Lessons

Akane takes on the world of rakugo to avenge her father! Shinta Arakawa wants nothing more than to pass his shin'uchi exam--the test that would make him a top-rank headliner and master storyteller in the traditional Japanese art of rakugo. Akane Osaki, his daughter and biggest fan, spies on him while he practices and learns his routines for herself. When rakugo master Issho Arakawa expels everyone after the exam with no explanation, a fire is lit inside Akane. From that day forth, she has had one goal--to avenge her father and prove his art was worthy of the title of shin'uchi. Akane unintentionally stirs up a scandal when she's discovered taking informal lessons from her father's former teacher, Shiguma Arakawa. And she's about to make even bigger waves because she is about to begin her first steps in climbing the ranks of a rakugo performer from zenza opening act to shin'uchi headliner is exchanging her secret lessons for formal training. But she'll still have to finish high school a

Unwind and get creative as you learn all about watercolor painting—one of the fastest-growing activities for everyday adults who are looking for a hobby to easily relax and relieve stress!Modern Watercolor Botanicals is a comprehensive guide for all skill levels—beginner to advanced—that teaches everything you need to know about watercolor using easy-to-follow diagrams, pictures, and instructions. Learn how to paint and advance your skills using pieces of beautiful, traceable artwork, including detailed wildflowers, shade tropical leaves, eucalyptus wreaths, and more.Lessons in Modern Watercolor Botanicals include:• Instructions for every skill level: beginner, intermediate, and advanced• Easy-to-follow diagrams, pictures, and instructions• Each lesson builds upon skills learned in the previous lessons• 15 pieces of traceable artwork to paint, no drawing experience required!• Lessons that promote focus and mindfulness and help you reduce stress through the enjoyment of the artistic pro

2025 RICBA NomineesA little girl holds lessons learned in her grandfather’s sari-sari store close while adjusting to a new home in this sweet picture book about the joy of community, connection, and Filipino culture.For one girl, summers used to mean helping Lolo run his sari-sari store, which was always brimming with goods for the neighborhood: shampoo packets for Ate Jane, rice and eggs for Tonton, and a sympathetic ear for anyone who needed it. “Sari-sari means a good variety—just look around and you’ll see. What help can you give your community?” Lolo would say, as he filled his shelves with what people would need.Now that she’s far from the Philippines, she misses Lolo and the friendly faces that surrounded his sari-sari store. But when she remembers her grandfather’s words, her heart keeps Lolo close, and she starts to see opportunities for connection and community in her new home.