By Erin Wood If you have a kiddo, you won’t want to miss sign-ups for summer reading at the Garland County Library, June 10 – July 31! The Summer Reading program is open to children ages 1-18. There is no deadline to sign up, but it’s best to sign up before June 10 so you don’t miss out on logging your reading hours to win amazing prizes. Participants can visit the
Originally from South Africa, debut author Alexandra Bell now calls Hot Springs home. Her new book, Make a Plan to Save Your Life: Your Essential Guide to Surviving Medical Emergencies (self-published in February), is a practical guide born of Bell’s own life experience as a retiree, Certified Longevity Coach, and former recruitment and human resources professional who spent decades helping people prepare for comfortable retirements. Bell shares, “Drawing on my concept of ‘Intentional
Fayetteville resident Carolyn Guinzio is this year’s recipient of Arkansas’s most lucrative and prestigious literary award, The Porter Prize, accompanied by $5,000. Guinzio is author of eight poetry collections (including, most recently, Cameo Blue), and her work has appeared in The New Yorker, Poetry, and The Nation. Guinzio was nominated by 2003 Porter Fund Literary Prize recipient and Little Rock resident Kevin Brockmeier. The Porter Fund Literary Prize is presented annually to an Arkansas writer who has accomplished a substantial and
By Erin Wood Central Arkansas Early Childhood Mental Health Consultants Christine Lin and Elizabeth Waldrum have decades of combined experience working with young kids, many of whom experience periodic or permanent absences of important figures in their lives. When Lin and Waldrum found no literary resources to start conversations with these children about their complex emotions around these losses, they decided to write their own book to serve the purpose. I
By Longhua Xu Acrylic 30” x 40” When The Springs Magazine invited me to create the cover for their February 2026 issue, I found myself facing an unexpectedly challenging decision. Although my primary language is sculpture—working in bronze, stone, wood, glass, and clay—this project called for a painted image. After much reflection, I chose to focus on a timeless subject: lovers. Love has been interpreted by artists for centuries, which
A monthly series including news about an Arkansas book, author, event, or item of literary interest to Arkansans. By Erin Wood Conway resident and Arkansas native Katy S. Duffield is, incredibly, the award-winning author of more than forty children’s books. On February 3, Start Your Engines will be released from Sourcebooks/Jaberwocky, with words by Duffield and illustrations by Chiara Galletti. In Start Your Engines, Frankie the ATV loves to zoom up
By Erin WoodThe American Booksellers Association reports that holiday sales account for nearly a quarter of independent booksellers’ annual profits. With holiday dollars, consumers can make a significant impact on independent bookstores, small publishers, and local authors—and local support can be online. Amazon alternatives: Online purchases through Bookshop.org have raised $42.5 million for indie bookstores since 2020. Order there and choose the indie bookstore of your choice. Devote an extra
By Erin Wood The Arkansiana Award is presented biennially by the Arkansas Library Association to the author(s) whose books represent “a significant contribution to Arkansas heritage and culture.” This year’s recipients are Little Rock writer, journalist, and musician Stephen Koch, for his book From Almeda to Zilphia: Arkansas Women Who Transformed American Popular Song, and Clinton writer and journalist Monica Potts for her New York Times bestseller, The Forgotten Girls: A
By Erin WoodTrue crime readers and those who recall the 2016 murder of Susan Cooper in Malvern have a new perspective on the case from central Arkansas author Jerry Spurger, the FBI agent who worked the case from start to finish. Murder at Midnight: The FBI’s battle with violence and drugs in a small Southern town (independently published by Spurgers) was released this summer, with a launch event in Conway
By Erin WoodYears in the making, River To Ridge: Arkansas’s Wildlife Management Areas is a field and travel guide across the wildly varying terrain of the state’s natural areas. But thanks to the soothing photography and descriptive prose, readers don’t have to leave the comfort of their chairs to feel immersed in healing outdoor scenes. From Bayou Meto to Sylamore, profiles of state Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) take up the
For Maumelle children’s book writer/illustrator and retired preschool music teacher Carol Dabney, connecting with young readers has meant hitting the road this summer. Dabney has traveled to locations across Arkansas and as far as St. Louis from libraries to Whole Foods stores and has in the past conducted butterfly release parties, children’s birthday and tea parties, baby showers, and other special events. Equipped with her voice, her ukulele, and songs
Did you know that the Garland County Library has a bookmobile named Donna? Items and services provided by Donna the Bookmobile include: The library folks say, “This new service is staffed by a friendly, warm-blooded human.” Donna is equipped with a wheelchair-accessible lift. Visit www.gclibrary.com/bookmobile to view the current schedule, which includes monthly stops at Artfully Baked and Brewed, Hot Springs Farmers and Artisans Market, Garland County Senior Center, and
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“Moku Playland” Photo of Kate Zunick Courtesy of Hot Springs Sister City Kate Zunick relaxes in one of the most beloved features of the Moku Playland exhibit — a giant wooden “hot springs” tub filled with hundreds of smooth wooden balls inspired by the bubbling thermal waters of Hot Springs. Hidden somewhere among the
Moku Playland Pop-Up Opens June 1 with Interactive, Screen-Free Fun for Families Families and visitors to downtown Hot Springs will have the opportunity to experience a unique style of hands-on play this summer as Moku Playland opens June 1 for a special month-long pop-up at 831 Central Avenue. Open Thursday-Tuesday
The Hot Springs Fire Department entry nears the finish line in the 2025 Running of the Tubs. — Courtesy Visit Hot Springs The lineup is complete for the 2026 Stueart Pennington World Championship Running of the Tubs bathtub races through historic downtown Hot Springs. The race starts at 9 a.m. on Saturday,
Where are we?” Missy Conry and Melissa Stevens By Missy Conry & Melissa StevensCan you spot where we took this picture? Take a selfie in front of the same mural and text to 501-651-0545 for a free drop-in class! You can also text us for hints if you need a clue. As we reflect
