Over the past year we have made several changes to our newsletter trying to make it even better for our subscribers and here we grow again!

You will now be able to click on a link to get our newsletter directly to your computer.
We are pleased to announce big changes, a new website, new services and exciting new content! Stay tuned for more updates!

Professor Owl’s Book Corner is a hub of resources for children with special needs, chronic illness and learning challenges. Each month we produce a complimentary newsletter to showcase special activities, news and crafts for those who are sick or have needs out of the ordinary.
These activities include reading challenges, games, safe web surfing, prizes and a special page; where we feature monthly heroes  from the Variety Foundation, their stories are told on how they have followed and accomplished their dreams and have overcome or are living with their illnesses.
Professor Owl will also give monthly book reviews and news on the latest children’s books that have been released and also reading challenges. There will be books listed for all ages so no one will be left out.
Our June 2010 Newsletter is now available at http://www.professorowlsbookcorner.com

For young adults with developmental disabilities Variety Village offers a Lifestyle,

Independence, Nutrition, Knowledge, and Sports (L.I.N.K.S.) program. The program currently has 23 young adults (ages 21 to 45) enrolled and a substantial waiting list. Through educational and fun programs, such as exercise, sports, swimming, nutritional planning and cooking, current events, computer training and community outings, members become more self-aware and self-reliant while developing friendships, and team building and leadership skills. LINKS participant, Aidoo has really progressed since joining the program in 2005. He has made a lot of new friends and he has gained a lot of confidence in himself through learning to read.

Aidoo Variety Village Hero April.

AIDOO: “I have been in the L.I.N.K.S program since April 1, 2005 and I have learned a lot of new things. One of them is how to read and write. When I began, I barely was able to recognize the letters of the alphabet. I began to trace them on worksheets. With practice writing in a daily journal and working with the staff on our outings to the library, I began to recognize small words such as hat, cat and bat. I found a “Cat in the Hat” book at the library and was excited when I could figure out many of the words. Eventually, I was able to read more words and gain confidence in my new-found skill.”

Book Review by Sylvia McGrath for Professor Owl’s Book Corner

Sylvia McGrath

The Voyageurs

(A North Woods Canoe Adventure)

By Bruce Stacy

Bruce Stacy’s writing paints this book with dense colour. His characters are so well-developed that I feel I know them all very well and that I was actually on the trip myself fishing and camping. I don’t want to give anything away here, but it was a thoroughly satisfying read; a book that any young adult would enjoy and relate to.

Although I do not intend to rough it, the book has put me in the mood to take a trip this summer and enjoy the country side, wild life and even do a little fishing

The Voyageurs (A North Woods Canoe Adventure)

By Bruce Stacy

Paperback: $8.90

Ships in 3–5 business days

Available for pre-order: This item will be released on May 25 2010.

This book will be available from Lulu Publishing

Available also as a Download e-Book now at

http://www.Lulu.com

Ben, a 13-year-old boy, is invited to accompany his Uncle Jake and their French-Canadian guide on their annual canoe-camping-fishing trip into the North Woods. They fly to Duluth, Minnesota where they are met by their voyageur-like guide, Mick. Mick then drives them to the fringes of civilization and they launch their canoes into the wilderness.

The trip is an awakening for Ben, who overcomes his lack of self-confidence while learning outdoor lore, the history of the North Woods, the voyageur culture, and solving a longstanding family mystery. This story is part educational, part history and part mystery wrapped in the magic of the Northland.

Book of the Month

Sheep in a Jeep Board Book

Professor Owls book choices

by Nancy E. Shaw, Emily Meyer,

and Margot Apple

(Board book – Mar 3 2010)

CDN$ 7.50

Reading level: Ages 4-8

The Easter Egg

Professor Owls book choice

by Jan Brett and Brett

(Hardcover – Feb 9 2010)

CDN$16.25

Reading level: Ages 9-12

The 39 Clues Book Nine

Professor Owl's Book Choice

by Linda Sue Park

Hardcover – May 25 2010)

CDN $11.67

The books for download are free like share-ware in the software industry. Paying is completely optional and you decide if you can pay and how much you want to pay.

This month’s story is:

“Can Dogs Talk?”

“Can Dogs Talk” by Frank Jeff http://my.brainshark.com/Can-dogs-talk-963217471 http://my.brainshark.com/Can-dogs-talk-963217471my.brainshark.com/Can

Over the past few months we have made quite a few changes to our newsletter, and we hope you are enjoying them.

This month we will also cover area’s for young adults since our Variety Village hero is older than usual.  You will find out how Variety Village is able to assist him to be a little more independent by helping him to improve his reading skills.  Our book of the month is directed to our older readers.  We will, however still have books listed for every age along with creative projects, cooking treats and puzzles both easy and difficult, so that no one is left out.

To  receive your copy send an email to: professorowl@rogers.com

We would also like our older readers to take a look at the video shown in the link below.

Let this video help you make a new beginning in your lives also.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciYk-UwqFKA