Editor’s Note

My Favorite Things

The annual Boston Book Festival may be online this year, but it will still offer an opportunity to explore Boston's diverse neighborhoods and discover great books at the same time. During the month of October, kids and families will find StoryWalks in Nubian Square and in Downtown Crossing, with pages from award-winning picture books posted in store windows. Just follow the route to read the book in order!

’Tis the season for all things pumpkin -- including my favorite muffins ever! One of the most popular recipes to ever appear in baystateparent, Pumpkin Harvest Loaf, is moist, sweet and kid-friendly (hello, chocolate chips!). Go to baystateparent. com to find this easy, classic fall recipe.

editor’s note

When I reminisce on some of the simplest joys of my childhood, a few things come to mind: my grandpa Tony’s cooking, weekends on the boat, and my sweet black lab, Coala.

Though an assortment of pets were part of my youth -- there was Thumper the bunny, a canary named Cheep Cheep, and a couple of cats -- it’s the interactions with Coala I most nostalgically recall. I remember how she’d calmly sit and allow my sisters and me to paint her toenails, dress her up in hats and pearls, or serve her imaginary cups of tea. It’s the same sweet tolerance I see my dog Toby now bestow on my three-year-old son. Some pets seem to know that kids are just kids, and give a grace and patience that only animals can offer.

Pets give unconditional love, and their people love them right back. Last year, Americans spent a record $95.7 bil lion on their pets, according to the American Pet Products Association, and that wasn’t just on vet bills and food. More and more, we view our four-legged friends as fully fledged members of our family. They live in our homes with us, we do things with them, and we’re closely bonded to them.

That connection can be even greater when it comes to kids. A pet is often a child’s first confidante, playmate, and sometimes, their partner in crime. A Cambridge University study even found that children suffering from some form of adversity in their lives are more likely to turn to the family pet for comfort than their friends or siblings.

In celebration of this special bond, we’ve put together our first-ever Pet Issue. You can read about animals helping local children with special needs on page 14, how the pandemic has impacted pet adoptions in the Bay State on page 16, and on page 19 you’ll even find recipes to make your own treats for your little fur-babies.

Of course, you’ll also find plenty of ideas for family-friendly things to do in this issue. Turn to the “On The Agenda” section on page 20 for all sorts of fall fun -- from the coolest corn mazes to get lost in this month to ideas for scaring up a Halloween celebration right at home.

Happy fall, and happy reading!

Amanda

“Feet on the triangles, hands on the hearts!” My 3-year-old yogiin-the-making has been practicing his favorite poses on this Chi Universe yoga mat. The kid-sized mat has playful symbols that guide kiddos to different yoga positions. My son loves picking out new poses to try on the included how-to poster. Parents can also download a free app that guides kids through a Flow and Phreeze game, helping them interconnect poses and sequences and learn breathing techniques to increase strength, balance, and focus. Find it at chiuniverse.com.

How cool is this no-carve pumpkin decorating idea? Grab some of your kids’ old crayons, peel off the paper, and glue them to the top of a pumpkin with tacky glue. Hold a hot hair dryer over the crayons and watch them drip! Turn to page 24 for more fun Halloween ideas.