August 2026 — Check out our article in Greet Del Ray magazine!
Founded by award-winning journalist Hope Katz Gibbs and educator Ellen Smith, Inkandescent Kids magazine empowers children to share their ideas, develop their talents and explore the world through reporting, art and storytelling
It is an honor and privilege to welcome you to Inkandescent Kids magazine: A project inspired by my two children, both of whom were born in Del Ray when we lived in a magical Sears house at 7 W. Braddock Road.
Anna, 30, graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of the Arts and grew up to become a photographer and videographer who owns her own business. Dylan, 27, graduated from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design last May and works for a prominent firm in New York City.
With my editor, Ellen Smith — a special education teacher, author and homeschooling mother of …
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August 5, 2026 — In today’s article, reporter Shirley Ruhe shared information about InkandescentKids.com and our August 8 Children’s Book Fair and 1st Birthday party. Scroll down to read the article. And stay tuned for exciting details about the smashing event that drew a large crowd at Elaine’s in Old Town, Alexandria: ElainesLiterarySalon.com.
By Shirley Ruhe, Gazette Packet
Inkandescent Kids Magazine” is celebrating its one-year birthday at a Book Fair on Aug. 8 at Elaine’s Restaurant, 208 Queen Street in Old Town, Alexandria.
Hope Katz Gibbs, the founder of the magazine and organizer of the event, says they have more than 30 authors and sponsors signed up so far. Each author or illustrator will have access to a table with chairs, an electrical outlet, social media promotion, and a time slot for a reading, plus an opportunity to sign and sell their books.
InkandescentKids team: Hope Katz Gibbs, …
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InkandescentKids welcomes children’s book author and grandma extraordinaire Vicki Gasperini. A retired high school English, speech, and Resource teacher from 1976-2019, Vicki decided during the pandemic that the best way to stay connected to her grandkids was to write books with them.
Find details about the books and her co-authors below! And meet Vicki in person in person at our August 8 InkandescentKids Children’s Book Fair and Birthday Party!
Adventure Cat Meets the Flying Monkeys
By Olivia Grace Schworer and Vicki Lee Gasperini • Illustrated by Tristan Tait
Meet Pompom, a young cat living a comfortable life with her loving family in their tree house overlooking the Magic Forest. She is attracted to the beauty of the forest, but her father forbids her from exploring it. Pompom wants to obey his orders, but she cannot deny her curiosity and sets out to explore the Magic Forest on her own. Pompom’s …
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If you love stories that make you feel a little (or a lot) scared, shocked, and totally curious about things that go bump in the night — you are going to love Chanthal Harris’ new bookstore, Long Dark House at 1510 King Street in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia — just a short walk from the King Street Metro stop.
She’s opening the doors on September 1, 2026, and on the August 11 episode of ElainesLiterarySalon.com show, we are going to talk with her about her big plans for the shop, her dreams of spreading her love for books, and what brought her to this moment in her life!
For now, here’s a little taste to get you started!
InkandescentKids: Tell us what we can expect at Long Dark House!
Long Dark House bookstore
Chanthal: It will be an independent bookstore specializing in horror and science fiction, with a carefully …
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Meet Elizabeth Lane: An award-winning 21-year-old Singer-Songwriter born and raised in Alexandria, Virginia — at 15, Elizabeth started writing songs after her vocal coach from Rock of Ages Music, Taisha Estrada, encouraged her to do so. She has recorded and released 18 original songs since then, including a full-length album, and has garnered over 300,000 streams worldwide.
In 2023, Elizabeth was awarded the Bernard/Ebb Young Songwriter Award, recognizing the best youth songwriter across the DC, Maryland, and Virginia region. When she’s not writing songs or performing, Elizabeth is a busy college student at UC Santa Barbara, where she is double-majoring in Communication and Political Science.
Watch her performance on InkandescentKids.tv
Listen to her song, Something New on InkKidsRadio.com
Check out all of Elizabeth’s music on Spotify!
Student musician Gia Attikin
Meet Gia Attiken: Music has been the driving force in Gia Attiken’s life for as long as …
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Meet the musician: Elizabeth Lane is an award-winning 21-year-old Singer-Songwriter born & raised in Alexandria, Virginia. At 15, she started writing songs after her vocal coach from Rock of Ages Music, Taisha Estrada, encouraged her to do so. She has recorded and released 18 original songs since then, including a full-length album, and has garnered over 300,000 streams worldwide.
In 2023, Elizabeth was awarded the Bernard/Ebb Young Songwriter Award, recognizing the best youth songwriter across the DC, Maryland, and Virginia region. When she’s not writing songs or performing, Elizabeth is a busy college student at UC Santa Barbara, where she is double-majoring in Communication and Political Science.
Watch her performance on InkandescentKids.tv • Listen to her song, Something New on InkKidsRadio.com • Check out all of Elizabeth’s music on Spotify
About Bob’s books:
Courage to Thrive: Finding Joy and Hope in the Midst of Mental Health Struggles:
In his first-person spiritual journal, published in June 2020, Father Bob takes the reader with him as he traverses the dark and scary landscape of his mind and then the paths of faith that lead him to the Source of light and hope.
Through a vulnerable look at the realities of a priest battling mental illness and still thriving, readers–whether dealing with similar mental health challenges or the stressors of everyday life–are left with a quiet confidence that assures them they, too, can thrive and enjoy the gifts God has given them. Each of the forty reflections concludes with a heartfelt prayer that revels in God’s healing mercies.
In his second book, Courage to Thrive: Discovering Your True Self, published in January 2025, Father Bob asks, “Do you long to know yourself, …
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About Things to do: Del Ray, VA — A hyperlocal media company and the #1 newsletter in Del Ray, Alexandria, the organization was founded in 2024 by Rachel Turula.
She explains, “Del Ray, Alexandria is such a magical neighborhood, with passionate independent small businesses, innovative restaurants and coffee shops, an artsy community, friendly neighbors, parks, playgrounds, and an overall come-as-you-are vibe. And of course, lots of fun things to do! We’re all about connecting community and celebrating local business. Del Ray is a special, unique hidden gem. If you’ve never been, come on by, stroll The Avenue, and see what it’s all about!”
Rachel says: Del Ray is one of Alexandria, Virginia’s most desirable neighborhoods, known for its independent businesses, historic charm, and close-knit culture. Alexandria was ranked the #3 Best Small City in the U.S. by Condé Nast Traveler in 2025, recognized nationally for its livability, creativity, and quality …
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Captain America: The Shield of Sam Wilson
The new Captain America has a big shield to carry. Is he up to the task? Find out in these subversive, exciting and uplifting short stories inspired by the Marvel comic book universe, written by celebrated Black authors.
The new Captain America has a heavy shield to hold. As a Black man in America, Sam Wilson knows he has to be twice as good to get half as much credit. He must be a paragon of virtue for a nation that has mixed feelings towards him. In these thirteen brand-new stories, the all-new Captain America must thwart an insurrectionist plot, travel back in time, foil a racist conspiracy, and save the world over and over again.
As the Falcon, Sam Wilson was the first African American super hero in mainstream comic books. Sam’s trials and tribulations reflect the struggles many Black Americans …
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About the Author: She’Meka Wilson is a passionate children’s book author and creative storyteller, best known for her uplifting series featuring Jade the Hippo. Inspired by her own experiences as a mother and veteran, She’Meka creates heartfelt stories that empower young readers to face their fears, express themselves, and believe in their unique strengths. Through her publishing brand Life in Pink, she’s on a mission to bring joy, representation, and confidence to children everywhere, one colorful, rhyming story at a time. When she’s not writing, She’Meka enjoys spending quality time with her family in Maryland.Learn more: lifein-pink.com
About the Jade the Hippo Books:
OH NO! Jade’s Money Tree
“Oh No! Jade’s Money Tree,” by She’Meka Wilson
Jade is excited after earning money from her lemonade stand, but when she spends it too quickly on things that don’t last, she learns an important lesson. With guidance from her parents, Jade …
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Location: 2200 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA 22301 • tcbdelray.com • 703-299-3080 • TCBdelray@gmail.com
Open: Sunday-Tuesday 11am-6pm • Wednesday-Friday 11am-9pm • Saturday 10am-9pm
About The Company of Books: A not-for-profit used bookstore located in the Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria, Virginia. Its two floors are packed with books in a variety of genres, both fiction and nonfiction. There is also a third floor for events that is also a hang-out space with board games, crafting supplies, tables, and comfy chairs. There is also a doored room for meeting space.
Book Clubs meet every month. A book is selected by the group, we read it, and then get together to talk about it. Pretty standard! (If it’s a longer book, we may meet to talk about the first and second halves over two months.)
- Unnamed: Sat 10am-12pm (2nd Sat every other month)
- Unnamed: Mon 6pm-8pm (3rd Mon every other month)
- Classics:
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InkandescentKids.com is thrilled to welcome a new sponsor, Del Ray Artisans, which just finished up its 2026 summer camp program at its gallery and studio at the Nicholas A. Colasanto Center, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, in Alexandria, VA.
Del Ray Artisans supports the development of artists at all levels. It serves as a center for thriving artistic activity in the Del Ray community. Through effective leadership and wise management of its resources, DRA continues to expand the scope of its services to artists and its outreach to the greater community.
Current programs for students include: STEAM-tastic! These interactive classes about Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) are taught by professionals from each field. Geared toward kids and teens, each lesson has a short talk or demonstration and a hands-on craft project. Family members are welcome to attend, listen, and learn. Register in advance to ensure your child’s spot, …
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Meet Gia Attiken: Music has been the driving force in Gia Attiken’s life for as long as she can remember. Inspired by watching her father perform when she was just three years old, she has spent over a decade developing her skills as a musician, songwriter, and performer. She is classically trained in piano with 13 years of study and is also proficient in guitar, giving her a versatile foundation across multiple genres and styles.
Her musical education includes intensive private instruction at Opal Music Studio, where she developed strong technical skills, music theory knowledge, and sight-reading ability. She also completed the five-week Aspire Performance Intensive at Berklee, earning college credit and a Certificate of Achievement while studying songwriting, advanced performance, music production, and the music business.
Student musician Gia Attikin
As both a solo artist and a member of the band Redwood, Gia has performed original music and …
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A Note from the InkandescentKids editors: If it’s Friday, it’s time for our weekly spotlight on HomeschoolOT founder Sarah Collins, who will be sharing her insights with us. Be sure to follow Sarah at homeschoolot.com.
A Note from Sarah: This topic was inspired by a recent conversation on The OT is IN on episode 99 of our podcast with Colleen Kessler
Many homeschool parents carry a quiet fear that they might miss teaching something important. What if we skip a topic? What if they don’t learn a skill they’ll need later? What if they graduate with gaps in their education? These concerns are normal, but they also assume that the goal of education is to know everything before adulthood.
The truth is that every learner has gaps. Public school students have gaps. Private school students have gaps. College graduates have gaps. Adults have gaps. The difference …
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Meet the Artist: Leanna Grimes is currently a Senior at Culpeper County High School and is an award winning graphic artist both in her school and in her community. She has not only been recognized with multiple awards from the Culpeper County Wide Art Show but has also had work included in juried art shows in galleries such as Nepenthe in Alexandria, Virginia.
While she is most comfortable with graphite and acrylic, she is also well versed in pastels, charcoal, and three dimensional rendering. She loves creating unique and detailed works of all mediums and subject matters, which include portraits, animals, and architecture. She is also currently pursuing a career in cosmetology at Culpeper Technical Education Center, where she continues expanding her artistic repertoire.
About the Art: These works are part of a new art series featuring legendary musicians who changed the course of pop and rock history. …
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Meet the Author: Irene Vinyard Bennett has wide experience as a writer and educational minister. Her debut novel, BATTLE OF THE ARTISANS: Making the Bells of Marquis Yi, won the International Proverse Prize of 2022. It is the first story about the Bronze-Age Bells of Marquis Yi, a National Treasure of China.
An international motivational speaker, workshop leader, and minister, Irene writes and edits academic articles for theological journals in Ukraine and Myanmar, lectures online for Myanmar seminaries, and works with young families of Western Presbyterian Church in DC. She has written professionally throughout life in eight states, several countries, and now in Alexandria VA! She loves diverse cultures, speaks some Cantonese and Spanish, and has taught English to immigrants in Georgia, Florida, and multi-ethnic groups of women and university students in Hong Kong.
Her favorite experiences involved sharing educational methods with church leaders in Bosnia-Herzegovina, across Asia, and …
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About the Author: In February 2026, Rob Heber co-founded Ranger Sacred Honor Publishing with fellow Army Ranger Sean Hagerty. Together, they co-authored Founders’ Font, a children’s book that teaches critical thinking, introduces STEM concepts, and our nation’s foundational cursive by helping young readers understand and engage with America’s founding documents. Their mission is to preserve cursive as an essential skill that strengthens natural brilliance, literacy, art, historical understanding, and civic engagement for future generations. Learn more about their book below!
Here’s what their moms are saying:
Check out our Q&A with Rob:
Inkandescent Kids: How old were you when you knew you wanted to be a writer?
Rob: Unlike my co-author Sean, I didn’t know from an early age that I wanted to be a writer. As a kid, I’d rather be outside fishing, playing sports, or exploring the woods and enjoying the beaches on Cape Cod. Writing …
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A Note from the InkandescentKids editors: If it’s Friday, it’s time for our weekly spotlight on HomeschoolOT founder Sarah Collins, who will be sharing her insights with us. Be sure to follow Sarah at homeschoolot.com.
A Note from Sarah: This topic was inspired by a recent conversation on The OT is IN on episode 99 of our podcast with Colleen Kessler
One of the most common questions homeschool parents ask is, “How do I know if my child is falling behind?” It’s understandable. We are surrounded by grade-level expectations, curriculum sequences, and comparisons that make it seem as though every child should be developing at the same pace. Yet one of the realities of child development is that growth is rarely even or predictable.
Many children, especially those who are neurodivergent, develop asynchronously. They may be years ahead in one area while still needing support in …
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About the Heart of the Beast: On a continent-sized island, four dragons must learn to work together to defeat a rising evil. These four unlikely heroes will have to reveal their secrets and who they are to have a chance of victory. One secret might put the whole dragon world in peril.
Best for young adults: This book has some scenes of heavy amounts of violence, gore, and genocide.
Click here to read the first chapter • Learn more about the book here!
About the author: Hello! My name is A. P. Stenstrom. I am 23, and am a young author who just wants to share some stories with the world! I write with anthropomorphic characters to help tell stories of great adventure, strong families, and even heartbreaking tragedies. I hope you all enjoy the stories I make and will continue to publish! I graduated recently from Hofstra University …
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About the book: Parents and educators, this is a brilliant and exciting book for our children. A book for every son, daughter, or grandchild. Before the alphabet became a collection of keystrokes on a screen, it was something children carefully learned by hand—one letter, one word, and one thought at a time. The simple act of putting pen to paper was once recognized as an essential part of learning, helping young minds develop focus, memory, creativity, and the ability to express themselves with clarity and purpose.
Today, we live in a world of remarkable technological convenience. Information is available instantly, and communication travels at the speed of light. Yet amid these advances, something valuable has begun to fade. As handwriting becomes less common, so too does an important connection between thought and action—the deliberate process of slowing down, reflecting, and transforming ideas into words.
Ben the Pen, featured in Founders …
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A Note from Hope Katz Gibbs, publisher — At InkandescentKids.com, we are here to help all kids have what they need to thrive, including school supplies.
So we are supporting an initiative at the property where I live in the spirit of thinking globally, acting globally.
If you live near Alexandria, VA, you can drop off new school supplies to the Office at 1111 Belle Pre in Old Town, Alexandria.
Or shop virtually: scan the QR code below to find supplies you can purchase to help other kids get the school supplies they need.
Make sure to choose the recipient: DC Metro- Equity Has Your Back 2026.
If you have a favorite nonprofit organization and would like us to promote their work, please let us know. Click here to find some of the organizations we have featured.
Many thanks to our generous community for your support! — The Inkandescent Kids team
Nepenthe Gallery and Renée C. Gage Photography are proud to present the annual showcase of selected works of art by local high school and college students.
More than 100 works were submitted, and only 15 student artists’ works were chosen, which makes this exhibit the most selective ever! Five high schools, one home school, and two universities are represented in this exhibit. Nepenthe is inspired by these students’ creativity and energy and grateful they have the courage to share their talent and creations.
Opening night is Thursday, July 23rd at 6pm at Nepenthe Gallery in Hollin Hall. The exhibit will be up until Wednesday, August 5th. Nepenthe is open Tuesday through Friday from 11am to 6pm and Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 4pm.
We’ll see you there: 7918 Fort Hunt Road, Alexandria VA 22308 • 571-347-7961 • nepenthegallery.com
“Inner Child,” by Eloise Andreozzi
Congratulations to the …
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By Valary Oleinik, valarywithawhy.com
Have you ever tried to keep a streak going? Maybe you practiced shooting hoops every day for a week or tried to make five baskets in a row. Each time you missed, you thought, “Just one more try.”
Or maybe you played a video game and unlocked an achievement, earned a badge, or reached a new level.
If so, you already know something about gamification. You also know something about the work I do as a gamification advocate.
As a gamification advocate, I study why games capture our attention and how some of those same ideas can help people learn, grow, and solve problems.
I have a career today that did not exist when I was in school. The key pieces existed, but they had not come together in quite the same way yet. The same may be true for you. You might have noticed that …
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About the book: At any moment in time, we are taking in information about our world through our eyes, ears, nose, mouth, skin, and joints. This, sensory processing, is how we experience our world and is unique to each person. Our job as parents, caregivers, and adults in influential roles is not only to take notice of our own sensory systems, but to help children do the same. The goal of this manuscript is to bring awareness to this topic and supply tools for discussion. We, the authors, in a real-life OT session, realized the need for this book when Sarah didn’t have a children’s book to recommend for Jackie’s child. Jackie had already completed two children’s books and said, “Well, let’s create what we need!”
A Chameleon Tale uses the changing color of the chameleons’ skin, differing facial expressions, and a variety of actions to illustrate how a sensory …
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