Picture book, 40 pages. Published by Neal Porter Books in 2023.
Dancing Mushrooms?
I thought we would close this month's theme, Mother Earth, with a lovely bedtime picture book about the mysterious wonders of blinking fireflies (or are they stars?), whimsically dancing mushrooms and the unusual sounds of smaller night creatures. Reminiscent of the repeating refrain in Goodnight Moon, in the night garden will lull little ones to sleep with peaceful images of the night outside their windows.
Ideas for Making it Real
Sleep outside! If you are able to camp, even in your backyard, do it often. Children love the sense of doing something quite unusual, but will also learn to listen quietly as nature travels through the night. And read In the Night Garden with your camping lantern turn down low....
Science picture book, 48 pages. Published by Candlewick Press in 2020.
What is a Group of Owls Called?
Animal Gallery is a best-of collection of Wildsmith's images from three of his earlier titles: Wild Animals, Birds & Fishes. His illustrations are exuberant, inspiring introductions to many of the collective nouns used in the animal kingdom: a leap of leopards, a parade of elephants and a prickle of hedgehogs!
Ideas for Making it Real
It's time to make some art! Many of the great children's book illustrators started by drawing the things in their backyard - Beatrix Potter is an excellent example of how her love of drawing animals influenced her life-long love of nature. Art is a lovely way for children to begin to understand the complexities and beauty of Mother Earth.
And what child doesn't love to draw and paint and to glue paper they've just cut? Check out Brian Wildsmith's BIRDS Art Lesson from The Crafty Crow. If Wildsmith's pictures remind you of another children's illustrator, you are on the right track - Eric Carle! Wildsmith and Carle were contemporaries, but it doesn't appear that they ever crossed paths. Both artists' children's books are rich in color and detail, but Wildsmith painted each illustration while Carle used painted papers to create collages for each illustration. Visit the Eric Carle Museum website, particularly the Making Art Together portal - there are pages and pages of ideas on creating art with your child 
Information book, 208 pages. Published by Quadrille Publishing in 2003.
Already On My Bookshelf!
Although it is not a children's book, The Wild Bee Handbook is the perfect handbook to use with kiddos when learning about bees. Many handbooks designed to identify insects are difficult for smaller hands to hold - this one is just right to carry along on a hike when you want to name the wild bees you see along the way. It's also a perfect handbook for learning strategies to support your local pollinators!
Ideas for Making it Real
The Resources chapter is superb for planning ways to make it real for your child. There's a section for ongoing bee research, as well as one identifying ways to participate in Citizen Science Projects. Finally, there are resources for developing a bee garden or wild habitat creation.
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