Franklin Children's Book Author Launches New Picture Book in Time for Teacher Appreciation Week

A new picture book, Owls Make Terrible Teachers, by local author, Kristi Mahoney, will release just in time for Teacher Appreciation Week, which is celebrated nationwide from Monday, May 4, 2026 – Fri, May 8, 2026.

 

Surprises await in Owls Make Terrible Teachers when an owl takes flight in a classroom as a substitute teacher. From an impromptu pajama day, feather-filled social studies lesson, hunting for a midnight snack, and a field trip to “an actual field”, this school day stretches into a night like no other. Kirkus Reviews praises the new picture book stating that it is: “Classroom chaos done right.”

 

“I’m hoping readers will laugh while they learn about owls,” Mahoney states. “But ultimately, I’m hoping this book will inspire an appreciation for the real hero of the story – ‘human’ teachers everywhere.”

 

Mahoney lives with her family in Franklin, MA. Her debut book, Alpacas Make Terrible Librarians, (illustrated by Chantelle and Burgen Throne and published by Gnome Road), was released in October 2024. It was awarded as a Winner of the Children’s Book Council’s 2025 Children's Favorite Award and has received positive trade reviews from: School Library Journal, Publisher’s Weekly, Kirkus and Foreword Reviews. 

According to Worldcat.org, Mahoney’s debut book is currently in over 450 libraries across the U.S. and beyond. Mahoney’s second book, Owls Make Terrible Teachers, releases this month. Books are available wherever books are sold. Signed copies are currently available exclusively at the local indie bookstore, An Unlikely Story, in Plainville, MA. 

Visit the authors page for additional info - https://www.kristimahoneybooks.com/

Ali Rheaume talks about the creation of "Buddy The Brain" (video & audio)

FM #1703 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1703 in the series. 

This episode shares my conversation with Franklin author, educator, and disability advocate Ali Rheaume. We met virtually on Thursday, March 19, 2026 to discuss her new book “Buddy The Brain”. 

Ali Rheaume talks about the creation
of "Buddy The Brain"  (video & audio)

We cover 

• The book is available in multiple formats

• The origin story of the book

• Ali’s recovery journey and advocacy

The video runs about 23 minutes, let’s watch (or listen)

Video link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gLJIk2cRT0

Audio link -  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1703-ali-rheaume-on-buddy-the-brain-03-19-26/

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The landing page for Buddy The Brain https://alirheaume.com/buddythebrain 

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV  and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area FM radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

• And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach out. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/  or www.franklin.news/ 

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Franklin Middle School Reads "The Bridge Home" in advance of Author Visit

Franklin Middle School Reads "The Bridge Home"
in advance of Author Visit

"The countdown IS ON!! One week from today @venkatraman.padma visits FMS 

This photo was taken several weeks ago. The library display is currently decimated because the kids are reading like crazy!"

Shared from - https://www.instagram.com/p/DWjhZVOAE0D/

"Buddy The Brain" reading at Tatnuck Bookseller and Café in Westborough

Good morning, Buddy the Brain has been having fun at schools, conferences, libraries, and more! This Saturday, I will be at the Tatnuck Bookseller and Café in Westborough, MA for an author event. If you're local, come on by! There will be: book sales book signing book reading coloring pages illustration display brain injury resources author meet and greet There is also a café, so you can grab a drink and a treat while you hang out with us. Please spread the word, and hope to see you there!! -Ali and Buddy

Alison Rheaume | Franklin | Franklin, MA 02038 US

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Friday, March 20, 2026 ???

Friday, March 20

10:00am Knitting Group (Franklin Public Library)

1:00pm Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)

1:00pm Library Book Sale (Franklin Public Library)

3:30pm Ali Rheaume Author book reading/signing (Franklin Public Library)

6:00pm Ken Barney (live music) (Lafayette House)

7:00pm Matt Zajac (live Music) (La Cantina Winery)

7:30pm Into the Woods (THE BLACK BOX)

For additional details on Library events -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/942/Calendar-of-Events

For additional details on Senior Center events ->   

https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37,24&showPastEvents=false

Note: Senior Center checking on why their events are suddenly being shown as "All Day". You can use the monthly newsletter for specific program/event times

*** Town Meetings today   ***

Charles River Pollution Control Meeting

Friday, March 20 Time: 3:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03202026-2192 

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Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendar

Steven Puleo talks about "The Boston Italians" - April 12

Steven Puleo talks about
"The Boston Italians" - April 12

Quattro Eroi Lodge is pleased to announce that it is sponsoring a presentation and book signing by author and historian Steven Puleo. The event will be held at the Franklin Historical Museum on Sunday, April 12 at 1:00 PM. It is free and open to the public. 

The presentation will focus on his book "The Boston Italians." Puleo is the author of several other books including "Dark Tide" about the molasses spill in the North End, as well as books about the Civil War, World War II, the Irish Famine, and most recently about Charles Sumner, the Great Abolitionist.

The event is part of our 100th anniversary celebration and will kick off an exhibit at the Historical Museum celebrating our 100 years of history. We will also be hosting a celebratory pasta dinner on May 16 at the VFW Hall. More information on these events will be posted here as we get closer to the events.

Shared from - https://www.facebook.com/share/1AYpjeyaUC/

"Buddy the Brain" is available Feb 20, 2026

"Buddy the Brain" is available Feb 20, 2026

via Ali Rheaume

"It's important that if a book is going to be written about brain injury, it can be read by those who have sustained brain injury.

Personally, this has been a struggle area for me, even with children's books, so I have taken both my personal experience and my accessibility knowledge to create "Buddy the Brain".

I hope it helps at least one other person who has sustained brain injury to be able to successfully read a children's book!

We're just a few days away; this book comes out on February 20!

The best way to stay up-to-date and get access first, is to sign up for emails by commenting "Buddy" below."

Shared from ->  https://www.facebook.com/share/1A7SjwqffB/

Congratulations, March Cohen has published a book of his poetry: "A Dance with the Cosmos"

via Marc Cohen

"A Dance with the Cosmos"

"I would like to announce that Simon & Schuster has just published my poetry book titled, "A Dance with the Cosmos."

I would like to thank, and add that there is an acknowledgement page in the book;

Michael Cohen , Sean Sylver , Gail M. Cohen, and Kelly Phelan for the editing and proofreading efforts. A special thanks goes out to Amy Adams for the artwork for the cover!

The book is currently available in paperback and hardcover at the link below. In the search box, use the title to find the book.

The poetry book includes about 20 nature photographs that match the theme of the various poems.

Thank you everyone who has read my poetry, and made this an exciting adventure!"

Order a copy -> https://www.archwaypublishing.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/870852-a-dance-with-the-cosmos

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1FueuJ7rSu/

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Friday, December 19, 2025

Yes, Franklin has it's own radio station -> wfpr.fm. Franklin Public Radio has a brand new schedule for the locally produced shows that fill our air waves. 

It is available anywhere, anytime at wfpr.fm or in the local Franklin, MA area at 102.9 on the FM dial.

Tune in to listen to the following:

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Friday

8:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 6:00 PM - Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock covering Franklin, its local government, services, and events 

• This segment shares my conversation with author JM Celi about his next book in the "Unlife of Lisa Cooper" series ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/12/talking-with-jm-celi-about-next-stage.html

9:00 AM, 2:00 PM, and 7:00 PM

10:00 AM, 3:00 PM, and 8:00 PM - Talkin’ the Blues – Jim Derick & Nick Remissong. 2 hours of awesome blues music, info, interviews  Showcasing the "Blues" as a basis for and influence of Country, Jazz and Rock and Roll, here and worldwide.

11:00 AM, 4:00 PM, and 9:00 PM - “The Vibe” show plays music for everyone searching for some enjoyment, some dance, a happy or thinking mood, and most importantly, having fun.  Tune in to wfpr.fm and listen to “DJ Vibe” spin music across many genres and join this new vibing experience

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf 

Talking with JM Celi about the next stage in the "Unlife of Lisa Cooper" (audio & video)

FM #1607 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1607 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my recorded conversation with local author J.M. Celi. We had our conversation via Zoom to record the video & audio on Tuesday, December 9, 2025. 

Our conversation lets you find out more about Jamie and his third independently published work “The Unlife of Lisa Cooper: Vengeance." 

This is the second in the planned series of the vampire, Siobhan McSweeny or Lisa Cooper.  

We talk about Jamie’s writing process, the road through multiple reviews and edits to publication. He has some other works out for possible publication. He is working on the outline for the 3rd in the Lisa series. There may be other works covering specific decade time periods in Boston. 

The recording runs about 39 minutes so let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie

Video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQAW9ZvaJhc

Audio link ->  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1607-author-jm-celi-12-09-25/

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J.M. Celi’s author web site -> https://www.jmceli.com/

“The Unlife of Lisa Cooper: Conviction", “The Vampires of 1863” and “The Unlife of Lisa Cooper: Vengeance"  can be found in most bookstores. 

Prior audio recordings

• Vampires of 1863 - https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/07/talking-boston-vampires-and-writing.html

• Unlife of Lisa Cooper -  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/11/author-jm-celi-wrote-book-he-couldnt.html 

--------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

 

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"