Fun Freetime - Twelve Kinds of Ice (CTC MN)

Children’s Theatre Company (CTC) is pleased to announce the complete cast and creative team for the world premiere musical Twelve Kinds of Ice, based on the book by Ellen Bryan Obed. Featuring a book, music, and lyrics by Ben Steinfeld, Twelve Kinds of Ice will be directed by CTC Artistic Director Rick Dildine†. Twelve Kinds of Ice will run from October 13-November 22, 2026, on the Cargill Stage. Opening night is Friday, October 16, 2026, at 7pm. Justin D. Cook will serve as music director.

 

“Twelve Kinds of Ice trusts young audiences with emotional depth in a way that feels both rare and necessary,” said director Rick Dildine. “It’s a story about grief, friendship, and the quiet ways we find our way back to one another. At CTC, we believe young people deserve work that meets them with honesty and artistry, and this piece is a powerful example of how intimate, human storytelling can resonate on a national stage.”

 

“I couldn't be more thrilled that Twelve Kinds of Ice will have its premier at CTC,” said writer Ben Steinfeld. “It is the perfect theater for this show, and I'm so grateful that my old friend, Rick Dildine, will be at the helm.  I can't wait for audiences to experience the gentle journey and musical magic of this story.”

 

Glide through the ever-shifting magic of winter as Ellen recalls childhood memories of icy adventures with her loving father. In this world premiere musical, cold temperatures and warm hearts unite to tell a tender story that takes us from spotting the first glaze of ice to building an ice rink and hosting skating shows, hockey games, and moonlit solos. Watch in awe as ice freezes before your very eyes, then melts your heart.

 

Twelve Kinds of Ice is a world premiere musical, the first of two in CTC’s upcoming 2026-2027 season. It will be followed by Princess Kay of the Milky Way (February 23-April 4, 2027). Over 200 new plays and musicals have been developed at CTC, including A Year with Frog and Toad, which premiered at CTC before transferring to Broadway and receiving 3 Tony Award nominations. Following its world premiere engagement in Minneapolis, Twelve Kinds of Ice will play at Seattle Children's Theatre (January 28-February 14, 2027). New works such as Twelve Kinds of Ice are crafted from the ground up through a rigorous process of readings, workshops, revisions, and - finally - a full production onstage at CTC. 

Tickets may be purchased at childrenstheatre.org/twelve or by calling the Ticket Office at 612.874.0400. Ticket prices start at $25.

 

School groups interested in attending Twelve Kinds of Ice can contact schools@childrenstheatre.org for more information.

 

Twelve Kinds of Ice has a run time of 1 hour with no intermission.

 

This production is recommended for ages 10 and up. Lap passes are available for children 3 years and younger.

Book Nook - Kim Cameron: Who Drew That?

Three-time Billboard charting, 25-time iTunes-charting artist, and award-winning filmmaker and children’s author Kim Cameron embarks on a high-energy adventure into the world of art with her first full-length children’s album, Who Drew That? Released last month, the innovative album – part of Kim Cameron’s “Seaper Powers” brand of fun, adventurous, educational content – fuses dance music, arts education, and children’s entertainment.

Who Drew That? is a dance party that celebrates legendary artists Salvador Dalí, Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Charles M. Schulz, Chuck Jones, Barbara 62 (one of the first female graffiti creators), and Gershon Iskowitz (a Holocaust survivor who used painting to heal). Each upbeat song on the album explores a different dance music genre that helps tell the artist’s story.

Kim’s vision stems from recognizing the natural connections between these groundbreaking artists’ playful explorations and children’s uninhibited creativity.

“All of these artists, like kids, loved to explore with colors and shapes, so merging the two seemed natural,” explains Kim Cameron. “To add to the fun, I wrote each song on Who Drew That? to be performed in a different dance music genre including Future House, Amapiano, Microhouse, NuDisco, Deep House, and Drum & Bass. I’m not sure that anyone has ever written a dance album for children that explores masters of visual art. Musical dance parties don’t have to be limited to clubs!”

Kim continues, "With this album, I wanted to combine my three loves: dance music, children, and art. Given my years of producing children’s content for my Seaper Powers brand, writing with an educational but fun approach was not a new concept, but rather an extension of my longstanding commitment to making learning an adventure.”

Kim Cameron recently released her third animated film, Seaper Powers: The Rescue, which has already earned more than 15 film festival awards. With her passion for animation, Kim has also produced videos to accompany every song on Who Drew That? Each video is animated in bright colors and is perfect for anyone who wants to bring art history alive through different dance genres, including classroom teachers, homeschoolers, caregivers, and parents.

Watch the videos for Who Drew That? on the Seaper Powers YouTube channel HERE.

Album Highlights

“Dreaming Like Dalí” – This Microhouse track celebrates Salvador Dalí, who used surrealism to blend dream-like imagery with realistic technique, creating striking, thought-provoking scenes.

“I Paint” – A fun Future House dance song, “I Paint” teaches kids about Pablo Picasso, perhaps best known for his explorations into Cubism.

“Barbara’s Color Splash Day” – Recognized for her bright colors, Barbara 62 was a pioneer female graffiti creator. The fast-paced Drum & Bass genre is showcased in this song.

About Kim Cameron:

Based in Miami Beach, Kim Cameron is a high-energy, 3-time Billboard-charting and 25-time iTunes-charting artist with a Deep House sound who has toured the world and has been a featured artist at prominent international music festivals including Xiamen Music Festival (China), Dubrovnik Wave Festival (Croatia), and Komen’s for a Cure (Miami).

Kim’s original songs have been placed on a variety of TV shows and films (Hulu, Amazon, VOD, Bravo, CMTV, Fox, MTV, Discovery, Disney, MUN2). Her music is signed across the globe to several agencies; Muzika In Store (Croatia); PC Music (Canada); 35 Grad (Germany); KD Digital (S. Korea); Leyi Digital (China) and distributed worldwide under the UK’s Label Worx. Kim has received the American Songwriting Award and has been honored in variety of competitions as Best Female Emerging Artist of the Year, Best Album of the Year, Best Live Performance, and Best Dance Song. She has also received more than 25 awards for her music videos. In 2023, Kim was inducted into the Indie Music Channel’s Hall of Fame for her work over the past decade.

Since 2013, Kim has written a sea-life adventure series of award-winning Seaper Powers children's books that tie in with her films. These books (In Search of Bleu Jay’s Treasure, The Mystery of the Blue Pearls, The Rescue, The Riddle, and The Red Carpet) are available with teachers’ guides in hard copy, eBook, and audiobook format (including original scoring).

Book Nook - The Book of Names (Don't Doubt the Rainbow 4)

The Book of Names is a gripping mystery that follows teen detective Edie Marble as she uncovers family secrets linked to one of history’s darkest chapters.

Two stories unfold in parallel, one set in modern-day Britain and the other in occupied Poland in the shadow of the Second World War – creating a powerful adventure that spans generations and explores the enduring impact of courage, memory and identity.

At the height of her fame, Edie is awarded a medal of the highest British honour, the George Cross when she is drawn into a mystery linked to her own family and her late mother’s final case. What begins as an investigation into lost art soon becomes Edie’s most profound case yet, leading her all through Europe from Amsterdam to Auschwitz- Birkenau, and into the heart of one of history's greatest atrocities.

Meanwhile, in 1940s Poland, thirteen-year-old Ida, Edie’s great aunt, navigates the unimaginable as the Nazis seize control of her hometown, Zyrardow. Forced from her home and ruled by force, Ida escapes into the forest and joins the resistance, fighting to protect what remains of her world.

Decades apart but bound together by blood, courage and a search for truth, Edie and Ida’s stories intertwine in a moving search for justice. As Edie exposes this horrendous crime, she confronts danger of the highest order, threatening not only her own safety but the safety of those she loves.

Through adventures and challenges, she learns to understand and harness her innate wellbeing. That wisdom becomes the blueprint she carries forward – helping her face life’s challenges with clarity and trust in her own resilience.

Edie's experiences introduce themes of grief, resilience, identity and emotional wellbeing to young readers, encouraging them to reflect on their own mental health with curiosity rather than judgement. Just as Edie learns to understand herself, readers are invited to consider their own feelings, relationships and sense of purpose.

Inspired in part by the real Book of Names at Auschwitz, a moving memorial that records the identities of millions of Holocaust victims, the book serves as a powerful reminder that history is not just about events, but about people.

Anthony Kessel is a public health physician, academic and author. He is currently Deputy National Medical Director at NHS England and previously worked as Director of Global Public Health at Public Health England. Anthony is an Honorary Professor at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.

Book Nook - Haley Lu Richardson Reads That Cat Can’t Stay for Storyline Online®

 The Emmy-winning children’s literacy program Storyline Online® released a new video today featuring ‘Ponies’ and ‘The White Lotus’ star Haley Lu Richardson reading That Cat Can’t Stay, a humorous tale about the love of cats and dogs. The read-aloud premieres on storylineonline.net and on the Storyline Online YouTube channel.

Written by Thad Krasnesky, illustrated by David Parkins and published by Flashlight Press, That Cat Can’t Stay shares the story of one family’s very complicated, yet comedic, pet adoption process. When Mom’s uber affection for cats propels her to invite more strays from the street, Dad becomes frustrated when he sees his favorite chair has been taken over by the new feline companions. Hoping to resolve the situation, he makes a visit to the pound to bring home a new puppy – but will it settle the score, or just add to the antics? Find out by checking out Storyline Online’s newest addition.

With a delightful and expressive performance, and a real knack for the rhythm that is essential to the text, Richardson is a joy to watch – able to embody multiple voices with tons of charm and charisma while maintaining exuberance throughout. Her unique delivery - like getting gravelly as dad, or going big as mom - is hilarious; while her on screen facial expressions add a fun and memorable flavor to the words. She looks very at home in the reader's chair.

“I’ve always had an affinity for rhyme and rhythm” says Haley Lu Richardson who is a published author, having released her first poetry book last year. “This was a true joy to get to bring to life. It was a blast and oh so freeing to step into multiple roles that span ages and genders I normally wouldn’t be cast for. I hope the readers and cat lovers have as much fun watching this as I did reading it.”

The video is accompanied by a free activity guide for parents and teachers, aligned with Common Core Standards, to support reading comprehension and creative engagement.

“We have worked with so many talented readers throughout this program,” remarked Courtney B. Vance, President and Chairman of the SAG-AFTRA Foundation. “Haley not only fits right in with the best, but she really shows a side of herself that I’ve yet to see on screen. I am so excited to see how this read-aloud lands with children and educators, but also what it unlocks for her as her career continues to skyrocket. She’s fantastic.”

With millions of views each month, Storyline Online features celebrated actors reading beloved children’s books alongside creatively produced illustrations. Produced by the nonprofit SAG-AFTRA Foundation, the series is available for free, 24/7, to children, families and educators around the world.

That Cat Can’t Stay is the 102nd read-aloud in Storyline Online’s acclaimed library, which includes read-alouds by Angela Bassett, Kathy Bates, Bryan Cranston, Viola Davis, John Lithgow, Rami Malek, Gary Oldman, Chris Pine, Meryl Streep, Oprah Winfrey, Michelle Yeoh and many more.

To watch Haley Lu Richardson’s reading of That Cat Can’t Stay and explore the full library of free videos, visit StorylineOnline.net. Keep up with new videos by subscribing to Storyline Online on YouTube and following Storyline Online on Instagram, X and Facebook.

Storyline Online is made possible through gifts, grants, and sponsorships. For more information about becoming a Storyline Online sponsor, please email sponsorship@sagaftra.foundation.

ABOUT STORYLINE ONLINE®
An Emmy-winning program of the nonprofit SAG-AFTRA Foundation, Storyline Online® streams 102 videos at no cost to children, parents and educators worldwide. The program is endorsed by the American Federation of Teachers and the American Library Association, and has been named one of the best websites by the American Association of School Librarians. In addition to the website, Storyline Online offers a free app for iPhone devices. For more information, visit storylineonline.net.

CONNECT WITH STORYLINE ONLINE
Instagram: @storylineonline
X: @storylineonline
Facebook: facebook.com/storylineonline
YouTube: youtube.com/storylineonline
Hashtag: #StorylineOnline

ABOUT THE SAG-AFTRA FOUNDATION
The SAG-AFTRA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides vital assistance and free educational programming to the professionals of SAG-AFTRA while serving the public at large through its award-winning children’s literacy program Storyline Online. The Foundation relies on support from gifts, grants and sponsorships to maintain its free programs. For more information, visit sagaftra.foundation.

CONNECT WITH THE SAG-AFTRA FOUNDATION
Instagram: @sagaftrafound
TikTok: @sagaftrafound
X: @sagaftrafound
Facebook: facebook.com/sagaftrafoundation
YouTube: youtube.com/sagaftrafoundation

Fun Freetime - Construction Simulator Evolution and Bus Simulator 27

 My kid loves simulator games, and after trying some of them, I can see why. Here are two upcoming games we're excited to try out:

Dig into the next exciting evolution of the Construction Simulator series and experience the biggest construction playground ever. Control numerous licensed machines, take on manual labor, and master both construction and demolition.

Drive officially licensed buses from renowned manufacturers and manage your bus company to success. Felicia Bay’s public transportation system is counting on you!

Travel Tidbits - Best Theme Parks for Traveling with Hearing Loss

Choosing the right theme park isn't just about the biggest rides or shortest queues. For families travelling with hearing loss, accessibility can make all the difference, and new research has revealed which U.S. parks are getting it right. 

 

A new study by Resound reveals which parks are going the extra mile for visitors with hearing loss by analyzing hearing accessibility features across the country's biggest theme parks, ranking everything from assistive listening support to accessibility information. 

 

https://gnresoundblog.com/2026/05/04/the-most-accessible-u-s-theme-parks-for-hearing-loss/

 

Walt Disney World Resort in Florida secured the top spot, achieving a perfect score of 60. The iconic destination stood out for its strong number of positive TripAdvisor reviews relating to hearing accessibility, with 7 mentions of keywords such as “sign language”, “ASL”, “deaf” and “hearing loss”, the highest of any theme park analysed.

 

It also ranked highly for its wide range of accessibility features, including assistive listening and handheld captioning devices, as well as sign language interpreters and detailed accessibility guides and maps, all contributing to a more inclusive visitor experience.

Top 10 most accessible theme parks in the U.S: 

1. Walt Disney World Resort - 60/60

2. Disneyland Park Resort - 58.57 

3. Universal Islands of Adventure - 48.57 

4. Universal Studios Orlando - 45.71 

5. Six Flags Mountain - 41.43 

6. Dollywood - 41.43 

7. Silver Dollar City - 41.43

8. Six Flags Magic Mountain - 40 

9. Universal Studios Hollywood - 35.71 

10. SeaWorld Orlando - 35.71 

 

Disneyland Park Resort in California ranked second with a score of 58.57, just missing out on the top spot. While it offers all the same accessibility features, it fell slightly behind with just 6 positive reviews on TripAdvisor containing words relating to hearing loss. 

 

Taking third place, Universal’s Islands of Adventure in Florida scored 48.57. The park ticks nearly every accessibility box, missing out only on handheld captioning devices.

Post courtesy:https://gnresoundblog.com/2026/05/04/the-most-accessible-u-s-theme-parks-for-hearing-loss/

Enriching Education - Back-to-School Mental Health Help - Expert tips to ease transition

With a new school term about to commence after the summer break, mental health expert Noel McDermott looks at how to handle transition issues and offers ways to help prepare your child in advance.

 

Get ahead of the problem by preparing your child in advance:

• Normalise feelings - explain that it’s okay to feel a bit low about going back to school, it’s a normal reaction.

• Encourage behavioural interventions - If your child shows signs of the blues when school starts, go back to basics and re-teach good sleep hygiene and regular family meals to catch up on the day and discuss any worries they might have.

• Treat your children - especially when you think they deserve a lift or are low in mod, this will help them regulate their emotions. This can be as simple as movie nights cuddling up on the sofa as  family!

• Try to organise contact with classmates before school begins whether it be a playdate in the park of catching up online..

• Try to arrange a visit to school before it begins to reacquaint your child (we call this transition work)

• Get outside as a family - nature lifts our mood even if it’s a simple trip to your local park. Take a walk in a park or do a mindful meditation together. Both biophilia (an innate affinity between humans and the natural world) and mindfulness have been shown to lower stress while improving health and wellbeing. 

Noel comments: “It’s important as a family to learn key skills to manage change .Enhance the positive. We know from research that having a positive view of major changes ameliorates any negative consequences in poor behaviour, or relapses in unhelpful coping patterns for example. Take note of all the things your kids like about school and make a list. Start those conversations well before the change happens. Remind your kids of their friends, favourite teachers etc so they have something positive to focus on.”  

Signs of anxiety in children:

• Feeling of nervousness or being on edge e.g., sitting on the edge of your seat, nail biting

• Not being able to stop or control worrying, feeling like your head is spinning like a hamster on a wheel.

• Worrying about too many different things at once and not being able to control these feelings 

• Difficulties relaxing

• Being restless and unable to sit still, constant fidgeting. 

• Becoming easily annoyed or irritable

• Feeling afraid as if something awful is going to happen 

Sometimes the anxiety can seem significant but it can be difficult to know how seriously to take it. Here parents need to look at severity, longevity and impact on functioning. Severity is looking at a high rating you might give the symptoms, you know your child, are the symptoms super high this time? Longevity,  have these symptoms hung around for more than a few days?  In most cases  we look at two weeks and more being a trigger for concern. And finally functioning, how much are these symptoms interfering with your child’s life? Do they stop them seeing friends, going outside, engaging in family life? If your child is struggling in these areas it would be wise to seek a professional opinion.

Caring Connections - 2026 Money & Relationships Survey

WalletHub today released the results of its 2026 Money & Relationships Survey, which explores the role of financial compatibility, cooperation and transparency in relationships. You can find highlights from the survey and commentary below.

Key Findings:

• Prenup Approval Runs High: 3 in 4 Americans believe a prenup is good for a relationship.
   
• Not-So-Joint Finances: More than 1 in 4 Americans have a financial account that their partner doesn't know about.
   
• Sharing Can Lead to Swearing: Nearly 1 in 3 people believe that sharing a financial account leads to more money problems rather than preventing them.
   
• The Real Relationship Killer: 72% of Americans believe that financial disagreements are worse for a relationship than political disagreements.
   
• Money Skills Make You More Attractive: 80% of people say poor financial literacy is a turn-off in a partner.
   
• Budgeting as a Couple: More than 4 in 5 Americans believe couples should share a budget.

“Couples often fail to consider their financial compatibility until it’s too late. While things like political views may come up on the first few dates, 72% of Americans actually believe that financial disagreements are worse for a relationship than political disagreements, according to a new WalletHub survey. That’s saying a lot considering the current political climate, and you don’t want to get all the way to a marriage proposal only to discover you have very different views on prenuptial agreements, for example. Three in four Americans think a prenup is wise, but there’s no guarantee both you and your partner are in that group. Singles looking for love also need to up their money game, seeing as 80% of people say poor financial literacy is a turn-off.”

- Chip Lupo, WalletHub Analyst



 

More From WalletHub

• Best & Worst States for Singles
• Best Places to Get Married
• Best Credit Cards
• Best Personal Loans
• Financial Secrets Survey
• Generational Finances Survey

Book Nook - Quiet Leadership: The power of introversion in schools

Amid rising staff burnout in UK schools, retention challenges and increasing accountability pressures¹, there is a quiet shift taking place in leadership culture. “The most effective school leaders,” argues ex-headteacher Andrew Marsh in his new book Quiet Leadership, “are no longer those who command the loudest voice in the room—but those who know when to step back, listen, and empower others.”

In an education system which is shaped by urgency, targets and top-down decision-making, Quiet Leadership presents a compelling alternative: a model rooted in trust, clarity and purposeful restraint. Rather than driving change through constant direction, he suggests that sustainable improvement comes from creating the conditions in which teachers can think, act and lead with confidence.

At a time when teacher wellbeing is under intense scrutiny and schools are searching for ways to do more with less, this book offers a timely and practical approach for schools everywhere.

Leading UK expert, Mary Myatt echoes this in her recent review, “Quiet Leadership is an important read for anyone who cares about education, people and the kind of leadership that nurtures rather than depletes. It’s a gentle but powerful call to reimagine what strength looks like in our schools, and beyond².”

Drawing on real-world experience and practical insight, Andrew offers school leaders a clear framework for reducing unnecessary noise, active listening, thoughtful decision making, understanding their team, avoiding micromanagement and building stronger, more resilient teams. Quiet Leadership challenges the assumption that effective leadership must always be visible and directive, instead championing a quieter, more intentional approach that puts people at the centre. Above all, quiet leaders know that they don’t know it all.

As the education sector continues to grapple with recruitment, retention and reform, Quiet Leadership provides a timely reminder that how leaders lead matters as much as what they lead. In turning down the volume, school leaders may find they are better able to hear—and harness—the collective strength of their teams.


Andrew Marsh retired from teaching in 2024 at the age of 50. After spending 46 years in classrooms, first as a pupil, then as a university student, a class teacher, and finally as a school leader, he wanted a new challenge.

¹ See https://cpdonline.co.uk/knowledge-base/mental-health/managing-burnout-education/#:~:text=Burnout%20has%20become%20one%20of,profession%20because%20of%20these%20difficulties.

² See https://www.crownhouse.co.uk/product-review/30122

Book Nook - American Mahjong for Babies

It’s never too early for an introduction to the basics of American Mahjong! American Mahjong for Babies by Megan Trottier, founder of Oh My Mahjong has crafted a charming board book that features the building blocks of American mahjong: everything from craks to bams, dragons to dots, and all the flowers in between. With bright and cheerful modern illustrations, this book will both delight and educate babies, toddlers, and even grownups who want to be part of the game. With interactive prompts on every page, readers can count, point, and clap along. American Mahjong for Babies is the perfect match for clever minds and for the next generation of mahjong players.

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Megan Trottier is the founder of the high-end, women-owned American mahjong brand Oh My Mahjong. Megan began designing her own tiles, mats, racks, and pushers during the pandemic as a way of uniting her community around mahjong. Her products honor the game’s rich heritage, igniting imagination and empowering players to create their own mahjong traditions. Oh My Mahjong’s products are available in over 1,200 stores nationwide, and Megan and her team also run the mahjong teacher certification program Mahji Mentors.