Entertainment
How Great Is This Children’s Book About Feelings?
When I received a copy of the children’s book, Mixed Feelings, by New Yorker cartoonist Liana Finck, I couldn’t wait to dig in. It opens with the question “How do I feel?” and then depicts emotions that can be hard for kids to name, like the specific boredom that arises when “there are so many things to do, but none of them is what I want to do.”
When we read the book together, my six-year-old asked, “Why does the kid shout NOT TIRED! but then falls right to sleep?!” To which, I replied, with only a bit of side-eye, “Hmm. Why do you think?”
I’m excited to share a few pages from the book, plus a Q&A with Liana…
*****
Kaitlyn: How did you choose the title, Mixed Feelings?
Liana: I remember having really strong feelings as a kid and not even fathoming that there could be a way to describe them. Many were actually mixtures of feelings, like shyness, plus confusion about feeling shy. Some of the feelings in the book were inspired by my three-year-old, but anything about shyness was inspired by my own childhood.
Are any other characters based on your childhood?
The kid who pretends to be a horse. I got expelled from nursery school for pretending to be a dog — and I was a very nice dog, not rowdy or barking or biting or anything! But the teachers did not like it. What was so mortifying, at the time, is that I couldn’t explain why I did what I did. Looking back, I’m sure that it came from being shy and trying to connect with the other kids in this funny way.
I read that you identify as neurodivergent. How has that shaped your relationship to your feelings?
Yes, I have very strong senses and am often overwhelmed by noises, and that can make me act weird. With neurodivergence, there are years where it becomes the biggest thing for me. It’s like I have this drawer — it’s always there, but sometimes I’ll take a year to just examine everything in it. I’m just coming out of one of those years.
What’s something you want kids to take from the book?
I hope kids learn not to judge their feelings by people’s reactions to them. Kids can feel so much shame, especially when other people don’t understand them. I know I did, and I think my son does, too. I wish I’d learned sooner how to honor my feelings.
Me, too! As a parent, I also felt seen in the book’s portrayals of caregiving.
There’s a page where a little girl is pointing out a bird but can’t get her mom’s attention. I hope adult readers see that the mom is also taking care of an infant and a dog, and it’s raining, and she’s gotten everyone into their rain gear and out the door. She looks like she’s barely holding it together. I’ve been that little girl, and I’ve been that mom.
Do you enjoy doing book events for kids?
Yes, I love to ask kids questions — it’s so much fun to hear what they have to say. Kids are so much more different from each other than adults are from each other. Plus, there’s always one kid who is a talker and another who’s shy but really wants to say something.
Your parenting comics are popular on Instagram. Is there a reader favorite?
My New Yorker-style cartoons take the form of a one-two punch, like a stand-up joke, but my Instagram cartoons are just a single punch. People liked the one with a mother and baby both thinking the same thought bubble, which says, ‘Mine.’ They belong to each other.
What are a few of your favorite children’s books?
I grew up reading Tell Me a Mitzi. Plus, Arnold Lobel’s Mr. Owl at Home, which is just as wonderful but not as well known as the Frog and Toad series, and George and Martha, because their friendship is so warm and comfortable.
Huge congratulations, Liana, on your beautiful book!
P.S. Hot dads in children’s books, and chic moms in children’s books.
(Photo of Liana Finck by Annette Hornischer.)
Entertainment
Best Mothers Day gifts: Show mom some love
Mother figures are the backbone of the world. Yours may be your biological mother, or maybe she’s your mother-in-law, your best friend’s mom, or simply someone whose motherly instinct has helped you through hard times.
Moms teach you the adulting necessities, give advice even if the problem is your fault, and above all, they put up with your shit and (almost) never complain.
The game plan here isn’t just to snag the last bouquet at CVS just so you’re not the kid who forgot Mother’s Day (but definitely also get flowers). And you don’t even need to spend a lot of money. (Peep our list of Mother’s Day gifts that cost less than $50. Want even more cheap gift ideas?
Skip the generic mugs and show your appreciation with a gift picked just for her: Whether it’s something to make a part of her life easier, something she’s mentioned wanting in passing, or simply something to make her feel like a damn queen, you can’t put a price on everything she’s done for you, but heartfelt gifts certainly help.
After all, they say “No matter how hard you try, you always end up like your mother.” But is that even a bad thing?
Entertainment
Ban subscriptions and get Microsoft Office 2024 for life for just £121
TL;DR: Grab Microsoft Office 2024 Home and Business for PC or Mac for just £120.54 through June 1.
You wouldn’t keep paying for Netflix if you could own your favorite shows, right? So why are you still subscribing to Office apps you use every day? Microsoft 365’s price keeps going up, but there’s finally a way to break free — and it’ll cost you way less in the long run.
Microsoft Office 2024 is the answer you’ve been looking for. Instead of monthly payments, simply pay £120.54 once and be set for life (reg. £188.37). It’s that simple. And, yes, this lifetime download works for PC or Mac.
What’s included?
This license comes with:
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Word
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Excel
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PowerPoint
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Outlook
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OneNote
The newest version of Microsoft Office is a little different from Microsoft 365. But just because you’re switching to a lifetime license doesn’t mean you’ll miss out on some of the most recent updates. Word and Excel both still have AI integrations for text suggestions and smart data analysis, and PowerPoint still has improved tools for recorded presentations.
Once you’ve redeemed your purchase, you can install your apps on one computer. After that, they’re yours to use however you want. No more subscription fees or sudden price hikes to worry about.
Why rent when you can own?
Mashable Deals
Get a Microsoft Office lifetime license on sale for £120.54 with no coupon needed.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Entertainment
Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 9, 2025
Oh hey there! If you’re here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we’re serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today’s answer.
If you just want to be told today’s word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today’s Wordle solution revealed. But if you’d rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
Where did Wordle come from?
Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once.
Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.
What’s the best Wordle starting word?
The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.
What happened to the Wordle archive?
The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website’s creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.
Is Wordle getting harder?
It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn’t any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle‘s Hard Mode if you’re after more of a challenge, though.
Here’s a subtle hint for today’s Wordle answer:
Gibberish.
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Does today’s Wordle answer have a double letter?
There are no recurring letters.
Today’s Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with…
Today’s Wordle starts with the letter T.
The Wordle answer today is…
Get your last guesses in now, because it’s your final chance to solve today’s Wordle before we reveal the solution.
Drumroll please!
The solution to today’s Wordle is…
TRIPE.
Don’t feel down if you didn’t manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we’ll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today’s Strands.
Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.
If you’re looking for more puzzles, Mashable’s got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you’re after? Here’s the solution to yesterday’s Wordle.
A'ja Wilson has no shortage of motivation after Aces' early exit in '24
Best Mothers Day gifts: Show mom some love
