32 Third Graders and One Class Bunny

You all know I was a teacher right? 2 LONG years in K/1 and then I retired to become a full-time-mom.

Pay's about the same. Amount of respect, same.

I miss it, I really do.

Teaching was my thing, if even for a short time.

My kids are school-aged and I have the utmost respect and admiration of all their teachers.

Teachers everywhere!

I was thrilled when Philip Done, and award-winning teacher and author of 32 Third Graders and One Class Bunny wanted to send me his book for review.

Mr. Done has taught for 20 years and has collated life lessons in easy-to-read chapters chronicling a full school year.

Reading the book, I ran the gamut of emotions. Here are some of my highlights, when you read the book, you will surely agree!

I laughed at: Phuc, the laminating machine incident, Lambert's dad, sharing TMI(mommy's off the pill...i'm getting a baby brother), "we're makin' love," Killer the snake

I cried: when I read Teacher Moments, for Ronny's Mom, for Tomoya, Why I Teach chapter.

I smiled: Andrew's hair in the class photo, the supermarket, the Teacher Speeches, Peacock (chicken with the Christmas tree), when Tomoya was proud

I nodded yes: class budget, Believe Them & Parents Letters chapters, Peter Pan reference, the 'peepee(pp)' list

Mr. Done's humorous, and often touching account of the 3rd grade classroom could convince anyone to join the profession. His passion for teaching and for his students is made clear throughout the book.

This is a fantastic read for anyone. My Boy has a male teacher this year, I think he would really enjoy this as I pass it his direction.

Looking for the perfect Christmas gift for your child's teacher? Buy him or her 32 Third Graders and One Class Bunny!

Chicken Soup for the Soul (a contest!!)

When I was a first-time mom, I wanted to know if the feelings I had were those felt by every new mom. I was clearly validated after receiving a few books from the Chicken Soup for the Soul series as a gift.

Interview with the Creators of Baby Blues

I introduce to you, Jerry Scott and Rick Kirkman. *applause*

1. I'd like to know how many of the story lines are ones actually experienced by the strip creators.

Jerry & Rick: We both shamelessly exploit our families for gags. Our wives are good sources of gag material, too, suggesting things from time to time.

2. What is Darryl's occupation?

Jerry: Well, we know that he's in middle management, in a mid-sized cubicle near the center of the office, halfway up the building.

Rick: Something that requires him to carry a briefcase and wear a tie.

3. Do your comics ever mimic your childhood?

Jerry: Of course. You can't make this stuff up.

4. I would love to ask if they anticipated (or are even aware of) young readers. Did they created the comic strip to entertain parents, or did they anticipate children identifying and reading along?

Jerry: The truth is that we write and draw to crack each other up. It makes sense that other adults might enjoy the strip. But the fact that lots of kids enjoy the strip as well is something we find very gratifying and exciting.

Rick: Of course, our wives think we're kids anyway, so maybe we are doing it to entertain kids after all.

5. Did you go to art school? If so, which one? (I have a niece that seems to be a budding cartoonist!)

Rick: I was always pulled toward cartoons and drawing cartoons, and started drawing them when I was around five. It wasn't until I was in high school that I really considered that it could be a career choice. I started selling cartoons in college. I went to a technical school for an AA degree in Advertising Art, a field I worked in for many years while still cartooning.

Jerry: Nope. Wish I had, though.

6. Are they going to have any more babies?

Jerry: Well, they weren’t planning on any more kids when Wren presented herself. What was that John Lennon quote again? Besides, there’s not a heck of a lot of room left in the panels for more kids--unless newspapers want to give us more space.

7. You write the character of Wanda so well, making her a believable hard working stay at home mom. Is the character based on your wife, and if so, does she feel it's an accurate depiction of her?

Jerry: Initially Wanda was largely based on Rick's wife when their kids were young.

8. Which character most closely resembles you as a parent or as a child?

Jerry: I think I'm part of all the characters, but I like to imagine that I most closely resemble whoever has the funniest line of the day.

Rick: Luckily, neither of us resembles the characters physically. Otherwise we'd be tipping over from the weight of our noses.

9. I know that you base your strip on your children, but how closely based is it? Have your children actually done the things that Zoe, Hammie & Wren do?

Rick: The characters in Baby Blues are composites. Physically, Darryl is a combination of Jerry and me: my glasses, Jerry’s red hair. Wanda is similar to my wife. The house they live in is based on the house my children spent the first half of their lives in. Any other similarities are purely coincidental (our attorney told us to say that).

10. What inspired you to become a comic strip writer/cartoonist? Was it always a lifelong dream?

Jerry: I have always liked to draw and to make people laugh. Cartooning satisfies those urges better than say, investment banking.

Rick: We were both under the impression that being a comic strip creator meant a life of playing golf and days filled with antics. By the time we realized we didn't like to play golf, and it actually entailed work, it was too late.

Funny men, I love funny men!

Thanks to all the great questions everyone!

And a huge thanks to Jerry Scott, Rick Kirkman, and Marissa from Dan Klores Communications for allowing me this fabulous opportunity!

Baby Blues can be read daily at http://timesunion.com/comics.

That Would Make Me Wanda *CONTEST*

When we introduced DQ about the giggling qualities of the funny pages at age 4, she was immediately addicted. She looked forward to the colorful entertainment each week (and weekday). Plus it was a great way to introduce reading. It was so neat to see her at the dinner table with mom and dad, all of us with our specific section of the newspaper!

Our oldest loves reading the funnies to this day. Simply hooked on them. And, on one in particular.

Baby Blues.



Created by longtime friends Rick Kirkman and Jerry Scott, Jerry writes the strip, drawing on his first hand experience with his children while Rick is the gifted artist that animates the ideas.

The strip follows the adventures of a mid-30s career couple, Wanda and Darryl MacPherson and their 3 zany kids, Zoe, Hamish and Wren.

The strip has enchanted new parents, grandparents and kids alike since it first appeared on the comics pages in 1990. Baby Blues now appears in more than 1,100 newspapers worldwide, and the adventures of America's favorite first-time parents have also been chronicled in 30 anthologies and treasuries.

This comic has mimicked our lives perfectly. From the oldest daughter, middle son, and baby daughter, to the typical antics and conversations that Wanda and Darryl experience. We are the Baby Blues family!

I have an opportunity to host a Q & A with creators Rick Kirkman and Jerry Scott with YOUR help!

*Contest*Contest*Contest*

In my comments section, leave a valid question for Kirkman and Scott. What would you like to know about their lives, their comic strip, their inspirations, etc.

That's it! At the end of the contest I will randomly draw TEN questions to submit for the interview. The TEN winners will each have their question published on my Q&A post next week AND will each receive a copy of the Baby Blues anthology, The Day Phonics Kicked In ($12.99 retail value)!

How cool is that?? Contest ends tonight, 10pm Pacific time.

Good luck and for more information on the comic strip, Baby Blues, check out this website, http://www.kingfeatures.com/features/comics/babyblue/about.htm.

Look for the interview with Kirkman and Scott coming soon!

The Truth (book review)

What's important to girls at age 10? Validation and being understood.