PLATYPUS POST, Number 7, Chinese New Year 4701 Edition (Winter 2004)A regular publication of Platypus Media, an independent publisher of books for families, teachers and parenting professionals.
PLATYPUS POST, Number 7, Chinese New Year 4701 Edition (Winter 2004)
A regular publication of Platypus Media, an independent publisher of books for families, teachers and parenting professionals.
WELCOME to Platypus Post, an electronic newsletter from Platypus Media. We hope you find that the parenting, teaching, and breastfeeding information we provide here is useful. Feel free to forward the newsletter to friends or colleagues.
Do you have parenting or breastfeeding questions or comments? Subjects you'd like to see addressed in future issues? Write to us at PlatypusPost@PlatypusMedia.com.
You are receiving this newsletter because you have given your email address to Platypus Media. To subscribe, just send a blank email with "subscribe" in the subject line to Subscribe@PlatypusMedia.com. To unsubscribe, just send a blank email with "unsubscribe" in the subject line to Unsubscribe@PlatypusMedia.com.
If you would like to receive our new catalog, send your mailing address to Info@PlatypusMedia.com with "catalog request" in the subject line.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
DIA'S DIARY: Parenting Has Lifelong Implications
DIA'S DIARY: Way to Go - Norway!
HOT OFF THE PRESS: Look What I See! Where Can I Be? Visiting China
FUN AT HOME OR SCHOOL: Envelopes That Jingle And Fireworks That Sparkle
NEW CATALOG IS OUT! Request one today!
CELEBRATING DIVERSITY AND TEACHING TOLERANCE
PLATYPUS MEDIA WINTER SPECIAL -- Ring in the New Year!
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING…
WHERE TO FIND PLATYPUS MEDIA BOOKS
PLATYPUS MEDIA ON THE ROAD
DIA'S DIARY: Way to Go - Norway!
When you think of Norway, you may think of the Midnight Sun, beautiful fjords or Vikings. You should also think of breastfeeding. While many countries, from Ireland to the United States, are still working on convincing women that breastfeeding is worth the effort, Norway and its neighbor, Sweden, have achieved something Americans aren't even aiming for - 99% of new mothers breastfeed their babies.
In the US Department of Health and Human Services Blueprint for Action on Breastfeeding (2000), the stated goal is to raise the rate of breastfeeding in American from 70% (in 2002) to 75% by 2010. The evidence in Norway suggests that we may be aiming too low.
Thirty years ago, Norwegians, just like Americans, embraced bottle-feeding. Heavily promoted by formula companies and doctors, bottle-feeding was seen as modern, hip, and a welcome result of scientific study of nutrition. But in Norway, as a result of aggressive governmental policies, bottle-feeding has been abandoned and infant formula is used only as an exception to the rule.
In addition to their stunning breastfeeding initiation rate, Norwegian moms have achieved an amazing rate of 80% still nursing when the babies are six months old. That compares with 20% in Britain and 33% in the United States. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends babies be fed breastmilk - and no other foodsource - for the first six months of life, continuing breastfeeding after complementary foods are introduced.
Three factors crucial to Norway's success include hospital practices that encourage breastfeeding; a 10-month maternity leave at full pay; and, for mothers who work outside the home, two hours off each day to nurse their child at home or in the office.
"We are thrilled to see both this forward momentum in Norway, and nearly equally thrilled that the media are picking up on this wonderful trend," comments Miriam Labbok, Senior Adviser, Infant and Young Child Feeding and Care at UNICEF in New York City. "News stories like these dispel the notion that women in industrialized countries are unable or unwilling to overcome the obstacles to breastfeed. Norwegian women show us it can be done."
Labbok adds that "UNICEF is committed to the rights of children and one of those rights is to have the best, healthy start in life through breastfeeding. Hence it is the mother's duty to breastfeed. However, in recognizing the child's right, it becomes the responsibility of society and government to support her if she chooses to assume this duty. In Norway and other countries, governments have made the decision to support mothers to breastfeed. This is where the US and other countries have failed: we place the burden on the mother alone, but mothers can't succeed without support. Perhaps another way to think about it is the adage, 'It takes a village to raise a child.'"
The latest statistics show that American women are increasingly initiating breastfeeding. Yet they will only succeed if they find support from family, community, and the medical services in their area. Many countries, in both the developing and developed countries, have achieved almost universal initiation of breastfeeding, and continuation for a year and longer. Norway is a wonderful example of what can be done when breastfeeding becomes a priority.
For more information, see January/February issue of Mothering Magazine (Mothering.com).
HOT OFF THE PRESS: -- Just in time for Chinese New Year 4701 - The Year of the Monkey
Look What I See! Where Can I Be? Visiting China
Acrobatics. Ping pong. Kungfu. Peking opera. Paper. China is famous for all of it. Now you can discover with your family or your class in Platypus Media's newest book Look What I See! Where Can I Be? Visiting China.
The baby we've come to know so well in all the previous Look What I See! books (In the Neighborhood, At Home, With My Animal Friends, At the Synagogue) is now traveling halfway around the world to ride in a trishaw, smell the spice mountains, and watch with wonder when she comes face-t0-face with the Monkey King in a Peking opera.
The Chinese trishaw is a three-wheeled bicycle used to carry families and older people. In China, the bicycle is still the most common form of personal transportation. Chinese opera goes back hundreds of years. Central to the most popular story - Journey to the West - is the Monkey King, ever popular and always causing mischief. Our Platypus family also visits the Great Wall of China, built around 221 BCE (Before the Common Era) by the Emperor Shi Huang-ti. More than a million workers built the wall, the only construction on earth that can be seen from outer space.
Ronald Hsu, former President of the Asian American Chamber of Commerce, says "Asian Americans spend a lot of time learning American culture. It is a pleasure to see materials that help American children learn about our culture. Visiting China opens a window to the richness of Asian culture. China may be on the other side of the world, but that doesn't mean it should be a mystery. This book shows how much enjoyment we can get from learning what each other has to offer!"
Look What I See! Where Can I Be? Visiting China fits perfectly into social studies curriculum areas emphasizing the diversity of American communities. And in Virginia, the study of China is a "Standard of Learning" in the second grade.
The book is filled with vibrant photographs and can be used throughout the elementary grades and even beyond. It is a perfect accompaniment to classroom celebrations or discussions of Chinese New Year, which comes on January 22, 2004 and ushers in the Year of the Monkey.
As with all Platypus Media books, these newest titles feature curriculum-based Activity Guides available to download free of charge on our website - http://www.platypusmedia.com under "Educational Resources." In the Visiting China Guide, children have a chance to try their hand at chopsticks and Chinese calligraphy, making paper, learning about pandas and making a story belt.
FUN AT HOME OR SCHOOL: Envelopes That Jingle And Fireworks That Sparkle
The color RED has many meanings to the Chinese people. Its brightness is said to scare off bad luck. New clothes worn during the New Year are often red. How does the color red make you feel? Red envelopes filled with money are given to children to shower them with luck and joy.
Fireworks are also part of a Chinese New Year celebration. Gun powder was invented in China during the 1000's. From the gun powder, the Chinese people developed the first fireworks. Most of the fireworks we see in the United States come from China. The little explosions from fireworks are caused by gunpowder.
These ideas are from the Activity Guide for Look What I See! Where Can I Be? Visiting China. As with all Platypus Media books, these newest titles feature curriculum-based Activity Guides available to download free of charge on our website - http://www.platypusmedia.com under "Educational Resources."
CELEBRATING DIVERSITY AND TEACHING TOLERANCE
The first New Year's Day celebration was held by the Babylonians 4000 years ago - their celebration lasted eleven days! (The most popular Babylonian New Year's resolution was to return borrowed farm equipment.) The Romans first settled on January 1 for western New Year's celebrations even though it's an arbitrary date with regard to the stars, the planets or the agricultural seasons. Many cultures and countries celebrate the New Year on a different date. The Chinese will usher in the New Year of the Monkey on January 22, 2004. January is a perfect time to acknowledge and appreciate the different cultures and traditions in almost everyone of our classrooms and neighborhoods. Share decorations, games, food and stories in class or in your neighborhood. Many ethnic community centers have festivals, parades or open houses - stop by and learn a little more about your neighbors.
Wishing for good luck in the New Year is universal but often accompanied by particularly "lucky foods". Brazilians eat lentils on New Year's Day. The Dutch eat doughnuts. Black-eyed peas, pork and cabbage are also considered good luck. Coptic Egyptians eat red dates. Greeks eat vassilopitta, or St Basil's cake, in which a good luck coin is hidden.
Joy in our children and families is a common denominator for us all, whatever our faith or culture. The Southern Poverty Law Center knows how important it is for us to get out of our comfort zones and open ourselves to tolerating, accepting and finally celebrating difference. SPLC sponsors "Mix it Up at Lunch" days when children and teens choose swap tables to meet new people. There are lots of intriguing ideas for inclusive and meaningful holidays at school, community events and grant opportunities at www.splc.org. "Knowledge breeds tolerance," said Washington, D.C. elementary teacher Maryam Abdul-Tawwab. Now is the perfect time to sew the seeds of tolerance in children.
Sources: http://wilstar.com/holidays/newyear.htm and http://www.fathertimes.net/greeknewyear.htm.
NEW CATALOG IS OUT! Request one today!
This has been a very busy year at Platypus Media with four new releases and our first CD. We've put together a beautiful new catalog showcasing all the new products and our backlist ones as well.
We mailed our catalog (with a money saving coupon) to everyone on our mailing list. However, many readers of Platypus Post are not on our mailing list. If you don't think we have your address or don't receive our new catalog in the mail, just send us an email at Info@PlatypusMedia.com and put "Catalog Request" in the subject line. Be sure to include your mailing address in the body of the email!
PLATYPUS MEDIA WINTER SPECIAL - Ring in the New Year!
It is the start of a new year - 4701 - that is, according to the Chinese calendar. We'd like to celebrate with you by helping you get your own copy of Look What I See! Where Can I Be? Visiting China. Just order any two Platypus Media children's books and we'll send you a complimentary copy of our China book. That's right - buy two children's titles and Look What I See! Where Can I Be? Visiting China is yours for the asking!
To take advantage of our Winter Special, give us a call at 202-546-1674 (toll-free 1-877-PLATYPS or 1-877-752-8977) or enter discount code WS004 at www.PlatypusMedia.com. And be sure to let us know if you want the books autographed.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING...
The Boston Children's Museum featured a preschool program built around Look What I See! Where Can I Be? Visiting China. Dia read the story, the children smelled Chinese spieces, touched Monkey King masks and red fringe, AND they made their own Look What I See! books to take home. Program director Ann Marie Stephan said the books were "awesome…absolutely perfect for museum educators." Thank you, Ann Marie!
WHERE TO FIND PLATYPUS MEDIA BOOKS
Look What I See! Where Can I Be? One of the many places that sells Platypus Media books:
Platypus Media books are available by direct purchase (by phone, mail, or at www.PlatypusMedia.com) and quality booksellers nationwide, as well as through Booksense.com, Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, Walmart.com, ShopforMuseums.com, BooksXYZ.com, LaLecheLeague.org, NaturalChild.org and AttachmentsCatalog.com, iBreastfeeding.com, SolterraBooks.com, TheBigZoo.com, A1books.com, and Shopubb.com.
Our books are sold in the following catalogs:
Platypus Media books are distributed in the US by:
Baker & Taylor, Ingram, Follett Library Resources, Book Wholesalers, Brodart, Quality Books, Periodic Books, Midwest Library Service, Supreme Books, Booksource, Hertzberg - New Method, S&B Books, Coutts, The Book House and Blackwells
PLATYPUS MEDIA ON THE ROAD
Saturday, January 24, Alexandria, VA, 11:00 am
Look What I See! Where Can I Be? At the Synagogue is the name of January's Family Fun event at Beth El Hebrew Congregation in Alexandria. Kids and adults alike will have lots to do. The event begins with a "Tot Shabbat" service. During the service, Dia Michels will read her new book, Look What I See! Where Can I Be? At the Synagogue, and share the Jewish objects found in the book with the children. After everyone enjoys a warm lunch, there will be arts and crafts for the kids, a workshop for adults on "Using Children's Literature to Raise a Jewish Child," and a scavenger hunt for kids of all ages. Refreshments and book signing will follow. This event is free, but a donation of $5 or more per family would be welcomed.
For more information, contact Beth El Hebrew Congregation, 3830 Seminary Road, Alexandria, VA 22304, 703-370-9400, www.bethelhebrew.org
About Platypus Media
At Platypus Media, our mission is to produce high quality books with a broad appeal to families from different backgrounds that share a commitment to attachment parenting or simply believe in the importance of family closeness. Our goal is to create books and products that parents love, children enjoy, teachers appreciate, and parenting professionals value in their work.
Contact us at:
Platypus Media
627 A Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002
Toll-free 1-877-PLATYPS (1-877-752-8977)
202-546-1674 / Fax: 202-546-2356
Info@PlatypusMedia.com
http://www.PlatypusMedia.com