A Note from the InkandescentKids editors: If it’s Friday, it’s time for our weekly spotlight on HomeschoolOT founder Sarah Collins, homeschoolot.com. Today she’s shining a light on one of the biggest questions homeschool families ask themselves. Scroll down to read all about it!
One of the hardest things about homeschooling is that you don’t always know whether it’s working while you’re in the middle of it. You can check a math assignment or see whether you finished the science curriculum, but how do you measure confidence, independence, responsibility, or the ability to manage time?
For the 100th episode …
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August 9, 2026 — The Zebra reporter Lisa-Helene Lawson attended our August 8 InkandescentKids.com Children’s Book Fair and 1st Birthday Bash at Elaine’s restaurant in Old Town, Alexandria. In the article, she explains: How three women behind Inkandescent Kids are getting children off TikTok, out of AI, and into the reporter’s notebook as their magazine turns one. Scroll down to read the article, and click here to check it out in TheZebra.com.
By Lisa-Helene Lawson, ALEXANDRIA, Va – Hope Gibbs envisioned a publication that helps children shine over a decade ago. Now, her dream is celebrating its first birthday. On …
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August 2026 — 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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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, …
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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 …
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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 the book below, and here: rangersacredhonorpublishing.com
Here’s what their moms are saying:
Check out our Q&A with Rob:
Inkandescent Kids: How …
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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 …
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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, …
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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 …
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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 …
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By Valary Oleinik, Inkandescent Kids gamification columnist: 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 …
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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 …
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About the book: Let’s learn our ABCs, but let’s make it beautiful! An ABC book to learn, delight, and start conversations. In Jackie Adrian’s signature, acrylic, collage style, she has brought her collages to life with the alphabet. The letters, paired with vivid collage, capture the focus of the young learner.
Each letter collage is detailed with a small, few sentence long story about the letter subject. “B is for Bird. Meet Wes. He likes to give compliments. By the way, you are looking so lovely today.” The descriptions are whimsical, a little off-kilter, and always inclusive. “F is for …
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About the book: The intention of this book is to show that, wherever we grow, humans have quite similar ideas about the best way to maintain healthy relationships. We may look, talk, and eat differently, but the ways to love and respect one another have strong, universal threads. Jackie Adrian’s first wisdom nugget book (As You Grow I Want You To Know) reminds us of the universal wisdom of self-love. This book expands our collection of wisdom nuggets by exploring the world (quite literally) of relationships.
Each of the 15-page spreads shows a) a grown-up and child in different …
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