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CUES YOU CAN USE FOR TIME TOGETHER
b y R A A K H E E M IR C H A N D A N I
c o m p o s e y o u r s e l f
If all those years of reading to your kids has you feeling qualified to write a
book of your own, you might just be right. So says mom, teacher, and
first-time children’s book author Lori Degman, whose
i Z a n y Z o o
won
Cheerios’ Spoonful of Stories contest. Her best advice for would-be writers?
“ Get honest feedback.” She found an online critique group through the Society of Children’s
Book Writers and Illustrators
(s c b w i.c o m )
and liked the format: “ You can do it in
your pajamas!” Her book will be in stores in July, but you can find a free
copy in Cheerios boxes right now.
Submit manuscripts fo r this year’s
contest through July 15 to
s p o o n fu ls o fs to r ie s c o n te s t.c o m .
IENS
S A F E
R I D E S
Got a new driver in the family? Then
consider
ZOOMSAFER,
a safety service
that recognizes when your teen’s car is
moving more than 15 mph and intercepts
incomingtext messages and phone calls to
p reve nt text i ng-a n d-d ri vi ng acci d e nts
($2.99 a month at
Z o o m S a fe r.c o m ).
The
software can even send an automatic
response, letting Susie’s best friend know
she’s behind the wheel and can’t pick up.
Parents choose the settings online and can
allow certain preapproved numbers to be
sent through to a hands-free device.
A L L O G R E I T
May is the traditional start of
blockbuster season, and the month
is bookended by two releases sure
to keep a nation of 14-year-old boys
enthralled:
I r o n M a n 2
(May 7) and
P r in c e o f P e r s ia : T h e S a n d s o f
T im e
(May 28). But for something
the whole family can enjoy, our pick
is
S h r e k F o r e v e r A f t e r ,
the fourth
and final film in the series. Find
out how the jolly green
giant survives his 3-D
mid-fairytale
crisis May 21.
M a B e lle
This Mother’s Day, tell the world about
your cool and stylish mom. Submit a
vintage photo of her sporting her best
back-in-the-day ensemble to the blog
My Mom, The Style Icon
( m om styldcons
.blogspot.com ).
Her retro chic will live
forever on the site, and the best looks will
find their way into author Piper Weiss’
book out next year from Chronicle.
High Impact
Concered about a child’s weight? The National Institue
of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
suggests setting up family activity times. That way,
everyone gets exercise-great for super-busy moms—
and no one feels singled out. Weekends are perfect for
flying a kite or a family car wash. We like an after-
dinner bike ride or Hula-hoop contest for weeknights.
2 3 4
MAY 2010
BETTER HOMES AND GA
PHOTOS; (STRETCHING) GETTY; (CEREAL BOWL) VEER
