Wishtree by Katherine Applegate

The easiest way to get me to pick up a book is to tell me it is about nature and animals. The school year is over, and I have more time to dedicate to reading, thinking, and recommending. My first out-of-school book was Wishtree by Katherine Applegate.

Wishtree is written from the point of view of a Red Oak named Red who is 216 rings old. Red is proud of its heritage. Proud to be a home to so many animals. Red has a friend, a crow named Bongo. The tree looks out at two homes. Two families. One new family. One girl who has a wish to find a friend. It's not so easy. Not everyone wants this new family in town. Red has been the wishtree in the neighborhood for many human generations. Throughout, Red remained quiet, but now. . . .

After finishing this book, my first thought was that this would be a great book for teachers to read to their classes at the beginning of the school year. Then, I thought kids shouldn't wait. Parents should read this book with their kids and they should talk about it, and in the fall the kids should read it to their teachers and they should all take action.

While I was writing this review, an article shared among my writing groups about discussing the need for books to have lessons for a child to absorb and learn from. This really got me thinking about what I was writing about this book. It was sounding like a lesson plan for teachers and parents. Yikes!

One of the main reasons I became a librarian was to make reading fun, not lesson-filled and curriculum based. In this past year as a school librarian, I enjoyed sharing small lessons, but mostly, they were lessons encouraging curiosity and imagination  I tried not to even talk about that unless it came up in conversation with the kids.

Wishtree is a book filled with lesson opportunities:
Caring for Nature
Caring for others (Empathy)
Strength in numbers
Tolerance
Kindness
Friendship
and religious freedom all come to mind.

The thing is that when we try to push our agenda and lessons on kids, I believe that they are more likely to push back and test out the opposite. We can also ruin a perfectly lovely story because it is no longer about the story, it's about the lesson.

I watched 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders play tag football all school year. On occasion, a disagreement that was leading toward a fight would break out. I had to step in. We talked and I allowed them to find resolution to the problem. They had the skills. I didn't have to teach them anything except at the moment calming down enough to begin thinking again. There were also times one of those same kids would get hurt during the game. The other kids stopped playing and wanted to take care of their friend. They know empathy. I believe they learned this through their life experiences more than through the lessons that have been imparted upon them ad nauseam. When they are hurt, they want to be cared for, they can turn that around and know that they need to also care for others.

What I guess I am trying to say is that books may have lessons. I think they help to make these emotions and feelings more concrete, but we don't always need to hit everyone over the head and make them list the lessons they are learning.

I loved the Wishtree. It is a beautifully written story. I wanted to sit under red at night and watch the animals who lived there. I trust that the lessons within the book will shine for kids. It will come out in small ways, like when they stop a game to help someone who is hurt, they see worms in a new light, they take a moment to hug a tree, or befriend a person who is not just like them.

Letting lessons and learning happen organically, is so much more fun for everyone. After reading the book, if a child talks about nature and wants to know more, then offer up the idea of starting a nature journal. If a child wants to understand about a different religion run to the library and get books on the topic and have conversations. Don't be afraid if you don't have all the answers. Use your lack of knowledge as an opportunity to learn something new together. Learning new things because you are interested will take you down rabbit holes, up into the trees, and across the universe while at the same time you will build positive relationships with children.

Birds, Birds, Birds, Nature, and Books

We have a robin's nest on our deck. It is such fun to sit and watch mom and dad feed the babies. And the babies. Wobbly little heads with huge open mouths. Can you see the little bit of fuzz on the babies head?

Robin Redbreast

 I always feel special when a bird decides to nest in my yard. I believe it is because I make it a safe and happy place to raise young. I enjoy watching the birds at the feeders and this spring, we have had many migrating visitors that I have never noticed before. The more I know about birds, the easier it is to spot new ones and begin to figure out what type of bird they are.

Available at Anderson Bookshop

A really cool book I just learned about is called, Look up! Bird Watching in Your Own Backyard by Annette LeBlanc Cate. In a mere 51 pages, she provides so much information on ways to bird watch and understand birds. She breaks things down by shape, color, habits, sound, and more. Most people don't get excited about robins as they are around quite a bit, but I love to watch them.  The way they cock their head before they peck in the grass bringing up food amazes me. Annette even wrote a little song about the robins. It reminds us, that there is more to bird watching than just seeing the bird and knowing what kind it is. You learn about their behaviors and lifestyles too. This is a great book to get you started bird watching and nature journaling.

Available at Anderson Bookshop

A new release this year is How the Finch Got His Colors by Annemarie Riley Guertin. The illustrations are by Helena Perez Garcia. So lovely and full of joy. This folktale is the story of how the animals got their colors. A long time ago they were all the colors of dirt, clay, and stone. You'll have to read this tale to find out what happens and where the beautiful colors come from especially for the Gouldian Finch.

Scarlet Tanager at Colored Sands Forest Preserve in Rockton, IL

Available at 57th Street Books

Follow the seasons and animals in the lovely book,  Drawn From Nature by Helen Ahpornsiri. Each page is filled with pressed flower illustrations. Details and interesting information on birds, mammals, plants, and insects abound. This is a book that you will want to look at over and over again.

The bunnies in my backyard

You can check these books out from your local public library or purchase them for your own collection. I have included links to two great independent bookstores. While it's easy to order online, the experience of time spent in independent bookstores and libraries, surrounds you in books, curiosity, and dreams.

Three Books for Graduates

If you know someone who is graduating, a great gift is always a special book.

Good Reads

I read this to the fifth graders at my school for their last story before they complete their elementary school journey and move up to middle school. They are excited and scared about the future.

Wherever You Go takes you on all kinds of roads filled with adventure and possibility. It is a lovely reminder that while things are coming to an end, there is always a new road to follow, a new adventure, and new possibilities, with the opportunity to always come home again. The illustrations are beautiful, soft, and exciting.

Beekle Graduation Cap

A young woman posted a picture of her graduation cap to show author, Dan Santat how much the story of Beekle meant to her. "She did the unimaginable." Those words are a reminder of accomplishment and of possibility. Once you do the unimaginable, you feel you can do it again and again.

The Adventures of Beekle  reminds us to strike out and not wait for life to happen to us. It also reminds us to use our imagination to guide us forward.

Good Reads

I have to admit that I have not yet read this book. I asked for a copy of my birthday which is coming soon. I am a big Carl Hiaasen fan and appreciate his humor, honesty, and willingness to go against the grain for the things he believes in and those things that he feels strongly against. The reviews are all over the place; from this speech should be given, to I hated this book. If they weren't that way, I would be concerned.

New Year or a New Moment: Move Your Story Forward

I keep thinking about all the posts on Facebook and other social media sites about ending this year and starting fresh with a new one. Many say they are ready for it to end because it was a terrible year generally noting the changes in our political climate. I think it is sad that we use the outside world and the rantings of a crazy person as our barometer of a good or bad year.

It may be helpful to think more about your personal year, the things that you had control over. Maybe you spent too much time caught up in the craziness and not enough on making the world a better place by you actions. Maybe you did wonderful acts of kindness and did make the world a better place for you and a few other people. Maybe you learned so much and are taking that forward into this new year.

I wonder why we feel that an arbitrary day (January 1) is the one to mark new beginnings? We have new beginnings every minute and opportunity at any moment to change direction and do things differently. We can begin the creation of new habits and new action right now.

Of right now.

I attended a Society of Children's Book Writer's and Illustrators (SCBWI) Conference in September in Wisconsin. I heard authors, illustrators, agents and editors speak and I took loads of notes. I made new friends and learned so much. I didn't wait for today, January 1 to begin to implement what I learned.

One of the pieces of advice that was given by several speakers was to always ask if what you have written is moving your story forward. That phrase, "Does it move your story forward?" has been haunting me a lot lately. Not just as I am writing or editing a story, but because I am working on moving my personal story forward.

For me 2017 was not a bad year. I learned so much, I have moved my story forward and am very excited to continue doing so in 2018. Not just today, but every day of the year. Each action we take is is a step in a direction. Little changes. Wonderful small changes add up to big new stories.

We never really get a fresh clean start. We will always have our past. The question is, how do we take that past and use it to move our stories forward?

Do we create drama for the sake of drama, or do we create peace for the sake of peace? What do we want out of this life? What will it take to get us there? What little actions create a scene that leads to turning to a new page? Life is a choose your own adventure, what direction do you want to take? When will you take charge of the adventure?

I am taking steps forward now, and


now



and Now!

Summer Snippets

June 21: Driving home, the sun has set, but the sky is filled with the oranges and yellows of the afterglow. The clouds contrast the warm colors with their deep purple of dusk. Farmland, barns and silos silhouette the night canvas. Fireflies blink on and off floating up and down sending out their mating lights.

Welcome summer in all your glory!

July 7: Two does and two fawns came into the yard last night. The fawns are still spotted. They pranced and danced, excited for their adventure. Two rabbits watched. The fireflies brought attention to the dwindling light as their little lights beckoned for a mate.

This morning, a turkey came to eat sunflower seeds. The red-winged black birds didn't want to share. Poor turkey was under attack. She flapped and jumped and ran away to escape those pesky birds.

July 8: Turkey flew up into the trees from the brush as the dogs caught her scent and began to search. Dogs everywhere. A turkey chick runs out squawking on the path before it disappears back into the brush. Dogs gathered. Everyone safe. Staying away from the field for a while.

July 15: Dragonfly Lays her eggs on the lake at Walcamp

July 19: Art from Nature

July 20: The scent of lavender transports me to Maui and France. Baking Blueberry Lavender Muffins and making herbal iced tea. (Sweet mint, lime basil, lavender, chamomile, and red clover).

July 21: Still Life in Green

 July 26: Little girl at camp doesn't join with any other kids. Doesn't engage with the counselors. She puts sand all over her body. She says it is so she can wash it off.

Alone.

She wanders into the water out to the shallow end rope. She continues to follow the rope to the side boundary until she is back at shore.

Alone, talking to herself.

My lifeguard tube can help me rescue a struggling swimmer, but has no power to help someone connect with people.

Worm and Butterfly: A Spring Forest Story

by Sarah Tobias

Worm was sound asleep deep in the soil when he was awakened by a poke.

“Who’s there?” he asked, but no one answered so he curled back up when . . .

Poke . . .

Poke.

“Hey!” he yelled in his tiny little voice. “Stop poking me, I’m trying to sleep though winter.

Worm moved a little deeper in the soil, curled up, and was almost asleep when . . .

POKE!

Worm couldn’t see a thing, but he had tiny bristles all along his body that worked almost as well as eyes so he began to investigate. He headed up and discovered that the thing that was poking him was long and slender, soft and fresh. Up, up, up he went, the soil and the slender thing getting cooler as he went until he bumped head first into a big clump of long slender things. He pushed and twisted his way around and out of the soil and onto it.

“Hmm,” he said out loud to no one, “The earth smells green.” And then, “What’s green?”

“It’s a color,” said a bee as it buzzed over the worm. Can’t you see that spring is here?”

“No, I can’t see, I don’t have eyes,” replied the worm.

“Oh, sorry,” the bee buzzed. “I didn’t know.”

“Would you be my eyes?” asked the worm.

“No time. The Queen does not like us dilly dallying around. Gotta go.” Off the bee buzzed, the vibration of the wings tickling every hair on worm’s body.

Worm was starting to get warm and feeling a bit dry, so he crawled under some leaves and started to eat.

Something landed on the leaf over his back.

“Ooh!” he quivered and wiggled out from under the leaf.

A butterfly flapped her wings and turned to look down at worm.

“So sorry. I didn’t see you there. I was too busy tasting the flowers.

“Flowers?” asked worm.

“Oh yes, they are quite beautiful and filled with a delicious juice. Look up. They are blue and green and pink and yellow and . . . Butterfly ran out of breath.

“I can’t see,” said worm.

“I didn’t realize.”

“Do you have time to tell me more?”

“I’d love to as long as you don’t mind if I drink along the way.”

“Not at all. I hope you don’t mind if I eat?”

Butterfly didn’t mind and she flew up to a bunch of flowers.

“This flower is blue and a little bit pink. You know when the sun shines and you feel kind of hot? Well, that’s yellow – bright yellow – squint your eyes yellow. Oops, sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you.”

“That’s OK, I know you didn’t mean anything mean, but I understand what you said, Hot means dry and I head for cover – so that’s yellow. But what ‘s blue?”

“Well, when a cloud floats in front of the sun, you can see the sky is a beautiful blue. It’s bright and cooling. Like a breeze.”

“Oh, I know blue – it’s when my bristles are tickled by the wind.”

“Yes, these flowers are the color of the breeze tickling your bristles.”

“Then what is pink?” worm asked.

“Pink is soft and gentle.”

“Like when I meander through the grass.”

“Sure,” replied butterfly, who wasn’t sure at all.

“Tell me more.”

“Well, there are a bunch of flowers and they droop like dresses hanging and dangling in the wind.”

“Like dresses?”

“I don’t know either,” said butterfly. “That’s just what came to me.

“Oh,” replied worm. Kind of like how I know green – I just know.”

“Yes!” exclaimed butterfly.

Butterfly was busily drinking nectar and worm got hot and bored. He wriggled down into the leaves and was thinking about going deeper into the soil when he bumped into a new plant.

“Hey,” he called. “What’s this? It feels different that the other flower you were talking about.”

Butterfly flew down into the tangle of plants.

“Pee eww! I don’t know, but it smells yucky.”

Just then a fly flew down. “I don’t think it smells so bad.” And the fly disappeared into the flower.

“Yum—mmmmmmmmmm hum—mmmmmm” went the fly and then there was no sound at all.

“The flower ate the fly!” cried worm. With courage he didn’t know he had, he wriggled over to the flower, lifted up on his back end and leaned into the flower.

“Fly, fly are you OK?”

“Grunt, hum-mm, buzz, what? Oh, sorry, I fell asleep. That’s tasty pollen and it’s nice and warm in here. I bet there’s more pollen in other flowers.” And off flew fly.

An army of ants marched up.

“Are they ready yet?” asked the head ant.

“Are what ready yet?” responded worm.

“The seeds. They make good eating.”

“Oh, I don’t know, fly just said the pollen tasted good.”

“Not ready then.” The ants marched off.

“Yummy!” came the distant sound of butterfly.

“What?” called worm. “What is it?”

“It’s shiny bright yellow.”

“Be careful – Hot! Hot! Hot!” exclaimed worm.

“It’s that kind of color, but not hot. It’s like butter, shiny and smooth, almost slippery.”

Before butterfly could taste more nectar, a big bumble bee buzzed in and bumped butterfly out of the way.

“Oh, look!” cried butterfly flitting over to a tall stand of lavender flowers. Out came her proboscis and she began to drink. “Hum-mmmm.”

“What is it asked worm?”

Iths pupple.” Mumbled butterfly not even stopping to roll up her tongue.

“Pupple?”

Butterfly stopped drinking for a moment. “Purple, light lovely purple. It’s the best! The tastiest color. So many flowers. I have to go worm. I’m really hungry.” Without another word, butterfly flew to the next flower and drank and drank and drank.

“Purple – tastiest color ever.” Worm thought for a moment and said to on one in particular, “Like the soil. Purple is the soil.” With that worm wiggled down into the cool dark earth and he ate and ate and ate.

April Photo/Poetry Challenge

Life is full of challenges. Why not take charge of your own?

Spring is here and I am ready to challenge myself to get out and take photographs everyday. I called it a photo challenge, but it is also National Poetry Month, so I will try to write a new haiku or other type of poem each day as well.

You are welcome to join me on this journey and spend time working on your creativity too. Feel free to share your images with me.

There are no special requirements. You can use a "fancy" camera or smart phone, you can edit or not. Post to a social media sight or just save them for yourself. It's your journey, make it what you want.