32 / matters magazine / summer 2026 Dog vs. Strawberry by Nelly Buchet Welcome to the Greatest Race of All Time! A dog and a strawberry find themselves nose to stem in this hilarious picture book that’s perfect for dog lovers. When Dog is handed a strawberry from the fruit bowl, she sizes it up, dances around it and de cides she is going to race the strawberry -- and win. Eventually, it’s neck-and-neck... until mom walks in to see what the fuss is about and SPLAT! DIY: Repair, Renovate, and Decorate with Over 450 Step-by-Step Projects by Peter Parham Whether you need to do a quick fix or a large DIY project, find out how to tackle any task with con fidence following this revised and updated step- by-step guide. DIY breaks down every stage of every task, from choosing tools and essential safety guidance to advice for tackling big jobs and fixing common problems. Demon Copperhead by Barbara King solver Demon Copperhead is the story of a boy born to a teenaged single mother in a single-wide trailer, with no assets beyond his dead father’s good looks and copper-colored hair, a caustic wit, and a fierce talent for survival. Demon braves the mod ern perils of a deeply flawed foster care system, and institutional poverty without a protective adult in his corner. Seedfolks by Paul Fleischman This is the story of 13 strangers of varying ages and backgrounds who find fertile ground in an otherwise failing neighborhood, forming a produc tive and beautiful garden, establishing a profound sense of community and transforming themselves in the process. Explore Matters Magazine’s story topics with these books The Secret Race: Inside the Hidden World of the Tour de France: Doping, Cover-ups, and Winning at All Costs by Tyler Hamilton A journey into the heart of a never-before-seen world, The Secret Race is a riveting, courageous act of witness from a man who is as determined to reveal the hard truth about his sport as he once was to win the Tour de France. Book Report Book Report 298 Walton Avenue, South Orange | 973-762-0230 | sopl.org Family-Friendly Bike Rides Want to get out for a ride without the traffic? Here are some great spots to explore whether you're looking for car-free paths, quiet scenic roads or a longer loop through varied terrain. All are within an hour's car ride. Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, 32 Pleasant Plains Road, Basking Ridge Cycling on the scenic roads that skirt and pass through the through the Great Swamp is a popular way to experience this 7,000-acre National Wildlife Refuge. Much of it is unpaved but hard-packed and suitable for hybrid, gravel or wider road tires. Riders must be aware of road traffic and be prepared to share the road. Two loop rides – one 18 miles and the other 24 miles – begin near the Great Swamp National Refuge Headquarters. For a shorter, 14 to 16 mile ride that’s mostly flat, scenic and gives you the best “Great Swamp” atmosphere without getting into heavy traf fic, begin at the Chatham Municipal Building (54 Fairmount Avenue in Chatham) and head south along Southern Boulevard. Duke Farms, 1112 Dukes Parkway West, Hillsborough Compared with the Great Swamp roads, Duke Farms is calmer and easier. Twenty miles of onsite trails offer a mix of wide historic roads and natural trails, let you experience the property in your own way and with out the fear of vehicular traffic. The atmosphere feels more like a giant park than a typical bike trail. There are no cars on the interior roads, which makes it especially enjoy able for families, casual cyclists and anyone who wants a peaceful ride with mostly flat terrain and plenty of places to stop and explore. Loantaka Brook Reservation, 468 South Street, Morris Township Loantaka Brook Reservation offers about 10 miles of paved multi-use trails stretching through woods, meadows, streams and wetlands. There is no vehicular traffic, plenty of shade and smooth paths. The trail fol lows Loantaka Brook through a series of connected parklands, creating a secluded ride despite being surrounded by suburbs. To bike the paved trails, head to the South Street Lot (468 South Street, Morristown). Park ing is also available at the Kitchell Road Lot in the center of the park or the Loantaka Way Lot near the southern end. Frenchtown The D & R Canal Towpath provides a scenic, flat ride. You can start in Frenchtown and ride the 15 miles to Lambertville or turn around at one of the charming small towns along the way. The path is surfaced with compacted grit, providing a smooth enjoyable ride with spectacular views of the Delaware River and the canal. One of the best parts of starting in Frenchtown is that the main street is packed with cafés, restaurants, galleries and shops, making it easy to turn a ride into a half-day outing. Parking is available at the park and ride lot at Front & Bridge Streets near the Uhlerstown–Frenchtown Bridge. Sandy Hook Sandy Hook at the northern tip of the Jersey Shore is part of Gateway National Recreation Area, a 27,000-acre urban national park that encom passes beaches, wetlands, historic military sites and wildlife refuges. The rid ing experience offers views of the Atlantic Ocean on one side, Sandy Hook Bay on the other, and historic lighthouses, beaches and coastal wildlife all around. Most riders park near Sandy Hook Visitor Center and follow the paved path north through the park toward Sandy Hook Lighthouse and the northern tip of the peninsula for an out-and-back route.
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