By Kate Hodges
02nd March 2022
EVENT WOMEN ARE STRONG
This Tuesday is a time to cheerlead girls and women and celebrate their achievements and potential; International Women’s Day. The theme for 2020 ‘break the bias’ – imagining a world free of discrimination, that is diverse and difference is celebrated – find out about the #breakthebias pose and strike it all day! You’ll find zingy, colourful and inspiring learning resources for children here.
There are a huge number of events going on; find something exciting near you. One of the jewels in the IWD crown is the boundary-pushing and inclusive WOW Festival, which takes place March 11-13 on the South Bank in London. Participants include Angela Davis, Bridget Christie and Bernadine Evaristo, and sessions include mentoring, theatre, discussions, and, our favourite Feminist Corner for kids workshops. Find the line-up here, most events ticketed, many free. If you’re in London, head to Canary Wharf, and print yourself an inspiring read from a Short Story Station; each post will be packed with hundreds of stories and poems from iconic feminist authors; print yours at random.
EVENT, MAKE LAST MINUTE BOOKING
Yeah! It’s World Book Day tomorrow! Eek! It’s World Book Day costume panic time! Find inspiration for last minute outfits here (including some cunning ideas for kids who aren’t keen on dressing up). All UK school children will receive a voucher to exchange for one of twelve exclusive books – which one will you choose? Home educated pupils won’t miss out – parents and carers can apply for tokens here and there are some excellent lesson plans and resources for all ages. Want to find family reading advice from experts, book recommendations or author videos? Click here. Or check out our site for Ways To Share Stories using stories to help heal anxiety and ways to get writing with your kids.
DO AND RECIPE SHOOTS OF GREEN
The first, most tender shoots of wild garlic have started to burst from the ground. Our go-to recipes include wild garlic pesto, frittata, garlic bread, or just adding the leaves to everything we cook (they’re great in omelettes). Find some ideas – and ways to preserve your stash – here and here. This year, why not go off-piste and try making tzatziki, kimchi or a tincture to use as a spring tonic.
EVENT PETAL POWER
Kew Gardens’ Orchid Festival is almost at an end, but there’s one final burst of colour. The very grand Princess of Wales conservatory is a riot of vibrant petals, monkeys, sea turtles and quetzal birds, celebrating the best of Costa Rican culture. Immerse yourself in the country’s plant life, admire installations by Costa Rican artist Dino Urpí and see the glasshouse pond filled with brilliant oranges and yellows. On Saturday enjoy traditional folk dancing outside the conservatory. Plus, of course, there are the rest of the utterly beautiful gardens to explore! Ticketed, until March 6.
EVENT FAIRIES AND FEMINISTS
We’re huge fans of Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris’ The Lost Words and The Lost Spells books. This Saturday, artist Jackie marks International Women’s Day with a event at Oxford’s Story Museum that explores the power of fairy tales and feminist heroes. Best for those aged 10+ £10
HEADS UP TIME! The Big Bang Science Fair takes place at Birmingham NEC in June. It’s inspiring, fun, HUGE and free, but you must book your tickets in advance. Here’s your reminder to do just that…
WHAT WE’RE READING A 5-year-old’s life affirmations go viral: “Not long ago, Gwenyth Todebush began using morning affirmations to help encourage her 5-year-old son, Clark, to get out the door in the morning and off to kindergarten.
“Apparently more of it was sticking than I thought,” Todebush says.
When she told her son she was feeling nervous about a parent-teacher conference, Clark spouted out his own list of affirmations, inspired by hers, but with a child’s twist. “Think about the donuts of your day.” “You gotta walk big. You gotta mean it. Like Dolly on a dinosaur. Because you got it.” Read more here
WHAT WE’RE LISTENING TO Radical Parenting Podcast: Broadcast under the Radical Honesty Institute umbrella, the Radical Parenting Podcast features Tony Shawcross, Kara Poorbaugh and other guests reviewing and presenting books, research, and ideas aimed at parenting in a way that empowers children to know themselves, love themselves, and express themselves fully. Listen in here
