Sturdy for Common Things

Glowing Books for the Black Light Booth

No, this post isn’t about a storytime rave. The black light booth I assembled a year ago has mainly been used for art projects and light play, but lately we’ve also been using it as an enchanting way to explore books. Children’s books with fluorescent colors and/or glow-in-the-dark features spring to life in the booth!

Using ultraviolet light is magical way to spark inquiry and sheds light on objects in an entirely different way. A flower or a butterfly deatail that might not have been noticed before is all of a sudden illuminated. What has been difficult is finding books with fluorescent tones– It’s not an easily searchable feature. So, I’ve but together a short list of books, both fluorescent and glow-in-the-dark books, we’ve been enjoying under black light starting with a picture book biography of the inventors of neon colors…

Fun, right? Below is a list of books we’ve been using in the black light booth in the order they were pictured. If you have suggestions of other tiles with either fluorescent or glow-in-the-dark features, please leave your suggestion in the comments below! Interested in making your own black light booth? Learn how to make one along with ultraviolet light and art investigation ideas here.

Fluorescent Books
The Day-Glo Brothers by Chris Barton, illustrated by Tony Persiani (public library | local bookstore)
Beautiful Birds by Jean Roussen & Emmanuelle Walker (public library | local bookstore)
The Wonder Garden: Wander through 5 habitats to discover 80 amazing animals by Jenny Broom, illustrated by Kristjana S. Williams (public library | local bookstore)

Glow-in-the-Dark Books
The Game in the Dark by Herve Tullet (public library | local bookstore)
Nocturne: Dream Recipes by Isol (public library | local bookstore)
Glow-in-the-Dark Constellations by C.E. Thompson (not pictured) (public library | local bookstore)

 

 

*Beautiful Birds was provided for review by the good people at Flying Eye Books

Nature Orbs

The days are getting colder and our time outside is less and less. Using items foraged from outside and from our home nature center, we’ve brought some of the outdoors inside to keep us inspired during the winter months. I stumbled upon this idea of making feather ornaments, and thought it would be great for exhibiting our outdoor findings in our home.  This activity is very easy to do and could also be a fun way to incorporate nature decorations into you Christmas tree if that’s a holiday your celebrate or could be fun to experiment with year-round, which is what we plan to do.

Materials:

• Clear ornaments which can be found in your local craft stores in either glass or plastic
• Found nature items from outdoor walks or adventures
• Yarn or string

How to Make Your Own Nature Orbs:

It’s really quite simple. Find natural artifacts from outside that are flexible and small enough to put inside an ornament ball, arrange them in the ornament, string the ornament up with yarn or string and that’s it! Easy peasy lemon squeezy. Hang in a spot to be observed and admired. We tried a to fit a couple leaves in one ornament, but they were too dry for this time of year and ended up breaking apart. It’s actually a great problem solving exercise because the kids brought home some sticks that were way to big and some seed pods that were also too big, but the feathers and grasses worked very well as did smaller seeds.

My favorite of the bunch is the milkweed. It reminds me of the 1940’s version of Fantasia’s “Waltz of the Flowers” that I used to love watching as a girl. The monarch butterfly was found dead in our yard back in September, but all other items were found over the past week on walks. Don’t they look magical? I’m looking forward to switching these Nature Orbs out throughout winter and into springtime. Moss, young leaves, small flowers.. The possibilities!

 

Favorite Children’s Books About Winter

Since this autumnal booklist for kids ended up being quite popular, I’ve assembled another seasonal list of favorite children’s books about wintertime just in time for the snowy, blowy winter season. You’ll find handfuls of lesser known titles, a splash of new books, as well as tried and true familiar stories that I hope you and yours enjoy as much as my own kids and I do. All books listed are intended for kids ages 3-10 & up, including a list of books for babies and toddlers (ages 0-2) at the bottom. Many of the books fit into multiple categories, but I did my very best to sort appropriately for those looking for specific storytime, lesson themes, or wintertime interests. What children’s book do you enjoy reading most at this time of the year?

 

ALL ABOUT THE WINTER SEASON
Books that include an introduction to the winter season and a variety of the season’s famous characteristics such as snow, animal hibernation, and winter activities.

Winter Is the Warmest Season by Lauren Stringer
When Winter Comes by Nancy Van Laan, illustrated by Susan Gaber
In the Snow by Huy Voun Lee
It’s Winter! by Linda Glasser, illustrated by Susan Swan
Grandmother Winter by Phyllis Root, illustrated by Beth Krommes
Winter Wonderland by Jill Esbaum
Snowy, Blowy Winter by Bob Raczka

 

WINTER SOLSTICE
Books about Winter Solstice, the official calendar start of the winter season, as well as stories with a Winter Solstice theme or setting. The Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year and lands on December 21st or 22nd of each year. 

The Shortest Day: Celebrating the Winter Solstice by Wendy Pfeffer, illustrated by Jesse Reisch
The First Day of Winter by Denise Fleming
Snow Party by Harriet Ziefert, illustrated by Mark Jones
The Longest Night by Marion Dane Bauer, illustrated by Ted Lewin
Dear Rebecca, Winter Is Here by Jean Craighead George, illustrated by Loretta Krupinski

 

NATURE IN WINTER
Stories and nonfiction books covering many elements of the season such as winter tree identification and the nature of animal life during the cold winter months. (Note that snow and snowflakes has it’s own separate category below!)

The Big Snow by Berta Hader and Elmer Hader
Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner, illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal
When It Starts to Snow by Phillis Gershator, illustrated by Martin Matjie
First Snow in the Woods: A Photographic Fantasy by Carl R. Sams and Jean Stoick
Winter Trees by Carole Gerber, illustrated by Leslie Evans
Owl Moon by Jane Yolen, illustrated by John Schoenherr
Red Fox Running by Eve Bunting, illustrated by Wendell Minor
In the Snow: Who’s Been Here? by Lindsay Barrett George
Night Tree by Eve Bunting, illustrated by Ted Rand Note: this title has a Christmas reference, but could be wonderful non-holiday winter tradition.
Now That Days Are Colder by Aileen Fisher
Animals in Winter by Henrietta Bancroft and Richard G. Van Gerlder, illustrated by Helen K. Davie
Winter Tree Birds by Lucy Ozone and John Hawkinson
Sizing Up Winter (Math in Nature) by Lizann Flatt, illustrated by Ashley Barron
Wild Horse Winter by Tetsuya Honda
Winter’s Coming: A Story of Seasonal Change by Jan Thornhill, illustrated by Josee Bisillon
A Kid’s Winter EcoJournal by Toni Albert, illustrated by Margaret Brandt

 

SNOW & SNOWFLAKES
Stories and nonfiction books all about snow and snowflakes.

Big Snow by Jonathan Bean
Snow by Cynthia Rylant
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Briggs Martin, illustrated by Mary Azarian
The Secret Life of a Snowflake by Kenneth Libbrecht Note: This is an adult book, but the images are appealing for all-ages.
The Story of Snow: The Science of Winter’s Wonder by Mark Cassino, illustrated by Nora Aoyagi
Snow on Snow on Snow by Cheryl Champan, paintings by Synthia Saint James
Snow by Uri Schlevitz
Toys Meet Snow by Emily Jenkins
White Snow, Bright Snow by Alvin Tresselt, illustrated by Roger Duvoisin 
Snow Is Falling (Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Science) by Franklyn M. Brandley, illustrated by Holly Keller
Tracks in the Snow by Wong Herbert Yee
Mama, Will it Snow Tonight? by Nancy Carlstrom, illustrated by Paul Tong
Waiting for Winter by Sebastian Meschenmoser
A Kitten Tale by Eric Rohmann
It’s Snowing! by Olivier Dunrea

 

SNOWMEN
Stories with snowmen as the center stage characters. 

All You Need for a Snowman by Ailce Schertle, illustrated by Barbara Lavallee
Snowballs by Lois Ehlert
The Biggest, Best Snowman by Margery Cuyler, illustrated by Will Hilenbrand
The Snowman by Raymond Briggs
Snowmen at Night by Caralyn Buehner, illustrated by Mark Buehner
Frosty the Snowman by Steve Nelson and Jack Rollins, illustrated by Richard Cowdrey
A Really Good Snowman by Janiel J. Mahoney
Stranger in the Woods: A Photographic Fantasy (Nature) by Carl R. Sams and Jean Stoick

 

WINTER SOUNDS
A few fun titles about the sounds of winter including one about a magical winter concert.

Snow Music by Lynne Rae Perkins
A Winter Concert by Yuko Takao  Note: Listen to a favorite piano song as you read this book.
The Winter Noisy Book by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Charles G. Shaw  Note: This book has a Christmas reference.
Snow Sounds: An Onomatopoeic Story by David A. Johnson

 

WINTER CLOTHING
When the cold weather rolls in the sweaters and mittens come out! These are a few favorite titles about winter weather clothing.

A Hat For Minerva Louise by Janet Morgan Stoeke
The Missing Mitten Mystery by Steven Kellogg
The Jacket I Wear in the Snow by Shirley Neitzel, illustrated by Nancy Windslow Parker
Under My Hood I Have a Hat by Karla Kuskin 
Clementine’s Winter Wardrobe by Kate Spohn
Froggy Gets Dressed by Johnathan London, illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz
Lucille’s Snowsuit by Kathryn Lasky, illustrated by Marylin Hafner
The Mitten Tree by Candace Christiansen, illustrated by Elaine Greenstein
One Mitten by Kristine O’Connell George, illustrated by Maggie Smith

 

WINTERTIME STORIES
Whimsical and fun stories that take place during the snowy, cold winter months.

The Tea Party in the Woods by Akiko Miyakoshi
Round Robin by Jack Kent
Cold Snap by Eileen Spinelli, illustrated by Marjorie Priceman
Katy and the Big Snow by Virgina Lee Burton
Singing Away the Dark by Caroline Woodward
Here Comes Jack Frost by Kazuno Kohara 
Red Sled by Lita Judge 
Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Jon Klassen 
Flannel Kissesby Mari Takabayashi 
Thanks to the Animals by Allen Sockabasin, illustrated by Rebekah Raye
Fox’s Garden by Camille Garoche aka Princesse Camcam
The Snow Rabbit by Camillle Garoche
The Only Child by Guojing
The Tomten by Astrid Lindgren, Viktor Rydberg, illustrated by Harald Wiberg 
The Story of the Snow Children by Sibylle Von Olfers
A Perfect Day by Carin Berger
Blizzard by John Rocco
Brave Irene by William Steig 
Angelina Ice Skates by Katharine Holabird, illustrated by Helen Craig
Last Leaf First Snowflake to Fall by Leo Yerxa
Pip & Squeak by Ian Schoenherr 

 

WINTER FOLK TALES & FAIRY TALES
Folk tales, fairy tales, and myths about the winter season or take place during winter.

Rabbit’s Snow Dance as told by James & Joseph Bruchac
The Star Child by The Brothers Grimm, illustrated by Bernadette Watts
The Mitten by Alvin Tresselt, illustrated by Rachev E. Yaroslava  Note: We also love the Jan Brett version!
Pine and the Winter Sparrow by Alexis York Lumbard, illustrated by Beatriz Vidal
The Snow Child by Freya Littledale and Barbara Lavallee
Shingebiss: An Ojibwe Legend by Nancy Van Lann, illustrated by Betsy Bowen
Fireside Stories: Tales for a Winter’s Eve by Caitlin Matthews
The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen, illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline

 

WINTER POETRY
Winter in the inspiration behind so many beautiful and thought provoking wordplay for young minds to enjoy.

Winter Bees & Other Poems of the Cold  by Joyce Sidman, illustrated by Rick Allen
Winter Eyes by Douglas Florian
It’s Snowing! It’s Snowing!: Winter Poems by Jack Prelutsky, illustrated by Yossi Abolafia
Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost, illustrated by Susan Jeffers
Winter Poems selected by Barbara Rogasky, illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman
Flower Fairies of the Winter by Cicely Mary Barker

 

WINTER STORIES FOR BABIES & TODDLERS
Stories about the winter season for the littlest readers ages 0-2 (& up!). 

In the Snow by Sharon Phillips Denslow, illustrated by Nancy Tafuri
Bright Baby Touch and Feel Winter by Roger Priddy
Bunny’s First Snowflake by Monica Wellington
Snow by Manya Stoji
No Two Alike by Keith Baker
Oh! By Kevin Henkes, illustrated by Laura Dronzek
How to Build a Snowman by Jill Ackerman, illustrated by Jo Moon
Winter Friends by Carl R. Sams and Jean Stoick
Winter Garden by Ruth Brown
Ready for Winter by Marthe Jocelyn

 

 

Wild Things in November

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This November started out with warmth and sunshine and is ending with a frosty bite. I used to be sorrowful when fall’s colors faded, but I have a new fondness for this month– The way the blazing light illuminates the hills of naked trees at sunset and the soft golden and earthy pallor of the prairies and farmland. The squirrels and snails had a fine feast of October pumpkins that now lay sunken in the yard. Like the squirrels and snails, we have retreated into our wintertime routines. Extra blankets have been thrown on the beds, sweaters have been pulled out of storage, and the kids are dreaming of snow.
1. November abscission
2. woods walking
3. feather painting
4. Golden Gingko Eve
5. …And they all fall down.
6. snail feast
7. harvest sunset
8. This month’s nature discovery bottle collections
9. Mushroom foraging + identification
10. November’s reflections
11. Deer and coyote tracks
12. Full Frost Moon
13. End of Season Gathering
14. Quiet morning walk
15. Crinch crinkle crinch crunch crinch crinkle chrinch crunch (footsteps on icy leaves)

Sonya’s Chickens + Chicken Coop Pretend Play

Learning through story is a powerful way to engage kids, especially when it comes to learning about the interconnectedness of the natural world in which we live. Life and death and are not easy topics to communicate, but Phoebe Wahl’s picture book, Sonya’s Chickens (Public Library | Local Bookstore) does a masterful job using storytelling to share with young readers the pleasure of  responsibility, joy in watching them thrive, and at times the heartbreak of raising animals.

Sonya’s father returns home one day surprising her with three little chicks.  “I’ll be your mama,” she tells them as she springs into taking ernest responsibility and pride of caring for her chicks day in and day out as they grew into adult chickens. But one cold night, Sonya is awoken to squawking and noises from outside and runs out to the coop only to find a whirl of feathers and only two hens where once there were three. After carrying the upset and heartbroken Sonya inside, Sonya’s father sits her on his lap and tells her the likely backstory behind why a predator, most likely a fox, took her dear chicken away. Shining an entirely different light on the account, her father’s story shares how we’re all doing our best to keep the children or animals in our charge safe. Just as in the the story of the natural rhythm of life, Sonya’s Chickens ends with a new beginning.

As a long time admirer of Phoebe Wahl’s illustrations,  Wahl’s delicate storytelling is equally as charming as her famous cozy and bright illustrations. An important story of the natural ebbs and flows of life, Sonya’s Chickens is a story of love and responsibility and reminds readers of the important role we all play in the world we share.

 

CHICKEN COOP PRETEND PLAY

My girls love chickens and ducks. They love to read stories about them, we visit the Tractor Supply when the little chickies and ducklings arrive in the spring,  they thumb through hatchery catalogs, and every day on our walk to school, we say hello to our neighbor’s chickens. Until that day comes when we are able to have chickens of our very own, I’ve set up a pretend play chicken coop in our home inspired by this idea from Storytiming.

I cleared a couple of bookshelves in our living room for the coop. My 5yo had this snuggly white hen for awhile and I recently found the brown hen for $5 at the Antique Mall, which was my 2yo’s birthday present along with a set of wooden eggs. Using egg cartons I had saved for future crafts, as well as a couple paper bags that I scrunched into nests, and a basket, in just a few minutes the kids had their very own pretend play chicken coop.

Since I’ve been reading Sonya’s Chickens frequently with my oldest, it’s reawakened her daydreams of having her own chickens. Hopefully, our pretend coop will keep her interest alive until the time comes for her to mother her own chicks just like Sonya.

FURTHER READING RECOMMENDATIONS

If you enjoyed reading Sonya’s Chickens, be sure to check out:

A Chicken Followed Me Home!: Questions and Answers about a Familiar Fowl by Robin Page – A great introduction to chickens from their life cycle to how to care for them

Farm Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of Country Life by Julia Rothman -This book includes a section devoted to common breeds, coop styles, and anatomy of a chicken. It’s also a fun read to explore the in’s and out’s of farm life.

 

*Review copy of this book was provided by Tundra Books