“My advice to the person suffering from lack of time and from apathy is this: Seek out each day as many as possible of the small joys.” Hermann Hesse The little joys … they are so inconspicuous and scattered so liberally throughout our daily lives that many times, we hardly notice… Read More
They’re slithery and scaly, and they have icky, flicking tongues and creepy, unblinking eyes. What’s to like about a snake? You’d be surprised! ********************** Author – Nicola Davies Illustrator – Luciano Lozano This little girl has a problem. Her family doesn’t have dogs, or cats, or birds—they have snakes! And she really, really, really really doesn’t… Read More
Colorful and easy to use, Lego bricks have withstood the test of time because of their unlimited open-ended possibilities. Legos provide experiences for children to think in three dimensions, strengthen problem solving and support creativity no matter their age. The value of open-ended play offered by these humble bricks is not simply an enjoyable experience, engaging… Read More
Green lacewings are often an under-appreciated group of beneficial insects, and they are so valuable for pest management. Their contribution to insect control quite is immense! As soon as the green lacewing’s eggs hatch, the hungry larvae will eat aphids, mealybugs, scale, spider mites, thrips, whiteflies and other slow moving insects. So, I decided that our… Read More
SUZANNE SIEGEL and THE ART OF COLLAGE I am very pleased to introduce you to Suzanne Siegel. I love Suzanne’s work, and when I saw her “Nest in Place IV”, I wanted to get to know her better. So, I wrote to her, and she graciously agreed to both share her work with us and the… Read More
A mix of sun and shade in woodland areas helps support plants that provide food for animals like bears, deer, rodents, squirrels and many types of birds. The woodlands also provide enough shade and tree protection to house nocturnal animals like owls and raccoons. I enjoy living adjacent to an oak woodland, and many of the… Read More
Take advantage of the magic of nature—in your own backyard or on a walk. THE HIKE Written and illustrated by Allison Farrell “Utterly satisfying” Kirkus Three friends take a hike. Wren brings a sketchbook and a flag, El brings a poetry notebook, and Hattie brings feathers and holds Bean, the dog’s, leash. Hiking is their “favorite… Read More
Hummingbirds are the tiniest of birds with super powers – flying backwards, upside-down and floating in mid-air Hummingbirds have a long history of folklore and symbolism in native cultures. … In Native American culture, hummingbirds are seen as healers and bringers of love, good luck and joy. They are a joy to behold. ****************** And now,… Read More
“When the owl sings, the night is silent. “― Charles de Leusse The owl’s haunting calls echoing through the dark can give us chills. Owls are also symbols of wisdom, making them popular characters in ancient myths and modern stories. ***************** A wonderful nonfiction book about Great Horned Owls WHOO- KU HAIKU: A GREAT HORNED OWL STORY … Read More
Eye on the Sky, Feet on the Ground Light and shadow play is an amazing way for children to explore the world around them, and it can easily be accomplished at home. See what happens on the next sunny day when your child plays by the window or steps outside on the sidewalk. A FAMILY SHADOW… Read More
