May 21, 2019 • Page 12 shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com The Bookworm ... For Young Readers Book Offers Adorable Look At The Science Of ‘Cute’ “This Book is Cute!” by Sarah Wassner Flynn; © 2019, National Geographic Kids; 112 pages ——— BY TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER Awwwwwwwwww! The second you see a puppy or kitten, that’s probably what you say. Aww, how adorable! Awww, you just want to cuddle it. Wow, it must be so soft and sweet. You want one now but awww, “This Book is Cute!” by Sarah Wassner Flynn might be a great temporary substitute. It happened again: you were online, looking something up and — oh, wow — there’s a meme of a puppy. And another with a kitten. And oooooh, a piglet, and soon, you’ve lost a half-hour looking at cuteness. You can blame that on your brain. Nearly 80 years ago, scientist Konrad Lorenz extensively studied what he called kinderschema. That’s a German word that basically explains how babies, with their big eyes, chubby cheeks, floppy limbs, and “roly-poly body,” nudge your brain into creating dopamine, a chemical that gives you those “make-you-melt feelings” when you see something cute. And it’s not just you: children as young as three have been shown to prefer cuteness, and pictures of adorable puppies are proven to help adults improve their moods. But looking at appealing little faces is more than just a great way to feel good. Cuteness is also big business: think about those tiny dolls or trucks you played with once, or the anime characters you love. In Japan, construction barriers are sometimes made into cartoon adorableness, and you know “Hello Kitty” makes fans squeal. American sports teams and some businesses have mascots, museums often have delightful displays of miniature cuteness, and vacation destinations may be filled with cuteness overload. Even food can be oh-so-cute. You can dress up in the latest (and cutest) fashions, or put them on your dog. Here, you’ll read about a “career in cute” and real jobs that have cuteness all over them. You’ll see how technology uses cutescience to appeal to users, the size of baby hippos at birth, how cute goes viral, how to get around in the sweetest of ways, and how you can do your best when popping precious in a picture. Resistance, as it’s been said, is futile: any time you see a video of a puppy or kitten online, you might as well just make yourself comfortable. You’re not going anywhere soon, except maybe to go find “This Book is Cute!” What else can you say about something that’s absolutely filled with full-color pictures of adorableness? Only that this book is as easy as the internet is to get lost in, but more fun, since author Sarah Wassner Flynn also includes lots of real scientific information, trivia, and fun facts to get kids curious about biology, technology, animal care, commerce, and other cultures. Yes, indeed, this book is not merely a collection of cuddly cat snaps and doofy dogs — it’s also going to teach young readers. Or older readers, of course, because while this book is meant for kids in middle-school and beyond, adults will find it just as easy to fall into. One look at “This Book is Cute!’ and you’ll know it’s awwwwwwwwsome. Mead Update PHOTO: DAKOTA TERRITORIAL MUSEUM The detailed task of improving the verandas at the Mead Cultural Education Center (MCEC) began this week with tuckpointing. For those unfamiliar with the term, it means our workers went in and carefully removed loose mortar between stones, then went back in and applied new mortar. It will be a long and tedious task, but is just the first step into adding life to the verandas. The Doyle Stevens Construction crew is also working on the sidewalks on the east side of the MCEC. If you have not received a Mead Matters 2019 mailer, and would like to contribute, please contact Camille Swift at info@meadbuilding.org, or stop out and see us. All contributions are appreciated. Check out our calendar of events at www.meadbuilding. org. You can stop out at the Mead Cultural Education Center at 82 Mickelson Drive, email us at info@meadbuilding.org. Our summer hours are in full swing: Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (closed Wednesdays) and Sunday 1-5 p.m. Office hours are Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Seeking Artists for SDHCA Dakota MasterWorks Senior Art Show SIOUX FALLS — It is time to begin working on your entries for the 23rd annual Dakota MasterWorks Art Show. The South Dakota Health Care Association (SDHCA), Great Western Bank, and KELOLAND Television announce that entry forms are now available. The SDHCA Dakota MasterWorks Art Show is open to all South Dakota citizens age 60 and older. Entries will be accepted at the South Dakota Health Care Association Office located at 804 N Western Avenue, Sioux Falls, Sept. 30-Oct. 4 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Entry Forms are available at www.sdhca.org by following the SDHCA Dakota MasterWorks link or call 1-800-952-3052. The Exhibit Show will be held Oct. 24-25, in the Jerstad Center at the Good Samaritan Society National Campus in Sioux Falls. Free public admission to the Exhibit Show. SDHCA Dakota MasterWorks was created to showcase the talent and creativity of South Dakotans 60 and older. “The second half of life is full of creative growth and fulfillment, and SDHCA Dakota MasterWorks demonstrates that reality,” said SDHCA Dakota MasterWorks Coordinator LuAnn Severson. The competition is open to every citizen of South Dakota age 60 and older. The winning entries will be exhibited at various sites throughout South Dakota following the Sioux Falls Show. Categories include watercolor painting, oil painting, acrylic painting, drawing/pastels, photography, mixed media and wood carving. A first ($75), second ($50), and third ($25) place award will be given in each of the categories. In addition, professional judges will select a Best of Show ($100). A People’s Choice ($100) will also be awarded. Two entries are allowed from each entrant completed within the past three years. Corporate sponsors include EmpRes, Tealwood Senior Living, Good Samaritan Society, Tieszen Memorial Home, Dow Rummel Village, Bethany, The Inn on Westport, Grand Living at Lake Lorraine, Fischer Rounds & Associates, Clarkson Health Care, Westhills Village Retirement Community, Jenkins Living Center, Imagery Photography, and Sisson Printing. This year’s oil painting for the poster titled, “Out of the Darkness — Into the Light,” was created by Doris Symens-Armstrong of Watertown. To receive an entry form contact: SDHCA Dakota MasterWorks, 804 N Western Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57104 or call LuAnn Severson, SDHCA, 339-2071 or 1-800-952-3052. Entry Forms and entry information may also be found by visiting www. sdhca.org and follow the SDHCA Dakota MasterWorks link. Family-Friendly Productions Of ‘Midsummer’ Slated For Vermillion VERMILLION — The South Dakota Shakespeare Festival (SDSF) presents “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” June 6-8 at 7 p.m. and June 9 at 4 p.m. at Prentis Park in Vermillion. The family-friendly performances are free and open to the public. Attendees are invited to bring a blanket or chairs to enjoy the live outdoor theatre experience. Food and drink vendors will be on-hand in the park starting one hour before each performance begins. Madeline Sayet (Mohegan Tribe) directs the popular Shakespeare comedy, which mindfully integrates Native perspectives into the production. Sayet’s many Let Our Family honors include being chosen as a 2018 Forbes 30 Business Keep Yours Under 30 in Hollywood & Entertainment, TED Fellow, and the White House Champion of Change Award In The Go With: from President Obama. • Farm Filters • Hydraulic Hoses • Bearings & Seals The cast is comprised of national and local actors 1007 Broadway Ave who rehearse and make appearances in and around Yankton, SD the region in the weeks leading up to the Prentis Park 605•665•4494 performances. For a full cast of players, see SDShakespeare.org. RELATED SDSF EVENTS When You Want Comfort… You Want Kalins! • Theatre Workshops Vermillion: 605-624-5618 for Youth, Vermillion *Rebate offer only available to Vermillion Light & Power customers. Public Library — ThursCall for full details. day, June 6, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Free. 70 years as a Premier Lennox® Dealer • Theatre games, 98 years in the Business Tlingit creation stories, 400 years of Heating and Cooling Experience crown-making workshops Yankton Vermillion Sioux City = Southeast South Dakota’s #1 Choice! 605.665.4348 605.624.5618 712.252.2000 and more. From ages 8 to 18. kalinsindoor.com Registration required. More information at vermillionpubliclibrary. MEMORIAL DAY SPECIAL! org/summer-readingTop of the line wood pellet grills program/workshops/ to smoke • sear • char grill roast • Scholars in Con• bake • braise • grill your way to versation, Prentis Park, Vermillion — Saturday, delicious BBQ June 8, 3 p.m. Free. Shakespeare scholars Travis Williams (Uni“SPECIAL on 40lb bags versity of Rhode Island) The Yankton Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors of Pellets” and Darlene Farabee hosted a ribbon cutting for Ron Beukelman Agency, “Assorted Flavors to (University of South located at 413 W. 15th Street. Ron Beukelman Agency Dakota) share fascinating Choose From” offers American Family Insurance; home, auto, business, elements of “A MidsumOnly $16.96 farm and life insurance. They also offer crop insurance mer Night’s Dream.” and specialty policies through a variety of companies Supported by USD Dept. authorized by American Family B&A Insurance Solutions. of Arts & Sciences. The agency has 4 locations with offices in Yankton, • Audience Talk Back, We’ve got the Grills • Pellets • Accessories FOR ALL YOUR BBQ NEEDS! Mitchell, Plankinton and Armour. Owner is Ron Prentis Park, Vermillion – Beukelman. They are open Monday – Friday: 8am-5pm. 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