Book Nook - Look! A Bear!

 

The Collective Book Studio/Tiny Torch Books is delighted to announce the publication of Look! A Bear! (September 29, 2026), a beautifully illustrated new picture book by acclaimed author and illustrator Elisa Kleven. Perfect for children ages 4–8, this enchanting tale celebrates friendship, empathy, and the magic of seeing beyond first impressions.

In Look! A Bear!, readers meet Remy, a curious young rabbit who spots a bear cub one morning and longs to play with her. When Remy’s parents caution that rabbits and bears don’t play together, Remy wonders if that’s truly the case. Setting off on a journey fueled by curiosity and courage, Remy discovers that friendship can bloom in the most unexpected places. Along the way, he learns that kindness, imagination, and an open heart can transform uncertainty into connection.

With more than thirty beloved children’s books to her credit, Elisa Kleven brings her signature warmth and artistry to this new story. Her richly textured, expressive illustrations invite young readers to linger on every page, discovering details that deepen the emotional journey and encourage repeated reading.

“Elisa creates beautiful stories that resonate deeply with children and the adults who share books with them,” said Angela Engel, founder and publisher of The Collective Book Studio. “We are so proud to publish Look! A Bear! a wonderful story that gently teaches readers that curiosity and compassion can help us see beyond differences and discover friendship in surprising places.”

“I am deeply grateful to Angela Engel and The Collective Book Studio team for giving this book a home,” says author Elisa Kleven. “Remy and Bella are the kind of friends I would have sought out as a child. Like them, I grew up loving animals and finding magic in the world around me — seeing gentle spirits in sticks and stones, trees and clouds, and even in the quiet spaces between them. This story is an invitation to readers of all ages to hold onto their sense of wonder, imagination, and belief in the unseen magic that surrounds us.”

With themes of friendship across differences, empathy, and imaginative play, Look! A Bear! is ideal for classroom discussions, library story times, and bedtime reading. The book’s thoughtful narrative and inviting illustrations encourage children to question assumptions, embrace curiosity, and recognize the beauty in forming new friendships.

About the Author-Illustrator

Elisa Kleven writes and illustrates picture books because she’s never outgrown her childhood passion for art and story making. Having spent much of her childhood creating magical, miniature worlds, Elisa now creates similar worlds inside of her picture books. She is the acclaimed author and/or illustrator of over thirty children’s books, including Sun Bread, a New York Times Best Illustrated Book, The Paper Princess, and Abuela, by Arthur Dorros. Elisa’s work has earned national recognition, including honors from the American Library Association, The New York Times, Junior Library Guild, School Library Journal, and the American Institute of Graphic Arts. Her celebrated storytelling style, paired with imaginative and visually rich artwork, has made her a favorite among families, educators, and librarians alike. Her books have been included in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and the Reading Rainbow series. Elisa's stories have also been performed as plays and ballets by professional theater and dance companies. To learn more visit www.elisakleven.com.

 

Tiny Torch Books is devoted to crafting beautiful books that excite, engage, and inspire kids. They publish stories that ignite ideas and curiosity, and that lay the foundation for a lifetime love of reading. For more information visit: www.TinyTorchBooks.com

 

The Collective Book Studio is a woman-owned, independent publisher dedicated to creating high-quality, beautifully crafted books that celebrate diverse voices and empower storytelling. Our unique publishing model creates a true partnership between author and publisher, meaning our authors can spend time doing what they love while we take care of everything else.

 

The Collective Book Studio is an independent press based in Oakland, CA.. Their books are distributed by Simon & Schuster, a global leader in general interest publishing, dedicated to providing the best in fiction and nonfiction for readers of all ages. For more information, visit www.simonandschuster.com

 

Mealtime Magic - PlantYou: Quickies

PlantYou: Quickies is your go-to guide for fast, easy, plant-based cooking on days when you feel like doing anything but. Designed for real life and real schedules, Carleigh’s recipes will help you get a fabulous meal on the table.

 

In Quickies you’ll find:

• More than 140 approachable, speedy recipes, many doable in 30 minutes or less
• Carleigh’s signature “Got This, Make That” visual guide to help you use what you have in your fridge and pantry
• Dump & Bake and S.O.S. (Save Our Sanity) Suppers sections for minimal mess and maximum ease
• Short cuts and meal prep tips for when your time and energy are limited 
• Gluten-, nut- and oil-free options, giving you the flexibility to adapt to your own dietary needs
• A Plant Point counter with each recipe, so you can eat healthier without the stress. 

 With recipes for every meal, Quickies will make plant-based cooking simple, speedy, practical, and truly delicious!  

Area Attractions - Local Love, Big Fun! Local Appreciation Days Return to WonderWorks Branson

Local love, big fun! WonderWorks Branson is rolling out the red carpet for locals this month with Local Appreciation Days. Held annually as a way to give back to those who live in Southwest Missouri and Northwest Arkansas, this event provides residents with a chance to score some discounted fun with family and friends at the upside-down house. Local Appreciation Days are running now through September 30, 2026, and locals in surrounding qualifying counties are invited to participate. Neighbors in surrounding states should also mark their calendars for an exclusive Family Fun Day on September 20, 2026, extending that offer to those residents as well as a way to show that they love thy neighbor.

 

“The local community is the heart of Branson, so we’re excited to celebrate with everyone this month!” said Eric Smith, general manager at WonderWorks Branson. “Local Appreciation Days are a great time to come together, see what’s new, and have some discounted fun in everyone’s favorite upside-down house.”

 

Southwest Missouri and Northwest Arkansas locals can score discounted All Access tickets for only $16 plus tax per person during Local Appreciation Days, held now through September 30, 2026. To snag the discounted rate, guests will need to show proof of residency at the door to obtain at the time of purchase. This special celebration is open to residents in select local counties. A full list of qualifying counties can be found on the WonderWorks website.

 

The discounted All Access ticket provides access to all interactive exhibits and experiences inside the famous upside-down house. Don’t miss stopping by The Branson Experience to check out this unique exhibit that is a celebration of community spirit. In this one-of-a-kind attraction, guests can learn about the area's eco-system and all that helps make the OZARKS such a special part of the United States. Guests can also learn about the history and impact that Route 66 played in our country, especially as we celebrate its 100th anniversary coming up on November 11, 2026.

 

WonderWorks is taking local appreciation to the next level with a regional Family Fun Day on Sunday, September 20, 2026. For one day only, all residents of Missouri and its neighboring states can join in on the fun, getting an All Access ticket for only $16 plus tax. This Family Fun Day is open to all residents of Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, and Tennessee.

 

“Great deals will be falling like the leaves at WonderWorks Branson in the upcoming months! Between several appreciation events, free admission days for teachers, holiday sales and more, we’re spreading the savings so everyone can experience the wonder of our indoor attraction this season,” said Tim Church, sales and marketing manager at WonderWorks Branson.

 

WonderWorks Branson will be spreading the love to plenty of other groups this fall as well. With weather cooling down, WonderWorks is a fantastic indoor birthday party destination for children of all ages. They offer three unique party packages to choose from, each providing plenty of affordable fun for all. Birthday parties can be reviewed and booked online.

 

Homeschool Days will be held at WonderWorks Branson on weekdays in September and October 2026, before 2 pm. Local homeschool families can take their curriculum to the next level by snagging discounted admission for only $15 plus tax per person. This special deal is only valid when local schools are in session. More information can be found online.

 

Lastly, certified teachers are invited to come experience the wonder of the upside-down lab during the annual special Teacher Wonder Days events in October 2026. This event invites teachers to an open house, offering free admission and an opportunity to see first-hand why WonderWorks is a great field trip destination for their students. Teacher Wonder Days will be held on October 10th, 11th, 17th, and 18th. Teachers won’t want to miss this event, marking it as a celebration of making it through the back-to-school season. Registration is required and can be completed online.

 

WonderWorks Branson’s over 100 interactive exhibits have been designed to provide guests with a fun and memorable way to learn about STEM. On top of year-round fun and exploration, the upside-down house also offers STEM and STEAM activities and events throughout the year. Guests can join them for special team-building activities, field trips, corporate events, group outings, scouting events, family reunions, and more. There are numerous event packages and group rates available with advanced reservations.

 

WonderWorks Branson offers over 46,000 square feet of family-friendly, engaging activities. The park is open daily from 10 am to 9 pm. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the website: https://www.wonderworksonline.com/branson.

 

About WonderWorks

WonderWorks, the upside-down adventure, is a science-focused indoor amusement park for the mind that holds something unique and exciting for visitors of all ages. There are three floors of nonstop "edu-tainment," featuring over 100 hands-on, interactive exhibits that challenge the mind and spark the imagination. WonderWorks has locations in Orlando, Pigeon Forge, Myrtle Beach, Panama City Beach, Syracuse, and Branson. For more information, visit https://www.wonderworksonline.com/branson and follow @WonderWorksBranson on Facebook, @WonderWorksBR on Twitter, and @WonderWorks_br on Instagram.

Book Nook - When a Moose Has s Mustache: A Lift-the-Flap Book

When a Moose Has s Mustache: A Lift-the-Flap Book, an oversized board book with gatefolds, is a silly story of forest animals sporting different mustaches. Kids will love to see the anthropomorphized animals, including a moose with a hiking stick, a toad with a fishing pole, a coyote catching fireflies in a jar, and a mouse roasting marshmallows over the campfire. Reflective material on the last page, with mustache art, lets children see themselves with a mustache, and Sam Caldwell’s playful, stylized, and vibrant illustrations bring the characters and humor to life.

Sam Caldwell is a children’s illustrator and designer based in Glasgow, UK. He grew up in the north of England and studied painting at the Edinburgh College of Art.

Enriching Education - Take the Classroom Upside Down: WonderWorks Myrtle Beach Offers Homeschool Days for Fall Learning

Students may be back into the swing of things with a new school year, but that doesn’t mean the fun needs to stop. For homeschool families, exciting educational activities may just be getting started. WonderWorks Myrtle Beach is hosting Homeschool Days this fall, giving all homeschool families and groups an opportunity to explore the upside-down house with discounted tickets at select times in September and October 2026.

 

“WonderWorks is known for being a great spot for hands-on learning, so with the school year in full swing, we invite all homeschool families to come play!” said James Kearsing, education sales manager at WonderWorks Myrtle Beach. “Our Homeschool Days event is the perfect opportunity to switch up your curriculum and explore the wonders of STEAM at an exclusive low rate. We hope to see you this fall!” 

 

WonderWorks Myrtle Beach is always a go-to spot for homeschoolers because it provides plenty of opportunities for hands-on, educational adventures all year long. Homeschool families and groups can take their curriculum to the next level with a discounted trip to the upside-down laboratory during Homeschool Days.

 

Homeschool Days are returning this year on weekdays during September and October 2026, before 3 pm, when local schools are in session. The special offer is not valid on weekends or during school holidays. All homeschool families can get exclusive discounted All Access tickets during the special times for only $15 plus tax. To get the discounted rate, families will need to show their homeschool association membership or umbrella letter at the door. Then the adventure begins!

 

Groups of 10 homeschoolers or more can save even more on their tickets, paying the lowest rate of only $12 plus tax per person. To qualify for the discounted group rate, advanced reservations will need to be made with the sales team. All homeschool students, whether with a group or not, will be able to explore over 100 interactive educational exhibits inside WonderWorks. The hands-on experiences help enhance student learning on a variety of topics that they are learning about throughout the school year. Learn more about planning a homeschool visit or arranging a group visit online.

 

“Everyone is encouraged to fall into learning at WonderWorks this school year. Our indoor amusement park for the mind is filled with ‘edu-tainment’ that’s perfect for field trips, family fun, team building, and more,” said Robert Stinnett, general manager at WonderWorks Myrtle Beach.

 

Offering a variety of educational resources, WonderWorks provides unique learning opportunities for students of all ages. WonderWorks Myrtle Beach prides itself on inspiring a love of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) in young minds. Their mission leads them to provide many educational resources and events to the community all year long. Kids and parents will love the WonderWorks Casebook scavenger hunt, the annual celebration of National STEM Day (scheduled for November 8, 2026), activity sheets that can be printed from the Kid’s Corner webpage, and WonderWorks’ Ask An Astronaut YouTube series. For teachers and schools, the attraction offers educational field trips, fundraising opportunities, and free admission during Teacher Wonder Days, coming up this fall. Between all these offerings and more, WonderWorks Myrtle Beach provides a plethora of educational fun opportunities, making it a place where people can learn, grow, explore, and make memories.

 

WonderWorks Myrtle Beach features over 100 hands-on exhibits that offer an unforgettable experience. Guests can play laser tag, challenge themselves on the indoor ropes course, play arcade games, hop into simulators, take on physical challenges like the Bed of Nails, and more. WonderWorks is also a popular spot for children's birthday parties, whether they’re turning 5 or 15. WonderWorks Myrtle Beach is open daily and located at 1313 Celebrity Circle. Those looking to save on admission tickets should visit WonderWorks Myrtle Beach online to access social media pages and join their email list. For more information about tickets, visit the site at: https://www.wonderworksonline.com/myrtle-beach/location-info/ticket-prices/.

 

About WonderWorks

WonderWorks, a science-focused indoor amusement park, combines education and entertainment uniquely and engagingly. With over 100 hands-on exhibits, there is something unique and challenging for guests of all ages. Feel the power of 84-mph hurricane-force winds in the Hurricane Shack. Make giant, life-sized bubbles in the Bubble Lab. Get the NASA treatment in the Astronaut Training Gyro and experience zero gravity. Conquer your fear of heights on the indoor Glow-In-The-Dark Ropes Course. Nail it by lying on the death-defying Bed of Nails. WonderWorks is open 365 days a year and hosts birthday parties and special events year-round. For more information, visit WonderWorksMB.com, and follow @WonderWorksMB on Facebook and X (Twitter), @WonderWorks_MB on Instagram, and @WonderWorksOfficial on TikTok.

 

Travel Tidbits - Wellness Travel Destinations

Wellness travel used to mean a spa day added onto a beach vacation but here are some great destinations to level it up!

MALTA​
Valletta's boutique hotels tuck spa treatments behind 16th-century stone walls, while Gozo's gorgeous shorelines and rural stillness is perfect for genuine grounding. Blend in culture, coastline, divine cuisine and zero logistical friction due to its compact size.

MOROCCO​
Marrakech built its wellness reputation on the hammam, and it still does it better than almost anywhere else, historic riads tucking spa rituals behind quiet courtyard doors just steps from the souks. This is where wellness meets sensory richness: a private perfume workshop, a hands-on cooking class, a hammam ritual passed down through generations.

TURKEY​
Istanbul's Ottoman hammam tradition and Cappadocia's cave-hotel serenity give Turkey a wellness identity split beautifully in two: urban ritual, then complete stillness. Thermal pools, sunrise balloon rides, and Turkish bath rituals create a rhythm that alternates between awe and rest, ideal for a group that wants their wellness trip to also feel like an adventure.

MENDOZA​
Hotel Boutique La María takes wellness a step further by building it directly into the room. Every one of its seven suites comes with its own private sauna, and select suites include a private heated plunge pool or jacuzzi, with spa treatments delivered en-suite rather than down a hallway. For a women's group, it's an entirely different model of wellness travel: private, intimate, and built around the room itself as the retreat.

KERALA​
Ayurveda isn't a spa menu item here, it's the entire point of the trip, with resorts and backwater retreats building multi-day programs around personalized doshas, herbal oils, and treatments designed by practitioners rather than therapists. It's a rare chance to experience the real medical tradition behind everything the wellness industry has borrowed from it since.

Each of these destinations pairs genuine, centuries-old or modern wellness traditions with rich cultural texture, shopping, and shared experience.

Music Minute - Makenzie Phipps: Blue Collared Man

Singer-songwriter Makenzie Phipps is excited to release her latest single, “Blue Collared Man,” today. The song pays tribute to the hardworking men and women across the country who dedicate their lives to working with their hands, providing for their families and keeping America moving every day. With its honest lyrics and relatable message, “Blue Collared Man” shines a light on the people who often work behind the scenes but play an important role in keeping communities, families, and businesses going. The single was premiered by Country Evolution.

To purchase/stream: hypeddit.com/makenziephipps/devilaintinhell 

As recently announced, Makenzie Phipps has officially partnered with JTV® (Jewelry Television) with the launch of her new “Makenzie Phipps’ Spotlight Collection by JTV.” The new collection features jewelry personally selected by Makenzie, along with additional curated pieces that reflect her unique style, personality, and love for timeless elegance. For more information, visit HERE. 

Makenzie Phipps Show Schedule
SEP 22 - Margaritaville / Nashville, Tenn.
SEP 29 - Margaritaville / Nashville, Tenn.
OCT 04 - Ole Red / Nashville, Tenn. 
OCT 08 - Ole Red / Nashville, Tenn.
OCT 10 - Sinkland Farms Brewery / Christiansburg, Va. 
OCT 11 - Great Wilderness Brewing / Pulaski, Va.
OCT 15 - 3rd & Lindsley / Nashville, Tenn. 
OCT 18 - Beachaven Vineyards & Winery / Clarksville, Tenn.
NOV 13 - Puckett’s / Franklin, Tenn.
NOV 20 - Puckett’s / Columbia, Tenn.
NOV 22 - Bluebird Cafe / Nashville, Tenn.

For more information, visit makenziephipps.com.

About Makenzie Phipps:
Hailing from Bluefield, Virginia, Makenzie Phipps has captivated audiences across the country—from performing the National Anthem at sporting events to gracing fairs, festivals, and television, with her unmistakably authentic country voice. Her renditions of “Amazing Grace” and “I Want To Stroll Over Heaven With You” have garnered nearly four million views. Makenzie has been featured by major outlets, including Forbes, Taste of Country, RFD-TV, People.com, American Songwriter, and Newsmax, and maintains a close connection with her fans through an active social media presence, which is quickly approaching one hundred thousand followers and growing. Phipps has won several industry awards, was a contestant on Season 28 of ‘The Voice’ on Team Snoop Dogg, and she will be releasing new music throughout the year. 

About JTV®
Headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, JTV® (Jewelry Television) is one of the largest jewelry retailers in the United States, with more than 30 years of experience bringing fine jewelry, gemstones, and fashion accessories to millions of customers. Through its omni-channel strategy, JTV connects with audiences via 24/7 live TV programming reaching approximately 60 million U.S. and Canadian households, an industry-leading e-commerce platform (JTV.com), and a dynamic social media presence. Committed to education and exceptional customer service, JTV employs numerous Graduate Gemologists and Accredited Jewelry Professionals.

For more information, visit JTV.com.

Book Nook - Base Camp Parenting: Worry Less to Help Your Kids More

Susan Bauerfeld is a licensed clinical psychologist, speaker, parent consultant, and ADHD coach. Chris Parrott is a Chartered Counseling Psychologist, board-certified coach, and expert in emerging adulthood and parent coaching. Together they combine decades of clinical experience helping families navigate anxiety, emotional regulation, and resilience.

In their new book, Base Camp Parenting: Worry Less to Help Your Kids More (Bloomsbury, October 1, 2026), Bauerfeld and Parrott introduce a refreshing, research-backed approach that helps parents become a calm, secure "base camp" from which children can confidently explore the world, solve problems, and recover from setbacks.

I had a chance to see a copy of the book, which really meshes well with my parenting style and something that has worked well for my kids (who are currently in college and a senior in high school). It's clearly written, well-researched, and practical - and it empowers parents to empower their own children without hovering and micromanaging. Excessive worrying can actually hamper kids' development, and this book makes a clear case for why one of the best gifts you can give your child is emotional steadiness.

Movie Minute - Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother

From writer-director Bassam Tariq, Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother stars Mahershala Ali as Latif, a devoutly religious hitman who struggles to balance work, faith and fatherhood. When his wife dies, he embarks on a desperate journey across Houston to protect his children, confronting the forces closing in around him - and the beliefs threatening to unravel within.

Book Nook - Jenna Finds a Dog

Thirteen-year-old Jenna Connor has already been hospitalized, medicated and labeled a “psycho” by her classmates before Terence Rousseau’s new novel, Jenna Finds a Dog, even begins.

 

Rousseau crafts an inspiring tale that centers on a teenager’s experience with anger and the second chances that lead to her recovery. Through anger management therapy, family upheaval, expulsion and peer conflicts, Jenna slowly learns to regulate emotions that for a time would spin her out of control. The journey back toward herself, however, is guided by an unlikely companion: a stray dog named Lucky who ends up teaching her how to heal and who reveals in Jenna an almost dog-whisperer quality that no one, including herself, saw coming.

 

Jenna’s instincts with Lucky begin with obedience and basic training, but soon their connection deepens into an attuned, mutually healing partnership. On a whim, she enters her companion into regional agility competitions and eventually the National Championships. What Jenna takes from their success has less to do with her dog and more to do with realizing what she is capable of. The story beautifully presents Jenna’s unfolding recovery through the focus, patience and self-control she manifests while training and competing with Lucky.

 

Jenna Finds a Dog is grounded in real clinical understanding of family trauma and childhood anger. Weaving in descriptions of the hormonal shifts that occur during both stress and calm, the novel teaches readers about how nervous system regulation can help one cope when in crisis. Rousseau takes care in representing several modes of healing, from medication to group therapy, as well as the real-world consequences of destructive coping mechanisms and dysregulated anger, like expulsion from school, court hearings and probation.

 

Beyond the clinical background of the story, Rousseau, a practicing physician, presents a story full of hope and transformation, taking a well-rounded look at what childhood mental health recovery actually requires. Jenna’s progress comes from two very different sources: a teacher who shows her how to trust again and a dog who teaches her how to stay calm.

 

Jenna Finds a Dog views childhood anger as something to understand, not just manage or punish. It’s an important story to have on hand for kids navigating similar mental health struggles.

 

This story was originally born as a screenplay, and Rousseau is advising audiences to keep watch for the film version in the not-too-distant future.

 

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Terence Rousseau is a family medicine physician serving a remote mountain village in New Mexico. He writes in his spare time to relieve the stress of medicine, bringing an eclectic vision to his stories as diverse as his background. As a former English teacher, former seminarian, former soldier and former broadcast journalist (he shares a Peabody Award for his work with the Armed Forces Radio and Television Service), he has studied everything from electronics engineering to church history. He even did a stint as a door-to-door vacuum cleaner salesman. When not working, he enjoys time with his wife and dogs exploring the backcountry of New Mexico, hitting the slopes and practicing Qi Gong.