This website has a .gov link

The .gov means it’s official.

Louisiana government websites often end in .gov. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a Louisiana government site.

HTTPS Connection

The site is secure.

The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Leslie Helakoski is the author and sometimes illustrator of 17 picture books. Her award-winning books are known for their humor and word play. Her newest addition is Fake Gnus, a School Library Journal selection. Recent titles are When the Rain Came Down and Gator’s Big Mouth. Upcoming titles are Crab Did It and Crabby Neighbors. Helakoski teaches an online course on picture books and hosts a live retreat at Highlights Foundation.

 


Schedule

Will be posted when available.


Fake Gnus

Kid reporter Scoop Jackson asks readers to consider what is fake news and what is fact, while looking for the gnus ― pronounced nooz ― that have escaped from their pen at the zoo.

The gnu pen is empty! So where are the gnus? There are many different clues to follow, and it’s up to Scoop to decide if the evidence he hears and sees is true … or not! Someone tells Scoop they saw the gnus eating ice cream in Central Park. But this news site says they’re climbing the Empire State Building. And here’s a photo showing the gnus at a dairy farm. Can all of these sources be real gnus? Or are they fake gnus? Scoop reminds us that a fact is something that can be proven to be true. With every new source, Scoop always checks the facts!

This tongue-in-cheek introduction to fake news asks kids to think critically about what they see and hear from media sources. The book includes a quiz and an author’s note that touches on AI and expands on the concept of reputable sources.