Children’s Reads
By Tamra Headrick, Library Assistant, Youth Services
Baby Bear By Kadir Nelson
With beautiful illustrations, Nelson tells the story of a young bear who is trying to find his way back home. Assisted by other animals, the bear learns to follow his heart and believe in himself. (Ages 4-8)
Sparky! By Jenny Offill
What young child doesn’t want a pet? Only a low-maintenance one will do; how about a sloth? This funny book will make you smile. (Ages 6-9)
Ultimate Bodypedia: An Amazing Inside-Out Tour of the Human Body By Patricia Daniels, Christina Wilsdon and Jen Agresta
This National Geographic book is full of fun facts, top 10 lists, experiments, pictures and health tips. (Ages 7-10)
The Night Gardener By Jonathan Auxier
Finding work as servants in a mansion seems like a godsend for a desperate brother and sister separated from their parents. This is a great spooky story for kids — with a lesson, too. (Ages 10 and up)
Adult Book Group pick: The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business By Charles Duhigg
Almost as interesting as Charles Duhigg’s book, The Power of Habit, is its backstory. A decade ago, as a newspaper reporter in Baghdad, Duhigg interviewed an army major who spent hours poring over videotapes of rioting in the small town of Kufa.
The major noted that a few Iraqis would gather in the town square, milling around for several hours. Food vendors would set up stalls. More folks would show up and buy food from the vendors and talk, but then someone would throw a rock, and the violence would begin.
Following a meeting with Kufa’s mayor, the major suggested that no food vendors be allowed in the town square. Over the next few months, Iraqis would gather together, talk, get hungry and – wait for it – go home for dinner.
Duhigg was intrigued and began research for a book. His conclusion: Success – whether in increased productivity, weight loss, and/or personal or business accomplishments – is attained through understanding how habits work. And by establishing habits, we can enhance our own lives, as well as improve our communities and workplaces.
