1 . The backpack you take can make or break your trip when you go traveling. Here are the four best travel backpacks on the market.

Amazon Basics 70L

It’s much cheaper than many travel bags on the market and does not sacrifice any of the practical uses or space that comes with more expensive bags. The bag may not be as luxury as some of the more high-end bags, but its simple style lets you focus on the main thing you need to focus on when traveling: the moment.

Eurohike Nepal 65L

The Eurohike Backpack is a great choice because of how adaptable it is. Besides having a great amount of storage, it comes with an internal security pocket. It weighs just 1.38kg as opposed to other backpacks, which can weigh up to nearly 2kg. If you’re going to go hiking when you travel, then it is perfect.

Mountain Warehouse Tor 65L

First, its brand is one of the most trusted in the industry, so quality is guaranteed. Second, the backpack’s adjustable back allows you to change how the bag fits according to your needs. Available in both blue and green, this is a great choice if you want a bag that you can depend on.

Osprey Europe Farpoint 70L

Osprey is one of the best brands for backpacks. Its frame (框架) suspension, which can be adjusted to different needs, allows you to travel more comfortably. Whether you’re visiting Switzerland in a thick, wool coat or the south of France in shorts and a T-shirt, the bag will match your look. This bag does say it is marketed for men, but, of course, it can be unisex.

4 . Our brains process information differently: It's a good idea to talk to your children about the ways our minds function. Here are some picture books that teach children about neurodiversity(神经多样性).

My Brain is Magic: A Sensory Seeking Celebration

Prasha Sooful(Author), Geeta Ladi(Illustrator) Age: 5-9

A sensory-seeking child describes and celebrates their wonderful life in this book that highlights sensory processing and neurodiversity in a positive way for children to enjoy. Through the power of magic and imagination, different animals and insects represent sensory scenarios. The book includes a note for parents to help make sure their children's sensory needs are met.

Some Brains: A Book Celebrating Neurodiversity

Nelly Thomas(Author), Cat McInnes(Illustrator) Age: 4-8

Let's celebrate neurodiversity! This book does just that. Some Brains encourages readers to examine the strength and power of having a wonderfully unique brain! Additionally, MeInnes filled the pages with vividly inclusive illustrations so that children actually see the beauty of our diverse world.

Too Sticky: Sensory Issues With Autism(自闭症)

Jen Malia(Author), Joanne Lew-Vriethoff(Illustrator) Age: 4-8

Although Holly loves science experiments, she's unsure how she'll feel about making slime(烂泥) because it is sticky! Holly's family and teacher help her find accommodations, and she learns that slime isn't so bad after all. What's great about this book is that the author is a neurodivergent parent of three neurodivergent children, making this an essential "own voices" story to add to your collection.

Brilliant Bea

Shaina Rudolph and Mary Vukadinovich(Authors), Fiona Lee(Illustrator) Age: 4-8

Beatrice uses a tape recorder to tell stories because she can speak her words and say them back. She is dyslexic(读写障碍) and shows her classmates how using a tape recorder helps her learn and keep stories. Brilliant Bea is set in EasyReading, a dyslexia-friendly font.

5 . Half of all people will have significant amounts of grey hair by the age of 50．If greying occurs before the age of 30, it is known as premature greying. Possible reasons for this happening:

·genetics

·long-term dieting

·lack of protein and nutrients

·extreme mental and emotional stress

·lack of iron, copper, zinc, and Vitamin B12

“If you color your hair too often with strong chemicals and put them on scalps (头皮) that are still growing, the cells in your hair might get damaged. This can change how melanocytes (生黑色素细胞) work. Because of this, they may stop making color earlier than normal,” says Trichologist and Director of Hari and Scalp Clinic, HairMantra, Dr Padmaja Redekar. She recommends yearly scalp check-ups should be as routine as annual medicals.

“At HairMantra, you will receive expert advice with solutions for your whole lifestyle, products and supplements for your hair problems, and a hair care routine to use at home. Call us today and balance your hair health from the inside out,” Padmaja adds.

“Persist.” — Viet Thanh Nguyen

“Success is no accident.” — Chris Bohjalian

“Keep writing and it’ll get easier.” — Lisa Jewell

“Be patient with yourself.” — Min Jin Lee

These are words of advice taken from our interviews with award-winning and bestselling authors. Notice, though, not a single mention of their status, prizes, or advances—in other words, their success. And while status, literary awards, and money can be indicators of a successful writer, one must actually sit down and write for any of those things to happen. That’s what all of these pieces of advice have in common: putting words on the page.

In this issue, you’ll find articles to help you succeed, no matter your goals. If it’s to figure out whether that mess of a novel you’ve got sitting in a drawer can be rescued or if you need to move on, Andromeda Romano’s article will offer questions to ask yourself. Michael La Ronn’s essay will give you an example of how an unexpected opportunity might be just the push you need. Or, if you’ve had trouble finding an agent, Ryan Van Cleave’s collection of tips and advice from 22 literary agents on every aspect of the business might change your luck. Matty Dalrymple shares ways to reach more readers and build a community with them.

Wish you success and happy new year!

7 . The Week Contest

This week’s question: The U.S. will be short of an estimated 550, 000 licensed plumbers by 2027, as a result of r sing retirements and ash or age of young trainees. In seven or fewer word come up with a slogan for a recruitment poster that will inspire a new generation to enter the profession and save America’s bathrooms.

Last week’s contest: Police responding to a report of an “elderly male walking with a shotgun” in rural Minnesota came upon a man listening to music and carrying a stick, which he’d been using to play air guitar. If a classic rock band were to write a song about this law enforcement encounter, what would it be titled?

THE WINNER: “Johnny B. Woode”

Joe Ayella, Wayne, Pa.

SECOND PLACE: “Rock You With a Carry Cane”

James Pearson, Anaheim, Calif.

THIRD PLACE: “Dancing With the Bark”

Jesse Rifkin, Arlington, Va.

For runners-up and complete contest rules, please go to the week.com/contest.

How to enter: Submissions should be emailed to contest @ theweek.com. Please include your name, address, and daytime telephone number for verification; this week, please type “Plumbing poster” in the subject line. Entries are due by noon, East m Tie, Tuesday, April 9. Winners will appear on the Puzzle Page next issue and at thewee.com/puzzles on Friday, April 12. In the case of identical or similar entries, the first one received gets credit.

The winner gets a one-year subscription to The Week.

8 . Tobias, a 35-year-old Belgian musician, has become popular on social media for his excellent grasp of the Shanghai dialect. He has been sharing his everyday experiences, which he _______ in Shanghai dialect, on video-sharing and lifestyle _______ Douyin and Xiaohongshu, winning thousands of followers and millions of _______

In the videos, he speaks_______ Shanghai dialect, which many non-locals believe is as difficult to learn and _______ as a foreign language. He talks about walking on the city’s streets, enjoying the food and music, and _______ his daily life in the city. Tobias started shooting and _______ these short videos for his own practice purposes. He didn’t expect so many people would be watching them, following him and sending him _______ and encouragement.

Tobias did not bury his nose in textbooks or _______ intensive study to learn Shanghainese. He said his learning __________ involved getting immersed (沉浸) in a language environment, having a positive attitude, and speaking __________ “without being afraid to make mistakes” . He was not thinking too much when he started learning the Shanghai dialect — it was just for __________.

Tobias said he did not expect he would __________ the promotion of the Shanghai dialect, but it would be an __________ and pleasure if his posts encouraged his followers to learn and pass on the dialect. “I believe a dialect is the heart of a local __________” said the musician.

9 . Aptitude Tests Recommendations

Aptitude tests are helpful to job seekers of all ages. While career quizzes explore your values and work style, aptitude tests provide a more objective evaluation of your skills, helping you select a career you’re most likely to succeed in. Below are some of the best aptitude tests out there.

Clifton Strengths

The Clifton Strengths program was created based on research around leadership. The research in question pointed to common strengths among successful leaders, like strategic thinking, adaptability and communication. To complete the test, you must answer around 150 questions, each within 20 seconds. Allen Cheung, a tech blogger, notes that CliftonStrengths is more valuable than your average career test because it includes “tricky questions which aren’t as easily gamed”.

Red Bull Wingfinder

Developed and tested out by psychology experts, the Red Bull Wingfinder assesses your thinking under pressure. Questions include image sorting, logic puzzles and leadership-related questions. Once you complete the test, you’ll receive a nine-page report and career coaching tailored to your results.

SEI Development Report

The SEI Development Report is an extensive EQ aptitude test that has timed right-and-wrong answers that assess eight fundamentals, including emotional literacy, emotional management and empathy. At the end, you’ll receive a 20-page report with recommended courses on workplace EQ development.

CareerOneStop

While it only takes a few minutes to complete, the CareerOneStop Skills Assessment will help you rank both your technical and soft skills. The career suggestions at the end can be sorted by relevance, annual wages, and job outlook, coupled with with professional coaching or consultation improve your skills.