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Janice Laakko

author of
Gloppy, Addition Problems, & Heat Wave!
The Author

Janice Laakko

Janice Laakko has been a storyteller since she could talk. As a child, she dabbled in character imitations and play-acting. Books have played an important role in her life. She loved to read to her children when they were young. Both have become avid readers and one is a published author! Writing is Janice’s favorite pastime. When she isn’t writing a new story, one might find her reading, puzzling, exercising, watching sports, or socializing with treasured friends.

Check out my editorial reviews by clicking the “Reviews” tab at the top of this site on a desktop, or access it from the menu tab on a mobile device.

Educators, please scroll down for “Gloppy” and “Addition Problems” curriculum materials, craft ideas, a way to contact me, and more!

Check out my interview with Atmosphere Press by clicking here!

The Story

Gloppy

Fifth-grader Dee Lanson has had it with Samantha’s weird stares! Then, Samantha wheedles her way into Dee’s friendship circle and flips everything upside down. Dee seeks revenge against her enemy and finds herself in deep trouble! She must find her way out of trouble and win her friends back. Meanwhile, the fifth-graders are competing in boys vs. girls softball games. Things get wild on and off the field! Gloppy is a heartwarming tale of friendships and forgiveness.
The Story

Addition Problems

The Lansons are back with new adventures! When summer vacation arrives, Dee and Joey are excited, but it isn’t turning out like they had imagined. Construction workers arrive at the house, and crazy things start happening! Plus, a mystery is unfolding: tools and supplies are disappearing! Will the Lansons discover who the thief is? Come along and see what happens in this wild, upside-down summer!
The Story

Heat Wave!

Dee would never have dreamed that the new school year would start like this! Things are really heating up! The class nuisance is back with more mischief to inflict upon her! One friend is a no-show at school. Something odd is going on with one of the Fantastic Four. As Dee’s list of challenges grows, she enlists the help of an older girl to make sense of it all. Then, Dee’s parents make a life-changing decision. The siblings plan and scheme to do whatever it takes to change their parents’ minds. How far will they go? Will they be successful? Follow Dee’s journey as she faces the heat and emerges better and stronger than ever!

Educators and Parents

Gloppy would be an awesome addition to classroom and elementary school libraries.  Gloppy will help promote social and emotional development as the reader learns tips from Dee’s experiences and evolution. She faces some tough situations, including peer conflicts, teasing, sibling issues, and lack of academic challenge. However, over time, she develops a positive mindset to make each day better. Pranks and fun are woven in for balance. In the subsequent books, Addition Problems and Heat Wave! Dee’s journey continues. Read the books as a class or aloud at home. Some discussion questions are in the curriculum sections below. Enjoy!

Addition Problems Curriculum

Questions

Response Key

Heat Wave! (COMING SOON)

Questions

Open Response Questions

Response Key

Open Response Questions Key

What are readers saying?

Craft Ideas

The characters in Gloppy made toothpick bridges as shown on the left.

Another fun project is building structures with craft sticks. Let kids use their imagination for what to construct!

Making bookmarks is a great activity to encourage reading.

I’d love to hear about what your class/child did!

Reach out to me to learn more!

Contact me

Exciting News for Fantasy and Science Fiction Fans!

Parents,

Are you looking for something to read while your child is reading the Dee Lanson Series?

My daughter, Karen J. Laakko, has published the first two books in her genre-blending epic.

Check out her website at https://karenjlaakkoauthor.com