It can be hard to talk about uncomfortable things with children. Books are a great way to introduce different ideas and experiences and talk about them together. 

In the groundbreaking parenting book Nurtureshock, by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman, the chapter, “Why White Parents Don’t Talk About Race” taught me something about myself. The section explains that white parents often think that by ignoring race we will teach our children that race is not important and everyone is equal. In fact, they write, research shows that this does not work. 

I have a feeling that if Bronson and Merryman were writing this today, they might go a step further and say that white parents must actively teach children that it’s not enough to see everyone as equal. We must also see how people are not treated equally and actively work to change this inequality in our society. The following list of books for children, from toddlers to teens, goes beyond celebrations of diversity; these acclaimed books educate children about racism in our society and open conversations about social justice. 

There's no place better than New York City for kids to learn about art, and what better way for your child to pursue their creative passions than a summer art camp? Many professional artists moonlight as talented teachers, and the demand for art programs has created a wealth of exceptional art classes and arts camps. Whether your child is into visual arts, performing arts, or wants to sample all the arts, we've found After 15 exceptional arts camps, which all excel for different reasons.

We found visual arts camps, performing arts camps, and more creative camps with programs like circus arts. Some arts camps allow kids to sample a little of everything. From summer-long intensives to week-long sampler sessions, no matter their age, if your child is ready to dive into a summer of artistic expression, read on to find the perfect arts camp.

If you need more ideas, check out our Camp Guide and full Directory of Listings for dozens more great camps.

Believe it or not, I had never heard of Wegmans before it opened here in NYC last week. (As a native New Yorker growing up in the city in the 70s, I was raised thinking that the only chains you saw in NYC were gold and should be tucked under your coat on the subway.) So while I was excited to hear about Wegmans coming to the Vinegar Hll neighborhood of Brooklyn, I admit I had no idea why the Rochester-based chain was all that. Did Wegmans acquire its legion of fans by its unique products, the way Trader Joes does? Was it just the suburban size value, like Costco? Did it offer better-sourced produce and meats like Whole Foods?

What I discovered is that the secret of Wegmans is that they are going for all of the above. Wegmans is the store that wants to be everything to all people. And, they seem to be pulling it off. I recently went to find out what makes NYC’s newest grocery store and food hall different from other stores. Here are the top things that make Wegmans a win for New York City families.