PLATYPUS POST, Number 11, October 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.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

• DIA'S DIARY: Not a problem is a problem for me!
• OCTOBER IS NATIONAL BOOK MONTH
• AUTUMN SAVINGS AT PLATYPUS MEDIA!!
• CUSTOMER CONNECTION: Snugglepus: the perfect baby shower gift
• JUST FOR LAUGHS: See if you can answer these...
• FUN AT HOME OR SCHOOL: 25 Ways to Say Hello
• WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING...
• PLATYPUS MEDIA IN THE NEWS, ONLINE … AND ON THE ROAD
• NEWSLETTER INFORMATION

DIA'S DIARY: Not a problem" IS a problem for me!

Fall can be a busy time for many families as new schools, new friends and new routines replace the less-scheduled days of summer. The crisp, cool days, with the hours of sunlight diminishing, mark the transition of moving inside and hunkering down.

For Jewish families, fall is even busier as an abundance of holidays take place in autumn. This holiday season begins with the High Holidays, also called the Days of Awe. This is the time Jews mark their New Year and think about the year past and the year to come. We use the time to consider God's greatness and kindness, to think about the good choices made and choices regretted, to ask for forgiveness from those we have wronged, and to pray for a sweet new year. Then, Sukkot, or the Jewish thanksgiving, is a time to celebrate the rich soil and plentiful rain that helps put food on our table. Then comes Simchat Torah, one of the happiest holidays of the year, where we mark the completion of the year's reading of the Torah and we begin the cycle once again. Whether it is being grateful for another year, grateful for our health, or grateful for the abundance around us, this is a time of year when Jews spend a lot of time feeling thankful.

Why do I bring this up? Because it makes me think about a subtle transition that has occurred in our society. The fall holidays are, in many ways, about saying thank you. I was taught that when one says thank you, the appropriate response is you're welcome. And therein lies the problem - you're welcome has become antiquated. Every day -- in all manner of settings -- you're welcome has been replaced with not a problem.

Not a problem - is a problem for me. When I hear this, I have to keep my mouth shut because I want to shout out "Who was talking about problems? We weren't talking about problems or the absence or abundance of them - we were discussing being thankful!"

"You're welcome" is the thankee acknowledging the thanker - it says, "I heard you and I appreciate your sentiment." "Not a problem" merely states that you have not done anything that creates a problem… yet. I know that when I hear you're welcome, I feel pleased and that when I hear ot a problem, I feel irritated.

In Spanish, the typical response to gracias is de nada, or "it's nothing." In Chinese, xie xie is followed by bu keqi (literally, "don't be polite"). The dictionary tells us that thanks is a way of expressing gratitude and that alternatives for you're welcome include "don't mention it," "no thanks are needed,&qtuot; and "I was glad to do it." All of these are acknowledging statements. They don't assume that there was a problem or even a potential problem.

I'm not sure there can be enough gratitude in the world. Gratitude should be encouraged - and acknowledged. Next time someone says thank you, tell that person you're welcome. After all, erring on the side of excess in the matter of courtesy is not a problem!

Thanks for listening!

OCTOBER IS NATIONAL BOOK MONTH

The National Book Foundation has declared October National Book Month. With the slogan "Pledge Allegiance to Knowledge," numerous book festivals are being held around the country this month. If you are anywhere near Austin, TX, Charlotte, NC, Charleston, WV, Houston, TX, Las Vegas, NV, Madison, WI or Nashville, TN, there is a festival near you. Throughout the fall, other cities will also host festivals. Here in Washington, DC, we are looking forward to the 4th annual National Book Festival hosted by The Library of Congress and First Lady Laura Bush featuring over 70 authors, illustrators, and poets.

To learn more about various book festivals, visit www.nationalbook.org. To learn more about the National Book Festival, visit www.loc.gov/bookfest.

AUTUMN SAVINGS AT PLATYPUS MEDIA!!

CUSTOMER CONNECTION: Snugglepus: the perfect baby shower gift

One of the best things about working in the Platypus Media office is getting to talk to our customers. It is always a treat when someone calls and tells us how they heard about us and what they are going to do with our products. We thought we'd feature some of these stories in this and future editions of Platypus Post.

This month, we had the pleasure of not only talking to one of our repeat customers, but of getting to meet him as well! It seems that Pat, a thirty-something-year-old man, had been invited to a baby shower a few months ago. Finding this position a bit awkward, he searched his mind for a unique gift - one that symbolized motherhood, that the mother-to-be wouldn't already have, and that would be fun and a bit idiosyncratic, in short, something that would stand out among normal baby shower gifts. As he tells it, "I began searching the web for stuffed platypuses. There weren't that many out there, but there was no question that you guys had the nicest one on the market." He bought one, along with the book, If My Mom Were a Platypus, and much to Pat's delight, the gift was a huge success - so successful that several of the shower guests made him promise that if they had a baby shower, he would give them a Snugglepus to call their own. Well, thanks to the fertility among Pat's friends, he has now purchased four Snugglepuses, and assures us that each one was the hit of the party. "I wouldn't dream of showing up without one," confides Pat, "it's become my signature gift."

Pat stopped by the other day to pick up his latest Snugglepus and to say Hello. Thanks, Pat, for sharing your story with us!

JUST FOR LAUGHS: See if you can answer these...

What do you call 1 millionth of a mouthwash?

1 microscope

What do you call half of a large intestine?

1 semicolon

What is a basic unit of laryngitis?

1 hoarsepower

What do you call 453.6 graham crackers?

1 pound cake

What do you call 4 nickels?

2 paradigms

FUN AT HOME OR SCHOOL: 25 Ways to Say Hello

Humans, whatever their culture, learn the language they grow up hearing. There are thousands of different languages spoken by humans. Each one has different sounds, different alphabets, but all are designed to help us communicate. To get you started on communicating with others, here are 25 ways to say Hello:

It is also fun to explore non-verbal forms of communication as well. What types of things can we say to one another without any words at all? Compare to how animals communicate.

This activity is found in the If My Mom Were a Platypus Activity Guide. Each Platypus Media children's book has a teacher-written Activity Guide. These are available at no charge. Just download the Guide(s) of your choice at www.PlatypusMedia.com.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING...

Breastfeeding At A Glance: Facts, Figures and Trivia About Lactation

Suppose an author or authors put all of the truly interesting pure information about breastfeeding (without all of the documentation or research) into a little booklet, it would be this great book. From breastfeeding rates of other countries, to what could be saved if mothers breastfed for one full year, to a fact-based comparison of breastmilk vs. formula, to the ten myths about breastfeeding...well, every maternal child health professional should have this book. It is tiny, with only 25 pages, but it is mighty and research-based, plus it has a great resource section for further info gathering.
ISBN: 1-930775-05-9

Mothering Magazine, April 2004
Look What I See! Where Can I Be? At the Synagogue

Bright photos and a clean design draw the very young reader into such rituals as Simchat Torah, Havdalah, and Shabbat.

Breastfeeding Facts for Fathers

Fathers often feel out of the picture when mothers breastfeed their new babies. Dr. Clifford Galanis writes this book especially for fathers and makes some very interesting points. His book is packed with great points in an easy to read format, filled with photos, tables, illustrations and quotes from noted authorities. Especially interesting is the table on page 13, outlining all of the things that are in breastmilk that are not in formula...
ISBN: 1-930775-17-2

Reviews by Perinatal Education Associates, September 2004. For more information, visit www.BirthSource.com.

PLATYPUS MEDIA: In the news and online

Salt Lake Tribune quotes Platypus Media founder on breastfeeding

Platypus Media president Dia Michels was quoted last month (September 23, 2004) in the Salt Lake Tribune. The Tribune, on the cover of their Health section, ran an article called "The Best Start." Accompanying the article, written by Brook Adams, was another article, "Authors discuss effort to wean America from baby formula," in which Dia discusses topics from her book, Milk, Money and Madness: The Culture and Politics of Breastfeeding. The complete articles can be found at www.sltrib.com and are also at the Platypus Media website at http://platypusmedia.com/main_about.html.

CBC Online Showcase features Platypus Media titles

Three Platypus Media titles will be included in the Children's Book Council (CBC) Online Showcase of Nonfiction Picture Books during the months of September/October 2004. The three titles are: If My Mom Were a Platypus and two titles from the Look What I See! Where Can I Be? Series: Visiting China and At the Synagogue. The CBC is a non-profit organization dedicated to encouraging literacy and the use and enjoyment of children's books and is the official sponsor of Children's Book Week, November 15-21, 2004. Visit the CBC at www.cbcbooks.org.

Platypus Media endorses the Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative

It's great to be a platypus endorsing organizations promoting mother-baby relationships! Platypus Media is proud to be the latest endorser for the Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative. MFCI was created by the Coalition for Improving Maternity Services (CIMS) to promote the care and well-being of mothers, babies, and families with guidelines for identifying and designating "mother-friendly" birth sites including hospitals, birth centers and home-birth services. Follow our platypus prints to their website and check it out for yourself at http://www.motherfriendly.org.

... And Platypus Media on the road

December 2-4, 2004, National Science Teachers Association Eastern Area Conference, Richmond, VA

Platypus Media will be leading hands-on science activities at their booth at this show for science teachers. Come to Richmond and see all the wonderful resources available for classroom use. For more information, visit www.nsta.org.

February 6, 2005, National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington, DC

Celebrate Chinese New Year at this family program. Young children will welcome "the year of the rooster" in a hands-on workshop that uses science, arts and crafts, and math activities to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Dia will read from Look What I See! Where Can I Be? Visiting China. Then, through demonstrations and hands-on activities, children will be introduced to several Chinese New Year traditions including the giving of red Lai-See envelopes in which children receive good luck money; the lantern festival; fireworks; and dragon dances. All materials provided. Free. For more information, call 202-783-7372 or visit www.nmwa.org.

February 17-21, 2005, Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Washington, DC

Platypus Media will be exhibiting at this conference of scientists and science educators. Held at the Washington, DC, convention center, this annual event draws researchers and educators from around the globe. For more information, call 202-326-6400 or visit www.AAAS.org.

February 19-20, 2005, Family Science Days, AAAS Convention, Washington, DC

Platypus Media will be leading hands-on science activities and hosting "Name that Mammal" at this event designed to educate and entertain the public with science. A Science Stage will be featuring shows throughout the two-day event along with exhibits. Free. Families welcome! For more information, call 202-326-6400 or visit www.aaasfsd.org.

Wednesday, February 23, 2005, Community Nights Author Visits Program, Washington, DC

Dia will read Look What I See! Where Can I Be? In the Neighborhood for the families who attend Kenilworth Elementary School. After her presentation, Turning the Page volunteers will work with the kids while Dia leads a parent workshop. For more information, contact Turning the Page at 202.628.7856 or visit www.turningthepage.org.

March 11-13, 2005, La Leche League of Connecticut, Southbury, CT

The Area Conference for La Leche League of Connecticut will feature talks and books by Dia. For more information, visit http://www.lalecheleague.org/Area/AreaConf.html.

June 10-16, 2005, Annual Meeting of the American College of Nurse-Midwives, Washington, DC

Dia will present "Controversies in Breastfeeding: Giving Advice, Examining Our Own Biases" at the 50th ACNM conference to be held at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, DC. For more info, visit www.midwife.org or call 240-485-1800.

June 30-July 2, 2005, LLLI Physicians' Seminar, Washington, DC

Platypus Media will be exhibiting at this premiere learning opportunity for health care providers to learn more about breastfeeding. For more information, call 847-519-7730 or visit www.lalecheleague.org.

July 2-5, 2005, La Leche League International, Washington, DC

Platypus Media will be presenting workshops and exhibiting at La Leche League's 19th Biennial International Conference, "Breastfeeding: An Ancient Art-A Modern Miracle," at the Hilton Washington and Towers. Dia will be leading two family workshops: "If My Mom were a Platypus" and "Sharing the World with Animal Friends." For more information, call 847-519-7730 or visit www.lalecheleague.org.

NEWSLETTER INFORMATION
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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