Retired teachers to explore ‘The Anxious Generation’ in Book Between Bites

On Thursday, May 15, retired Batavia teachers Kathy Hubbard and Linda Sullivan will close out Books Between Bites’ 36th season with a talk on the 2024 book, “The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness” by social psychologist Jonathan Haidt.

He explores the progression of declining mental health in youth in the era of smartphones, big technology and exposure to social media. Haidt cites examples of how “play-based childhood” has been replaced by “phone-based childhood” and how four simple rules can assist in controlling the epidemic of mental illness and “restore a more human childhood.”

The program will be noon to 1 p.m. in the large Founders Room on the main level of the Batavia Public Library, 10 S. Batavia Ave. (Route 31). These programs are free and open to the community. Reservations are not required. Books will be available for sale and signing. Parking is available in the lot just south and adjacent to the library.

BATV records these programs and the videos are posted on YouTube.

Bring your lunch to enjoy during the program and discussion. Lunch items, beverages and baked goods also may be purchased at Flyleaf Bakery Cafe, located just inside the library and next to the meeting room. To pre-order for pick-up just before the program, call (331) 302-3480.

For more on Books Between Bites, visit booksbetweenbites.com. Printed season schedules also are available at Batavia Public Library.