Julia Child changed the way we cook in this country. She taught us that cooking is not a chore to be finished quickly; it is a joy to be shared. Her iconic “Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Volume One” was published in 1961. Her program “The French Chef” was the first national cooking show, debuting in 1963.

Paul McCartney, Amagansett resident and grandparent (and wasn’t he with some band once?), has just come out with his first picture book, “Hey Grandude,” while the McMullans return with a tale of two French bulldogs and Susan Verde brings a heart-restorative “I Am Love” for worried kids.