Beach Day & Book

When the day is done, a visit to the beach can lead to some fun reading. The key to motivating children to read is to "strike when the iron is hot." Probably whatever caught your child's eye during the day can be found in a book. Making this connection with children shows them books are not something in addition to what goes on throughout the day. The books are PART of a day.

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Miranda's Beach Day by Holly Keller is a 2009 picture book that shares the day of crabs and sandcastles along with a powerful, yet subtle, message about Nature.

Flowers, Children & Nature: A Natural Fit

Recently we took our 4-year-old granddaughter to your typical slide and swing park in New Jersey. It is always a delight to be with her. But her real joy (and, of course, ours) took place across the street at a garden displaying its June flowers. My granddaughter had visited before and proudly showed off the purples, pinks and blues. Gardening with one pot or a small garden connects children to nature. The plethora of books for children and gardening is also a bonus. From the 'how to' of planting seeds, caring for them, and enjoying the fruit or flower. Also, some garden books connect gardening to art and poetry.

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In The Garden With VanGogh Julie Merberg and Suzanne Bober ( 2002 Reed Businesses) will engage babies and pre-schoolers with vivid sunflowers and irises accompanied by short rhymes.

Walkingstick

What is more fun then a lively song to enjoy the best of nature.
If you have not seen a Walkingstick (a Northern Walkingstick in New England) you must read about them and hope you spot one while hiding on a branch. This website is a good place to start.

Do You Know?
A Walkingstick can regrow a leg but it will be shorter then his other ones. Look at the picture. Do you think this Walkingstick has a new leg?

If a Walkingstick loses an antennae, it grows a leg in its place.


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Hidden Walkingsticks by Meish Goldish (2008 Bearport Publishing)
Ages 4-10

A Robin's First Spring Nest

"Cheer up! Cheer up!" Finding a nest with baby robins is a great way to listen to the robin's call and 'cheer up.' These three robins are eagerly awaiting a tasty worm.


Do You Know? Robins build several nests throughout the season. For their first home they usually choose a securely nestled place in an evergreen tree.
Can you guess why they move to deciduous trees later in the summer?

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My Spring Robin
By Anne Rockwell, Harlow Rockwell, & Lizzy Rockwell. Age: preschool-K