Latest news with #summeradventures
CBC
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- CBC
Summer memories of grandparents, art and a very large turtle inspire Kitchener author's new picture book
Kitchener author Kate Jenks Landry new children's book, A Summer Without Anna, tells the story of young Junie who spends the summer with her grandparents because her older sister is sick. While Junie does miss her family, she also has little adventures, including looking for an elusive giant turtle. Landry joined CBC Kitchener-Waterloo's The Morning Edition with host Craig Norris to talk about how she drew inspiration from her own summer experiences. Audio of this interview can be found at the bottom of this story. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Craig Norris: Congratulations on the book! Tell us about Junie? Kate Jenks Landry: Junie is fictional, but the story draws on experiences from my own childhood, so she's sort of an alternate version of me, as I had a similar experience when I was a child. My brother was ill and in the hospital quite a lot and I spent a lot of time with family and friends. My brother was younger than me, not older. So there are differences that drew the character in a slightly different direction. But I think similarly to me, she uses a newfound interest in art. In her case it's photography to kind of make sense of the world around her and the challenges that maybe other kids her age aren't facing. And even though she's being so well cared for and is so loved, she's figuring out all of this stuff that's happening and she's using a camera. For me, it was writing, but I wanted to give her something to help her sort of capture the world around her and tell a story. Norris: And was there a cottage in your past? Jenks Landry: There sure was! Norris: What do you remember when you think of that? What were the sights and smells that you think about? Jenks Landry: My cottage was on Crane Lake, which is near Parry Sound and it belonged to my Nan and Pop, just like Junies Nan and Pop. And it was such a core place in my childhood. It was like a typical kind of Muskoka cottage with the evergreen trees and that black-green water. And there was a turtle, a large ancient turtle. And no one could remember how old, no one remembered it not being there. And once a summer or every few years, you'd see it, there'd be a sighting. In the book, the turtles' name is Edmund. In real life, the turtle didn't have a name, but Edmund was the name of my grandfather who owned the cottage. A really interesting thing I think people don't realize about picture books unless you're the author or illustrator, the illustrator is the one who's comes up with the vision for character design and setting. The illustrator of this book, Risa Hugo, who grew up in Japan and Vancouver. So she has a very different set of references. It wasn't really a Muskoka setting but was her take on a lake cottage. She said she was really inspired by the movie My Neighbor Totoro which was something that when she was Junie's age, she was obsessed with watching over and over again. So she had this kind of idyllic, almost English-looking countryside. So even though it's rooted in those really classic Muskoka cottage memories for me, the kind of alchemy of the illustrator working with my words created something completely different. Kitchener author's new book tells nostalgic story of summers spent in cottage country 4 days ago Duration 1:32 Kitchener author Kate Jenks Landry has a new children's book out. A Summer Without Anna tells the story of a young Junie who spends the summer with her grandparents because her older sister is sick. While Junie misses her family, she also has little adventures — including looking for an elusive giant turtle. Kate Jenks Landry told CBC K-W's Aastha Shetty more about the new book, which was inspired by the author's own life. Norris: Risa Hugo's art is beautiful! Jenks Landry: It really is! Risa has done a lot of really amazing Canadian books. She has another book Metis Like Me that has just been honoured and I'm just so honoured to have worked with her. Norris: What does it do for you to get something out there that's this personal? Jenks Landry: It's really complex. I think I wanted to do something that tapped into an experience that I had that was really challenging, but also very formative for me. I think going through something really challenging when you're young forced me to kind of constantly be in a mode of observing and making sense of the world. That sort of was the origin of my being a writer, and I wanted to tell that story. And I think a lot of kids have similar experiences of having to be away from parents or their bedroom or their home at a time when something difficult is happening in their families. So I wanted it to be personal and drawn those sort of core personal memories. But I also wanted to keep it open enough that kids with maybe similar in some ways, but different versions of that experience could, find something in it. And I, I felt like there wasn't really a ton of stories out there that spoke to what it was to be a sibling or just be a kid who's just kind of off on the side while your parents are off dealing with something else. Norris: That's true. I mean, you think about Junie's trip to the cottage, and in a parent's mind, you're thinking, 'Oh, well, this is beautiful, she's just gonna escape for this summer.' But that doesn't really actually happen. Jenks Landry: No, and I think it's a combination. I really love children's books that are complex and are not just one thing because this experience wasn't just one thing for me. For children, I think that's always the case. So beautiful memories are happening at the same time that really profound challenges are. So for Junie, I think she's having these really poignant memories with her grandfather in their fishing boat. She's being comforted by her grandmother and by the water itself. Swimming in the lake and being submerged in in bodies of water has always been very calming for me. I wanted to kind of think about how immersion in nature and in family is bringing comfort even in the midst of all of these challenges. And for me, I have those memories of the cottage. But also, I had an aunt and uncle that I stayed with that had a backyard pool. And I would just spend eight hours a day in this pool and my aunt would bring me peanut butter sandwiches at the side of the pool because I wouldn't get out.
Times
6 days ago
- Health
- Times
10 ideas for a fantastic family summer
Adventure golf, the world's largest ice cream shop and white knuckle water rides – plus one of the top ten theme parks in Europe (spoiler: it's in Yorkshire) Caption here pls... Happy kids and their parents eating donuts and having fun during family meal on a terrace Summer: a time for fun in the sun, when new family memories are made. But for parents, also a headache of planning, spending and weather watching. If you ' re looking for new ways to keep children and teens amused, this checklist features ten top ideas, providers and services to inspire how you spend the coming months with your loved ones. Why not take on an Olympian rafting challenge, swing out on a mini golf course or follow a path into an 'enchanted forest' for woodland adventures? Or how about a trip to the world ' s largest ice cream shop? Still contemplating a family-friendly getaway that has everything the kids could want, without compromising on luxury and service for the grown-ups? Read on for brilliant break ideas. And, because everyday life is filled with all kinds of demands, there are also organisations offering carefully crafted meal plans, planet-friendly sun cream and, as the new school year approaches, a school with creative ways to keep learning well and truly pupil centred. A small independent school in Llandudno, St David ' s College helps children reach their personal goals in a nurturing, non-selective educational environment. With specialisms in dyslexia and SEN support, St David ' s College ' s motto is 'freedom to flourish'. It follows this through across the curriculum, enabling academic achievement with tailored learning plans, offering one to one support where needed, and working with families to create a true sense of community. Sport is key, including a Level 2 BTEC in sport for Years 10 and 11, a Level 3 BTEC National Diploma in the sixth form, and an excellent record of pupils progressing to higher education in sports science. Currently, two pupils are also shortlisted for Junior Sportswoman of the Year. To celebrate its 60th anniversary, the school for boarding and day pupils is offering a new scholarship scheme, with 60 scholarships available over five years. The 60th Anniversary Excellence Scholarships will be open to new boarding pupil candidates who demonstrate promise in academic, sporting, creative and leadership spheres. Find out more at For families who take their fun seriously, Lost Jungle London is Europe's largest adventure golf destination. Located in Edgware in north London just off the M1, it features two 18-hole, jungle-themed courses, each offering unique challenges and immersive environments. The Amazon course pits intrepid mini golfers against waterfalls, jungle animals and the awesome Aztec tomb, or players can take on the Congo course ' s wobbly bridges, sunken ship and giant gorilla… Fancy a different challenge? The nine-hole footgolf course mixes golf and football. With specially themed packages, a café and full facilities, it ' s a great place to host a kid ' s birthday event or a corporate party. The course has free parking and is within walking distance from Stanmore Tube station, making it an easy way to spend time together. A must for all tiny Tigers, mini McIlroys and little Lauras… No booking required. Open seven days a week, with extended hours in summer. From £13 for adults (18 holes), family tickets available. Visit Based in Tattenhall, in the heart of Cheshire, and loved by generations, The Ice Cream Farm is a must-visit destination this summer. Recently crowned Cheshire ' s visitor attraction of the year, this is the world ' s largest ice cream shop, serving more than 50 delicious flavours, from the classics to fun favourites like bubblegum and Eton mess. New for summer 2025 is the Ice Cream Fields Adventure Playground. This exciting outdoor space is packed with slides, climbing frames and imaginative sensory play zones. Here, little ones can splash and explore in one of Europe ' s largest indoor sand and water play areas, challenge the family to a round of Strawberry Falls adventure golf, or bounce to their heart ' s content on the giant Marshmallow Mound. Friendly, fun and full of sweet treats, The Ice Cream Farm delivers magical moments for all ages, and its mix of indoor and outdoor attractions make it the perfect all-weather day out for excitement-hungry families. Open seven days a week, booking is recommended for weekends and holidays. Book at When family life is hectic and often unpredictable, that can quickly result in compromises to our personal health and eating regimes. But with the right tools, it is possible to establish a better routine. Nutrigenic focuses on making meal prep more convenient without forgoing a real food diet for a performance-driven lifestyle. By offering chef-created, 100 per cent wholefood meals drawing on science-backed, nutritional expertise, Nutrigenic delivers gourmet dinners specifically crafted to fuel energy, recovery and strength. Created to offer flavour and easy use, Nutrigenic plans serve up great dinnertime solutions for busy families. In a market saturated with convenience foods and gimmicky diet fads, Nutrigenic ' s precision-based meals, made without additives or chemicals, can also support a weight management routine, helping burn fat and build lean muscle. Optimised for athletes, to support endurance, strength and recovery, it ' s no wonder Nutrigenic ' s meal packages are endorsed by professionals across many sporting disciplines — including Ultimate Fighting Championship, International Fitness and Bodybuilding Federation, boxing and Team GB athletics. Find out more at Use code SUMMER25 for 25 per cent off the Commit plan Holiday memories last a lifetime, and with the small group adventures created by Explore, families can enjoy precious down time together, in all kinds of incredible ways. From martial arts lessons in Vietnam to a safari in Botswana, the experiences Explore provides offer amazing, activity-packed adventures that can be safely enjoyed by adults and children. Expert tour leaders are chosen with families in mind, taking groups on fully planned itineraries, so that parents can simply relax and enjoy the journey. With maximum group sizes of 16, this also gives people the chance to spend time with other families from all walks of life. It's the perfect excuse to swap the usual hotel pool for camel rides in Morocco, seeing the raw beauty of Costa Rica up close or taking a rickshaw ride through the bazaars of Old Delhi. Platinum awarded on Feefo, Explore is Atol-protected and is a B Corp certified company – so parents can share the world ' s wonders with their children and know they have travelled responsibly. Book at – Times readers get 10 per cent off with code FAMILY10 until July 31, 2025. T&Cs apply Keeping on top of housework is not an easy task when life keeps you busy, but SuperClean is on a mission to rewrite the rules. The bestseller in Dew ' s range of home, baby and pet-safe household products, SuperClean multipurpose cleaner has been specially formulated to keep things fresh in a way that protects the family and your world. Powered by electrolysed water technology, SuperClean is strong enough to cut through grease and grime, yet gentle enough for food preparation areas, highchairs and pet bowls. It is also allergy UK-certified, vegan and hypoallergenic, so suitable for allergy-prone households. Made from just salt, water and a spark of electricity, and free of harmful chemicals, SuperClean offers planet-kind performance that works on every surface in the home. Why not try SuperClean today? Times readers get 25 per cent off their first online order with code TIMES25. Find out more about the Dew range and shop now at Getting out and about under bright skies has its drawbacks, not least, wanting to keep little ones sun-safe. Developed by Dr Andrew Birnie, a consultant dermatologist and skin cancer surgeon, Altruist Family Sunspray SPF50 is a formulated trigger spray that can be easily applied, without the usual stickiness and mess. Created with advanced, photostable UV filters, it provides protection with broad-spectrum SPF50 and a five-star ultra-UVA rating (PPD 48). This gentle, fragrance and paraben-free formula is quickly absorbed without leaving a residue, and feels more like a moisturiser on the skin. It is also hypoallergenic, making it suitable for everyone in the family, even babies from six months old. Also water-resistant, Altruist lets kids enjoy their carefree adventures while parents can relax, knowing that this high-performance sunspray is vegan, reef friendly and microplastic free. What's more, with every bottle sold, 10p is donated to charities supporting children with albinism in Africa. One bottle offers full protection, and with real purpose. Discover Altruist Family Sunspray SPF50 at With a choice of boutique hotels and resorts located across Majorca and Menorca, Zafiro helps you get the best from the beautiful Balearics. For its stunning beaches and straightforward airport transfers, Majorca is a great choice. Here, Zafiro has everything for a dream family break, including three stunning resorts – Zafiro Palace Andratx, Zafiro Palace Alcudia and Zafiro Palace Palmanova. Family rooms are spacious, modern, elegant and comfortable, with luxurious options including swim-up and private pools. Each location also features large outdoor areas, with gardens, children ' s playgrounds and a kids ' club, and spa and gym facilities for grown-ups. A choice of pools also includes fabulously designed spaces for kids to have a splashing time. Mealtimes are flexible and family-friendly, too, with each location offering a variety of options through the day, plus poolside snacks and lunch restaurants. And when it comes to the bill, booking options include all-inclusive deals, so you can focus on the fun without thinking about added costs. Book now at Whatever the weather, this Yorkshire adventure park offers wonder and fun for all ages. Named in the top ten theme parks in Europe for 2025 by Tripadvisor, and open all year round, Stockeld Park has oodles of indoor and outdoor space for active and imaginative play. Venture into the Enchanted Forest for themed adventure playgrounds, magical interactive challenges and the bumper-boats lake. Then tackle the Giant Yew Tree maze with surprises around every corner. The award-winning indoor Playhive has room for one and all to frolic along the high-level walkways and spiralling tunnel slides that connect its different 'worlds' – space, air, jungle and ocean. And throughout the summer there are go-karts, giant inflatables and a tractor run for smaller guests, while older children can take on the woodland laser arena. Throughout school holidays there is also live music plus games, dancing and a bubble extravaganza. With cafés and refreshment kiosks throughout the attraction, it ' s almost as if Stockfeld Park ' s team knows exactly what every parent is looking for. Book now at The park's inflatables guarantee ensures that if, for any reason, the inflatables are closed for two hours or more when you visit (due to power cut, rain, high winds, for example), you can get a free pass to the park valid until September 14, 2025 Specially created ahead of the London 2012 Games, Lee Valley White Water Centre is a fun day out, with rafting experiences suitable for all ages and abilities. It ' s not often that Mum, Dad and the kids all get the chance to take on the same incredible circuit world-class competitors have been through, but this attraction offers family friendly thrills with just enough added adrenaline. Whether you ' re looking for a real challenge or you ' ve got a first time paddler in tow, there is something for everyone. Take on the Olympic standard competition course for a white knuckle water ride, or enjoy the easier flowing Legacy Loop, with well trained staff on hand when you need them. Easy to reach on the outskirts of northeast London, Lee Valley White Water Centre also offers kayaking, paddleboarding and an amazing Water Wipeout course, plus plenty of green space to take a trail or just chat about your water adventures over lunch. Book now at Lee Valley White Water Centre is also offering up to 20 per cent off for groups until July 31, 2025 – perfect for parties. Terms and conditions can be found at Follow on Facebook , Instagram and TikTok This a commercial article paid for by our advertising partners If you've enjoyed reading this article and are interested in more inspiration in everything from food and drink, health and wellbeing to education or finance, why not follow Checklist on Facebook, X and Instagram @ChecklistSocial, or sign up to the newsletter? Checklist provides the best free online competitions too – discover amazing new services and products when you visit the website today.
CBC
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Kitchener author's new book tells nostalgic story of summers spent in cottage country
Kitchener author Kate Jenks Landry has a new children's book out. A Summer Without Anna tells the story of a young Junie who spends the summer with her grandparents because her older sister is sick. While Junie misses her family, she also has little adventures — including looking for an elusive giant turtle. Kate Jenks Landry told CBC K-W's Aastha Shetty more about the new book, which was inspired by the author's own life.
CNET
25-05-2025
- Business
- CNET
Memorial Day Deal: Save $130 on the Powerful Yet Portable JBL Xtreme 4 Speaker
The weather is warming up, and if you are getting ready for some outdoor summer adventures like pool parties, backyard barbeques, camping, or picnics, a good Bluetooth speaker can add life to your gatherings. JBL is known for making some of the best in the game, and right now, one of its newest models is on sale. As part of Amazon's Memorial Day sale, the JBL Xtreme 4 is down to $250 -- that's a solid 34% discount. This recent release features AI capabilities to optimize sound and settings for you to enjoy the best listening experience. You can choose from black, blue, or camo, and all three colors are included in the deal. For $250, you get a portable device with a long strap that makes it easy to carry around. Wear it as a crossbody, carry it over your shoulder, or hang it up safely; your call. The speaker itself is packed with dual woofers, two drivers, and powerful signature bass radiators -- all of which ensure rich, deep sound regardless of the tracks playing. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. The built-in AI Sound Boost monitors the incoming audio signals and predicts how the speaker should respond in real-time. This allows Xtreme 4 to push its drivers to the max and deliver fuller sound with strong bass even at high levels without any distortion. The battery is just as solid, offering up to 24 hours of playtime, plus an extra 6 hours with the Playtime Boost feature. On top of that, Xtreme 4 has an IP67 waterproof and dustproof rating, so taking it with you to the beach or the pool won't be a problem. Just be sure to get your orders in before the deal expires or the stock runs dry. Why this deal matters The JBL Xtreme 4 speaker was launched last year, and it retails for around $380. This deal slashes $130 off a portable, yet extremely powerful speaker that doesn't compromise on sound quality, so it is an excellent opportunity to save, especially as Memorial Day deals have brought discounts to a whole host of headphones and Bluetooth speakers.
CBS News
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Colorado mom shares free and affordable kid-friendly activity recommendations for families this summer
Abbie Dzara and her two-year-old son Kade spend many mornings swinging in the sunshine at Horseshoe Park in Aurora. CBS "He's my little toddler, my big boy," she said, hugging him with a smile. Dzara is the mom behind "Colorado Kid Adventures." Tens of thousands of people follow her on social media, via Instagram and TikTok. She shares ideas of fun, family-friendly activities to do, with a glimpse into day-to-day life. "We try to stay on somewhat of a budget, especially in the summer when the kids are out of school," she told CBS Colorado's crew, who met up with Dzara recently. "I feel like it can add up quickly if you do something every day." However, there are plenty of cheap things to do this summer with your family; she knows firsthand. Parks are an excellent place to start. "This one's completely redone. We came before, and it was still great and free but now it's a lot safer. It's great for multiple age groups, we like the bright colors. We also love the green space nearby." You can also grab free food for your kids. "A lot of the schools, high schools, and rec centers offer lunches at certain times of day. You can find them on Colorado websites and rec center websites. Any kid that's 18 and under, will get a free meal, and it's usually in a bag, or some you have to go into the school and get it. It's a great way to stay on budget, grab your lunch, and plan your day around it. Go to different districts and say, 'Oh, I want to go to this park, and you can kind of scope out who has a good meal for that day.'" If your kid is interested in summer camps, the YMCA offers discounted options. "They have sports camps, and the Aurora Rec Center is offering even preschool up for summer camps," said Dzara. Local museums also offer free days for families.
