4 . Eric Carle, the author and artist behind The Very Hungry Caterpillar and dozens of other children’s books, has passed away at the age of 91. Mr. Carle’s lively, creative and colorful works were loved by children around the world.

Mr. Carle was the author or illustrator of over 70 books for children, including The Grouchy Ladybug, The Mixed-Up Chameleon and Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me. The Very Hungry Caterpillar was Mr. Carle’s best-known book. It was published in 1969. Since then, over 55 million copies of the book have been sold, and it has been translated into more than 70 different languages.

Mr. Carle was born in Syracuse, New York in 1929. His parents were German. As he was growing up, Mr. Carle spent a lot of time with his father, who would take him out walking in nature. His father would show him small creatures, explaining their life cycles and filling the young boy’s head with wonder.

Mr. Carle thinks this helps explain why so many of his books are about nature. Many are about bugs like crickets, fireflies, ladybugs and butterflies. Others are about animals, like foxes, squirrels, kangaroos and bears.

In 1952, Mr. Carle got a job as an artist at the New York Times. Author Bill Martin, Jr. asked Mr. Carle to illustrate his book Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?, which is Mr. Carle’s first try. The book came out in 1967 and was a big hit. After that, he created many children’s books that were very popular with his children.

Most of Mr. Carle’s books are meant for younger readers. He said that he wanted to help make school a fun and welcoming place. “I believe that children are naturally creative and eager to learn,” he said. “I want to show them that learning is really both fascinating and fun.”

Mr. Carle will be missed, and his creative art and sweet, funny stories will continue to bring joy to very eager readers all around the world.

5 . If you would like to learn more about how to better communicate your needs and listen to your inner voice, check out this book list given by Ben and Caitlin!

Nonviolent Communication by Marshall Rosenberg

This book introduces Nonviolent Communication (NVC) as a compassionate way of being with ourselves and others. Through simple techniques, you can learn how to change your language and thinking to strengthen relationships with others.

Walden; or Life in the Woods by Henry David Thoreau

After spending two years on the north shore of Walden Pond, Thoreau wrote the book Walden (1854). It is a practical account of how he supported himself through farming and by building his own house, and what he learned about human nature by living a simpler life. Although it was a deeply personal experience, Thoreau’s approach to society teaches us how we, too, can approach the modern world.

On the Road by Jack Kerouac

It tells a story about the cross-country journeys of two friends, Sal Paradise and Dean Moriarty the fictional Jack Kerouac and the fictional Beat writer Neal Cassady. It is the most famous work of the Beat Generation, a movement of young people in the 1950s and early 1960s who valued free self-expression and favored modern jazz.

The Art of Asking by Amanda Palmer

The book describes how Amanda Palmer developed her philosophy of asking, sharing and connecting. This book gives you a deep understanding of how to accept help, reward the generosity of others and build a closed, family-like fan base to support you in whatever you do.

6 . Not every kid can be a professional athlete, but they can learn the great life lessons from the following storybooks about sports.

Young Paulo Marcelo Feliciano dreams of becoming a super soccer player, but his little sister, to whom he teaches soccer moves every day, shines after a key player’s injury. Soccer Star teaches acceptance and celebrates Brazil’s diverse culture and the hope of the poor for a better future.

Tillie Anderson tore up her fancy lady’s dress and sewed herself a cycling outfit that had both good form and function. The tight-fitting get up allowed her to become a world champion racer when most women were admired for their graceful dancing, and proved long before Lance Armstrong that you didn’t need to be male to rule the cycling world.

Jim Thorpe was a native American who overcame discrimination to become one of America’s best athletes winning gold medals at the 1912 Olympics. He was also all-American and professional football player, and played professional baseball and basketball. So, he deserves to be your kid’s first sport hero.

Not only did Trudy Ederle win 3 Olympic medals at age 17, she was also the first woman to swim across the 20-mile English Channel. And she did it in world-record time, challenging 1920s conventions that expected women to stay at home. The next time your kid says that some classmates of theirs shouldn’t be allowed on their team, tell them to talk to Trudy.