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Around the Table that Grandad Built

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Around the Table that Grandad Built by Melanie Heuiser Hill, illustrated by Jaime Kim
Publication/Release Date: 2019
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Kids

Around the Table that Grandad Built is a lovely celebration of family, tradition, memory, and gratitude. In cumulative text along the lines of “The House that Jack Built,” a joyful multicultural family prepares to share a special meal. They begin by moving “the table that grandad” built in to the center of the room, then gather “the sunflowers picked by my cousins” and “the napkins sewn by mom.” Each item used to set the table is special and treasured. Then comes the food- produce from the family’s garden and favorite recipes made with love. When all is ready, the extended family gathers to hold hands and give thanks around the table that Grandad built. This picture book is perfect for Thanksgiving, or any special family celebration!
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There Are No Bears In This Bakery

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There Are No Bears in This Bakery by Julia Sarcone-Roach

Publication Date: January 8, 2019
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Kids

Muffin the Cat takes her job providing security for her human owner’s bakery very seriously. Each night, while the baker sleeps, Muffin listens for sounds to alert her to trouble, like the rustle and squeak of mice, or the rattle and clang of raccoons. But one night, she hears a new sound. Is it rumbling? Is it growling? What could it be? Certainly not a BEAR in the bakery?! Read on to see what Muffin finds, what she does about it, and what becomes of the bakery’s stock of treats and sweets in this sweet and funny sequel to A Bear Ate Your Sandwich.

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Joy’s Simple Food Remedies: Tasty Cures for Whatever’s Ailing You

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Title: Joy’s Simple Food Remedies: Tasty Cures for Whatever’s Ailing You by Joy Bauer
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Adults

The purpose of this book is to offer healthy food suggestions to alleviate the distress of everyday common ailments.  Each chapter addresses a complaint and gives a detailed explanation of what causes it and how to combat it.  Five foods are highlighted that can offer relief, and the science of each and why it can help is explained.  Recipes for each food follows, with clear instructions and excellent photographs. There are sixty recipes designed to help with aches and pains, increase energy, and reduce anxiety and stress.

Joy Bauer is a well-known leading health authority.  She is a nutrition consultant for the Today Show, Woman’s Day magazine, and the New York City Ballet.  She has written twelve best-selling books.

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Traditionally Fermented Foods

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Traditionally Fermented Foods by Shannon Stonger
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Adults

Kvass, kombucha, yogurt, sourdough, kefir . . . Fermented foods have been on my radar for a while but this book, with its inviting cover featuring Taco Kraut, has persuaded me to jump on the fermentation bandwagon. Stonger describes the fermentation process and includes best practices, with troubleshooting tips for beginners, before launching into a wealth of tasty recipes in 5 categories: Vegetables, Grains, Dairy, Beverages and Condiments.

My first ferment from the book is Summer Squash Cortido, simply made from zucchini, yellow squash, carrot, garlic, salt, oregano and red pepper flakes. The veggies are grated to create a colorful relish which I’m patiently waiting to sample in about a week. Maybe I’ll serve it with the Sourdough Biscuits Sans Baking Powder or Soda, found on page 92. And I could wash them down with a Carrot-Clementine Kvass, from page 191.

Whether you’re an experienced fermenter or a newbie (like me) I would venture to say this book provides inspiration for us all. Shannon Stonger has won me over to another way of preserving! Find it in the catalog.

First Bite: How We Learn To Eat

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First Bite: How We Learn to Eat by Bee Wilson
Format: Book, eBook, Digital Audiobook
Who it’s for: Adults

We all know that we’re “supposed” to eat better: more broccoli and whole wheat bread, less soda and cotton candy. Sounds easy…but often it feels next to impossible, because the broccoli just doesn’t taste good to us. But how do we learn that “soda tastes good” and “broccoli tastes bad” to begin with? Believe it or not, the author tells us, it’s not an inborn preference.

As Wilson notes, once a baby anteater is weaned, it will eat ants for the rest of its life. For us humans, well…it’s a little more complicated. The author takes us on an intriguing tour of how we learn what to eat (and what not to). The book covers the bizarre history of what has been considered “children’s food” in different eras, how siblings affect our eating habits, and a close look at some of the causes and possible treatments for those who struggle with eating disorders. There are numerous gentle lessons along the way, both for adults in charge of the care and feeding of a child, and for adults who’d like to retrain their own palates. Find it in the catalog.

What to Do When I’m Gone: A Mother’s Wisdom to Her Daughter

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What to Do when I’m Gone: A Mother’s Wisdom to Her Daughter By Suzy Hopkins & Hallie Bateman (illustrator)
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Adults

This is a nonfiction book written and illustrated by a mother-daughter duo. Bateman has the sudden realization that her mother, writer Suzy Hopkins, will not live forever. Unable to imagine life without her mother’s guiding voice, Bateman asks her mother to write step-by-step instructions to follow in the event of her mom’s death. Hopkins agrees, and the end result is an illustrated, day-by-day instruction manual on navigating life’s up and downs, including everything from making new holiday traditions to making the decision to have children. Despite the solemn topic, Hopkins maintains a lighthearted tone and sprinkles her writing with bits of humor and recipes, including fajitas, chocolate brownies, chili, chicken and dumplings, and curry to cure your heartbreak. Find this book in our catalog.