Last week we talked about all the feels that come with starting a new year. Some feelings last a long time and require more attention and care. Today, we share five books with stories about emotions and mental health. They can be discussion starters or remind middle-grade readers they are...
Preparing for a new school year provides an opportunity to do more than get new backpacks, shoes, and notebooks. It's an excellent time to help your child explore and talk about emotions and mental health. Many of us experience anxiety when we encounter change, and returning to school can mean...
Once upon a time, an emerging reader stumbled over words. She hated reading aloud in class, and when she tried to read to her family, they constantly interrupted the story to correct her mistakes. She decided she hated reading until one day, her kitten, Theo, asked her to read him...
Night Buddies fans already know that a whatchamacallit is a small object with a special power. Crosley has several whatchamacallits on his belt to help him and John on their programs. Many of the whatchamacallits were created by Crenwinkle, but we’re sharing plans from his top-secret files so you can...
Summer is an ideal time to introduce your children to volunteering. Children (really people of all ages) who volunteer: Learn empathy for others Discover new interests and develop new skills Learn teamwork Discover the value of community Learn to notice and respond to needs. Volunteering means freely offering to do...
Our your next trip to the library, look for one of these six classics that kids still love today. They make wonderful summer reading books or great stories to read aloud together at bedtime. Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery Written in 1908, Anne of Green Gables is...
You probably know a lot about John, Crosley, and Crenwinkle, but how well do you know the other characters in the Night Buddies gang? Today we will learn more about Fast Fanny, Lonnie, and Ronald Oglesby. Fast Fanny Farnsworth Fast Fanny runs the All-Night Emporium, which sells and services...
Break out the flags and fireworks for the annual Independence Day festivities, but don't stop there! Carry the fun on through summer with these lesser-known holidays. Once again, we turn to one of our favorite sites, HolidaysandObservances.com, for offbeat observances during July and August. What will you plan for these wacky...
Can't make it to the Pineapple Cheesecake Factory this summer? No worries. You can have a yummy taste of summer by making S'mores Cheesecake Pops at home. No campfire required—but feel free to build one anyway! Because of the freezer time between steps, you'll need about half a day to...
With three titles in print and a fourth coming this summer, we revisit Night Buddies author Sands Hetherington’s journey to becoming an accidental author. It started when he found himself a surprise single father. When Sand’s ex-wife announced she planned to move and take their young son, John, Sands tried...
Let's go camping! Yeah, right, you think as you imagine rainy hours stuck in a leaky tent with the family. But if you're feeling adventurous, consider a summer camping expedition (hint: an expedition can be hours, not days) with the kids. To help you get started, we offer these tips...
The evil iguana gang is at it again in the upcoming Night Buddies and Evil School Bus #264 (out later this year!). They’re flying all over the Borough in an old school bus picking up road kill. But why? That’s what John and Crosley must figure out. But before we...
In 2016, Night Buddies Author Sands Hetherington wrote an article about traveling with his son for the Good Man Project. As we celebrate the official start of summer, this might inspire you to take a road trip with kids! Excerpt: I don’t know if this is the best piece of...
Summer's nearly here, which means it's time to play in the dirt! Gardening is an excellent activity that can add fun and structure to summer. Gardening offers the opportunity to research, plan, take outings to garden centers and community gardens, plant and care for plants, and learn about nature. In...
It's Mother's Day which means that many moms will be receiving handmade gifts from their littles. We've scoured Pinterest, Etsy, and mommy bloggers for creative ways to display, wear, and enjoy these creations. Display it! You can create a gallery wall of children's art with simple frames or picture rails....
In January 2015, just before the release of Night Buddies Go Sky High, Crosey’s brother Crenwinkle granted a rare interview. More than eight years later, we’re on the eve of releasing Night Buddies and Evil School Bus #264, an adventure in which Crenwinkle and his inventions play a big part. So...