POWWOW DAY is written by Traci Sorell, a member of the Cherokee Nation and illustrated by Madelyn Goodnight, a member of the Chickasaw Nation. Children 5-8 years of age will enjoy learning all this book has to offer.

Moving the Millers’ Minnie Moore Mine Mansion----A True Story written by Dave Eggers and illustrated by Júlia Sardà is a romp full of fun as the title’s alliteration forecasts. It all revolves around silver mining in, as the author seems to feel, the great state of Idaho!

The Winnie-the-Pooh Collection by A. A. Milne and Ernest Shepard is a beautifully arranged box set of four books----Winnie the Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner as well as two books of poetry namely, When We Were Very Young and Now We Are Six. Mothers, Fathers and Librarians will find this box set extraordinary.

Gothic literature came from Europe to this country and grew into its own artform. CMU Professor Jeffrey Weinstock is a writer and champion of the American Gothic.

I Will Read To You written by Gideon Sterer and illustrated by Charles Santoso shows the little boy’s absolute determination to include all creatures in the lovely tradition of bedtime stories. This book is designed for readers 4-8 years of age (Little, Brown and Company) 2023.

Some Days Are Yellow written by Suzanne Slade and illustrated by Michelle Lee is a wonderfully designed picture book for children 3-7 years of age and up, about the fact that some days can be easy-breezy whereas others can be tricky-icky. But, we learn from them all. (Sleeping Bear Press/ an imprint of Cherry Lake Publishing 2024.)

Music educators and performers focus on classical music, band music or jazz. Dr. Jay Batzner from CMU’s School of Music has created a new degree for commercial music.

A Walk in the Woods written by Nikki Grimes with original drawings by Jerry Pinkney and watercolor paintings by Brian Pinkney is a very important book for readers 5-8 years of age who are dealing with loss and the future. (Neal Porter Books/Holiday House) 2023.

ROLLIN ‘ON DOWN THE LINE: Lady Bird Johnson’s 1964 Whistle-Stop Tour for Civil Rights is a stunning picture book and history book for readers 6-10 years of age. It is written by Helen Kampion and Renee Critcher Lyons. The illustrations by Erin McGuire are gorgeous!

In northeast Michigan, a business owner decided to brighten up the entrance of his town by commissioning an artist. The panoramic, nature-inspired vignettes alongside his motel have made heads turn in the town of Atlanta.