This handy book shows children how to do the really important things that every child needs to know, from surfing the Internet safely to roasting the perfect marshmallow. Simple step-by-step instructions cover all manner of interesting and useful subjects, including getting along with the grown-up world (setting the table, writing thank-you notes); being a good pal (how to cheer up a friend, how to keep a secret); real-world safety tips (approaching a strange dog, dealing with bullies); just plain fun (the ultimate piggyback ride, choosing “it,” building a snow fort); and everything in between (surviving on a desert island, how to meet and greet royalty).
Helaine Becker is the bestselling writer of children's fiction, non-fiction and verse. Her Scholastic chapter book series, the Looney Bay All-Stars, has sold over 170,000 copies to date. She also is a two-time winner of the Silver Birch Award; for Boredom Blasters in 2006, and Secret Agent Y.O.U. in 2008. The Insecto-Files has been shortlisted for 2010.
In addition, she is in high demand as a presenter and performer at schools across North America. She has twice been selected for the Canadian Children's Book Week Cross Country tour, travelling to both Yukon and Nunavut to present to school children. She has been a featured speaker at the Frye Festival in New Brunswick, Aloud International Children's Festival in Ontario, Weaving Words Conference in Alberta, Literacy for Life Conference in Saskatchewan, and the Red Cedar Awards in British Columbia. She was also a featured speaker at the 2009 Orange County Children's Book Festival in Costa Mesa, California.
A New York native, she has lived in Toronto for more than 20 years. She has been on the executive board of CANSCAIP (the Canadian Society of Children's Authors and Illustrators), and is a member of the Writers Union of Canada. She is married with two teenage sons and has the cutest dog in the world, Ella.
