Foods for Superheroes

 Sh Sh Sh Let the Baby Sleep 

Welcome to the 7^th day on our virtual book tour. Today we talk with young Zachary, the wonderful main character in Kathy Stemke’s new book:  “Sh Sh Sh Let the Baby Sleep,” available at Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble and Guardian Angel Publishing. Zachary goes on an odyssey performing extraordinary heroic actions in his pursuit to keep his new baby sister from awakening from her nap, while protecting her from all sorts of calamities.

Few superheroes exhibit gastronomic prowess.  I suppose they are too busy to read the New York Times on Wednesdays to see what’s up in the food world.  But I would certainly hope that Superheroes could satisfy a super hunger sometime between battling strong forces of evil and saving innocent people without devouring junk food.

Let’s ask superhero Zachary what he eats.

 Hi Zach, thanks for coming by GritsandGroceries: Anthony Stemke.

Glad to be here sir. It smells great here, are you brewing green tea?

Yes, I am Zach. Do you superheroes eat super foods?

Sure, my mom believes in a nourishing diet, not too much salt and sugar, plenty of fruit and vegetables.

So, do you eat a lot of ‘hero’ sandwiches?

Yes, once in awhile I enjoy a special hero sandwich, a roast beef po boy. But I also need a lot of power so I eat a special diet.

So, what kind of special diet?

 I eat consonant blends.

Huh?

I eat BRoccoli, BLueberries, BLackberries, BLooming onions, BLack beans, BRown rice, BRownies…

Ok Zach. I got it- consonant blends.  Like what you learn about when you read “Sh Sh Sh  Let the Baby Sleep”?

Well Zach, since you’re here in my kitchen, would you care for something to eat?

Sure.

How about a roast beef, hero sandwich -New Orleans style--  aka Roast Beef Poor Boy?

Yummy!

Ingredients:

Mayonnaise

A 12-inch length of French bread

¾ cup shredded lettuce

½ lb roast beef, thinly sliced

½ cup thick- bodied beef gravy

1 tomato, sliced thinly

Method:

Split the French bread lengthwise and toast lightly under the broiler.

Spread the bottom piece of the bread with mayonnaise.

Now layer the lettuce, beef, gravy and tomato slices atop the mayonnaise.

Put the top on and slice the sandwich in half.

Makes two servings.

I’ll tell you what; people who say a hero “ain’t nothing but a sandwich” have never met Zachary. Thanks for stopping by, Zachary.

Thanks for the hero!

To my readers: What is your favorite “super” food and why?

Author Bio: Kathy Stemke has a passion for writing, the arts and all things creative. She has Bachelor degrees from Southern Connecticut State University and Covenant Life Seminary, as well as graduate coursework from New York Institute of Technology and Columbia University. Hanging her hat in the North Georgia Mountains, she has been a teacher, tutor, and writer for many years.

As a freelance writer and ghostwriter, Kathy has published hundreds of articles in directories, websites and magazines. She is a contributing editor for The National Writing for Children's Center http://writingforchildrencenter.com/ and a reviewer for Sylvan Dell Publishing. As a retired teacher, Kathy has several activities published with Gryphon House Publishing. Kathy is also part of the team at DKV Writing 4 U. http://www.dkvwriting4u.com

Kathy’s first children’s picture book, Moving Through All Seven Days, was published on Lulu. Her next picture book, Sh, Sh, Sh Let the Baby Sleep, was released in May of 2011. Her third picture book, Trouble on Earth Day is scheduled for release in June of 2011.

Mrs.Stemke offers great teaching tips and children’s book reviews as well as a monthly newsletter titled, MOVEMENT AND RHYTHM, on her blog. http://educationtipster.blogspot.com

SUPERHERO TRIVIA QUESTION: DAY 7

In which comic book (and film) would you find Lara Croft?

Come to www.sprittibee.com June 21 for the answer.

SUPERHERO TRIVIA ANSWER: DAY 6

Who would you expect to find in the Bat Cave?

ANSWER: Bruce Wayne. Bruce Wayne as "Batman" first appeared in Detective Comics number 27, and only (only!) got his own comic book in 1940.

Remember; Every answer or comment you make during this book tour puts your name in the hat for a fantastic prize, which includes amazon gift certificates, books, superhero figurines, and much more.

Sh Sh Sh Let the Baby Sleep can be found:

Guardian Angel Publishing: http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/shshsh.htm 

Amazon:http://www.amazon.com/dp/1616331569/ref=as_li_ss_til?tag=educationtips20&camp=213381&creative=390973&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=1616331569&adid=1XFMR3ZA5VFXSN58EAXH&

Barnes and Noble:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/sh-sh-sh-let-the-baby-sleep?store=book

Stay Tuned for a Visit from a Superhero!

Sh Sh Sh Let the Baby Sleep

Superhero Zachary can fly higher than Superman!

How is this possible? What does he eat? This superhero is prepared to reveal his secret diet with us at the end of June. 

Zachary is the main character in my wife, Kathy Stemke's new book, Sh Sh Sh Let the Baby Sleep.  He will be stopping by this blog on his Virtual Book Tour. 

Check out some reviews here:

In Sh Sh Sh Let the Baby Sleep, Kathy Stemke tells a story that children, especially those who have younger siblings, can relate to. Zachary's life takes a drastic change when a baby sister enters it. He puts on his special glasses and uses his creative imagination to become a superhero and quiet all the wild and noisy commotions that disturb her sleep. Each page of this delightful book is filled with bold, colorful illustrations by Jack Foster and has cute rhymes, which add to the fun. As an added bonus, there are games, word puzzles, a song, and rhymes at the end of the book. It's a great book for home and the classroom.

Review by

Connie Arnold

Having a new baby in the house can be a stressful situation for the parents, but don't forget the affect it has on the baby's older siblings. This is the premise of Kathy Stemke's delightful children's picture book, Sh Sh Sh Let the Baby Sleep.

Before Layla joined the family, Zachary's time was his own, whether playing, feeding the bird, or going to school. Now, his time revolves around the needs of his baby sister. His mother needs this for the baby and she needs that for the baby. And, shhhh, Zachary needs to be sure Layla doesn't wake up. And, he's just about fed-up.

Escaping the annoying and boring tasks that his mother asks of him for the baby, Zachary dons a pair of black-rimmed glasses and turns into what every little boy would love to be . . . a superhero. And, in superhero-mode he saves his baby sister from a ferocious bear, a tooting train, and a number of other calamities that either scare or awaken little Layla. One action adventure after another.

Sh Sh Sh Let the Baby Sleep is a story that children will absolutely love and will easily be able to relate to. How many children get annoyed that they're no longer the center of attention, or that they have to help take care of the baby, or that the family revolves around the baby's needs. Stemke addresses this issue in a fun-filled manner that shows children who feel this way, they are not alone and all is not lost.

With amazing and vivid full page illustrations and witty rhymes that lend themselves to teaching children consonant blends, this story will be a wonderful addition to every child's library, as well as the classroom.

At the end of the book, Stemke includes a "Teacher Supplement" that includes:

* The link to a template of thick black-framed glasses that Zachary wore
* Comprehension questions
* A consonant blend song
* A consonant blend musical chairs game
* A consonant blend worksheet
* Dolch Sight Words Recognition exercise
* Instructions for Beanbag Hoop Toss

Review by

Karen Cioffi