Submitted by Ms. Tess!
As a person who has often seen a woodland creature, and wanted to take it home, I could totally related to Melvin and the Boy by Lauren Castillo. This story is told in first person, from the perspective of a little boy who really wants to have a pet. His parents disapprove of animals that are too large, “too much work,” or too noisy. When the boy connects with a particular turtle at the park, he decides to name him Melvin (because Melvin is a good name for a turtle) and take him home. But he quickly learns that Melvin is perhaps not meant to be a pet. Melvin stays in his shell most of the time, and generally doesn’t seem happy. The boy makes the tough choice to return Melvin to the park, and realizes that this is where turtles truly belong: in the wild, with their own kind. Although the boy is disappointed, he knows he’s done the right thing, and will return to visit Melvin in the park whenever he comes. Reading this book is a wonderful way to introduce the idea that not all animals are meant to be pets, especially to a child who may be really wanting to keep the latest creature they’ve found in their backyard. See this book listed in our catalog
Go Green
In the Meadow
Submitted by Ms. Melissa!
Some books send us back to a time and place once forgotten. Often such stories remind us how beautiful the world is around us and how it is to feel alone – and then have someone find you. As adults we forget the joys such simplicity gives us. In the Meadow by Yukiko Kato, pictures by Komako Sakai, is a book that explores this simple, natural world; a book that will encourage adults who read it with their child to pause, stop the clock, and put down their modern devices. The images and words will take you back to the time of running through meadows, chasing butterflies, finding crickets, and hearing the rush of a river in the distance, or the song of a bird. You’ll remember the feel of grass touching your skin as if you were standing all alone, in a sea of green, green grass. Check it out, give it a try, then go explore a meadow with your child and see what you can find. See this book listed in our catalog
Follow Me
Submitted by Ms. Melissa!
Follow Me by Tricia Tusa begins with a girl on a swing, embracing the colors of the sky and earth as she swings back and forth with the breeze, getting lost in her imagination. She tumbles with the leaves, and flies with the birds. She twirls, hums, and drifts down, until she finds her way back home. Colorful water color illustrations reflect the message of the words, which flow beautifully. A perfect naptime story sure to incite many whimsical daydreams! See this book listed in our catalog
My Friends the Flowers
Submitted by Ms. Tammy!
My Friends the Flowers by William Lach. Follow along as a friend of the flowers introduces you to each of his unique flower friends. Some of his friends live in the country fields, suburban streets, or city towers. Each page displays one on his flower friends describing their characteristics or temperament. He visits with Marigold, who scares all the bugs, Sunflower, who is basking in the sun while an ant lays on his leaf sipping tea, and Snapdragon, who is spicy-sweet and eager to attack. As you meet each flower you’ll enjoy the bright colors and expressions shared by them and their bug friends. You may be surprised to learn the story is being told by a bumble bee! The glossary is organized in the order that the flowers appeared in the story. Each flower has a color photo along with the scientific name and formal name in parentheses. There are instructions for growing 3 different flower gardens: a Bug-Scaring garden, a Sun-Loving garden, or a Fast-Growing garden. See this book listed in our catalog
Pond Walk
Submitted by Ms. Janis!
Pond Walk by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace. Buddy Bear and his mother spend a summer day at Pete’s Pond. Buddy hopes to spot a turtle. He draws many of the plants, bugs, and animals he sees at the pond. His mom takes a field guide book, and reads information about what they see at the pond. They see ducks and geese, a beetle, a frog, cattails, duckweed, water lilies, dragonflies, a salamander, and a pond skater. Buddy does see a turtle briefly, and also sees a cloud shaped like a turtle. The author/illustrator uses mixed-media collage illustrations (cut paper, photographs, and colored pencil) to make this book visually appealing. She even includes instructions to make a turtle out of a rock! See this book listed in our catalog
Mardy Murie Did!
Submitted by Ms. Sue!
Mardy Murie Did: Grandmother of Conservation by Jequita Potts McDaniel, illustrated by John Van Zyle. The questions asked in poetic form in this story lead children to look for and see the beauty of the land and animals found in the wilderness of Alaska, Wyoming, and other regions. Did you ever see a thousand caribou, a wolf wild and free that howls to her family? Have you ever rode in a sleigh bundled in furs from head to toe, pulled by dogs fast or slow? Have you ever seen the Aurora in the sky waving soft colors of green and pink and purple and white? Mardy Murie did! Mardy Murie was a conservationist of wildlife and animals in Alaska, and the wilderness in Grand Teton National Park. She became active in the Wilderness Act of 1964, and the creation of the Arctic National Refuge. Mardy Murie spent her life taking special care of the land, the trees, the air, and preserving wildlife. She was recognized with many awards and medals. This biography about the grandmother of conservation is beautifully illustrated in full color pages that will inspire young readers to see the beauty of the wild and the free. See this book listed in our catalog