I’ve always had a fascination with Ancient Egypt. It makes me happy that my kids get an introduction to ancient cultures at school. Isn’t it amazing how these books make history from so long ago feel like we are part of it? And there are still secrets to be discovered from these stories of Pharaohs…
Author: Pragmatic Mom
Exotic Fruit Challenge: Guyabano or Soursop
My 14-year-old son’s Exotic Fruit Challenge: Guyabano or Soursop. It’s also known as custard apple, guanabana, and Brazilian paw paw. Soursop is the fruit of Annona muricata, a broadleaf, flowering, evergreen tree. The exact origin is unknown; it is native to the tropical regions of the Americas and the Caribbean and is widely propagated. It…
First Semester at RISD: A Portfolio of Work
We moved my daughter home from RISD in March because of COVID-19. The school kept changing the move out date so it was an abrupt departure that left my daughter and her friends reeling. They had a week to move out, then a week of regularly planned Spring Break, and then distance learning began. I…
How to Protect Your Whole Family From Fleas This Season?
If your pets seem to attract fleas like a magnet, you’re probably already looking for effective flea drops to use this summer. Fleas are quite annoying and tackling a massive infestation is not an easy endeavor. It takes time and patience to get rid of these nasty invaders. Here are some tips to help you…
A Unit to Teach Kids About Microaggressions
I think I have been asked “Where am I from?” a lot since I was a child. It was a question that always felt a little uncomfortable, even if the person expressed a genuine curiosity. If I deflected from the implied question and answered that I was from California, or Southern California, or Seal Beach…
My World Read Aloud Day 2020
This was my first World Read Aloud Day as an author. I did Skype author visits with three classrooms. I was supposed to meet with a fourth, but I forgot to check their time zone and we ended up having to reschedule. The classrooms ranged from first to third grade. All the kids asked really…
22 Hiking and Camping Books for Kids
I was not raised in a camping family. My first camping excursions were summer camp-related to Junior High School leadership camp, which revolved around cabins rather than tents. I did my first “real” hike in college one summer when a group of us drove from Boston to the Catskills and camped in a tent. It…







