Richly illustrated picture book encourages children to eat their veggies!

A family friend shared a secret with VS Grenier when she was little. The secret was how to whistle. However, she only shared it with her children…until now!

Children have a hard time learning to whistle. However, there is a secret and VS Grenier shares it in the latest SugarPaw adventure picture book, “Whistle Beans.” But how can vegetables help and what do they have to do with whistling? 

“When I about four or five, Charlie Baker, a family friend, told me that if I ate Whistle Beans, I’d be able to whistle just like him,” said Grenier. “Charlie was like my second dad when I was younger. He taught me how to fish, ride a horse and much more. So it only made since when he shared the secret to a good whistle, it had to be true. Only problem was…Whistle Beans are a part of the vegetable family. I soon got over this little fact and I’ve been able to whistle good and loud ever since.”

Children will get to go on another adventure with SugarPaw and Bonnie Whiskers, two of VS Grenier’s beloved characters from her award-winning picture book, “Babysitting SugarPaw.” This time SugarPaw finds himself in trouble when he lets out Bonnie Whiskers pet parrot Cesar. They end up chasing Cesar all over town and in the process; SugarPaw learns secrets about the vegetable growing in his own backyard.

“I wanted a fun way to teach children not only the importance of eating healthy, but also some unknown facts about vegetables,” said Grenier. “My kids had fun helping me research some of the different veggies in my book. They even gave me different ideas of how to share our family secret about Whistle Beans.”

Through exploring the world of vegetables with SugarPaw and Bonnie Whiskers, children gain a deeper understanding of healthy eating in a fun and silly way. “Whistle Beans” exposes children to an unexpected new way of looking at those leafy greens. While building confidence, critical thinking skills and strong whistles. Of course, SugarPaw will be up to his usually antics and will have kids laughing, too.

“This picture book isn’t only for children. Parents and educators will find in the back of the book Fresh Facts about the different vegetables in the story. Each vegetable plays an important part in helping SugarPaw and Bonnie Whiskers find Cesar, and this section gives information on why that is,” said Halo Publisher Lisa M. Umina.

You can purchase “Whistle Beans: Another SugarPaw Adventure” through Halo Publishing’s website (http://halopublishing.com), Amazon, B&N or you can purchase your autographed book from the author’s website http://vsgrenier.com

About the Author:

VS Grenier is an award-winning author and a Mom’s Choice Honoree, who loves spinning tales from her childhood into adventures in the World of Ink for children of all ages to enjoy. When she isn’t busy writing, playing dress-up or having tea parties with her girls, she takes long hikes in the desert with her miniature schnauzer, Taz. 

You can learn more about the VS Grenier at http://vsgrenier.com

About the Illustrator:

Kevin Scott Collier is a commercial artist/designer by profession as well as an author and illustrator of over 130 children's books. He lives in beautiful Grand Haven, a quaint port city along the Lake Michigan shoreline with his wife, Kristen and son, Jarod.

You can learn more about Kevin Scott Collier at http://kevinscottcollierhomepage.blogspot.com

Whistle Beans: Another SugarPaw Adventure written by VS Grenier and illustrated by Kevin Scott Collier, publisher Halo Publishing, Int., ISBN: 978-1612443676 (paperback) ; Price: $10.95 (paperback); $16.99 (Hard cover) $4.95 (eBook)

Review copies, cover and author photography and interviews are available upon request.

Contact: Ann Stallard at annstallard@worldofinknetwork.com

MagicBlox - Great Food Choices - Getting Kids Hooked Early

Great Food Choices - Getting Kids Hooked Early

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By MagicBlox on July 11, 2013 - 10:05pm

It’s important for our family to have healthy choices at home.  Growing up, my mom always stocked the fridge with fruits and vegetables.  Left overs were always flavorful because they were cooked with a lot of veggies and herbs.  As a result, I stock my own fridge with wholesome foods as an adult, and although we indulge in fast food once in a while, I always feel a tug towards fruits and vegetables, so I decided to raise our son the same way.   After 7 years of giving our son healthy options, we have seen him push away the fries while eating our weekend burgers and many times leaves birthday cakes half eaten because they are too sweet.  We also limit sodas to special occasions and eating out, so cranberry juice has become his go to drink at home.

Sugars are also kept to a healthy medium.  I make it a habit to bake a dessert on Fridays.  (Keeping dessert day to Fridays has helped us all control our sweet tooth cravings.)  Brownies!  I’m sure your probably thinking.  That’s not healthy at all.  Oh but it can be.  No, I don’t make it with blended carrots or squash.  We use dark chocolate brownie mix instead of milk chocolate to start.  Dark chocolate is a great monounsaturated fat that also contains phenylethylamine (PEA), which is the feel good chemical your brain produces naturally.  Dark chocolate also improves blood flow, helps prevent formation of blood clots, and may prevent arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).  To give them a yummy and healthy kick, I add dried cranberries and browned ripened banannas to the mix and for an added antioxidant bonus, we throw in some dark chocolate semi-sweet chips.  Here's a full breakdown of dark chocolate benefits.

Vitamin C is critical to absorbing other nutrients and minerals in your body.  I always thought orange juice was the best source for natural vitamin C.  Not so.  I was surprised to find that bell peppers and white grapes have even more.  I swap out processed sweets like fruit roll-ups for natural sweet treats like these in my child's lunches. It is a great way to ensure he gets enough vitamin C to absorb all the important vitamins and minerals from his food.   Kiwi, papaya and strawberries are also good sources of vitamin C.  Here's another great website with detailed information and a list of fruits and vegetables high in vitamins for you and your children.  

When it comes to eating meat, we choose grass fed beef.  It's lower in fat (among other things) as well as higher in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids and the taste is noticablly better.  When looking for grass fed beef at the store, I make sure to read the labels.  There is a difference between “vegetarian” fed and grass fed. Vegetarian is grain fed (corn, protein supplements and antibiotics), and grass fed is all natural.  Here is a comparison between grass fed and vegetarian fed beef.

These are just a few healthy habits we're instilling in our children so they get hooked early and grow up making good food choices for themselves as adults.  I hope these tips help in any way. If you have any healthy food ideas, dishes or recipes you'd like to share, please feel free to post them below.

- Olga Lane

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