history that were not phased by stereotypes and did not take no for an answer that we are where we are today. International Women's Day is a day dedicated to not only remembering the accomplishments of those women, but also reminding ourselves of our own accomplishments. And it is a day to not just remind ourselves of this, but also remind young girls that being a women is something to be proud of and that their future is bright and their possibilities infinite. The United States has even extended the celebration of women to the entire month, dubbing March as Women’s History Month!

How Mommy Bloggers Are Taking Over Social Media

The domination of men within the world of all things technology is slowly declining as more and more women are integrating technology, specifically social media, into their daily routines- at home and within the workplace. Today the number of women using social media in their day to day lives has reached 75%, versus 63% of men. 

Women of all ages and careers are a growing influence within social media, but one group in particular is beginning to stand out- a group affectionately dubbed "Mommy Bloggers". This term, one we are VERY fond of here at ONCEkids, describes female parents who use social media to reach out to other mothers, ranging from stay-at-home moms to moms balancing work and kids. This demographic has become extremely large as well as influential, and it only continues to grow each day. As of today, there are approximately 3.9 million of these Mommy Bloggers in North America, a number that can only be expected to get larger over time!

Giving everything from parenting and marriage advice to revealing funny or inspirational stories about their own triumphs and challenges, these mothers are here to offer unconditional support and say "Hey, you're not alone in this- we get it!"

 Anyone who has ever had a child knows that being a parent is a never ending job and, though rewarding, can be very challenging and even sometimes isolating. So being able to go online and read about other women who have had the exact same things happen to them and have faced similar dilemmas can be very comforting. 

Many of the blog sites are interactive, so women can not only read about other mothers, but get a chance to chat with them too! Mommy bloggers have given confidence and a voice to mothers everywhere, reminding them that we are all in this together. 

To learn more about Modern Moms and The Mom Code, please visit ONCEKids Publishing website, Facebook and Twitter

ONCEkids Celebrates Heroic Moms (Part Three of Three)

As mentioned previously, we are extending our heroic mothers series from Mother's Day through the end of May, because one day is simply not enough to even begin to explain all that our mothers do for us. 

There are dozens of stories out there, all equally touching and inspiring, of mothers who sacrificed everything, sometimes even their lives, for the sake of their children. In dedication of the heroic mothers everywhere, we have selected just a small handful of these countless women and decided to tell their stories.

To learn more about Modern Moms and The Mom Code, please visit ONCEKids Publishing website, Facebook and Twitter

Our list continues with Sharrie Shelton Duncan. While on vacation in Positano, Italy, Duncan and her 12-year-old son, Shane, were standing on a pier admiring the waves when a freak wave washed up, knocking them off their feet. Witnesses recall how Duncan was able to lift her son and push him up to rescuers before being swept away in the current that eventually took her life. She will forever  be remembered as a hero who put her son's life and safety before her own.

Our last mom, Erika Zeeman, jumped into action when she and her husband, along with their young daughter, stopped at a gas station near their home in Hercules, South Africa. As they pulled up to the gas station, they were unaware of the robbery that was in progress, until five men, armed with 9 mm handguns and an AK47, stormed out of the store.

Zeeman's husband, Piet Zeeman- who is also a police officer, immediately pursued the fleeing robbers. As he was chasing them, one of them turned around and began to fire into the Zeeman's family car, aiming directly at their toddler, Demi, who was sitting in the backseat. Seeing this, Erika launched across the seat, shielding her daughter with her own body. Erika was shot five times in the back while protecting Demi, but after being rushed into surgery and having the bullets removed, she miraculously survived and it is thanks to her heroic act that Demi was kept alive and unharmed. 


Has your family received a Nook, Kindle or iPad this year?  Find Fujimini Adventure Series award-winning books here.  Great family-friendly gifts.

Remember to tell your mom everyday how much she means to you because, as these stories prove, they truly will do anything, even risk or give up their own life, to keep you out of harms way. 

Here at ONCEkids, every mother is a hero. Comment below and tell us how your mother is yours!

ONCEkids Unsung Females Heroes (Part 4 of 5)

Nancy Lawlor from New York City proves that even the smallest gestures can make a huge difference in someone's life.

She makes our list of unsung heroes because she takes the time to collect flowers from hotels, weddings, and corporate events to give away to people in need. She has even turned this idea into a nonprofit organization, FlowerPower. She was inspired to begin this project eight years ago, sitting in the lobby of the Waldorf Astoria. She remembers how she admired the breathtaking flower displays and thinking to herself that it was such a shame that they went to waste. Like many hotels and businesses, at the end of the day the beautiful bouquets are tossed into the dumpster and replaced with new ones. 

After getting the Waldorf Astoria to get onboard, Lawlor got to work making her plan a reality. Not long after, she had successfully delivered $2,000 worth of huge pink bouquets to a New York City hospital. 

Since then, FlowerPower has delivered more than 2.5 million dollars worth of flowers to those who need it most, including rehabilitation clinics, crisis centers, and hospitals. 

Has your family received a Nook, Kindle or iPad this year?  Find Fujimini Adventure Series award-winning books here.  Great family-friendly gifts.

When asked about her project, Lawlor says, "I've seen thousands of people transformed, all over a single bouquet of flowers that originally would have been thrown away. All it takes is one person to say yes." 

Nancy Lawlor's kindness and generosity shows that even a small act of kindness, such as a bouquet of flowers, can be enough to brighten someone's day and cheer them up during an extremely difficult time in their life. 

To learn more about Modern Moms and The Mom Code, please visit ONCEKids Publishing website, Facebook and Twitter

ONCEkids Unsung Heroes (Part Two of Five)

Our list continues with two more women who have dedicated their lives to helping others. These women have shown their passion for helping others by speaking for those who cannot speak for themselves. 

Laurie Marker has been living in Namibia for the last 33 years fighting to save Africa's most endangered big cat- the cheetah. The prickly thornbush that covers the plains of Namibia has been injuring the cheetahs when they run through it up to speeds of 70 mph, which has been interfering with their ability to wild game. Unable to hunt in the wild, the cheetahs have been forced to resort to farmer's livestock- resulting in many of them being cornered and trapped by farmers. 

Has your family received a Nook, Kindle or iPad this year?  Find Fujimini Adventure Series award-winning books here.  Great family-friendly gifts.

Marker took it upon herself to solve this problem by sending wood chippers in to chop up all the brush. Since she took this initiative, cheetahs have been returning to the cleared areas and successfully hunting. Her love for the big cats began in the 1970s, when she worked at a wildlife refuge in Oregon. There, she raised both a tiger and a cheetah from the time they were born. She continued her mission by opening up the Cheetah Conservation Fund before heading to Namibia. 

The next inspiring woman on our list also has a passion for saving animals, but instead of cheetahs, she focuses her attention on a different kind of animal-horses. 

Erin Hurley has been riding horses since she was a little girl, riding in competitions beginning at the age of nine. As she grew into adulthood, she shifted her attention from competing with horses to rescuing them. After finding out the fate of many horses who retire from racing, she was determined to give a better life to them. As you can imagine, this was a very expensive goal- seeing as horses are not cheap by any means. 

For the first few years after establishing South Jersey Thoroughbred Rescue & Adoption, Hurley often had to pay out of pocket to feed and care for the horses. Flash forward to today, she can afford to keep and care for up to 15 horses at a time- thanks to some help from a Philadelphia racetrack. In just six short years, Hurley has save hundreds of horses from a life of misery, and many times even the slaughterhouse. 

To learn more about Modern Moms and The Mom Code, please visit ONCEKids Publishing website, Facebook and Twitter

ONCEkids Unsung Female Heroes (Part One of Five)

When I looked up the definition of a hero my results included a statement that said a hero can be defined as "a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and qualities." Many of the people who meet this definition are recognized for their heroic actions in the news and through social media each day, but I found myself wondering- what about the heroes that are missed by the news and don't appear in the headlines? And notice, the definition stresses that a hero is a man who demonstrates these characteristics. So we at ONCEkids have compiled a list of the unsung female heroes of today, people who have reached out to others in a way that is both moving as well as inspiring, whose stories we feel ought to be told. 

Our first hero is our youngest female on our list, Allison Winn. Her organization, named the Stink Bug Project, has partnered with the Morgan Adams Foundation to give dogs to children with cancer, providing them with comfort and companionship during their difficult cancer treatments. Her idea came about after adopting a bichon frise during the time of her 14-month-long treatment for a brain tumor. She recalls that the dog's presence helped her feel better and more upbeat during her recovery. It was then that she decided she wanted sick children everywhere to feel the same type of affection from such a lovable animal- also did we mention that Allison is 10 years 
old? 
Has your family received a Nook, Kindle or iPad this year?  Find Fujimini Adventure Series award-winning books here.  Great family-friendly gifts.

She set her plan in motion by first setting up a lemonade stand. For the entire summer she worked the stand, selling homemade lemonade and dog biscuits. By the end of the summer she had saved up $1,000- which gave her enough to adopt and train two dogs to give them to two children. Since that summer, the program has raised $33,000 and organized the adoption of 10 different dogs, paying for everything from the adoption fee to the dog bed, crate, food, toys, and a collar. Allison and her family has continued their efforts towards helping kids with cancer feel just a little bit better and she has said that it is her ultimate goal to spread the cause to other states as well, instead of keeping it to just Colorado. 

To learn more about Modern Moms and The Mom Code, please visit ONCEKids Publishing website, Facebook and Twitter

'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.