Claire M. Caterer

Time to Organize

admin — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 19:36:15 +0000

There’s no easy way to say this: School is right around the corner, at least for those of us in the KC area. Before you start filling the kids’ rooms with binders and backpacks, purge and organize! In this article I polled the metro’s top professional organizers for tips on how to streamline children’s rooms before the school year begins.

Hessler’s a Top 10 Pick

admin — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 21:49:37 +0000

Here we are at the mid-year mark, and Amazon.com editors have chosen the Best Books of the Year (So Far). Peter Hessler’s Country Driving: A Journey Through China from Farm to Factory has earned a spot in the Top 10 of the overall list, and I must say, deservedly so. Last year I proofread the galleys for Country Driving (HarperCollins, $27.99), and it was wonderful to follow Hessler through his life as an American expat living in China. It’s a fascinating true story of how he befriends a rural family and watches the transformation of their village over time. Sometimes very funny, and sometimes very poignant, Hessler’s story is great reading for armchair travelers and anyone interested in the unknowable vastness that is modern China. Pick it up and enjoy!

So Much Easier the Second Time Around

admin — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 15:26:50 +0000

The first few days after a new baby is born can be bewildering and stressful. Wouldn’t it be great to have all the veterans’ knowledge when you’re still a rookie? My article in Kansas City Baby offers insider tips for your newest arrival. It’s on the stands now–or read it right here.

A Fun Middle-Grade Read

admin — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 14:02:02 +0000

Parents and publishers alike are always looking for new ways to get boys to read–and keep them reading. Richard Newsome’s newest adventure is a fun ride that should entice any reader, boy or girl. I had the honor of copyediting The Billionaire’s Curse several months ago, and it’s great to see it in print! The story begins when 13-year-old Gerald discovers that his great-aunt has bequeathed him an enormous fortune–and a dangerous mystery to solve. When Gerald’s newly deceased aunt leaves him a note claiming she’s been murdered, it’s up to Gerald to find out who the killer is–before he becomes the next victim.

I’d highly recommend this funny and exciting story. The best part: It’s the first in a series!

Taking to the Trails

admin — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 13:56:39 +0000

Yes, Kansas City, that miserable winter and the soggy spring are finally growing dim in our collective memory. June is the perfect month to hit the bike trails, and I’ve rounded up a few nice ones to try this year. Read the article here. If a day trip is more than you can manage, don’t forget about Johnson County’s own Shawnee Mission Park. Or pay a visit to southern KC’s Blue River Parkway Trails. There’s no excuse for being a couch potato this month!

Avoiding Gender Stereotypes

admin — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 04:07:35 +0000

We all want our children to grow up with a clear and confident self-image, and gender is a big part of that. But the last thing parents want is to pigeonhole their kids. Read more about how to help your kids learn to avoid the gender trap in this month’s Kansas City Parent.

Bringing Down the Sugar Highs

admin — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 18:49:33 +0000

Didn’t get enough chocolate at Christmas? Don’t worry–Valentine’s Day is only two weeks away! Parents, if the round-robin of blood-sugar battles has wearied you, read my article about how to keep the sweet tooth in check.

Send Those Holiday Gimmes Packing

admin — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 21:06:18 +0000

Tired of hearing about the forty-third must-have toy on your child’s holiday list? Read up on how to take the greed out of Christmas and have a restful, meaningful holiday season in this month’s Kansas City Parent magazine.

If Your Mama Don’t Dance, Can Your Baby Still Rock ‘n’ Roll?

admin — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 21:51:54 +0000

Maybe our kids don’t need to be rock stars or sing at the Met, but many of us want our kids to enjoy the benefits of music. While children’s minds are still young and plastic, they’re easy to influence. Now is the best time to foster a musical sensibility in them. Studying music helps build skills like organization, focus, and creativity. It stimulates both the left and right hemispheres of the brain. Best of all, it adds joy to our lives.

Read more about how you can encourage a love of music in your child in my cover feature in Kansas City Parent magazine.

So Far, So Good

admin — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 13:43:52 +0000

McKinsey & Co. are recommending cuts left and right at the venerable Condé Nast. 4 Times Square has already lost the complimentary Pellegrino and Orangina from the office fridge, and I can live with that. But please, don’t touch The New Yorker. Leave us at least one bastion of American literature standing. If TNY can survive Tina Brown, surely it can survive McKinsey? Here’s hoping.

From mediabistro’s Fishbowl NY: More Cuts at Condé?