In last week’s Bur Bur and Friends multicultural books blog, we addressed bullying. No one can argue that the problem of bullying is big.  But you know what is probably even bigger?  Kindness.

Did you know that when someone has received an act of kindness, they tend to be more kind, patient and tolerant to the next several (more…)

Fall offers so many great, comforting tradeoffs as its shorter and cooler days make us pry our once sweaty and tanned hands open and let the last of summer slip through our fingers.

The brisk, cooler air is just right for more time outdoors with no worries of slathering on sun screen and heat index advisories. And as our Bur Bur and Friends multicultural children books encourage outdoor fun and activities for preschool kids and inspire elementary school fitness and preschool exercise – there could hardly be anything better than an outing to an apple orchard.

Think about all the positive things that an afternoon at an apple orchard has to offer your child … getting outdoors, breathing fresh air, being physically active, getting away from the TV, video games and sedentary activities, discovering and valuing the beauty of nature, learning about seeds, plant growth, the production of fruit and a greater understanding of where our food comes from and instilling an appreciation for eating healthy, simple, whole foods.

There’s good reason for the ol’ saying, "an apple a day keeps the doctor away" that was first mentioned in print in 1866. Here are a few of the benefits of crunching into a sweet, juicy apple:

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The calendar has flipped to September and the schedule for families has ramped up! Alarm clocks are set earlier for kid’s school schedules, after school sports are scheduled along with scouting, church and extracurricular activities, time for homework needs to find a place in the day and the weather is awesome so kids still want to get outside and meet new friends in the neighborhood … whew!

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"That's what it takes to be a hero, a little gem of innocence inside you that makes you want to believe that there still exists a right and wrong. That decency will somehow triumph in the end."  -Lisa Hand

Those who know me well know since my son was a baby I have kept journals where I write letters to him. Below is my entry from September 11, 2001 ten years ago. The day that transformed our world.

“Today was a day that will change how we do things in America. I was on a conference call at work with some field leaders who work in the Carolinas and one of them told me what had happened. I could hardly believe it and went to CNN.com to see what I could find. The World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon were attacked by some people who were not nice at all. My employer, American Express, told us if we didn't feel safe we should go home and we all left. 

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In our last Bur Bur and Friends multicultural children books blog post, we quoted Abraham Lincoln in his insightful and wise words, “Everyone is born an original but sadly most people die a copy.

It’s unfortunate that the uniquely wonderful aspects of ourselves – that one-of-a-kind mix of talents, strengths and personality traits that make up the vibrantly beautiful colors of who we are – often becomes dulled over time as the strokes of conformity, uniformity and the price of acceptance cover up the original that we were intended to be.

As our multicultural children books highlight and nurture children and diversity and kids meet new friends within the rainbow of the Bur Bur and Friends multicultural

children,we hope that they not only embrace the diversity and uniqueness of others, but even more so hold close and accept themselves.

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While Bur Bur’s multicultural children books inspire preschool exercise and childhood fitness by introducing kids to physically active sports and outdoor experiences, they also present you and your child with the rich, multi-layered benefits of reading together.

• Sets the stage for meaningful bonding time between you and your child.
   
• Helps to build confidence in your child while they experience new adventures through their Bur Bur multicultural friends.
   
• Provides a safe place for your child to talk through their fears and concerns.
   
• Lays the foundation for a love of books and reading.

JoAnne Pastel and Kakie Fitzsimmons, authors of the award winning Bur Bur and Friends® children's book series will be making a guest   appearance for a book reading and signing on Saturday, October 1st, at The St. David's Center Fall Festival. Come out and meet Bur Bur!! 

The theme this year, "Get out and Grow!" is a free event for the whole community and will feature up-close encounters with animals and nature as well as interactive art, music and health-boosting activities that will get families having fun outdoors! New activities this year will include Forest Frolic, Kids Dance, Taekwondo, yoga and a surprise flash mob from participants in the St.  David's Center Adventure program. 

St. David's Center embraces differences in children of all abilities which is why we were so pleased to be invited. Our multicultural children's books educate kids about diversity, inclusion, sports and outdoor exploration. Come meet our characters here!!!