Last year, when I first heard Jessica Shyba speak about how her Instagram pictures of Theo and Beau went viral, what struck me most was her grace, humility, and clear love for her family. That love is so beautifully pervasive in the incredible naptime images of her son Beau and rescued puppy Theo; some of these images now can be found in Jessica's new picture book, Naptime with Theo & Beau, which I'm sharing as this week's Friday Find.

I recommend you order this book for a few reasons: First, Jessica is a truly wonderful human being. I had the chance to spend some quality time with Jessica, her husband Justin, and baby Evangeline last week in DC and Jessica is the real deal -- a thoughtful, lovely, talented person through and through. Second, Jessica's family is donating a portion of the profits from this book to the Santa Cruz SPCA, where Theo entered their lives. Third, these photos will lift your spirits and the spirits of others. I've been caregiving for my mother the last 6 weeks and one day when she was down and in pain, I whipped out my phone and showed her Jessica's Instagram feed. The immediate turn in spirits and sound of coos and laughter? Well, there's absolutely no pricetag you can put on that. Baby and dog therapy is real!

So, go order Naptime with Theo & Beau! Below are a few images from Jessica's feed so you can see what I mean, and also the trailer, which may make you cry (consider yourself warned!).

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEHtLaKoDTc?rel=0&w=560&h=315]

Image credits: all images via Jessica Shyba

We haven't yet traveled internationally as a family, and though I definitely plan on it once Violet is a little older, meanwhile, I'm always keen on finding ways to expose my kids to different cultures. And luckily, living in a city like Boston, it's not that hard a task! I'm subsequently thrilled to partner with au pair agency Cultural Care Au Pair to bring you a fun new editorial series to help you explore the world from the comfort of home.

The first post in this series is about Brazil. Here are 14 ways to introduce your family to Brazilian culture; for my non-local readers, the recommendations in the second half of the post are for you!

*** VISIT ***

1. Mark your calendar for Boston’s 20th Brazilian Independence Day Festival on September 13, 2015. At the festival, you can soak in cultural activities, food, live performances, and more!

2. Learn a variety of Brazilian dance styles at Moves & Vibes Dance Co. in Cambridge. Let go of inhibition and give forro or samba a try!

3. Experience capoeira -- a Brazilian martial art performed through dance -- at Capoeira Angola Quintal Boston in Somerville.

*** EAT ***

4. For vibrant, authentic Brazilian fare, try Muqueca in Cambridge. The menu offers lots of options but I've totally got my eye on the signature Brazilian seafood stews. #nomnom

5. Love meat on giant skewers? Midwest Grill has locations in Cambridge and Saugus and specializes in traditional Brazilian BBQ, and also offers seafood and vegetarian dishes.

6. When it’s time for something sweet (um, when is it not?), head to Padaria Brasil Bakery where cakes, breads, and snacks await. You can find Padaria at two Framingham locations, as well as Allston and Milford.

*** SHOP LOCAL ***

7. For many, Brazil is synonymous with soccer. If you've got soccer fans in the house, head to the Brazilian Soccer House in East Boston to gear up.

8. Casa de Carne Solucao in Somerville is a butcher shop that offers fresh cut meat and traditional Brazilian dishes.

*** PLAY ***

9. I love using crafts as a lever for cultural teaching. Try these Brazilian craft activities to create maracas, tambourines, and more.

10. As a former music and brain scientist, not surprisingly, I believe that music has lots of power! Learn more about -- and jam out to -- choro instrumental music, which was born out of Rio de Janeiro in the 1800s.

*** READ ***

11. Brazil ABCs: A Book About the People and Places of Brazil dives into Brazilian culture, geography, and history in an easy for kids A-B-C format.

12. The best way to build bridges across cultures? Pick up some of the language! Get started with My First Book of Portugese Words.

13. For a 3D learning experience, check out Rio de Janeiro: A 3D Keepsake Cityscape for a foldout tour of Brazil's landmarks in Rio de Janeiro. So pretty!

14. Looking to learn alongside your kids? The Brazil Reader: History, Culture, Politics offers a comprehensive look at Brazil's historical, cultural, and political development.

So awesome, right? Enjoy exploring Brazil and I'm excited to share more cultural educational material over the coming months. Also, totally related: Cultural Care Au Pair is hosting the Somerville 2015 World Fair at The Armory this Sunday, February 1. RSVP today for this free, fun-filled event celebrating South American, European, and Asian cultures.

+ + + + +

Disclosure: This post reflects an editorial partnership with Cultural Care Au Pair. Cultural Care Au Pair is a leading provider of intercultural childcare and educational exchange. Since 1989, Cultural Care Au Pair has placed more than 90,000 au pairs in American homes. Hosting an au pair offers many benefits, one of which includes the opportunity for your family to learn about another country's culture.

Image credits: 1) flag via Wikipedia; 2) compilation graphic by Christine Koh with images via linked sources above.

Perfectly timed for the frigid temperatures, today, Hillary of Mass Audubon shares 5 favorite books about winter trees:

I love trees, especially here in the Northeast where we experience such dramatic seasonal changes. Having grown up in Florida, I rarely witnessed the evolution of a tree from season to season: the buds about to burst, the flowers that precede the leaves, the vibrant fall foliage, and, not to be left out, the bare branches of winter.

Sure, winter trees may not look the “prettiest” compared to their spring, summer, and fall counterparts, but they are no less interesting. Now’s the time of year when you can explore a tree’s “skeleton,” so to speak, observing branches that bend in all different directions; holes (or cavities) where birds and little animals take shelter; abandoned nests; and bark that is smooth, rough, or shaggy.

And the best part about trees? You usually don’t have to go too far to get a closer look. Ready to learn more and share the wonders of trees with your kids? Check out these amazing children’s books, new and old. Several of these titles are available at the Audubon Shop at Drumlin Farm in Lincoln.

1. Tap the Magic Tree by Christie Matheson. This lovingly illustrated book published in 2013 allows kids to help a tree transform from season to season with tapping, shaking, and rubbing.

2. A Tree is Nice by Janice Udry, illustrated by Marc Simont. Awarded the prestigious Caldecott Award in 1957, this book has been inspiring kids for generations. Its simple approach gets to the heart of why trees are, well, nice.

3. Winter Tree Finder: A Manual for Identifying Deciduous Trees in Winter by May Watts and Tom Watts. Small enough to fit in your back pocket, this handy guide will help kids and adults learn how to tell a maple from an oak by looking at its bark, branches, buds, and more.

4. Winter Trees by Carole Gerber. A boy and his dog explore a snow-covered forest and, in doing so, learn the differences between seven trees through sight and touch in this illustrated tale.

5. Trees, Leaves, and Bark by Diane Burns. This kid-friendly guide focuses on how to identify 15 trees by the leaves, bark, and seed. Also included: easy instructions on how to make a leaf mobile, a bark rubbing, and a pinecone snackbar plus blank scrapbook pages for your budding naturalist to jot down observations.

Image credit: book jackets via Amazon

I've found that the second time around as a parent, I've been way lazier about initiating creative projects. And sometimes I feel pretty bad about it because Violet clearly loves creative projects, especially sensory-related ones. So I'm thrilled about Asia Citro's 150+ Screen-Free Activities for Kids. Replete with doable projects, simple instructions, and great photos, this book is inspiring me to try a new activity with Vi each week.

Our first project? The classic play dough, which is the first homemade dough recipe I have tried that is easy and actually works! If you want your kids to enjoy more doing and less watching, get this book.

Want more Friday Finds? Of course you do! Check out: New Balance zoo kicks, Oontz portable speaker, textured dip bowls, Lands' End Trekkers, Misfit Shine, Smooth Move, Beyond Baby, Bella Sante HydraFacial, chair reupholstery tutorial, Mizuno Wave Prophecy, Jordana lip balm stains, La Fresh eco-wipes, ridiculously awesome pants, parachute cord crafts, Where Is The Cake?, and Travelpro luggage

Image credits: Amazon

We really adore books at Boston Mamas, and today, Rene shares 10 offbeat book recommendations for kids:

We aren't ones to diss the classics, and we adore children's books that are timeless, like the works of Dr. Suess, Sandra Boynton and Eric Carle. But, if you are looking to try something new at bedtime, we've discovered some amazing new reads that don't fit the typical picture book mold.

Offbeat characters and unexpected scenarios set these reads apart from the pack and will engage your littles in an instant. Sometimes a different book is all it takes to spark something in your child. Here are some recent stand-outs that will leave listeners begging for another reading.

1. Perimeter, Area, and Volume: A Monster Book Of Dimensions by David A. Adler. Essential math concepts are easy to absorb thanks to colorful, furry, and charming monsters.

2. Fraidyzoo by Thyra Heder. Little T's imaginative and loving family recreates a zoo in order to help her overcome her fears. The watercolor illustrations of animals will delight kids as the sweet story of family, bravery, and love unfolds.

3. Niño Wrestles The World by Yuyi Morales. Little Niño has big dreams of being the greatest lucha libre wrestler in the world. His imagination will grab readers and thrust them into the action in this bilingual tale.

4. The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place: The Interrupted Tale by Maryrose Wood. Readers will delight as Miss Lumley and her charges uncover another mystery -- this time at her alma mater. Jon Klassen's whimsical illustrations diffuse any potentially frightening undertones in the story.

5. Mustache Baby by Bridget Heos. Baby Billy is born with a mustache, leading him to be a pint-sized cowboy and police man. But when his good-guy mustache twirls and curls into a villains, his parents have to act fast to keep him in line.

6. The Gumazing Gum Girl: Chews Your Destiny by Rhode Montijo. Gabby loves gum so much she becomes a gummy superhero who has to keep her alter-ego a secret. Kids will thrill at a book based on their favorite, chewy treat and Gum Girl's acts of derring-do.

7. The Red Book by Barbara Lehman. This is a book about a book -- but not just any book, but a very special book. This wordless wonder will ignite children's imaginations and leave them pouring over the detailed illustrations.

8. The Templeton Twins Have An Idea by Ellis Weiner. John and Abigail Templeton are 12-year-old twins who are wickedly clever and use their sharp intellect to solve problems -- like the kidnapping of their father by another pair of brilliant twins.

9. Rump: The True Story Of Rumpelstiltskin by Leisl Shurtliff. Young readers learn about the early life of a boy named Rump, destined to become the fairy tale baddie. The sad back story proves that you really can't judge a book by its' cover.

10. Lulu And Pip by Nina Gruener. Photographs instead of illustrations help tell the tale of a sweet girl and her beloved doll's adventure in the country. Younger children will be fascinated by seeing someone else who really looks like them on the pages.

Do you have favorite offbeat book recommendations for kids? We'd love to hear about them in the comments below!

Image credits: book jackets via Amazon

Today, Lindsey (also of A Design So Vast) shares 7 great chapter books for kids (especially boys). See also, Lindsey's roundup of great books for boys + this crowd sourced collection of recommendations for books for boys!

I spend a lot of time thinking about books for my daughter, 12, and my son, 9. They love to read and keeping up with their changing tastes and interests is both fun and, sometimes, difficult.

While my daughter is easily engrossed in a book (with the exception of a few classics, to my chagrin), my son Whit's imagination is harder to capture. Finding books that he loves and wants to read is a constant challenge for me. I am always looking to trade suggestions of books other boys of the same age have liked, and love sharing what it is my son is reading.

1. Right now he's engrossed in The Secret Series, by Pseudonymous Bosch. This series of five books begins with The Name of This Book is Secret, and the plots seem to be as inscrutable and difficult to decipher as the title implies. At least for adults, which I think is part of the fun. Whit is now on book 3, and he tells me that each features the same main characters engaged in different adventures. Each book centers on one of the senses, and the story and plot relates to that (book 1, smell, book 2, hearing, book 3, taste). The first book taught Whit about synesthesia, and we have had fascinating conversations about that. All I really know is that he's riveted and staying up after his bedtime to read by flashlight, and I love that.

2. Frank Einstein and the Antimatter Motor, by Jon Sciezska, was another recent favorite. Whit was dismayed to learn that the second book in this series was not yet out (it will be released in March, 2015). Frank Einstein is an inventor whose contraptions are entertaining and awe-inspiring. "He made a bike that flies," Whit told me. This book is fantastic for kids who are interested in the way things work.

3-6. The Volcano Disaster, by Peg Kehret, absolutely engrossed Whit. Like the I Survived series, these stories take their inspiration from real world events (in this case, disasters). They are relatable and exciting without being scary. Whit also read and enjoyed Escaping the Giant Wave, The Blizzard Disaster, and Earthquake Terror, all by Kehret.

7. Finally, slightly different but equally riveting for Whit is Bill Bryson's A Really Short History of Nearly Everything. This book, which has short two-page chapters covering everything from Einstein to atoms, is beautiful illustrated and makes science entirely understandable. As I write this, Whit is curled up on his floor reading Bryson's book. I just called out a question to him and in response heard, "Shhhh, Mum!  I'm reading!"

Is there anything better?

What chapter books do your kids love? Feel free to share them in the comments below!

Crowdsourcing for book recommendations has become one of my favorite things to do via social media. I love hearing how passionate people are about books and over the last several years, these lists have been my go-to source for so many wonderful reads! Following last year's 80 books for your booklist, I decided to canvas again and received 100 recommendations in a few days -- bookmark or print this list out for your next bookstore or library visit!

I've included the name of the recommender(s) and any specific comments, to help guide your choices (I tend to start with books with multiple recommendations or enthusiastic comments!). If you have other recommendations not on this list, of course feel free to share via comment!

1. A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams (via Kris-Ann)

2. All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr (via Morra)

3. A Long Time Gone by Karen White (via Kris-Ann)

4. Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (via Kaitlyn, Heather)

5. American Romantic by Ward (via Morra: ”Just like a modern day Graham Greene and really good.”)

6. An Abundance of Katherines by John Green (via Christina)

7. And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini (via Ana-Maria)

8. Attachments by Rainbow Rowell (via Lucrecer)

9. Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walters (via Sharon, Elena)

10. Born to Run by Christopher McDougall (via Amie)

11. Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling (via Sharon)

12-14. Century Trilogy: Fall of Giants, Winter of the World, Edge of Eternity by Ken Follett (via Amie)

15. China Dolls by Lisa See (via Sharon)

16. Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell (via Hillary)

17. Comfort Me with Apples by Ruth Reichl (via Morra)

18. Daily Rituals: How Artists Work by Mason Currey (via Lucrecer)

19. David and Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell (via Matt)

20. Dear Nobody: The True Diary of Mary Rose by Gillian McCain (via Ana-Maria)

21. Defending Jacob by William Landay (via Tara)

22. Die Empty: Unleash Your Best Work Every Day by Todd Henry (via Lucrecer)

23. Euphoria by Lily King (via Morra)

24. Family Life by Akhil Sharma (via @notabilia)

25. For You Mom, Finally (originally published as Not Becoming My Mother and Other Things She Taught Me Along the Way) by Ruth Reichl (via Morra)

26. Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise by Ruth Reichl (via Morra)

27. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (via Kaitlyn, Melissa)

28. His Dark Materials Trilogy by Philip Pullman (via Melissa: “Perfect amount of fantasy for summertime.”)

29. How the World Sees You by Sally Hogshead (via Lucrecer)

30. I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai and Christina Lamb (via Sharon)

31. I Heart My Little A-Holes by Karen Alpert (via Meredith)

32. In the Shadow of the Banyan by Vaddey Ratner (via Amie)

33. In the Time of Butterflies by Julia Alvarez (via Laura)

34. Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry (via @stephsday)

35. Journey to the River Sea by Eva Ibbotson (via Tara: “My daughter read this as part of book club, great for kids.”)

36. Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain (via Kaitlyn)

37. Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg (via @stephsday)

38. Lipshtick by Gwen Macsai (via Lindsey)

39. Love and Treasure by Ayelet Waldman (via Heather)

40. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes (via Kristy; Amie: “Made me cry, but I loved it!”)

41. Moloka’i by Alan Brennert (via Annie)

42. Mrs. Lincoln’s Rival by Jennifer Chiaverini (via Sharon)

43. My Salinger Year by Joanna Smith Rakoff (via Casey)

44. NurtureShock by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman (via Matt)

45. One Summer: America, 1927 by Bill Bryson (via Kristy)

46. Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline (via Stacey, Sharon, Tara, Heather)

47. Our Boston: Writers Celebrate the City They Love by Andrew Blauner (via Heather: “Collection of essays and stories benefitting The One Fund.”)

48. Play It Away: A Workaholic’s Cure for Anxiety by Charlie Hoehn (via Lucrecer)

49. Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld (via Jen)

50. Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver (via Kaitlyn)

51. Profit First by Mike Michalowicz (via Lucrecer)

52. Protecting the Gift: Keeping Children and Teenagers Safe (and Parents Sane) by Gavin De Becker (via @stephsday)

53. Save the Date by Mary Kay Andrews (via Kris-Ann)

54. Seating Arrangements by Maggie Shipstead (via Heather)

55. Serena by Ron Rash (via Kaitlyn)

56. Tell No One by Harlan Coben (via Andrea)

57. Tender at the Bone by Ruth Reichl (via Morra)

58. Testimony by Anita Shreve (via Kris-Ann)

59. The Art of Hearing Heartbeats by Jan Philipp-Sendker (via Heather: “Loved, loved, LOVED.”)

60. The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein (via Christine)

61. The Atlantis Gene by A.G. Riddle (via Kris-Ann)

62. The Bell Ringers by Henry Porter (via Sharon)

63. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (via Laura)

64. The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty (via Heather)

65. The Circle by Dave Eggers (via Stefania)

66. The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbraith (via Melissa: ”Read in 2 days, couldn’t put it down. Very old school noir mystery like Raymond Chandler.”)

67. The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery (via Laura)

68. The End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe (via Heather: “Loved it!”)

69. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green (via Laura, Tara, Christine; Jessica: “I just finished The Fault in Our Stars, probably the last American mom to read it. But it was a quick, delightful, heartbreaking, beautiful read and I am so glad I finally got to it.”)

70. The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes (via Stefania)

71. The Gold Coast by Nelson DeMille (via Amie: “Good beach read.”)

72. The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt (via Heather, Amie)

73. The Hundred Foot Journey by Richard C. Morais (via Tara)

74. The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer (via @courtneytheduke)

75. The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd (via Sharon)

76. The Knitting Circle by Ann Hood (via Christy: “Heartbreaking, but so beautifully crafted.”)

77. The Hurricane Sisters by Dorothea Benton Frank (via Kris-Ann)

78. The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh (via Elena)

79. The Magic Room: A Story About the Love We Wish for Our Daughters by Jeffrey Zaslow (via Kris-Ann)

80. The Matchmaker by Elin Hilderbrand (via Ryan, Heather)

81. The Orchardist by Amanda Coplin (via Close Buy Catalog)

82. The Nobodies Album by Carolyn Parkhurst (via Jessica: “Perfect novel for a cross-country flight.”)

83. The Pearl That Broke Its Shell by Nadia Hashimi (via Thien-Kim)

84. The Red Thread by Ann Hood (via Christy)

85. The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion (via Kristy, Tara)

86. The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert (via Heather)

87. The Sleepwalker’s Guide to Dancing by Mira Jacob (via Karen)

88. The Vacationers by Emma Straub (via Heather)

89. The Valley of Amazement by Amy Tan (via Sharon)

90. This Is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper (via Meredith: “Provided much needed laughter.”)

91. Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis (via Elaine)

92. Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand (via Lindsay: “INCREDIBLE. Life changing.”)

93. Visible City by Tova Mervis (via Lisa:“It’s a best seller and was written by a parent at my son’s school in Watertown.”)

94. Wave by Sonali Deraniyagala (via @notabilia)

95. What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty (via Laura)

96. Where’d You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple (via Sharon: “LOVED. Funny, funny.”)

97. White Teeth by Zadie Smith (via Kaitlyn)

98. Wild by Cheryl Strayed (via Elena)

99. Yes, Chef: A Memoir by Marcus Samuelsson (via Thien-Kim: “I’m listening to this. It’s eloquent and he’s got a great voice!”)

100. Z: A Novel of Zelda Scott Fitzgerald by Therese Anne Fowler (via Sharon)

Hi everyone, I'm sharing this week's edition of Hey Internet, Keep Being Awesome a little early since I suspect I'm going to be away from my laptop most of the weekend (a good thing!). The girls and I have an exciting little adventure planned tomorrow if you want to follow along on Instagram! Anyway, enjoy this roundup of reads/visuals that caught my eye this week (and now I really, really want to make chocolate whoopie pies):

- So. amazing. My talented friend Jessica just launched a site for single moms: Single Mom Nation.

- How to drive through all 48 of the contiguous United States in 113 hours.

- Parenting the non-girlie girl.

- As a former violinist of 20+ years, this Sir Mix-a-Lot performance with the Seattle Symphony blew. my. mind.

- Facebook, Twitter, and other social media networks are the new matchmakers.

- The parent’s guide to Instagram (& how to protect your kids on the service).

- Share your #RealDadMoments.

- Creating your owners manual for a happy life.

- The one conversation that could save your teen’s life (and your own).

Image credit: chocolate whoopie pies via Pinterest

My friend Meagan Francis is a gifted writer and incredibly productive person. She is the mother of 5 children and has written 5 books, the latest being the e-book Beyond Baby. And what I love about this e-book is that it’s all about putting YOU back in focus following the baby years haze. Beyond Baby is divided into 40 weeks (get it?) of exercises that get you thinking and acting to better yourself, your shelter, your relationships, and your dreams.

As those of you who have read Minimalist Parenting know, I'm a big proponent of the position that you matter just as much as your children do. If you’ve been wrestling with this topic, go grab a copy of Beyond Baby right now. You won’t even need to wait for it to ship to your doorstep.

Want more Friday Finds? Check out: Bella Sante HydraFacial, chair reupholstery tutorial, Mizuno Wave Prophecy, Jordana lip balm stains, LA Fresh eco-wipes, ridiculously awesome pants, parachute cord crafts, Where Is The Cake?, and Travelpro luggage

Image credit: Amazon

Want more Friday Finds? Check out: chair reupholstery tutorial, Mizuno Wave Prophecy, Jordana lip balm stains, LA Fresh eco-wipes, ridiculously awesome pants, parachute cord crafts, Where Is The Cake?, and Travelpro luggage - See more at: http://www.bostonmamas.com/blog/2014/5/2/friday-find-bella-santa-hydrafacial.html#sthash.zmdAIwsT.dpuf