Author meganbowen1af7018799

Letters spelling "BEYOND WORDS" are pressed into clay, with other crafts on the table beneath.

Beyond Words Junior Begins Soon

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A young man with development disabilities smiles as he operates a bubble making machine. The air is full of small bubbles.
Teens and their adults enjoy a Beyond Words class at HCLS Miller Branch.

by Megan B.

You may already know and love Beyond Words, our monthly program that kicked off in January 2024 at HCLS Miller Branch, created especially for adults and teens with developmental and intellectual disabilities. As Peg Prentice, the visionary behind the program and Instructor and Research Specialist at Miller, puts it: “Beyond Words is not just a class; it’s an invitation to celebrate the joy of discovery and the magic of shared experiences while creating personal connection and growth.” And clearly, the community agrees! Thanks to amazing support and lots of happy participants, Beyond Words now runs monthly at the East Columbia, Central, and Savage branches too.

After seeing the joy and connection that Beyond Words has brought to adults and teens, and recognizing a real need for similar inclusive fun for younger kids, Peg and the awesome Miller team got to work on something extra special.

Letters spelling "BEYOND WORDS" are pressed into clay, with other crafts on the table beneath.

Introducing…Beyond Words Junior!
This exciting new class is just for children ages 6–11 with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Each month will bring a fresh, engaging theme to spark imaginations and create lasting memories. Beyond Words Junior is all about fun, friendship, and celebrating every child for exactly who they are. 

Fantasy & Fairy Tales!
Wednesday, September 3 | 6 – 7 pm
HCLS Miller Branch
Explore a world of whimsical wonder…think castles, dragons, magical creatures, and maybe even a sprinkle of fairy dust. Ages 6-11 with adult.

Mark your calendars and get ready for an unforgettable adventure! Register here.

Megan B. is a Children’s Instructor and Research Specialist at HCLS Miller Branch. She is constantly curious and loves to learn new things.

A child surrounded by steam full of food items eats lunch with chopsticks in one hand and a bun in the other.

Home in a Lunchbox by Cherry Mo

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A child surrounded by steam full of food items eats lunch with chopsticks in one hand and a bun in the other.

By Megan B.

Intrigued by the front cover, I picked up Home in a Lunchbox by Cherry Mo from the children’s “new books” shelf not expecting to fall in love with this story, to be recommending it to colleagues, and to feel the need to write a book review for Chapter Chats! But, here we are…

Inspired by her own experience of moving from China to the United States as a child, Mo narrates the journey of Jun beginning school in a new country. Through expressive illustrations, bold uses of color, and just a handful of text you are taken on an emotional roller coaster as you witness her first week.

I truly felt Jun’s excitement at the bus stop on her first day, and her disappointment, confusion, and frustration as she tries to navigate the school and the English language. Then, I loved the profound comfort, joy, and love she finds in her delicious homemade lunches, and finally, the acceptance, friendship, and belonging as the story concludes.

With universal themes about belonging, embracing differences, friendship, and the power of food, Home in a Lunchbox is a feel-good, must read for people of all ages.

Home in a Lunchbox, a 2025 Caldecott Honor Winner, is available from HCLS in print and as an e-book on Libby.

Megan B. is a Children’s Instructor and Research Specialist at HCLS Miller Branch. She is constantly curious and loves to learn new things.