New Book on Positive Body Image For Girls Out Today

I guess today is the day for book announcements!  Katherine Schwarzenegger, daughter of California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, has written a book about girls and healthy body image titled, "Rock What You've Got: Secrets to Loving Your Inner and Outer Beauty From Someone Who's Been There and Back."

We love the title and especially appreciate Ms. Schwarzenegger's take on the importance of having close family relationships to help gain perspective when dealing with sensitive body-image matters. About her mom, journalist Maria Shriver, she says, "My mom was always good with me. She always checked in with me. I had the best relationship with my mom. I still do. I talk to her four times a day." Not one to forget her dad, she adds, "I also have an amazing relationship with my dad. ... I talk to him about boys, about going out, about what I'm interested in, about business."

Ms. Schwarzenegger writes about the "friendly competition" she had with a friend to stay below a certain weight level and how she became "self conscious" about her weight in middle school.

The book was released today.

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President Obama's Book of Letters to His Daughters, First Tweens Malia and Sasha Obama

President Obama's first book for children, "Of Thee I Sing, Letters to My Daughters", will be published on November 16th. It's a collection of stories about inspirational Americans for his daughters, First Tweens Malia and Sasha Obama. Tales about George Washington, Jackie Robinson, and Georgia O'Keefe will be amongst the 13 stories in the book.

Profits from the book will be donated to “a scholarship fund for the children of fallen and disabled soldiers serving our nation” according to the publisher, Alfred A. Knopf.

The First Tweens are shown walking their dog, Bo, on the cover. The book will cost $17.99 and be available on November 16, 2010.


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Justin Bieber at the VMAs

Justin Bieber performed an outdoor concert at tonight's VMAs - check out the video here:

2010 MTV Video Music Awards - More VMA Video

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Demi Lovato Quits Twitter

Perhaps taking a page from Miley Cyrus' playbook, tween star Demi Lovato has quit Twitter.  Ms. Lovato stated that she loves her fans but was "uncomfortable with the access" others had to her.
Given that legions of the star's fans are tweens and presumably NOT on Twitter, this is unlikely to hurt her stature (although 2.5 million of her followers will be sad to lose her updates and photos).

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Fashions Night Out: One Sweet Event for Tweens

Building off of a successful first year, Vogue and CFDA are partnering again for the 2nd Fashion's Night Out (FNO) this Friday, September 10th. While nearly all events are geared for adults only, here's one that our tweens are dying to attend: Dylan's Candy Bar Candy Couture contest.

Six designers from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) were tutored by fashion industry gurus and created one-of-a-kind couture creations inspired by candy (including Jolly Ranchers, jawbreakers, and taffy). Your tween can view the designs and vote for her fave here. We were blown away by the "Jawbreaker" by Jamie Barker, but they're all pretty sweet.

The winner will be announced at Dylan's FNO party on Friday between 6-11pm.

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Top 10 Back to School Safety Tips for Tweens

Given our recent post with the latest study results finding that tween girls are the most at risk for abduction, here are the "Top 10" back to school safety rules for tweens (borrowed liberally from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children) website:

1. Travel in packs: always TAKE A FRIEND with when walking or biking, and stay with a group while standing at the bus stop. 
2. Stay in the light: whenever walking places, even familiar routes, NEVER TAKE SHORTCUTS and always stay in well-lit areas. Parent can point out landmarks and coach tweens on safe places to go if they’re being followed or need help.
3. Trust your gut - if it feels unsafe, go with that. If anyone bothers them, makes them feel scared or uncomfortable to TRUST YOUR FEELINGS and immediately get away from that person.  
4. It's okay to be rude sometimes: parents of tween girls especially need to coach their daughters and tell them it is ok not to be polite at all times, and IT IS OK TO SAY NO. 
5. Go ahead - make a scene: Teach your tween if anyone tries to take them somewhere they should RESIST by kicking and screaming, try to run away and DRAW ATTENTION by kicking and screaming “This person is trying to take me away” or “This person is not my father/mother.” Staying out of a would-be abductor's vehicle is crucial.
6. There's no such thing as a free ride: Teach your tween NOT TO ACCEPT A RIDE from anyone unless you have said it is ok in that instance.  If anyone follows them in a vehicle they should turn around, go in the other direction, and run to a trusted adult who may help them.
7. Ignore adults - at least when they ask for you directions: Tweens should know that grownups do NOT ASK CHILDREN FOR DIRECTIONS. It's a red flag if someone does. 
8. No handouts: tweens should NEVER ACCEPT MONEY OR GIFTS from anyone unless a parent has told them it is ok to accept in each instance.
9. Paperwork, paperwork: Make sure the school has current and accurate emergency contact information is on file for kids your and CONFIRM NAMES of those authorized.
10. Check in early; check in often: Always know where your tween will be. Teach your children to always CHECK FIRST before changing their plans before or after school.  Teach your children to never leave school, with anyone unless they CHECK FIRST with you or another trusted adult, even if someone tells them it is an emergency. We're explicit with our tweens that cell phones are not for after-the-face - they're for before-the-change.

According to the study authors, kids are their own best savior in these situations, so coach your tweens!

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Tween Girls Most at Risk for Child Abduction

As we prepare to send our tweens back to school, a sobering new study was released last month by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that finds that tween girls are the most at risk for abduction by a stranger.

Thirty-seven percent of stranger abduction occur between 2-7pm during the week (in other words, just as tweens are walking home from school or to activities), and sixty-eight percent of abductions involve a vehicle. Most tweens were approached by someone in a vehicle, often offering a ride. Other offenders lured kids with sweets or money or with an animal or a story about finding a lost animal. Some asked for directions.

The study authors are quick to point out that their intention is not to scare, but to educate both parents and children about the need to be safe as we all prepare for back to school. NCMEC found that:

• 38% of attempted abductions occur while a child is walking alone to or from school, riding the school bus or riding a bicycle;
• 37% of attempted abductions occur between the hours of 2:00 PM through 7:00 PM on a weekday;
• 43% of attempted abductions involve children between the ages of 10 and 14;
• 72% of attempted abduction victims are female;
• 68% of attempted abductions involve the suspect driving a vehicle.

The silver lining? The study hows that kids are their own best protectors. "They escaped these things not through the efforts of good Samaritans, but through recognizing a bad situation and either getting away from it, avoiding it, or screaming and kicking to draw attention," said Ernie Allen, President of NCMEC. "The child should do whatever is necessary to stay out of the car, because once the child is in that car, it dramatically reduces the chances of escape," Allen says.

Every parent's nightmare scenario of their child being snatched tragically occurs every 40 seconds in the U.S., and 800,000 children are reported missing every year.

Sobering facts to ponder this back-to-school season - stay safe.

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Tween Actress Kiernan Shipka From "Mad Men" at the Emmys

We are SO impressed watching 10-year old Kiernan Shipka being interviewed at the Emmy Awards - she is so well-spoken! Our tweens could not believe that she's only 10.

Ms. Shipka plays Sally Draper on the hit AMC show, "Mad Men", and spoke about her dress (by Papo d'Anjo), her television rules (she's not permitted to watch the show she stars in because it's not age-appropriate), and what's coming up for her character in the next season.

Totally refreshing to watch a tween starlet act her age and really own it.



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Great Interview With the New Star of Camp Rock 2, Chloe Bridges

A great interview with the new star of Camp Rock 2, Chloe Bridges in today's NYPost. She talks about what it's like to play Nick Jonas' girlfriend (cue: tweens swooning) and working with an all-star cast.

Camp Rock 2 premieres tonight on Disney Channel at 8pm EDT.

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