A Nature-Time-Of Year... in Picture Books!

Despite the current weather-disaster-struggles in many places across our continent, early September is typically an ideal time to celebrate the wonders of nature. When you combine the glories of harvest time, fall foliage, mild temperatures, and migrating birds, nature's abundance deserves our attention and rewards us generously for our effort.

Greystone Kids, 2021

I HEAR YOU, FOREST, written by Kallie George and illustrated by Carmen Moe, is a lovely new picture book reminding readers that any sojourn into nature is enriching, but will be much more so when we activate all of our senses and awareness. The opening premise is that "the forest" is speaking, if only we will listen. Each example begins with delightful repeated onomatopoetic phrases: 

"Creak, creak.

Rustle, rustle.

Croak, croak.

Trickle, trickle.

Nibble, nibble.

Drip, drip."

These and more opening lines are followed by brief text that resembles a call and response pattern, in which the narrator character speaks to dewdrops, birds, squirrels, etc. followed by a line with a question or other engagement. From trees to robin eggs in a nest, to snacking squirrels, and beyond, the narrator and featured residents are joined in illustrations by others, all drawn in color tones that suit summer or fall, with a style that is kid-friendly and expressive. The gentle text pattern and illustrations are inviting while building a scaffold of affection for the forest and its residents. They, too, project a sense of invitation to return, to the character and the reader. I've been referring to the narrator as "the character" because they are specifically drawn to be slightly universal- with medium-length dark hard, medium skin tone, and a look that might allow connection across ages, genders, and ethnicities.

Blue Dot Books, 2021

For an entirely different look at nature in an entirely different habitat, check out LITTLE BIRD'S DAY, written by Sally Morgan and illustrated by Johnny Warrkatja Malibirr. Both are indigenous creators. You will find, I believe, an entirely similar book in its capacity to invite, entice, and enchant with very few words (exactly the right ones) placed on exactly the right illustration spreads. 

In this instance, the span of little bird's day is revealed through a call (in italicized text) to experience the various elements of a day of life in an Australian habitat. From sunrise, when Little Bird's first person voice self-reports how they sing the world to life, their day unfolds to soar with the wind, play and twirl in the clouds, to flutter, glide, and otherwise carry the reader on their wings across earth-toned spreads inhabited by authentically stylized  animals, plants, and settings of Australia. 

On every page I found myself caring more and more about Little Bird and the lives revealed. Throughout the span of a day, there is a rising energy and adventurous spirit, which gradually resolve as the sun crosses the span of sky and heads toward setting. These pages quietly and artfully become a bedtime book, moving from a calming crescendo to a natural ebb that children will love. 

This is far from the first post on which I've featured picture books celebrating nature in various ways. For example, HERE, and HERE, and HERE, among others. You could find a long list of recommended tiles by using the search box (in the vertical menu, over there >>>>) to type in nature.  I hope you will make it a point to get a close look at these two books, first, and request your librarians (school or public) to add them to their circulation stock. Both deserve our/your attention. I hope, once you see these for yourself, you'll want to recommend them, too.