Big Book Sale - SF Public Library - at Fort Mason this weekend

The Friends of the San Francisco Public Library Big Book Sale is in its final two days (today and tomorrow). Sunday is $1 Day. Buy books, support the Library. It's the largest book sale on the West Coast and EVERYTHING is a $1 on Sunday! It's at Fort Mason, Festival Pavilion from 10:00-6.

Get 'Yer Tickets: Junot Diaz at Kepler's

Junot Diaz, the New York Times bestseller and Pulitzer Prize winning writer of  The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao and This Is How You Lose Her, is introducing his new picture book, Islandborn at Kepler's in March. The book is about the magic of memory and the infinite power of the imagination. The book poses questions about identity and belonging, in the story of a young girl's imaginary journey back to her birthplace.

"Every kid in Lola's school was from somewhere else. Hers was a school of faraway places."

When Lola's teacher asks the students to draw a picture of where their families immigrated from, all the kids are excited. Except Lola. She can't remember The Island--she left when she was just a baby. But with the help of her family and friends, and their memories - joyous, fantastical, heartbreaking, and frightening - Lola's imagination takes her on an extraordinary journey back to The Island. Through their anecdotes she creates her drawing and comes to understand the truth of her abuela's words: "Just because you don't remember a place doesn't mean it's not in you."

When: March 21 at 6 pm
Where: Kepler's Books - 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park
Tickets: $5 (entrance only) or $25 (entrance plus book) - plus fees

Coming Up: Chronicle Books Warehouse Sale

Everything in the store is 80% off at the Chronicle Books Corporate Headquarters sale. Head over!

Stock up on books and gifts with 80% off hundreds of selected titles. Choose from cookbooks, children’s books, lifestyle, home, arts and crafts, art and design, photography, travel, pop culture, and music titles. Plus, journals, stationery, and much more!

Where: 680 2nd Street San Francisco
When: Thursday, December 14, 9-7, Friday, December 15, 9–7 and Saturday, December 16, 10–3.

Coming Up: David Shannon Introduces Bizzy Mizz Lizzie

David Shannon introduces his exuberant new book Bizzy Mizz Lizzie about over-scheduled children (and adults) with good humor, fun and heart. He'll present it at Kepler's Books - get a ticket (they're free). About the book: "Lizzie is the busiest, buzziest bee in Hivetown. Shannon's vivid artwork and Lizzie's endearing efforts to "do it all" will make children laugh aloud at her frantic antics as she juggles school, multiple sports, dance, violin, and art. With charm and determination, she longs to impress the Queen by winning a spelling contest, but she studies to the point of exhaustion. When she dozes off in the middle of the competition, the only solution is rest and her refreshing visit to the local Garden finally teaches Lizzie to stop and smell the flowers "which is exactly what bees are supposed to do."

David Shannon is the internationally acclaimed creator of more than thirty picture books, including No, David!, a Caldecott Honor Book and his second New York Times Best Illustrated Book of the Year, A Bad Case of Stripes, Duck on a Bike, and Too Many Toys! Don't miss this opportunity to meet the ever popular David Shannon and discover a new favorite read.

When: Saturday November 18 at 2:00
Where: Kepler's Books in Menlo Park

The Complete Guide to Paying for College: Q&A with Author Leah Ingram

I've now hit that phase of life - my first child is starting to look at colleges. When I started this blog, she was in 2nd grade. Yes, it goes quickly. Yes, we've been saving money for college, but is it enough? The financials are overwhelming!

I was excited to that my friend and colleague Leah Ingram just published The Complete Guide to Paying for College. Leah writes about useful and practical ways to save and spend money. She's the kind of person who has your back. She's put one kid through school and another is currently enrolled. She knows her stuff.

In addition to reading the book (which I'm doing now), I wanted to do a Q and A with Leah, to give you more info on paying for college and give you some hints about what's in the book.

There's a ton of books out there on paying for college. Why is yours different?

I believe that The Complete Guide to Paying for College is different than other books out there because it focuses exclusively on middle-class families. Pew Research says 51 percent of American families are considered to be middle class. I don't put income limits on my definition of the middle class, because in some places earning six figures still leaves you in the middle class. Rather I like to describe it this way. We are the families that never earned enough to fully fund a 529 college savings plan but we make too much to qualify for traditional need-based financial aid. At the same time we don't make enough to pay for college out of pocket. Given that we need to find creative ways to pay for college, and that's what I believe the book provides.

In your book, you talk about

Coming Up: Girls Who Code Founder and Author Reshma Saujani Speaks

Kids have a chance to meet Reshma Saujani , the founder and CEO of Girls Who Code, a national nonprofit organization championed by Sheryl Sandberg, Malala Yousafzai and John Legend. She is a former Deputy Public Advocate of New York City who galvanized industry leaders to close the gender gap in STEM education and empower girls to pursue careers in technology and engineering. In 2010, she became the first South Asian woman to run for Congress. Since 2012, Girls Who Code has taught computing skills to and inspired over 10,000 girls across America.

The book (Girls Who Code: Learn to Code and Change the World) shows what a huge role computer science plays in our lives and how much fun it can be. It's part how-to and part girl-empowerment.

Tickets are free, but they ask for an RSVP.
When: August 25 at 7.00 p.m.
RSVP: here
Where: Kepler's Books in Menlo Park (1010 El Camino Real)

Coming Up: Family Day at Contemporary Jewish Museum

This Sunday, the Contemporary Jewish Museum celebrates authors with free admission for SF Public Library card holders - and they'll have lots of family-friendly activities.

The event encourages a love of books and reading. The Green Bookmobile will be parked in front of The Museum throughout the event so families can sign up for new library cards and check out books.
They'll have a special Book Arts activity with the San Francisco Center for the Book in the Art Studio. Families can work together to design and make their very own book art.

Here's the schedule:
11:00 - free performance of Kate and the Beanstalk by Acrolele—part acrobatics, part storytelling, part ukulele
12:30 and 1:30 - storytimes with Puppy Dog Tales. Listen to a variety of children’s books and meet the lovable canines from the SPCA’s Puppy Dog Tales program
11–1 - stand-up comedians ages 5–18 can tell their best jokes for a chance to be included in the first ever Museum Kid Comics video, which will be screened in the Zim Zoom Family Room through the run of the upcoming exhibition Roz Chast: Cartoon Memoirs.
11­–2 - view the enchanting collection of books created by San Francisco public school students as part of the Ezra Jack Keats Bookmaking Competition.

When: April 9 from 11-3
Cost: cardholders will receive free admission for themselves and one guest.
Where: Contemporary Jewish Museum, 736 Mission Street

Get 'Yer Tickets: The Teenage Brain with Frances Jensen

For those of you with teenagers or kids who will someday be teenagers, this looks interesting.

"For years, scientists were driven by the assumption that brain growth was nearly complete by the time a child began kindergarten, leading them to believe that the adolescent brain was essentially identical to that of an adult—only with less mileage. However, new research shows the importance of formative teen years for brain development. Motivated by personal parenting experience (as the mother of two teenage boys), renowned neurologist Dr. Frances E. Jensen gathers discoveries about adolescent brain function, wiring, and capacity in a groundbreaking new book, The Teenage Brain: A Neuroscientist’s Survival Guide to Raising Adolescents. Jensen explains how these eye-opening findings dispel commonly held myths about the teenage years and provides practical suggestions to help adults and teenagers negotiate the mysterious world of adolescent neurobiology.

Frances E. Jensen, MD, is Professor and Chair of the Department of Neurology at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania. She was Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School, Director of Translational Neuroscience and Director of Epilepsy Research at Boston Children’s Hospital, and Senior Neurologist at Boston Children’s and Brigham and Women’s Hospitals. She lectures widely about the teen brain at science museums, TEDMED, and high schools. Adam Savage is an industrial special effects designer and former co-host of The Discovery Channel’s Mythbusters with Jamie Hyneman."

This is part of the Conversations on Science series at City Arts and Lectures.

What: The Teenage Brain with Frances Jensen in conversation with Adam Savage
When: Monday, May 15, 2017, 7:30 pm
Where: Nourse Theater
Tickets: (415) 392-4400 or online

Books We're Reading: ADHD Nation, Parent Hacks and The Art of Risk

We wanted to share some books we've been reading lately, that you might enjoy.

ADHD Nation: Children, Doctors, Big Pharma, and the Making of an Epidemic by Alan Schwarz

I have to admit that given the title of the book and some brief comments I read from others before reading it, I thought this book would try to discredit the existence of ADHD and make parents feel bad if their kids were diagnosed with it, like they were all suckers. That was not the case at all. Author Alan Schwarz (a colleague from my college newspaper days and a highly respected former New York Times journalist) clearly did a ton of research, interviewing more than 1,000 people for the book, from researchers to doctors to patients. He doesn't dispute that ADHD exists and is treated by the medications on the market.

Coming Up: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Release Party

I can't believe the first Harry Potter book was released in 1997, and here we are today awaiting the release of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Rowling's first book since the series ended. Harry is now an adult!

If you're a Harry Potter fan, you won't want to miss the fun release party this Saturday in San Francisco. Bookshop West Portal, an independent bookstore is the heart of the celebration, which spills out to other parts of West Portal.

Here's what you can expect:
The courtyard adjacent to the store will morph into Diagon Alley,

The Art of Risk (and Family Travel) – a Q&A with Author Kayt Sukel

As a family travel writer, I often hear that going abroad with my kids is a risky proposition—and it’s always confused me a bit. Kayt Sukel, a fellow writer and travel blogger at Travel Savvy Mom, has been fed that line a time or two herself. Her new book, The Art of Risk: The New Science of Courage, Caution and Chance, takes a hard look at “risk” – what it is, what it isn’t, and why we should, as parents and individuals, be encouraging more of it, at home and abroad. I’m excited to share this Q and A with her—and encourage you to pick up a copy of the book (I'll be posting a review myself soon)!

Frisco Kids: You’ve traveled with your son across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. What do you say to people who tell you that it’s too risky? 

Kayt: I usually start by quoting Mark Twain and say something about travel being fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness—and that I think it’s a bigger risk for my children not to explore and learn those important skills. For those who are terrified of travel, that usually ends the conversation. They think I’m nuts and we just agree to disagree. But for those who are honestly curious—and, often, I think, looking for permission to travel with their own kids—it usually leads to a wonderful discussion about how to best travel with kids. I usually learn a thing or two myself in the process.

Coming Up: ADHD with Katherine Ellison

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Katherine Ellison will be talking about ADHD at a special evening at Kepler's. Her new book is ADHD: What Everyone Needs to Know.

She'll be in conversation with Melissa Belle Anderson. She'll discuss all of the most controversial ADHD topics, including:
-does it even exist?
-is it just for kids?
-how much do meds really help?
-how does it affect women differently than men?

Rates of diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are skyrocketing, throughout America and the rest of the world. U.S. rates of youth diagnosis have increased 40% from just a decade ago. Adults with ADHD are now the fastest-growing segment of the population receiving diagnosis and medication. The disorder is painful and sometimes disabling for individuals and tremendously costly for society; yet, widespread misinformation, skepticism, and unanswered questions have jeopardized effective diagnosis and treatment. The book is researched and written by Stephen Hinshaw, an international expert on ADHD, and Ellison.

Moderator Melissa Belle Anderson is the mother of two, and was diagnosed with ADHD late in life. Since receiving treatment, she is now a full time, first-generation college student, entrepreneur, and ADHD advocate.

When: Thursday, March 31, at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Kepler's Books, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park
RSVP: Requested
Cost: free

Review: Old School and What it's Like to Meet Jeff Kinney on Good Morning America

This post is written by one of our younger readers.

I’m Zachary, and recently I had the pleasure of meeting Jeff Kinney, going on Good Morning America, and getting his new book the day it was released. The book is called Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Old School, and is his tenth book in the series. Old School has two main plots. In one of them, Greg’s mom is trying to make his town go technology-free, but he has other plans. While his mom starts arranging park cleanups and volunteer gardens, Greg is just trying to escape

Get 'Yer Tickets: DJ MacHale in Menlo Park - Free

My tween son and niece are huge DJ MacHale fans. He writes the Pendragon series and is introducing the new Voyagers series, part sci-fi, part eco-mystery, plus action/adventure. You can learn more about it (and buy it) at Machale's appearance at Kepler's Books in Menlo Park.

Get your free ticket here to see MacHale here.

When: Thursday, October 15 at 7 p.m.
Where; Kepler's Books (1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park)

Date Night: The Middleman Economy at Kepler's Books - and Giveaway

If you're looking for a night out with or without the partner, here's one to check out. Bay Area author Marina Krakovsky will talk about her new book "The Middleman Economy: How Brokers, Agents, Dealers, and Everyday Matchmakers Create Value and Profit." Given how the internet makes it much easier to do many purchases and deals directly, why go through a middleman, like a broker, agent or dealer? For the book, Krakovsky interviews people like:

-Drew Rosenhaus, apparently the most powerful agent in the NFL who gets better deals for clients but angers team owners.
-LaJuan Stoxstill-Diggs, an appliance flipper on Craigslist who makes money by buying used washers and dryers and selling them for profit, making happy both the people who want to get rid of their junk, and those looking to buy used.

The book and lecture might get you thinking about different ways to run your life, or your business. This talk is part of the Peninsula Arts & Letters series.

And you can possibly win a free copy at a Goodreads giveaway.

Where: Kepler's Books, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park
Where: Tuesday, September 15, 2015 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: free, but get them here

Coming Up: Kevin Henkes comes to Kepler's in Menlo Park

Kevin Henkes is one of my favorite children's authors. Our favorites of his include Lily's Purple Plastic Purse and  Julius: Baby of the World, but he's also written Chrysanthemum, Kittens Last Full Moon, The Little White Rabbit, Owen,, Good Day and Lily's Big Day. He's a Caldecott Medalist too (I love the illustrations). Well, he's coming to Kepler's Books on October 1 and you can see him - with or without your kiddos. Ha ha! He'll be talking about his new book Waiting. Read more about the book here.

When: Thursday, October 1 at 6 p.m.
Where: Kepler's Books, 1010 El Camino Road, Menlo Park
Tickets: tickets are free, but RSVP here. Maybe they'll close the event if it's full.

Coming Up: Chronicle Books Warehouse Sale

Chronicle Books is having a warehouse sale, where everything in the store will be 65% off. This is a great time to start shopping for the holidays. They'll have cookbooks, kids' books, lifestyle and home, art/craft/design, photography, travel, pop culture and music titles. And journals and stationery. 

Where: Chronicle Books Corporate Headquarters - 680 Second Street, San Francisco
When: August 5-7, from 9-7

Kindle freebie today: YA Book 89 Walls

If you're looking for a Young Adult book, my college pal's new release is available on Kindle today for free! Then you have to pay (but it's only $5.99). I've already read a few chapters and downloaded it myself. It's called 89 Walls by Katie Pierson, and it's a coming of age story about a high school romance (in the late 1980s, hence the name), with themes of sexuality, politics, religion and first love explored. Download it and let me know what you think!

Coming Up: Chronicle Books Warehouse Sale

Chronicle Books is having a warehouse sale, where everything in the store will be 65% off. This is a great time to get teacher and kids' gifts, and stock up on other presents for yourself and others!

They'll have cookbooks, kids' books, lifestyle and home, art/craft/design, photography, travel, pop culture and music titles. And journals and stationery.

Where: Chronicle Books Corporate Headquarters - 680 Second Street, San Francisco
When:
Wednesday, April 8, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Thursday, April 9, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday, April 10, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Budget Travel for Families - a Q&A with Author Cynthia Drake

As a travel writer, I'm always on the hunt for books to share which encourage families to do more traveling. Budget Travel for the Genius by Cynthia J. Drake was just published, and I'm excited to share a Q&A I did with her about the book. I think you'll find a lot of helpful hints for your own travels, and I encourage you to pick up a copy of the book!

Frisco Kids: Can you share some frugal travel tips for traveling with kids?

Cynthia Drake: My favorite tip for traveling with kids is to bring your family museum and zoo memberships from home. Check to see if there are zoos, museums, science or art centers that participate in a reciprocal membership program with your home institution. If they do, it will save you a ton of money on admission.

While we're talking about admission prices, beware of "bundling," which is what a lot of attractions do to upsell visitors by combining things like 3-D movies, petting zoos and other extras on top of the base price of the ticket. If you're visiting an attraction for the first time, chances are there will be plenty for you to do and see without buying these extras.

Finally, set some ground rules for souvenirs. Your strategy will vary depending on your kids' ages, but perhaps you set a spending limit or institute a "one souvenir rule." This will hopefully help your kids put some thought into what they would really value or use. Another idea to try is "free souvenirs" — challenge your kids instead to take photos, keep journals, collect rocks or seashells.

How do you do frugal in a big city?

One of the things I love most about big cities is the prevalence of cheap public transportation. In my book, I strongly advocate for using subways, trains and buses to save not only on the cost of renting a car, but all the related costs, such as parking, not to mention the stress of driving in a big city. Plus, kids who aren't used to riding on buses and subways tend to think there's a cool factor there.

As for where you stay, look for hotels just outside of the city limits for the best deals — these hotels can go for half the price of more centrally located ones. Plus, you'll probably enjoy added amenities such as complimentary breakfast, wi-fi and parking when you stay on the outskirts.