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Janice Laakko

author of
Gloppy, Addition Problems, & Heat Wave!
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About
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, Addition Problems, and Heat Wave! 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!

Gloppy Curriculum

Questions

Comprehension Questions

Open Response Questions

Vocabulary List

Classroom Discussion Topics

Response Key

Comprehension Questions Key

Open Response Questions Key

Vocabulary List Key

Addition Problems Curriculum

Questions

Open Response Questions

Response Key

Open Response Questions Key

Heat Wave! Curriculum

Questions

Open Response Questions

Response Key

Open Response Questions Key

What are readers saying?

This book distinguishes itself from much other children's literature because of the number, depth, and emotional weight of its plot scenarios and the related lessons. A perfect book for any kid in elementary school to read to learn more about empathy, forgiveness, accountability, and community. Cannot recommend this book highly enough!
5 out of 5 starsWonderful Book for Kids
Having bought this book for my nieces, I read a copy before sending it to them. Extremely well-written, the story flows smoothly. Ms. Laakko did a great job keeping my attention with the “big mistake,” the softball games, and the suspense. She made me feel sympathy for the main characters; the other characters reminded me of some of my former classmates. It took me back to my days in elementary school! Using her keen sense of humor, she keeps the story fun. The story provides inspiration and hope to kids (and adults) who made a mistake, but want to make amends to those they have hurt. It shows how forgiveness can mend relationships. This would be a great book for children and adults to read together. On Ms. Laakko’s website, she even offers free curriculum materials!
5.0 out of 5 starsGreat book!
Gloppy is a great book for early to mid-elementary aged children. Its greatest lesson is about judging others without getting to know their struggles. It's a story about learning how to navigate the social aspects of school and about friendships. In the end, the reader learns that we all make mistakes and we should all forgive and move on. It's a great lesson for children, and quite frankly, a good reminder for adults who read it to them. Gloppy is a great summer read for kids. It's also a great read aloud book for teachers as it invites good social/emotional discussion in the classroom.
5.0 out of 5 starsEasy Flowing Story
Gloppy is full of beautiful lessons that are delivered gracefully but with real emotional weight. A wonderful book for any late-elementary school kid; there are so many relatable characters and scenarios, and thoughtful explorations of themes / challenges that most school kids inevitably face. I can't recall another children's book with so many distinct plot points and 3-dimensional characters. Very impressive, and highly recommended!
5.0 out of 5 starsBrilliant, affecting book for kids
Great for preteens. Encourages kids important lessons. I enjoyed the story even as an adult. Quite comical in parts! It reminds the reader sometimes first impressions are wrong. And sometimes if we can make amends we can find a valued friendship.
5.0 out of 5 starsGreat book for preteens
I read this book out of curiosity after buying it for a young family member. The story is mostly about fifth-graders, but is also appealing to adults. Although it deals with a serious mistake on the part of the main character, Dee, it also has its funny moments with some pranks. The book shows how Dee recovers  from her mistake through forgiveness and by reconciling with the ones she has hurt and disappointed. The ending brought a tear to my eye
5 out of 5 starsGreat Book for Children and Adults
This book distinguishes itself from much other children's literature because of the number, depth, and emotional weight of its plot scenarios and the related lessons. A perfect book for any kid in elementary school to read to learn more about empathy, forgiveness, accountability, and community. Cannot recommend this book highly enough!
5 out of 5 starsWonderful Book for Kids
Having bought this book for my nieces, I read a copy before sending it to them. Extremely well-written, the story flows smoothly. Ms. Laakko did a great job keeping my attention with the “big mistake,” the softball games, and the suspense. She made me feel sympathy for the main characters; the other characters reminded me of some of my former classmates. It took me back to my days in elementary school! Using her keen sense of humor, she keeps the story fun. The story provides inspiration and hope to kids (and adults) who made a mistake, but want to make amends to those they have hurt. It shows how forgiveness can mend relationships. This would be a great book for children and adults to read together. On Ms. Laakko’s website, she even offers free curriculum materials!
5.0 out of 5 starsGreat book!

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!

Contact Me!

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