Author Archives: Chuck Gregory

INAUGURAL SAILINGS – KONTIKI EXPEDITIONS

At a time when traveling to uncrowded areas is more desirable than ever, Kontiki Expeditions announces its two launch itineraries on M/Y Kontiki Wayra. Experiences are scheduled in five provinces of the seldom-visited Ecuadorian coast. Kontiki’s small-yacht size allows visits to authentic areas where social distancing is the norm rather than the exception in what is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world. With only nine staterooms carrying a maximum of 18 guests, Kontiki Expeditions offers a new, exclusive way to enjoy “NEO Luxury” both above and beneath sea level. Sailings will begin Summer 2021.

THE ECUADORIAN COAST AND THE KONTIKI EXPEDITIONS EXPERIENCE

Presenting a new concept in luxury ocean vacations, Kontiki Expeditions focus on conscious travel and immersive water and land experiences accessible via a small luxury yacht. The yacht travels two routes along the Ecuadorian coast, Toquilla and Spondylus, and takes full advantage of the country’s wealth of birds, animals, flora, fauna, indigenous foods and cultural traditions while adhering to a NEO luxury philosophy of sustainability and giving back to communities. With a trend for intimate voyages on the rise, Kontiki Expeditions offers private, chartered fully crewed 7-night cruises with curated experiences to meet guests’ needs, likes and interests.

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Champagne! 1 Year anniversary of the MOOC

Confession: we had to look up MOOC. Massive Open Online Course. What will the TLA creators come up with next?
This course is all about champagne, which is certainly an interesting subject for everyone. It was set up by the Comité interprofessionnel du vin de Champagne , the Comité Champagne, a semi-autonomous public body established in 1941 that safeguards the collective interests of Champagne Growers and Houses to contribute to the competitiveness and balance within the Champagne business.
The Comité Champagne is based in Epernay, France, and also operates through Champagne bureaus in 14 other countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, China, Germany, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the USA.
The anniversary of the MOOC release was on February 26 but the discount can be used until March 26, 2021! Purchase the English Premium version at a price of 40€* (instead of 49€ all taxes included) by adding the code: ANNIVERSARY2021EN

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Eggstra Special Easter Chocolate – Sugar Plum

Easter is just around the corner which means your excuse for “eggstra” special goodies is about to be satisfied. Whether you’re putting together a basket for a special loved one or want to share a collection of premium chocolates with friends and co-workers, we suggest stocking up on these springtime goodies now!

Hop on over to Sugar Plum and take a peek at these must-have Easter basket gifts!

Sugar Plum Gourmet Easter Egg Hunt Set – Sugar Plum has put together an imaginative set of handsomely decorative metal Easter eggs that have been engineered from the ground-up to turn any Easter egg hunt from “blah” to “oooh-la-la!” faster than that Easter Bunny can come on hoppin’ down the bunny trail. Featuring a reusable plastic egg carton and handsomely festive metal eggs that can be refilled over and over again, the Gourmet Easter Egg Hunt Set promises a fashionably fun (and tasty!) time with those you care about most year after year! Retails: $34.95.

Easter Milk Chocolate-Covered Sandwich Cookies Assortment – Featuring 12 world-class chocolate-dunked sandwich cookies all dressed up in the bright and festive Sunday best and presented in an adorable Easter egg container, Sugar Plum’s Easter Milk Chocolate-Covered Sandwich Cookies Assortment is a perfect treat for every family’s resident chocoholics! Retails: $24.95.

Signature Easter Egg Truffle Assortment – For those that would prefer a little more of a classic chocolate treat this Easter, look no further than Sugar Plum’s Signature Easter Egg Truffle Assortment! This assortment features 12 pieces of Sugar Plum’s incredible handcrafted foil-wrapped milk chocolate ganache truffles in a beautifully laid out in a festive egg-shaped box that’ll be sure to get everyone in the mood for a fun Easter egg hunt! Retails: $24.95.

Carrot Cake Chocolate Bar 4 Pack – Whoever the mad lad was that decided to bake carrots into a cake has nothing on the folks here who turned this cake into a chocolate bar. Smooth white chocolate serves as the foundation for all the spices and flavors of a moist and delicious carrot cake. It’s so good you won’t even mind that we used the word moist. Retails: $30.00.

Dark Chocolate Half-Pound Premium Chocolate Easter Bunny – Check out this treat hoppin’ down the bunny trail! Sugar Plum’s Premium Chocolate Easter Bunny features 8oz of our gourmet chocolate, carefully crafted into a gorgeous & festive Easter bunny by Sugar Plum’s expert chocolate artisans. This decadent dark chocolate bunny comes wrapped in a cello bag, which is tied off with a festive ribbon that is sure to put you in the Easter spirit! Retails: $17.00.

White Chocolate Half-Pound Premium Chocolate Easter Bunny – Check out this treat hoppin’ down the bunny trail! Sugar Plum’s Premium Chocolate Easter Bunny features 8oz of our gourmet chocolate, carefully crafted into a gorgeous & festive Easter bunny by Sugar Plum’s expert chocolate artisans. This smooth & creamy white chocolate bunny comes wrapped in a cello bag, which is tied off with a festive ribbon that is sure to put you in the Easter spirit! Retails: $17.00.

Milk Chocolate Half-Pound Premium Chocolate Easter Bunny – Check out this treat hoppin’ down the bunny trail! Sugar Plum’s Premium Chocolate Easter Bunny features 8oz of our gourmet chocolate, carefully crafted into a gorgeous & festive Easter bunny by Sugar Plum’s expert chocolate artisans. This luscious milk chocolate bunny come wrapped in a cello bag, which is tied off with a festive ribbon that is sure to put you in the Easter spirit! Retails: $17.00.

All of Sugar Plum’s delicious gourmet treats are lovingly hand crafted and made from their bakery and kitchen in Kingston, PA, by mother and son team Fran and Neil Edley. As they say, food is the ingredient that binds us together. These decadent, mouthwatering confections make for truly special gifts this Easter.

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Get Sexy! The Boudoir Posing Deck

Get ready to strike a sexy pose, thanks to the professional guidance of noted fashion photographer Lindsay Alder.

Introducing The Boudoir Posing Deck: 50 Poses for Photographers and Models [978-1-68198-7-057; $30; January 2021] by Lindsay Adler, a new full-color deck featuring 50 high-quality posing examples to help guide and inspire photographers and models to create the perfect boudoir session.

Based in New York City, author Lindsay Adler is a portrait and fashion photographer, Canon Explorer of Light, and one of Instagram’s top photography influencers (@lindsayadler_photo, 357K followers). In her latest project, she shares clear instructions and helpful tips with every boudoir pose featuring the same model throughout the deck. Each 4×6 card features an image and accompanying description of the pose, the camera settings, and lighting information.

Perfect as a gift for photographers, aspiring models, or any woman who wants to feel sexy, The Boudoir Posing Deck includes a wide range of alluring sitting, standing, and laying scenarios that will inspire gorgeous, flattering photos to post online, keep for yourself, or to share with that special someone.

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Family Style To Go – Virtual Food Fest (NTWRK)

Saturday, April 24 to Sunday, April 25
NTWRK App

Hot off the success of Unboxed festival, livestream shopping platform NTWRK announces a new partnership with streetwear brand and media platform The Hundreds on virtual food festival Family Style To Go. Co-hosted by Canadian chef/TV personality Matty Matheson and rap artist/songwriter E-40, the global digital event will take place on the NTWRK app on April 24th & 25th. Family Style To Go will celebrate the intersection of cuisine and streetwear while benefiting independent restaurants affected by COVID-19.

Each action-packed episode will feature livestream shopping and entertainment curated by The Hundreds, pairing streetwear heavy-hitters with the hottest chefs, restaurants and brands from the culinary universe. From cooking demonstrations to curated virtual tasting rooms, this first-ever online edition of Family Style will harness the power of the NTWRK platform to deliver one-of-a-kind live entertainment experiences directly to consumers. A lineup of 30+ celebrated brands, designers and personalities will come together to create exclusive products with restaurants from around the globe, offering food denizens a new opportunity to support their favorite eateries negatively impacted by the upheaval caused by the pandemic.

“I’ve been friends with Bobby and Ben from The Hundreds since they started the brand over 18 years ago,” says Aaron Levant, CEO of NTWRK. “Over the years, we’ve worked together on dozens of projects from collaborations, trade shows, conferences, and more. I couldn’t be more excited to continue our organic partnership and collaboration into this new digital format where we are able to merge culinary and design at the highest level.”

“We’re creating a new, big platform and experience where guests from all over the world can support restaurants,” says Miles Canares, director and co-founder of Family Style, “By buying some of the best restaurant merch and collaborative products that anyone’s ever seen, festival attendees will do their part in supporting a great cause.”

A portion of the proceeds from Family Style To Go’s programming filled with entertainment and live merchandise drops will be donated to Independent Hospitality Coalition, which provides food and resources to communities and businesses disproportionately affected by COVID-19.
“We’re happy to work with NTWRK to host a virtual event done in support of independent restaurants,” says Ben Shenassafar, CEO of The Hundreds, “Each exclusive product collaboration between restaurants, food brands and popular streetwear brands and designers will be available for purchase globally and aid our local communities.”

“Family Style was founded on the notion of bringing communities together for a specially curated experience,” says Bobby Kim, co-founder of The Hundreds. “The pandemic has obviously taken a huge toll on the restaurant industry we knew and loved. Through Family Style To Go, we hope to use our platform to help make a positive difference during this time.”

Family Style To Go is NTWRK’s fifth virtual festival, following the successes of TRANSFER, BEYOND THE STREETS, Unboxed and Off Court, which will take place on March 27th & 28th. The string of bespoke online shopping events caters to wide reaching segments of the millennial and Gen-Z consumer markets and place NTWRK at the forefront of a new era of e-commerce.
ABOUT NTWRK
NTWRK is the premiere North American livestream shopping app where “entertainment meets e-commerce” (Forbes). Built on a digitally-innovative model of daily product drops, virtual shopping festivals and exclusive partnerships with world-renowned brands and creators, NTWRK has forged an organic worldwide community of artists and millions of fans since its launch in 2018. Under the motto “Shopping At The Speed of Culture,” NTWRK galvanizes the young and lucrative livestream shopping industry, helping usher in a new era of retail.

ABOUT THE HUNDREDS
The Hundreds is a community-based streetwear brand and media platform with an emphasis on People Over Product. Founded in 2003 by Bobby Kim (Bobby Hundreds) and Ben Shenassafar (Ben Hundreds), The Hundreds’ apparel is reminiscent of ‘90s workwear and Californian subculture tribes.

ABOUT INDEPENDENT HOSPITALITY COALITION
The Independent Hospitality Coalition (IHC) represents independent restaurants, bars, hotels and clubs throughout greater Los Angeles. Created in April 2020, the IHC provides a unified voice for the hospitality industry focusing on local and state government initiatives. Beginning as a “coalition of coalitions,” the IHC banded together groups from all over the greater Los Angeles area and used their intimate knowledge of the industry to become an advocate for small business hospitality policy. Restaurants, bars, hotels and clubs that join the coalition create a community that is stronger than each independent shop.

NTWRK ON THE WEB
https://shorefire.com/roster/ntwrk
https://thentwrk.com/
https://www.facebook.com/NTWRKLIVE/
https://www.instagram.com/ntwrk/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/thentwrk/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRUw6FY6YXcxrJHnbswT50Q

FAMILY STYLE ON THE WEB
https://www.familystylefest.com/
https://www.instagram.com/familystylefest/
https://twitter.com/familystylefest/

THE HUNDREDS ON THE WEB
https://thehundreds.com/
https://www.instagram.com/thehundreds/
https://twitter.com/thehundreds/

INDEPENDENT HOSPITALITY COALITION ON THE WEB
https://www.independenthospitality.org/
https://www.instagram.com/cahospitalitycoalition/

For more information click here

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Artigras – WPB – Party Pics

Our founder Lakhinder JS Vohra had a great time with VIP access to this annual arts show. Living in Florida opens up amazing possibilities for attending events!

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Circus Harmony Interactive Cookbook

Circus Harmony is taking it into the kitchen! The flying children of Circus Harmony are combining the daring with the delicious to create a digital cookbook and videos that will feature over 40 favorite family recipes from breakfast to desserts for all tastes and diets! Each delicious dish accompanied by some flipping, flying, and flinging! Each delicious dish will be paired with an exciting circus act.

This is our most appetizing and amusing show ever! This Circus Harmony Cookbook & Show is due to be released on this page, on March 16, 2021, to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the St. Louis lockdown.

Motivation is hard in the middle of a pandemic. When we asked our students what motivated them, there was a unanimous agreement that food is a great motivator. Also, during the pandemic, all our families have been cooking more. Thus the Circus Harmony Interactive Cookbook was born. The Circus Harmony Interactive Cookbook will be a digital book where you can actually turn the pages and, on each page, will be a recipe and an accompanying video. What dish pairs best with contortion, with juggling, or with trapeze? What is the famous shrimp stir fry recipe and who will be the shrimp? Can a taco ride a unicycle?

To sponsor this creative, culinary endeavor or for more information contact the head chef of Circus Harmony, Jessica Hentoff at 314-226-3633 or circusday@circusharmony.org.

For more information click here

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Sweet Art – Remy Martin

Lunar New Year is the most popular holiday in Asia – it is also a major event in the United States as it is celebrated by more than 16 million Asian Americans each year. Art, craftsmanship, and savoir-vivre are always at the heart of this annual holiday – and the coming year is influenced by the food you offer at this occasion. This tradition had been a source of creative inspiration for Rémy Martin, which unveiled a Lunar New Year masterpiece made of sugar to wish the world a sweet Year of the Ox. The intention was to offer to the world a touch of sweetness following a very unique year.

This ambitious artistic project, developed with FRED & FARID New York, has been designed through the concept of “sweet art”: an original art technique inspired by sugar painting which is a traditional form of art made out of caramelized sugar. To achieve this unique artistic vision, Rémy Martin called upon artists of great excellence: a traditional Chinese sugar painting Master, Yajun Sui, and a Multimedia Artist, Elisabeth Hodes. It is a visual celebration of the meeting of tea culture and cognac culture, and the craft that goes into both of them. They teamed up to create the 65 detailed pieces that were used to build this masterpiece, spending over 100 hours and using over 20 pounds of sugar to celebrate the meeting of these two cultures of excellence.

Time, precision, sweet notes, dedication, patience … Those are the virtues involved to give life to this unique work of art – the exact attributes essential to the crafting of Rémy Martin cognac: a quest of perfection.

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DELRAY BEACH FASHION WEEK REIMAGINED

Wednesday, February 24 to Sunday, February 28
Throughout downtown Delray Beach, Florida

Downtown comes alive with style from February 24 – 28, 2021for Delray Beach Fashion Week Reimagined. This 9th annual event will feature a variety of fashion focused experiences set in open-air environments following all safety guidelines related to COVID-19. View fashion trends and styles available throughout the downtown retail shops during Delray Beach Fashion Week events including The Tropical Paradise Preview: A Resort and Evening Wear Fashion Show and Luncheon @ Taru at The Sundy House, Sunset Shop & Sip in Pineapple Grove, Sunsational Shop & Stroll on Atlantic Ave., and two days of fashion trunk shows, in-store events, and shopping.

“The annual Delray Beach Fashion Week will look and feel a little different this year due to COVID-19,” said Laura Simon, Executive Director, Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority (DDA). We have redesigned the week of events to be in line with the needs of the community and to continue to provide a true fashion experience as we showcase and support the many small business retailers throughout downtown Delray Beach. Masks will be required to be worn at all events, as well as following CDC Guidelines including social distancing and providing hand sanitizer stations,” she added. The DDA and downtown merchants are proud to produce this award-winning event reimagined for its ninth year and look forward to sharing with our residents and visitors’ fashion, beauty, and fun!”

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Daytona Supercross

Saturday, March 6

Daytona International Speedway (DIS) today announced that tickets for the 51st annual DAYTONA Supercross, scheduled for Saturday night, March 6, are now on sale offering frontstretch seating.

As a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the DAYTONA Supercross will be conducted in accordance with enhanced safety protocols and procedures. All guests will be screened before entering the facility and will be required to wear face coverings while maintaining six feet social distancing throughout their visit.

The DAYTONA Supercross, the longest continuous Supercross race in America dating back to 1971, will feature the best Supercross riders in the world battling for a coveted win in this special Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship event. Through the first five events of 2021, the 450SX class has seen four different winners, a testament to the depth of this year’s field. Among those who have stood atop the podium are 450SX veterans Justin Barcia, Cooper Webb, Ken Roczen and defending series and DAYTONA Supercross champion Eli Tomac.

Tomac, a four-time DAYTONA Supercross champion, will attempt to win three straight at the World Center of Racing, a feat that would tie The GOAT, Ricky Carmichael, with five victories in the DAYTONA Supercross, the most of all-time.

The course will sport obstacles never before seen at DAYTONA including the “over-under bridge” with riders racing across the bridge while other riders battle for position beneath them. With the start gate returning to pit road this year, riders will launch full throttle towards the fans on the Frontstretch to start the race before taking the action in the counter-clockwise direction.

“The DAYTONA Supercross is such an iconic event and we’re excited that fans can witness all of the racing action here at the World Center of Racing,” said Chip Wile, President of Daytona International Speedway. “It is such an honor to have Ricky Carmichael design this course, the most demanding on the circuit, and it’s one that fans definitely don’t want to miss.”

Roczen, rider of the Team Honda HRC No. 94 who resides in Central Florida, swept Rounds 4 and 5 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Having a chance to make it three in-a-row Saturday night, Roczen is no stranger to the DAYTONA Supercross, having finished on the podium twice, both second places finishes, in 2014 and 2020.

Adam Cianciarulo, rider of the No. 9 Monster Energy Kawasaki, grew up minutes from Daytona International Speedway in Port Orange, Fla. The up-and-comer is closing in on the top four riders in the series standings earning one podium on the year already. Cianciarulo, who won the 250SX DAYTONA Supercross in 2017, looks to add to his podium count at his hometown track.

Due to scheduling changes, the 250SX West division will race at Daytona International Speedway for the first time. Included in the lineup will be new Monster Energy / Star Yamaha Racing teammates Jeremy Martin and Justin Cooper, who have both seen success at DIS when racing 250SX East.

Tickets for the 51st annual DAYTONA Supercross start at just $45. Kids 6-12 are $15 and ages 5 and under are free in select seating areas. Hospitality packages in the Rolex 24 Lounge are also on sale.

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Convoy of Hope Food Distribution

The NASCAR Foundation, Joey Logano Foundation, ONE DAYTONA and Daytona International Speedway to Host Convoy of Hope Food Distribution February 17

WHO: Following NASCAR’s season start with the DAYTONA 500, The NASCAR Foundation, Joey Logano Foundation, ONE DAYTONA and Daytona International Speedway are partnering with Convoy of Hope to distribute thousands of pounds of food, water and hygiene supplies to those that need it most in the Daytona Beach area.

“In 2020, the Joey Logano Foundation helped activate four Convoy of Hope distribution events in four different race markets across the country. The power and impact these events have to immediately help so many families in need is beyond impressive. We’re excited to start off 2021 by executing another Convoy of Hope event with the NASCAR Foundation, just a few days after our 2021 season kicks off at Daytona.”

“We are proud to host this food distribution event immediately following the DAYTONA 500,” said Nichole Krieger, Executive Director, The NASCAR Foundation. “We have been a proud partner alongside the Joey Logano Foundation and Convoy of Hope since the pandemic began to bring more than 180,000 pounds of food and supplies to 4,000 families in our racing communities in need. We couldn’t be happier to work with ONE DAYTONA and Daytona International Speedway to reach the local community right here in our hometown of Daytona Beach.”

WHAT: Following the DAYTONA 500, families in need can visit ONE DAYTONA to receive a box of food and other items in a safe, socially-distanced manner via a drive-thru distribution that aims to serve 800 vehicles. The contactless distribution will ensure the safety of staff and the program’s deserving guests.

WHEN /

WHERE: The distribution event will take place on Wednesday, February 17, from 3:30 – 6:30 p.m. ET in ONE DAYTONA’s northwest parking lot behind The DAYTONA hotel and just west of CMX Theatre. This is the fifth event that The NASCAR Foundation and Joey Logano Foundation have completed partnering with Convoy of Hope, providing a total of $175,000 in support. Previous events were held in 2020 at Darlington Raceway, Martinsville Speedway, Talladega Superspeedway and Phoenix Raceway.

About The NASCAR Foundation

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing Inc. (NASCAR) established The NASCAR Foundation in January 2006 to support initiatives that positively affect the lives of children throughout the United States. The 501(c) (3) non-profit entity partners with medical experts and other charitable organizations to fund children’s health care programs. The NASCAR Foundation has cumulatively donated nearly $40 million to reach more than 1.4 million children. For more information on The NASCAR Foundation, visit NASCARfoundation.org. Follow The NASCAR Foundation on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/NASCARFoundation or on Twitter at @NASCAR_FDN.

About Joey Logano

Joey Logano is the driver of the No. 22 Team Penske Ford Mustang in the NASCAR Cup Series.The 30-year-old from Middletown, CT is a 13-year NASCAR veteran with an impressive racing resume. Logano holds records as the youngest NASCAR driver to win a Cup race, youngest to win a Cup pole award and youngest NASCAR Driver to win Rookie of the Year. Logano is the 2018 NASCAR Champion, the 2015 Daytona 500 Champion, 2016 All-Star winner and has over 50+ career NASCAR wins (26 Cup, 30 NXS). To learn more visit: www.joeylogano.com.

About Joey Logano Foundation

Founded in 2013, The Joey Logano Foundation invests in organizations offering second chances to children and young adults during times of crisis and works to inspire others to live a life of generosity. Through grant making, charity events, the JL Kids Crew and CARE (Critical Assistance Relief Effort), the Joey Logano Foundation continues to make a profound difference in the lives of children and adults in need across the country. To learn more visit: www.joeyloganofoundation.com.

About Convoy of Hope
Convoy of Hope is a faith-based organization with a driving passion to feed the world. With a long history as an early responder in times of natural disasters, Convoy of Hope has been a Four Star Charity as recognized by Charity Navigator for 17 consecutive years. Convoy of Hope has served more than 130 million people since it was founded in 1994. For more information, please visit convoyofhope.org.

About Daytona International Speedway
Daytona International Speedway is a state-of-the-art motorsports facility and was awarded the SportsBusiness Journal’s prestigious Sports Business Award for Sports Facility of the Year in 2016. Daytona International Speedway is the home of The Great American Race – the DAYTONA 500. Though the season-opening NASCAR Cup Series event garners most of the attention – as well as the largest audience in motorsports – the approximately 500-acre motorsports complex, also known as the World Center of Racing, boasts the most diverse schedule of racing on the globe. In addition to at least nine major event weekends, the Speedway grounds are also used extensively for events that include concerts, civic and social gatherings, car shows, photo shoots, production vehicle testing and police motorcycle training.

About ONE DAYTONA

ONE DAYTONA features a 300,000 square-foot retail, dining and entertainment district, along with a Fairfield Inn and Suites, The DAYTONA, an Autograph Collection hotel, and 282 luxury apartments. Visitors, race fans, and residents recognize ONE DAYTONA as the place to live, work, stay and play in the Daytona Beach area. The destination features a comprehensive Public Art program with installations throughout including the Jantzen Diving Girl in Victory Circle. For a complete list of tenants, please visit Onedaytona.com/Directory. For more information and the latest updates, visit OneDaytona.com, follow us on Facebook (OneDaytona), Instagram (@onedaytona) or Twitter (@ONEDAYTONA).

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New Releases in Children’s Books

In Mona Lisa in New York by Yevgenia Nayberg (3/9/21; ISBN: 978-3791374451; Hardcover $14.95; Ages 4-8; 32 pages), a love letter to New York City, Mona Lisa is a tourist who experiences the city for the first time, and finds art, love, and inspiration in unexpected places.

Mona Lisa is taking a trip to New York from the Louvre. Yes, that Mona Lisa. The one with the knowing smile. After hanging in the museum for a while she decides to explore the city. She slips out of her painting and meets Tag, a street art figure. He takes her on an adventure from the Bronx to the Brooklyn Bridge and it turns out Mona Lisa doesn’t know as much as she thought. In this beautiful and charming book, artist Yevgenia Nayberg, an immigrant to New York herself, shows young readers the city she has fallen in love with. Cleverly portraying da Vinci’s iconic subject as a world-weary, know-it-all, Nayberg takes readers on a tour of New York. Mona Lisa and Tag eat pizza in the Bronx, listen to jazz in Harlem, dance to salsa music on the High Line, and swim at Brighton Beach. As Mona Lisa says goodbye to her new friend, she–and the readers–come away with a profound appreciation of the city and its wonders.

Spend hours navigating the world’s great rivers with Great Rivers of the World by Volker Mehnert and illustrated by Martin Haake (3/23/21; ISBN: 978-3791374703; Hardcover $19.95; Ages 8-12; 40 pages), a vibrant, fact-filled book for kids that blends geography, history, and culture.

Where in the Rhein does the Nibelung Treasure lie? What river helps mark the prime meridian? Why do people make pilgrimages to the Indian city of Benares? Why is the Mekong called the “Nine Dragon” river in Vietnam? How does the Mississippi divide and unite the United States? These and hundreds of other facts are explored in this wonderfully illustrated atlas of the world’s great rivers. Each spread in this book offers a colorful map packed with drawings, figures, and facts. Cities that border the rivers are highlighted, as are distinct flora and fauna, significant natural and human-made features, and fascinating historical details. A “biography” of each river describes where it flows, and its importance to the communities it passes through. Special attention is given to the ecological health of the rivers–those that are thriving and those in danger of losing their valuable habitats. Along the way, young readers will come to understand the enormous impact that rivers have on our lives, while learning valuable information in a way that will spark their curiosity and imagination.

Join scientists on an unforgettable journey to Antarctica in illustrated children’s book Antarctica: A Continent of Wonder by Mario Cuesta Hernando and illustrated by Raquel Martín (4/20/21; ISBN: 978-3791374567; Hardcover $19.95; Ages 5-8; 48 pages).

Come aboard the Polar Star and accompany its crew on their half-year stay in Antarctica. Through full-page illustrations, children will experience the work and life of these explorers and scientists as they study penguins, whales, and seals, measure the depth of the ice, chart wind speeds of up to 186 mph (300km/h), examine old volcanoes, and withstand some of the lowest temperatures ever recorded. Kids will also learn about Roald Amundsen and Robert Falcon Scott, the legendary explorers who first set foot on Antarctica. Equal parts thrilling adventure and in-depth exploration, this book is an unforgettable illustrated expedition to Antarctica that is sure to satisfy the boldest bedtime traveler.

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