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Brittany Hart Scholten

@bhs_writes

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Children’s book author and freelance writer @leahs_long_beach_adventures
Rooted in community action 🫱🏼‍🫲🏾💞💪🏽
Writing for community good 📝

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Here’s our family ofrenda that we are building in our home and will continue to build through November 1 & 2 with fresh food and water.

I love teaching children about this incredible Mexican tradition that dates back over 3,000 years. A time where we remember and honor our loved ones who have passed away.

I’ll be reading @molaa.art and doing a Dia de los Muertos craft on Sunday, October 18th from 1-3pm. I would love to share this tradition with children and adults alike.

Watch out I may start posting lots of dia de los muertos content as it’s my favorite tradition where I get to teach my children about their great grandparents and see so much amazing art out in the world at this time of year 💀🏵️🌹

I’m an author, not a content creator, so please forgive me 😅

#longbeach #diademuertos #díadelosmuertos #molaa #longbeachcalifornia taken in Long Beach, California by @bhs_writes

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5 days ago

Get ready for Día de los Muertos and join us for a fun storytime and craft at the Museum of Latin American Art!

Author Brittany Hart Scholten will read her book, Leah's Long Beach Adventures, which showcases the Día de los Muertos Festival @molaa.art. Children will hear about this ancient Mexican tradition of honoring loved ones who have passed away at storytime and be invited to make a Day of the Dead craft.

Enjoy the museum with your familia after the event as it is MOLAA Free Sundays 😍

When: Sunday, October 18th
Where: MOLAA
682 Alamitos Ave
Long Beach 90802
Time: 1:00pm-3:00pm

#diadelosmuertos #longbeachca #longbeachcalifornia #molaa taken in Downtown Long Beach by @bhs_writes

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6 days ago

Just less than a month away to Día de los Muertos! Leah and her family celebrate this beautiful Mexican tradition every year, where they honor their abuelos who have passed away.

Taking a poll.. Would you be interested in purchasing this t-shirt? I don't currently sell t-shirts, but feel like this one would be special. I bought one for myself and wondered if anyone wanted to buy one as well.

DM me, if so. I would like to place a larger order by Friday, October 9th if people are interested.

Let me know 💜

#longbeach #diadelosmuertos #ddlm #dayofthedead #artlover by @bhs_writes

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9 days ago

I’ve been thinking about how awkward it is to be a writer, sometimes. As a writer, you really have to put yourself out there, ask people to buy something you’ve poured your soul into, and some people will inevitably not like your work. To be a writer, at least for me, is very vulnerable.

It reminds me of when I studied abroad—where I strengthened my awkwardness muscle (if you will 😉) I remember one of my friends commented that you have to have a high tolerance for being awkward to live abroad. When you’re learning a language in another country, you often say the wrong thing, don’t have the words yet to express yourself, don’t know the customs so you make mistakes, and again, you are vulnerable being away from home country and your native language.

I am proud of my 20-year-old self for studying abroad. It changed me in immeasurable ways. It truly expanded my perspective, gave me a deeper understanding of a new country, grew my empathy, my confidence, and my ability to push past awkwardness. It shaped who I am today.

Today, I’m proud of myself for exploring my love of writing in my 40s. I hope my 60-year-old self will look back, be proud and be even braver than I am today.

So do something to strengthen your awkwardness muscle—your future self will thank you 💜

#randomthoughts #writer #awkwardness taken in Long Beach, California by @bhs_writes

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11 days ago

Something I spend more time thinking about than I want to admit is protecting my boys from unfettered access to the internet and AI.

My husband and I read @jonathanhaidt's Anxious Generation a few years ago and then I sent out a manifesto to all the parents whose emails I had, urging them to read it and to hold off on smart phones for their kids until high school.

The lessons we learned in that book, like that kids are being exposed to very inappropriate things by the age of 10 (the age of my oldest now), that self-esteem, focus, and ability to find ways to entertain themselves without screens are being negatively impacted + many more, have shaped how we parent and try to give our kids more freedom to play outside in the neighborhood with friends and have opportunities to build skills they can't develop on screens.

I am now reading the children's graphic novel, The Amazing Generation, with my 10-year-old about the dangers of living your life on a smartphone, with real life quotes from young adults who wished they didn't get their smart phones so young. It also explains how tech giants got greedy and made apps more addictive to make more money.

Reading the book together, leads to wonderful conversations with my son and he seems to understand that he may be one of the few who has to wait until high school for a smart phone. The book makes it easy to point out all the skills he's gaining from face-to-face interactions, trying new things like soccer, playing the guitar, being in a school play, etc.

I hope parents of 4th-7th graders will be encouraged to read this with their child and commit to no smart phones until at least 9th grade. There is a different between a phone that calls and texts for safety (they still make flip phones!) and one that gives your child unfettered access to the internet in their pocket.

I know I can't protect them from everything but I am passionate about this topic.

That's why I joined the fight against excessive and unintentional Chromebook usage in the classroom and banning student facing AI. Check out @schoolsbeyondscreens_lbusd if you're in Long Beach or find a @schoolsbeyondscreens chapter near you. We are making waves! by @bhs_writes

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21 days ago

908 Day feels like a great day to share about the fantastic Long Beach celebration we had this past Saturday @rancholoscerritos ☀️🌊💜

🎨 It was a beautiful morning full of crafting, art, and storytimes that all centered around Long Beach. We celebrated Long Beach’s cultural diversity, landmarks, and community that makes our city such a special place to call home. 🏡

⚡️Children made Long Beach pennants and keychains to show their love for our city, partook in an art lesson by the talented @sunflowerhues, listened to Leah’s Long Beach Adventures in English and Spanish by the author @bhs_writes. 📚

🗣️ The storytime created fun dialogue about what the children recognize in the city, where they love to go, and cultural celebrations across the city they participate in with their families. They also learned of new cultural celebrations and places to visit around the city. 🏙️

Community storytimes and art workshops like these that are supported in part by @artslb and the @longbeachcity are part of what makes this city so unique! They support their creatives and promote free events that benefit the Long Beach community. 💜

Thank you to everyone who came and made our event a success. A special thanks to @notjustamomclub @cwamba_wamba and @meghannhart for helping out and contributing! And to @cjhart.design for photographing and @swh711 for helping with keychains and providing Instapix for guests 🥰

#artlb #longbeach #longbeachcalifornia #community #bilingual_kids taken in Rancho Los Cerritos by @bhs_writes

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a month ago

OMG! I wrote a Substack post... it's been months since my last one. It feels great to sit down and use my brain in a way to synthesize information and write a journalistic article about something I am passionate about: LIMITING SCREENS IN THE CLASSROOM!

Tomorrow morning you can read about the parents, students, teachers & education specialists who are showing up to advocate for @schoolsbeyondscreens_lbusd at Long Beach Unified School Board meetings.

The demands are clear:
1) Eliminate digital devices in the classroom from TK through first grade.
2) Prohibit student-led use of YouTube and video streaming platforms during school.
3) Establish reasonable maximum daily screen time limits by grade level.
4) Ban devices during lunch, recess, and passing periods.
5) Provide fiscal transparency on ed tech contracts.

I'm not shy about my disdain for kids being able to watch YouTube in class or play gamified activities on a screen where I don't see real learning happening.

AS a family, we do not have YouTube at home on our television or our kids devices that we restrict. They do not have access to an internet browser either. It makes me livid that my child can Google things and watch Youtube in class.

I'm the mom of two boys in ELEMENTARY SCHOOL! Let that sink in. It is insane to me how much screens and ed tech has crept into little children's classrooms. They don't need to use an AI program, Amira Learning, to measure my 1ST GRADER'S reading capabilities and measure for any issues. Up until last year, I believe the district was relying on trained teachers to do just that.

I know we can't turn back time, BUT we can be intentional with and limit screen use with our children; ESPECIALLY in the classroom. We CAN ban student facing generative AI! We have to save critical thinking skills and social skills. FFS

We should not be laying off teachers, school counselors, and librarians because public dollars are going to ed tech giants.

Okay, I'll get off my soapbox, but sometimes it feels really good to scream at the internet about something you are truly passionate about and know is right with every ounce of your being. 🎤 by @bhs_writes

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a month ago

Wow 🤩 it’s been 6 months since Leah’s Long Beach Adventures came out. I have been so fortunate to be able to share this book with the Long Beach community!

Some Highlights:
☀️Reading it at 2 schools in @longbeachusd
☀️Reading to children at an incredible mom’s club @notjustamomclub
☀️Having my book read by two incredible woman at 2 other Long Beach schools @senatorgonzalez @cw_maryzendejas
☀️ Meeting @reprobertgarcia and seeing his excitement for my book
☀️ Reading at the first annual Northtown Festival where I met incredible people like @officialdestinyrodz @eyegotuinc @drjonilbc
☀️ Reading and doing activities with children at @adventurestodreams where the wonderful Miss Sheila welcomed me
☀️ Reading at @casitabookstore
☀️ My first book signing at @historicalsocietyoflongbeach
☀️ Participating in Author panels @palosverdeslibrary @centerlb @signalhillparksrecandlibrary
☀️ Meeting Little Miss Wheelchair @dahlialilmswheelchairamerica26
☀️ Reading my book to children @uscjep at the LA Times Festival of Books
☀️Reading and gifting books to children at the Art is Education Festival @agape_childrens_museum
☀️ Reading at Blooms, Books, & Bins @tgc_lb
☀️ Reading to kiddos @rancho_los_alamitos
☀️ Reading at the historical @thebembridgehouse

And so much more! I’ve met lots of great people through this little book who love the representation and intention of this book. I absolutely love when children see themselves in it 💜

I’m so grateful for the connections I’ve made and the people cheering me on. A special thanks to my mentor @my_mother_is_a_superhero for giving me ideas, connecting me with folks, and sending me sweet messages. She is amazing 🤩

Thanks to @cwamba_wamba for always helping me out at any event and helping me prep for this Saturday @rancholoscerritos

Leah’s Long Beach Adventures is now at 8 small businesses & 5 nonprofits @pixietoyslb @fingerprintsmusic @rancho_los_alamitos @rancholoscerritos @historicalsocietyoflongbeach @casitabookstore @csulongbeach @lildevilsboutique @pagesagainstthemachine @soulfeed_avssb @molaa.la.tienda @lbmaorg

It’s been quite the journey with many wins & struggles. I’m looking forward to the next 6 months! by @bhs_writes

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a month ago

☀️ Celebrate 908 Day with Leah’s Long Beach Adventures!

💜 In honor of 908 Day, when we celebrate everything Long Beach, I’m putting together a special Long Beach bundle!

Purchase a copy of Leah’s Long Beach Adventures on
www.leahslongbeachadventures.com and receive:
✨ An axolotl keychain
✨ Stickers featuring artwork from the book
✨ A Leah’s Long Beach Adventures bookmark

And because it’s 908 Day, I’ll personally sign and deliver your book for FREE anywhere in Long Beach’s 908 zip codes! ✍🏼📚🚚

Available while supplies last through 9/08. *Only for delivery to a Long Beach residence or business*

A huge thank you to @lb908 for spearheading the day and encouraging folks to wear Long Beach gear, shop and dine local, and create neighborhood events to recognize the incredible city where we all love to live!

"Life is great in the 908!" taken in Long Beach, California by @bhs_writes

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a month ago

You're invited to a very special Community Storytime & Art Workshop with Leah's Long Beach Adventures @rancholoscerritos

Saturday, September 5th
10:00 AM–12:00 PM
Rancho Los Cerritos
4600 N. Virginia Road, Long Beach 90807

Bring the kids for a fun-filled morning celebrating our beautiful city through children's book Leah's Long Beach Adventures, children's art workshop, and hands-on crafts. Author Brittany Hart Scholten will read the book in English and Spanish, and illustrator Michelle Dinh will lead a special drawing lesson, teaching children how to draw a scene from the story.

Throughout the event, children can enjoy Long Beach-themed crafts and coloring pages, meet the book's author and illustrator, and attend storytime. Free stickers and bookmarks for first 50 kids!

Check out the event flyer for the full schedule-we can't wait to see you there!

RSVP is appreciated but not required. Link In bio.

Supported in part by @artslb and the @longbeachcity.

¡Están invitados a un cuentacuentos y taller de arte muy especial de Leah's Long Beach Adventures en @rancholoscerritos!

Sábado 5 de septiembre
10:00 a.m. a 12:00 p.m.
Rancho Los Cerritos
4600 N. Virginia Rd, Long Beach 90807

¡Traigan a los niños y disfruten de una mañana llena de diversión celebrando nuestra hermosa ciudad con el libro de niños Leah's Long Beach Adventures, un taller de arte para niños y divertidas manualidades! La autora Brittany Hart Scholten leerá el libro, y la ilustradora Michelle Dinh enseñará a los niños cómo dibujar una escena del libro.

Además, los niños podrán hacer manualidades y colorear páginas inspiradas en Long Beach, conocer a la autora y a la ilustradora, y disfrutar de la hora del cuento en inglés y en español. Habrá pegatinas y marcapáginas para los primeros 50 niños.

Consulta la imagen para ver el horario completo. ¡Los esperamos!

No es obligatorio confirmar asistencia, pero se agradece mucho. Enlace en bio.

#artscouncillongbeach #artslb #longbeachcalifornia #rlc #diversity taken in Long Beach, California by @bhs_writes

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2 months ago

I had to do it…

Kinda chic to highlight the cultural diversity of our city in Leah’s Long Beach Adventures.

Kinda chic to be intentionally inclusive.

Kinda chic to teach children through this book about @longbeachcity.

Slide through and check out why this book is wonderful for our community
🥰

Much love ✌🏽

#kindachic #bandwagon #longbeach #longbeachcalifornia #childrensbook by @bhs_writes

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2 months ago

Awesome event @rancho_los_alamitos today! Thank you so much for hosting Cool Crafts and Storytime with my book.

I was so impressed that all the crafts were themed after my book/Long Beach. Thank you, Magarete, for all the work you and the volunteers put into it!! ✨✨✨

It was great to get out and read my book to so many kiddos this afternoon—I’ve barely read it this summer, but this fall I’ll get back into it 😉

Thanks to my friends who brought their kids and surprised me 🥰🥰 and to ALL the new families I met today. It was a true pleasure!

#storytime #rancholosalamitos #representationmatters #longbeach #tongva by @bhs_writes

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2 months ago