Award-winning mom-son authors Lisa Cohn and Michael Cohn help educate others about kids’ sensory integration challenges, as part of the June 2 release of Bash and Lucy Fetch Tea Vera and the Dream Beasts, a children’s book that features a sensory-sensitive boy (Bash), the dog who helps keep him calm (Lucy), and a handful of girl-power relatives. The A book release party will be held as part of Village Home’s Summerfest celebration.
Michael and Lisa were previously featured in Oregon Jewish Life in the December 2014 issue when they released their second book Lucy and Dash fetch Jealousy.
Michael and Moira, age 9, describe their sensory sensitivities—also known as sensory processing disorder—in a video, saying things like “wool sweaters feel like a bomb to me,” and identifying the three stages of meltdown due to sensory overload. They also describe negative experiences at traditional schools.
Watch Michael and Moira here: https://youtu.be/l19sRLFNsMA
It’s estimated that as many as one in six kids are affected by some kinds of sensory issue, according to the STAR Institute for Sensory Processing Disorder. Kids and adults with sensory processing disorder tend to be over- or under-sensitive to different sensory stimuli, including noise, tastes, touch, and smells.
“Part of our aim with this book is to educate people about sensory processing challenges in kids and to debunk the myths of sensory integration issues,” said Cohn, an award-winning freelance writer who covers parenting and other issues.
One myth is that sensory kids are autistic. Truth is, autistic kids often have sensory issues, but sensory kids aren’t autistic. In fact, studies show that the brains of the two populations are different.
About 35% of gifted kids possess sensory challenges, according to the STAR Institute.
However, because their sensory challenges make these kids want to move around, they often can’t sit still in class and will become disruptive. That’s why homeschooling is a good option for them. Michael and Moira attend Village Home, where they take a few classes at a time and leave plenty of opportunity for calming exercise.
Says Lori Walker, founder of Village Home, “Because Village Home offers classes for homeschoolers a la carte style, it is possible to just take one class, or many, depending on the child and their group learning style.”
Lisa and Michael Cohn received three awards from Mom’s Choice and USA Best Book Awards for their first two “Bash and Lucy” books. They have “traveled” more than 540,000 miles to meet with students in 15 countries via Skype in the Classroom and are certified Microsoft Innovative Educators as a result of this volunteer work. They are founders of the Roving Reader Leaders club.
At the June 2 party, music will be provided by Mr. Hoo of the Alphabeticians. The Cohns will share a sensory toolkit — fidget toys, putty, books, gum, and other items that are calming for kids with sensory challenges.
Learn more about “Bash and Lucy Fetch Team Vera and the Dream Beasts” at www.BashAndLucy.com
For more information, contact Lisa Cohn, BashAndLucy@gmail.com or 503-577-0504.
The Mishnah Berurah is the last generally accepted code of Jewish law and custom. For beginners to advanced students.
Emily Wanderer Cohen is the author of From Generation to Generation: Healing Intergenerational Trauma Through Storytelling, which connects the dots between her behaviors and choices and her mother’s Holocaust experiences. She will illustrate how the Holocaust continues to have an impact on current and future generations.
Emily is a trauma healing coach specializing in intergenerational trauma, specifically from the Holocaust. Come meet this acclaimed author and get a better understanding of how Holocaust and other trauma survivors transmit their trauma to their children and grandchildren. Copies of the book will be available for sale.
A celebration of the life of Jaime Leopold will be held June 3, 2018, from 3 PM to 8 PM at Polaris Hall in northeast Portland.
Along with remembrances of Jaime will be food, music, beer and wine. Although food will be provided, friends are encouraged, if so moved, to bring a dish to share that Jaime would have liked.
Music will be provided by The Shorter Stories and a number of Jaime’s friends and musical acquaintances. If you are a musician and wish to take part in the music on this day, please let us know.
Jaime Leopold, who died March 1, 2018.
The Leopold family has a history with Oregon’s Jewish community dating back to 1951, when parents, Rose and Bernard Leopold, moved to Portland from New York City.
Jaime had a very public presence as a songwriter/musician, was owner of an advertising agency and became a bar mitzvah at Temple Beth Israel in 1959.
And please let us know if you plan to attend. We’ll keep you posted as the time draws near.
Thank you. Peace, and love.
A Celebration of Life: Jaime Leopold
Sunday, June 3, 2018
The Optimistic Decade author Heather Abel in conversation with Leni Zuman. 7:30 pm at Powell’s Books, 3732 SE Hawthorne Blvd., Portland. Kirkus Reviews calls Abel’s debut novel “a playful look at Jewish coming of age and coming-to-terms in the American West.”
Heather Abel in Conversation With Leni Zumas
Framed by the oil shale bust and the real estate boom, by protests against Reagan and against the Gulf War, Heather Abel’s debut novel, The Optimistic Decade (Algonquin), takes us into the lives of five unforgettable characters, and is a sweeping novel about idealism, love, class, and a piece of land that changes everyone who lives on it. There is Caleb Silver, the beloved founder of the back-to-the-land camp Llamalo, who is determined to teach others to live simply. There are the ranchers, Don and his son, Donnie, who gave up their land to Caleb and who now want it back. There is Rebecca Silver, determined to become an activist like her father and undone by the spell of both Llamalo and new love; and there is David, a teenager who has turned Llamalo into his personal religion. Abel’s novel is a brilliant exploration of the bloom and fade of idealism and how it forever changes one’s life. Abel will be joined in conversation by Leni Zumas, author of Red Clocks.
800-878-7323, powells.com
The View of Three Venture Capitalists: Lessons from Early Stage Venture Investing Panelists include: Edy Dorsen, Women’s Venture Capital Fund Diane Fraiman, Voyager Capital Cheryl Krane, Fluffco, LLC Eric Rosenfeld, Oregon Angel Fund, Moderator.
Vegetarian breakfast provided. Kosher breakfast available upon request.
Mark your calendars for PDX Business Breakfast #3, featuring a panel of Venture Capitalists, which includes:
- Edith Dorsen, Women’s Venture Capital Fund
- Diane Fraiman, Voyager Capital
- Cheryl Krane, Fluffco, LCC
Moderated by: Eric Rosenfeld, Oregon Venture Fund
Thank you to our sponsors: Barry and Karla Benson, Jonathan Singer of Barg Singer PC, The Jerry & Helen Stern Grandchildren’s Fund of OJCF, Richard Barker of Merrill Lynch, Opus Bank, Office of the President at Portland State University, Keith Berne of ReMax, and Turner Construction Company.
Learn to play this ancient game. It will give your mind a workout! First class in the Ballroom, then in the Cafe at the J.
Registration code: CG303
Take your game to the next level. It will give your mind a workout!
Registration code: CG304
In the Cafe at the J
Join our Emeritus Rabi for weekly study of our sacred texts.