Press Releases
Laguna Beach, April 8, 2021
Hacking the Code. The Ziggety Zaggety Road of a D-Kid
Written by Gea Meijering and illustrations by Mads Johan Øgaard.
Children’s book for 3rd till 6th graders, but adults really appreciate the book too.
Age 8 - 80.
Available from April 15, 2021 at Amazon and local bookstores.
What is Hacking the Code about?
The book is about a 5th grader with dyslexia, making friends and being silly, but getting in trouble at school and having to face the consequences. It has a moral about empathy and makes visible the learning struggles some students go through in a non-stigmatizing way.
Hacking the Code is a fun, friendship-centered story that shows children how every brain works differently, and how we all have different strengths.
Hacking the Code has been carefully designed by using a dyslexic-friendly font and more than 80 illustrations.
“I loved the joy of my son reading the book. He thinks it’s hilarious! He was inspired to create his own ‘friends club’ and even came up with a name for it.”
- Belen Guillen, mother of a 3rd grader
2. Where did I get the idea for the book/what inspired me?
As the mother of a dyslexic son I researched dyslexia better than an FBI agent would, and witnessed the dyslexia struggle and gift it can be, upfront and personal. I volunteered as a parent mentor for the special education department Laguna Beach Unified School District and am a dynamic dyslexia advocate. Over the years I saw many kids and their parents struggling to find out why school wasn't going well. Reason to write a children's book that offers kids and families the opportunity to identify with the different characters, make visible the learning struggles some students go through and bring dyslexia awareness to the community.
Most dyslexia information available is geared towards adults. And if these adults don’t know why their kid is struggling, they might not find out. This book is a ’trojan horse’ of sorts bringing the information to the kids, hoping those who struggle will recognize themselves in the protagonist.
Dyslexia facts:
As many as 1 in 5 people are dyslexic
Dyslexia is genetic, it runs in families
80% of children with dyslexia are not identified while in school
Source: @MadebyDyslexia
3. You organized a beta read at a local elementary school, Top of the World? How did that come about?
8 year old Oliver, was my very first ‘kid' beta reader. He liked the book so much, was so enthusiastic, that he wanted to share it with his friends and class. With the help of his mother, he asked his teacher (Mrs. Hart 3rd grade Top of the World) and she agreed to beta read the manuscript with the entire class. This was all in December last year. Mrs. Hart later send me this quote.
“The students really loved reading the book. When we would transition and I’d let them know we are going to read ‘Hacking the Code’, they would literally cheer.” - Mrs. Hart, 3rd grade teacher, Top of the World Elementary.
4. Is this Gea's first book?
This is the first book that is totally authored by Gea. She has published another book (10+ years ago) which is a translation and adaptation of a Dutch new mom and newborn care manual called 'The First 8 Days of Being a Mom.’
Both are published bij Gea's own publishing company iCarePress, LLC www.icarepress.com
5. What have you enjoyed most about the process of creating this book?
What I enjoyed most was seeing my words come to life in the illustrations that are all made by Mads Johan Øgaard, the creative process of coming up with the story line, and designing the book and the cover. I am a visual thinker and don’t consider myself a ’natural’ writer. Writing comes from deep within and is not the easiest for me.
6. Did you also do any drawing for the book or cover, or only the text?
As I just mentioned all the illustrations are made by Mads. I found him on Instagram because he made an animated movie called ‘I am dyslexic’. About Mads:
Mads Johan Øgaard is an illustrator, animator, public speaker, and special education teacher who creates art to improve the awareness of learning differences and mental health. Øgaard is the co director & co producer of the award-winning short film I Am Dyslexic, director & producer of short film With the whole Universe in My Suitcase - an ADHD Norway short film & illustrator of the book There are words behind the letters - a hand book for all individuals with dyslexia.
https://www.madsjohanogaard.com
7. Release date is April 15th, 2021 for the paperback and ebook version. The ebook version is currently on pre-sale and will be delivered on the 15th.
Available on Amazon and bookstores.
From April 22nd there are signed copies (by Gea) available at Laguna Beach Books.
Reviews
Advanced Readers reviews are on www.icarepress.com
“Kees and an appealing cast of characters show readers the learning differences between “Apple and Android” brains in an engaging story of fifth grade challenges and fun pranks. An eye-opening tale of the struggles with dyslexia that promotes insight and compassion. As an educator and a parent, I highly recommend Hacking the Code!”
- Jennifer Rincon, Teacher
"This is a wonderful book. I - a grown-up and the mother of a dyslexic son - was drawn in straight away and finished it in no time. It is written in easy prose with funny dry humor, appealing to kids and this grown-up. It flows very quickly and because the hero is so likable and realistic, you feel with him and want him to succeed. The high point is the hero's beautiful essay at the end, it could have been written by my son, it so well echoes his situation. And I wish for more teachers like the principal, who awarded Kees for his feedback, because when the system doesn’t work for all kids, it is time to adapt the system.
This book would be great for teachers and for other kids to create better understanding for diversity in general and dyslexics specifically. And it is a great book for dyslexic kids to show, that they can be successful and are not alone.”
- Katja Rieger, Leadership Consultant and mother of a dyslexic son
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The First 8 Days of Being a Mom is Officially a Smart Choice
SmartChoices for Women Joins Forces With The First 8 Days of Being a Mom
ORANGE COUNTY, CA – May 18, 2010 – The First 8 Days of Being a Mom and parent company iCare Press are excited about their new relationship with SmartChoices for Women (smartchoiceswomen.com), the makers of Mother’s First Days Kit and purveyors of high quality products dedicated to making the new mom’s life more comfortable. In addition to covering baby’s health, The First 8 Days of Being a Mom also includes explanations of when and how to relieve pain after delivery which makes it the perfect complement to the featured products in the Mother’s 
Mother's First Day KitFirst Days Kit.
Gea Meijering, author of The First 8 Days of Being a Mom, and Dionna Whitehead of SmartChoices, will officially kick off this partnership Sunday, May 23rd in Pacific Beach, California at Natural Baby Fair, where Meijering will be speaking on the Main Stage at 1:45 p.m. There will also be a special Fair-only offer in which the Kit and Book will be paired together for only $59 ($30 off the retail value of $89). All are welcome to attend this breadth of information.
The First 8 Days of Being a Mom is the essential hands-on guide leading moms through what happens on delivery day as well as the next few eventful, exciting, and exhausting days. This 79-page friendly read focuses on moms’ health and changes as well as that of the newborn and provides charts for tracking important information. The guide is available for purchase at www.thefirst8days.com and Amazon. Volume discounts can be arranged by contacting directly.
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The First 8 Days of Being a Mom Goes Academic with IABPP
IABPP International Academy of Baby Planner Professionals Adds The First 8 Days of
Being a Mom to Their Rigorous Curriculum
ORANGE COUNTY, CA – April 15, 2010 – The First 8 Days of Being a Mom and parent company iCare Press are thrilled to announce their new alliance with educational resource IABPP (International Academy of Baby Planner Professionals www.iabpp.com). Founded by Mary Oscategui, IABPP is the first and only certification program in the baby planning industry that is designed to train future baby planners to educate and support expectant and new parents. Baby planning professionals across the country and their clients will now be looking to The First 8 Days of Being a Mom for help and support. Notes Oscategui “The First 8 Days of Being a Mom is an absolute gift. Gea (Meijering)'s book provides every expecting, new mom, their loved ones, as well as all childbirth educators with valuable and practical information in a simple and easy to read format. Her book supplies a wealth of education and support through the transition into motherhood. I appreciate Gea's knowledge and honesty. I am excited to share her book with everyone.”
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The First 8 Days of Being a Mom is the essential hands-on guide leading moms through what happens on delivery day as well as the next few eventful, exciting, and exhausting days. This 79-page friendly read focuses on moms’ health and changes as well as that of the newborn and provides charts for tracking important information. The guide is available for purchase at www.icarepress.com and Amazon. Volume discounts can be arranged by contacting directly.
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Press Release Spring 2009
The First 8 Days of Being a Mom Makes Motherhood Easier
Gea Meijering's paperback offering translates into a smoother transition for new moms
Laguna Beach, CA -2009 -Gea Meijering launches The First 8 Days of Being a Mom. Geared towards mom's health and changes as well as that of the newborn, this 80 page friendly read is a hands-on guide that leads moms through what happens on delivery day as well as the next few eventful, exciting, not to mention exhausting, days.
Gea Meijering gave birth to two sons on two different continents within twenty months. Upon delivery of her second son, she discovered that maternity care and recovery in the United States was organized in a much different fashion than in the Netherlands. She was amazed by how quickly most new moms in the U.S. are on their own again after delivery. No time to recuperate from the delivery or to learn and get used to the newborn. And no one to teach them the tricks of the trade. In the Netherlands every new mom gets a specialized nurse at home for the first 8 days after delivery. Gea realized that the Dutch approach she experienced with her oldest son was very special. And that the book she used then, and used again the second time, would be a great help to all moms in the U.S. just as it was for her.
The First 8 Days of Being a Mom is Meijering's translation of this helpful Dutch guide compiled by some of the Netherlands top medical professionals. Featuring all the insights of the original, it has been further reviewed by a wide host of Amercian specialists ranging from Pediatricians and OB-GYNS to Midwifes and Doulas to incorporate American practices and sensibilities. Editor Melissa Sherman Pearl joined the fray to keep the language flow intact while ensuring Gea's lovely accent remained throughout the text.
Available online at www.icarepress.com, The First 8 Days of Being a Mom can also be ordered in bulk quantities and imprinted with corporate logos for health care organizations, government agencies, community organizations, hospitals, or insurance companies. This easy to read and easy to use information serves as an educational tool and provides a great opportunity to positively impact the health and well-being of company clients, colleagues, and their children. For more information about The First 8 Days of Being a Mom, including biographies and Q&A, go to www.icarepress.com