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The Mysterious Benedict Society

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The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
Format: Book
Who it’s for: kids, everyone

The Mysterious Benedict Society follows four children – Reynie, Kate, Sticky, and Constance – as they join Mr. Benedict’s secret organization in an effort to defeat evil. After completing tests and solving puzzles, the four unlikely friends are brought together in an effort to solve the mysteries plaguing their little town. Why are people disappearing? What’s going on at the Learning Institute? Follow the adventures of these four unlikely friends as they work together to solve the mysteries.

This book was enjoyable from beginning to end! It was quick-paced with lots of little twists and turns and a strong found-family theme. While this is a children’s book, I’d recommend it for anyone of any age. If you like mysteries, I recommend giving this book a try!

The Mysterious Benedict Society is the first in the series, and has also been made into a TV show on Disney+.

Find The Mysterious Benedict Society in our catalog! 

Hello, Rain!

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Hello, Rain! by Kyo Maclear
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Children

Did you know that rain can be savored, enjoyed? As an adult, I primarily think of how not to get wet when it rains. Yet this book is a celebration of rain! With bright and cheery illustration, the author describes all that happens and all that a person could do when it rains, both indoors and out. She introduces the reader to the adventure of rain.  What does it sound like?  What does rain do?  How can we experience it? And how can we make it a special experience indoors too?

Kyo Maclear invites everyone to slow down and take in their encounter with weather.  I found that even just reading about rain was a delight.

And you can find Hello, Rain! right here!

A Garden in Your Belly: Meet the Microbes in your Gut

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A Garden in Your Belly: Meet the Microbes in Your Gut  Written and illustrated by Masha D’yans
Format: Book
Who It’s For: Kids

Did you know that you have a river in your body? Its called your intestines and around the river there is a “garden” too. This garden is called your gut microbiome and it’s chockful of teeny tiny creatures who LOVE to eat, fight off germs, take out the trash inside us and more. You cant see it (except with a microscope) but their presence in our bodies make us who we are! But how did they get there? Are they good creatures or bad? (spoiler alert: you’ve got some of each!) What do they look like?  What are they DOING in there??  A Garden in Your Belly will help kids gain a new understanding of the “why” of eating healthy food, playing outside and drinking water and how those things strengthen our “garden”. They will learn how we can take charge of our own health by feeding the good gut microbes, which help make us healthy in our bodies AND even our minds. The gorgeous, funny watercolor illustrations of the tiny creatures in our gut really steal the show!

Science nerd that I am, I loved this book and take it from me, A Garden In Your Belly will definitely blow your young scientist’s mind!

Find A Garden in Your Belly in the catalog

Thrive: The Third Metric to Redefining Success and Creating a Life of Well-Being, Wisdom, and Wonder

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Thrive: The Third Metric to Redefining Success and Creating a Life of Well-Being, Wisdom, and Wonder
by Arianna Huffington
Format:  Audiobook

One evening in 2007, Arianna Huffington dropped to the floor in her home office.  The fall resulted in a horrible cut over her eye and a broken cheekbone.  After months of medical tests, it was determined that Arianna was suffering from exhaustion.  At the time, Huffington was working 18 hour days as the co-founder of The Huffington Post, writing books, appearing at speaking engagements and writing as a syndicated columnist.  Arianna had always thought to herself that these were all indicators of success.  By all accounts she was a successful woman.  But as she recovered from her injuries, Arianna took a step back and began to realize that society’s definition of success was killing her.

Huffington compares society’s drive to the legs of a three-legged stool.  Striving for money and power comprise two of the legs, but without the third leg, or “third metric” the stool will topple over.  As Arianna describes it, we all need a third leg, or “Third Metric” composed of our well-being, our ability to draw on our intuition and inner wisdom, our sense of wonder, and our capacity for compassion and giving.

In sharing her story, Huffington encourages us to disconnect from our devices more frequently, get more sleep, cherish the people we are with, enjoy exercise and adventure, and most importantly be kind to one another and ourselves.   Thrive is filled with scientific findings, the personal stories of athletes, quotes from famous philosophers, poets, and entrepreneurs, and Arianna’s own personal stories.  We must all strive to remember the things that truly sustain us, prioritize the people in our lives who really matter, and be aware that we are actually living.

Find Thrive in the catalog.

The Rock from the Sky

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The Rock from the Sky by Jon Klassen
Format: Book
Who’s it for: Kids

Do you have a favorite chair in your house, or a favorite table at a café; that one place where you feel at peace? And don’t you hate it when someone is in that spot? Well, Turtle can relate. He has a favorite spot, too. One day his spot changes—a huge rock falls from the sky, right on his spot! Follow Turtle and his two friends, Armadillo and Snake, as they navigate the uncertainties of the future and how to deal with a bad feeling that just won’t go away.

While this book may be intended for younger audiences, it is absolutely delightful! The dialogue is light and dynamic, making it the perfect choice for story time with your children, or if you just need a good pick-me-up. There are subtle shifts in color schemes that pair beautifully with the pace of the book, and who wouldn’t enjoy a little turtle in a top hat?

Find The Rock from the Sky in the catalog.

Oh Look, A Cake!

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Oh Look, A Cake! by J.C. McKee
Format: Book
Who it’s for: New for Kids

Oh look, a cake! I wonder who left such a yummy cake out? Can it be eaten? Can it be shared? Lemur and Sloth are wondering too! Join these two friends as they puzzle over a delicious discovery of a lifetime and maybe learn a few very important lessons about looking but not eating.

Fans of Elephant and Piggie and other quirky character duos may enjoy Lemur and Sloth’s moral dilemma of cake eating, cake sharing, and cake consequences. Author and illustrator J.C McKee’s colorful pastels will definitely draw kids in but adults are definitely invited to enjoy this silly story and its slightly less silly twist. A warning for parents- the cake is not the only thing eaten! Always check who the cake belongs to before taking what’s not yours in the animal kingdom! Your child might not understand the ending, but grown ups sure will!

Rest assured that you can say “oh look, a book!” with little consequence at your local library branch! Find Oh Look, A Cake! in the catalog here.