Sturdy for Common Things

Favorite Children’s Books About Fall

Autumn in our home is grabbing a quilt, a cup of warm apple cider, and stack of books to read on the porch during a crisp autumn morning. Inspired by the season, below is a list of favorite children’s books about fall to share with you and yours throughout this festive time of year. There are a handful of lesser known titles on this list as well as some tried and true, familiar, fall-time stories you and yours will want to read again and again and again. At the bottom of the list are books especially fun for babies and toddlers to read (although big kids will enjoy them too!). If you have a favorite title that isn’t on this list, please share in the comments below!

 

ALL ABOUT THE AUTUMN SEASON
Books that include a variety of the season’s famous characteristics from leaves falling, to harvest season, to animals preparing for winter.

A is for Autumn by Robert Maass
Awesome Autumn by Bruce Goldstone
Autumnblings by Douglas Florian
Count Down to Fall by Fran Hawk
Fall Leaves by Loretta Holland, illustrated by Elly MacKay
Fall Mixed Up by Bob Raczka, illustrated by Chad Cameron
Four Friends in Autumn by Tomie dePaola
How Do You Know It’s Fall? by Lisa M. Herrington
It’s Fall! by Linda Glasser, illustrated by Susan Swan
Leaves by David Ezra Stein
My Autumn Book by Wong Herbert Yee
Sneeze, Big Bear Sneeze! By Maureen Write, illustrated by Will Hillenbrand
Snowsong Whistling by Karen Elisa Lotz (Public Library/Local Bookstore/Amazon)
Winter is Coming by Tony Johnston, illustrated by Jim LaMarche
Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn by Kenard Pak
Hocus Pocus, It’s Fall! by Anne Sibley O’Brien, illustrated by Susan Gal
Wonderfall by Michael Hall
Bella’s Fall Coat by Lynn Plourde, illustrated by Susan Gal

 

AUTUMN EQUINOX & THE HARVEST MOON
Books about the autumn equinox (the official calendar start of the autumn season), the history of harvest celebrations, and stories inspired by the full moon in September and October known as “The Harvest Moon”.

The Autumn Equinox by Ellen Jackson
We Gather Together: Celebrating the Harvest Season by Wendy Pfeffer, illustrated by Linda Bleck
By The Light of the Harvest Moon by Harriet Ziefert, illustrated by Mark Jones
Hello, Harvest Moon by Ralph J. Fletcher
Possum’s Harvest Moon by Anne Hunter

 

HARVEST
Books all about harvesting the seasons’ bounty before the cold winter months.

Pick a Circle, Gather Squares: A Fall Harvest of Shapes by Felicia Sanzari Chernesky, illustrated by Susan Swan
Fall Harvests: Bringing in Food by Martha E. H Rustad, illustrated by Amanda Enright
Strega Nona’s Harvest by Tomie dePaola
Picking Apples and Pumpkins by Amy Hutchings, photographs by Richard Hutchings
Tractor Mac Harvest Time by Billy Steers
Autumn Harvest by Alvin Tresselt, illustrated by Roger Duvoisin
Red Are the Apples by Marc Harshman, Cheryl Ryan, illustrated by Wade Zahares
Christopher’s Harvest Time by Elsa Maartman Beskow

 

AUTUMN LEAVES
Watch them turn, watch them fall! The changing of the leaves is an opportunity for play, art, inquiry, and fun.

Ska-tat! by Kimberley Knutson
Fall Is Not Easy by Marty Kelley
Fall Walk by Virginia Brimhall Snow
Leaf Jumpers by Carole Gerber, illustrated by Leslie Evans
Johnny Maple-Leaf by Alvin Tresselt, illustrated b Roger Duvoisin
Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert
In the Leaves by Huy Voun Lee
Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf by Lois Ehlert
My Leaf Book by Monica Wellington
Why Do Leaves Change Colors? by Betsy Maestro, illustrated by Loretta Krupinski
Fall Leaves Fall! by Zoe Hall, illustrated by Shari Halpern
Autumn Leaves by Ken Robbins
The Little Yellow Leaf by Carin Berger
Yellow Time by Lauren Stringer

 

SCARECROWS
Scarerows used to… well… scare me. But I’ve become fond of them as an adult. These picture books are a lot of the reason why I now enjoy them.

Scarecrow’s Hat by Ken Brown
The Lonely Scarecrow by Tim Preston, illustrated by Maggie Kneen
Scarecrow by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Lauren Stringer
Otis and the Scarecrow by Loren Long
The Scarecrow’s Dance by Jane Yolen

 

APPLES
Apple picking, apple cider, apple pie… Mmmm. Books all about this favorite fall-time fruit.

The Apple Pie Tree by Zoe Hall, illustrated by Shari Halpern
Apple Farmer Annie by Monica Wellington
The Apple Pie that Papa Baked by Lauren Thompson, illustrated by Jonathan Bean
Applesauce Season by Eden Ross Lipson
Big Red Apple by Tony Johston, illustrated by Judith Corwin
How Do Apples Grow? by Betsy Maestro, illustrated by Giulio Maestro
The Apple Orchard Riddle by Margaret McNamara, illustrated by G.Brian Karas
Apple Picking Time by Michele B. Slawson
One Red Apple by Harriet Ziefert
From Apple Trees to Cider, Please! by Felicia Sanzari Chernesky, illustrated by Julia Patton
One Green Apple by Eve Buting, illustrated by Ted Lewin
The Crooked Apple Tree by Eric Houghton, illustrated by Caroline Gold
Tap the Magic Tree by Christie Matheson
Apples by Gail Gibbons
Apples for Everyone by Jill Esbaum

 

PUMPKINS 
Pumpkin books that focus on the life cycle of a pumpkin and pumpkins in autumn. A few mention Halloween, but halloween pumpkins books warrant a whole other list in my opinion. Here are a few pumpkin (and one squash) themed autumnal books.

Mystery Vine: A Pumpkin Surprise by Cathryn Falwell
Sophie’s Squash by Pat Zietlow Miller, illustrated by Anne Wilsdorf
Pumpkin Circle: The Story of a Garden by George Levenson, photographs by Shmuel Thaler
Seed, Sprout, Pumpkin Pie by Jill Esbaum
It’s Pumpkin Time! by Zoe Hall, illustrated by Shari Halpern
Pumpkins by Ken Robbins
How Many Seeds in a Pumpkin? by Margaret McNamara, illustrated by G. Brian Karas
Patty’s Pumpkin Patch by Teri Sloat
Pumpkin Soup by Helen Cooper
Pumpkin Cat by Anne Mortimer
Pumpkin, Pumpkin by Jeanne Titherington
Rotten Pumpkin: A Rotten Tale in 15 Voices by David M. Schwartz, photographed by Dwight Kuhn
The Pumpkin Fair by Eve Bunting, illustrated by Eileen Christelow
Too Many Pumpkins by Linda White, illustrated by Megan Lloyd

 

ANIMALS IN AUTUMN
Autumn is also a time of transition for the animal kingdom. Does your favorite animal hibernate, migrate, or adapt in winter? From busy squirrels to sleepy bears, these books will reveal the nature of animals in autumn.

In November by Cynthia Rylant
Nuts by Paula Gerritsen
Now That Days Are Colder by Aileen Fisher, illustrated by Gordon Laite
Animals in Fall: Preparing for Winter by Martha E. H. Rustad, illustrated by Amanda
Enright
Bear has a Story to Tell by Philip C. Stead, illustrated by Erin E. Stead
Time to Sleep by Denise Fleming
Every Autumn Comes the Bear by Jim Arnosky
Acorns Everywhere! by Kevin Sherry
Busy Animals: Learning about Animals in Autumn by Lisa Bullard
Animals in the Fall by Gail Saunders-Simth
George Flies South by Simon James
Round Robin by Jack Kent
Migration by Robin Nelson
Hibernation Station by Michelle Meadows, illustrated by Kurt Cyrus
Winter’s Coming: A Story of Seasonal Change by Jan Thornhill, illustrated by Josee Bisallion

 

AUTUMN BOOKS FOR BABIES AND TODDLERS
Books about all the autumn themes mentioned above in a format that the itty bittys will enjoy. These fall selections are great for ages 0-2.

Ready for Autumn by Marthe Jocelyn
Mouse’s First Fall by Lauren Thompson, illustrated by Buket Erdogan
That Pup! by Lindsay Barrett George
Autumn by Gerda Muller
Kitten’s Autumn by Eugenie Fernandes
Fresh Fall Leaves by Betsy Franco, illustrated by Shari Halpern
Rokko by Paola Opal
Apples and Pumpkins by Anne Rockwell, illustrated by Lizzy Rockwell
Apple by Nikki McClure
Bunny’s First Snowflake by Monica Wellington
Duck & Goose, Find a Pumpkin by Tad Hills
The Busy Little Squirrel by Nancy Tafuri

Sunday Transformation

Lookie who decided to join us.

I was writing in the back room while the baby napped and heard a scratching sound over my shoulder. Thinking it was one of the cats up to no good, I went out into the kitchen only to find no sign of shenanigans. I sat back down and started clacking away at the keyboard and the quiet scratching came again. I stopped and listened. Out of the corner of my eye I saw it. Our pet pupa was a pupa no more. A crinkly, orange leaf of a butterfly emerging from it’s pale green sarcophagus. I watched in wonder.

If you’ve never seen a butterfly emerge from it’s chrysalis, the process takes a little while. Their wings need to dry and that can take hours. Our butterfly took her time. By the end of the day she slowly stretched her wings, but no flight attempt was made. It was starting to get dark, so I thought it would be best to release her in the morning and so the entire night she sat on the window sill. In the morning, she still showed no signs of attempting flight. To gently inspire her, I took her with me on our walk to school. She sat happily perched to the top of the stroller as we walked down the ally. The kids left her on a flower, but when I was walking back home from dropping the oldest off at school, there she sat on the same flower. I scooped her up and walked with her for awhile and had a talk:

“You’re a monarch butterfly, capable of a spectacular migration over an entire continent. Flying might seem scary, that journey might seem incomprehensible, but just think about all the places you’ll see! All the friends you’ll meet! There will be birds and thunderstorms and days that make you wanna give up on the whole adventure, but you seem like a willing-and-able-sort-of-butterfly not a quit-before-you-even-try-butterfly. Why not give it a shot? You can make it. What have you got to lose?”

Nothing.

I set her back on the stroller and within a few steps she lifted off and flew to one of the wild sunflowers that hover over the alleyway.

Bye bye, butterfly.

I’m rereading poems by my favorite poet, William Stafford. This blog is named after the last line in one of his poems. Anyway, the introduction of The Darkness Around Us Is Deep recounts an interview between William Stafford and Cynthia Lofsness and how during the interview she inquires about his practice about writing a poem every day asking, “What do you do if you’re not so good that day?” and his response was “Well, then I just lower my standards.”(xii). How often do I let fear take ahold of me before even trying?  You see, I’m going though a transformation myself. My wings are new and I’m not quite sure where to go next. The definition of progress requires movement. Even if that movement is blind and the birds and the thunderstorms are at my heels, do I let that stop me? Do you?

So, the chat with the butterfly also happened to be a chat with myself.

If you are going through a similar transformation, have courage. Lower your standards. Don’t be afraid. Lift off.

Listening to Caroline Rose “I Will Not Be Afraid” (7:20 minute mark)

Stafford, W., & In Bly, R. (1993). The darkness around us is deep: Selected poems of William Stafford. New York: HarperPerennial.

Storytime Anytime: The Moon

Storytime Anytime is a concentrated storytime experience that parents and caregivers can recreate with the youngster in your life. Each storytime focuses on a book about a specific interest, a song, rhyme, or fingerplay that complements the story, and then a few, simple extension activities. Storytime doesn’t just happen in the library, storytime can be anytime! 

The moon has been a recent topic of conversation with my 22-month old. Several weeks ago we were walking home and the moon was an enormous, illuminated balloon hovering in the sky. I pointed to it and said, look at the moon! Ever since that night, Mira has been pointing to the moon every chance she’s able to spot it. “Mama, Moon! Mama, Moon!” Around that same time, we checked out this lovely new picture book The Moon Is Going to Addy’s House by Ida Pearle.

READ: The Moon Is Going to Addy’s House (Public Library/Local Bookstore/Amazon)

This book. This book! Such a pretty book. The story makes for a great read-a-loud for children as young as 2-years old, and the illustrations are vibrant, gorgeous full-spread frames. It’s time for Addy to go home from her playdate in the city. As her family leaves the city, Addy and her sister spot the moon which turns into a game of moon sighting the whole way home. Where is the moon going? It’s going to Addy’s house! When they arrive home the moon is overhead. The girls bathe and Addy dances under the moon before bedtime, all the while the moon is a luminous showstopper.

As I read this book, I point out where the moon in each picture and the girls love when I replace Addy’s name with one of their names. If this book happens to be checked out from the library (which is likely, as it is spectacular), use any book you find or have on hand that features the moon. I’ve listed favorite moon picture book suggestions below. The whole intention behind Storytime Anytime is for it to be a no-stress opportunity to share a reading experience with the child in your life. Who needs additional anxiety over finding a book? Not I! No siree! There are lots of great books to go around.

SING: “I See The Moon and The Moon Sees Me” from What’ll I Do with the Baby-o?: Nursery Rhymes, Songs, and Stories by Jane Cobb (Public Library/Local Bookstore/Amazon)

“I See The Moon and the Moon Sees Me” is a lullaby I learned from Jbrary that is now a regular bedtime lullaby in my house. You can hear Dana and Lindsey sing it at the 2:10 minute mark. There are two other moon songs/rhymes in this video that are easy and fun to learn too!

PLAY: These are simple moon activities to expand upon the theme of the book read that you can do at home or as you go about your day.

• Moon Drive: As the children did in The Moon is Going to Addy’s House, point out the moon during a nighttime drive (or bus ride or subway ride). Can you find it? When you turn directions, where did it go?
• Moon Shapes: What shape is the moon in the sky tonight? Is it a round circle or a crescent? For older children, talk about the phases of the moon and discover today’s moon shape here.
• Full Moon Countdown: Mark on your calendar when the next full moon will be. Countdown the days with your child before bed each night by taking a minute to look at the moon and then count how many days until the moon will be full. Celebrate the full moon by reading stories under the stars. Full moon dates can be found here.
• Moon Dance: Dance under the moon like Addy! Turn up “Pink Moon” by Nick Drake (I mean… Could there be a more perfect soundtrack for this book?!) and make up your own moon dance.

EARLY LITERACY TIP: Talking and singing with children aids in developing your child’s language. Regardless of age, by talking about and pointing out what you see whether you’re at home, on a walk, or driving on a full moon night helps build your child’s vocabulary.

MORE BOOK SUGGESTIONS:
Kitten’s First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes (Public Library/Local Bookstore/Amazon)
Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me by Eric Carle (Public Library/Local Bookstore/Amazon)
Moongame by Frank Asch (Public Library/Local Bookstore/Amazon)
And If the Moon Could Talk by Kate Banks (Public Library/Local Bookstore/Amazon)
Mr. Squirrel and the Moon by Sebastian Meschenmoser (Public Library/Local Bookstore/Amazon)

Best Books to Give at a Baby Shower: The Librarians’ List

When you’re invited to a baby shower, the prospect of giving a gift can be daunting ($$$$), but it doesn’t have to be! You see, you can give the perfect gift ever without having to spend a ton of money — GIVE BOOKS! Reading to baby from the moment they’re born has outstanding benefits not only for their developing brains, but it’s also a great excuse for some parent-child bonding time.

I asked a few librarian friends and the community of youth librarians on Storytime Underground to share their favorite book/books they give at a baby shower and this post is a compilation of their responses.  So, whether you’re looking for a book for a baby shower or are starting a library for a wee little one, this list is full of books for babies recommended by the people that live and breathe storytime, preach early literacy, and make it their business to know kids’ books. The majority of the books listed are available in a board book format (sturdy, no-rip pages, perfect for baby chewing), which also happens to be less expensive too. If a favorite of yours isn’t on this list, please leave the title in the comments below!

THE POPULAR CROWD
The most librarian-recommended children’s books for baby:

Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes by Meme Fox, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury
The Going to Bed Book by Sandra Boynton
Moo, Baa, La La La! by Sandra Boynton
Barnyard Dance by Sandra Boynton
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
Brown Bear, Brown Bear by Eric Carle
Pat the Bunny by Dorothy Kunhardt
Good Night, Gorilla by Peggy Rahmann
Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell
Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle, illustrated by Jill McElmurry
My Very First Mother Goose by Iona Opie, illustrated by Rosemary Wells
Peek-A-Who? by Nina Laden
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Clement Hurd
Huggy Kissy by Leslie Patricelli
Orange Pear Apple Bear by Emily Gravett
Black and White by Tana Hoban
Little You by Richard Van Camp, illustrated by Julie Flett
The Napping House by Audrey Wood, illustrated by Don Wood
Where is the Green Sheep? By Mem Fox, illustrated by Judy Horacek
Each Peach Pear Plum by Allan Alberg, illustrated by Janet Ahlberg
I Love You Through and Through by Bernadette Rossetti Schustak, illustrated by Caroline Jayne Church
Time for Bed by Mem Fox, illustrated by Jane Dyer
Indestructibles collection by Amy Pixton and Kate Merritt including Mama and Baby!, Old McDonald Had a Farm, Baby Faces, Baby Babble, Jungle Rumble

 

FAVORITE AUTHORS & ILLUSTRATORS
Favorite baby book authors and illustrators:

Sandra Boyton
Eric Carle
Caroline Jayne Church
Debbie Dewdney
Meme Fox
Emily Gravett
Tana Hoban
Petr Horacek
Alison Jay
Karen Katz
Annie Kubler
Leslie Patricelli
Paola Opal
Margaret Miller
Richard Scarry
Dr. Seuss
Audrey and Dan Wood

 

BABY FACES
Babies love to look at photographs of other baby faces. Here are a few great books featuring baby faces:

Global Babies by The Global Fund for Children
Peek-A-Boo! by Roberta Grobel Intrater
What’s On My Head? By Margaret Miller
Motown Baby Love Series by Charles R. Smith: My Girl , Sugar Pie Honey Bunch, How Sweet It is to Be Loved by You, Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
Mrs. Mustard’s Baby Faces by Jane Wattenberg

 

TOUCH & FEEL  BOOKS
Sensory experiences are stimulating and fun for babies:

Usborne Touchy-Feely Board Books by Fiona Watt and Rachel Wells: That’s Not My Dinosaur…, That’s Not My Train…, That’s Not My Lion…
Heads by Matthew Van Fleet
Tails by Matthew Van Fleet
Bright Baby Touch and Feel by Roger Priddy: Colors, Shapes, Numbers
Animals by DK Publishing

 

ANIMALS
Favorite books featuring animals:

Are You My Mother by P.D. Eastman
Piggies by Audrey Wood, illustrated by Dan Wood
Peek-a- Zoo! by Nina Laden
Do Cows Meow by Salina Yoon
Big Red Barn by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Felicia Bond
I Am a Bunny by Ole Risom and Richard Scarry
The Babies and Doggies Book by John Schindel and Molly Woodward
My Big Animal Board Book by Roger Priddy
I Went Walking by Sue Williams

 

FUNNY
Silly books for baby and parent:

Your Baby’s First Word Will Be Dada by Jimmy Fallon and Miguel Ordonez
Five Stinky Socks by Jim Benton
Where’s My Fnurgle by Jim Benton
Toot by Leslie Patricelli
Baby Mix Me a Drink (Baby Be of Use) by Lisa Brown
Blue Hat, Green Hat by Sandra Boynton
But Not the Hippopotamus by Sandra Boynton

 

ARTSY
Books featuring art and creativity:

Beautiful Oops by Sarney Saltzberg
Mix It Up! by Herve Tullet
Little Blue, Little Yellow by Leo Lionni
Mouse Paint by Ellen Stoll Walsh
Mini Masters series by Julie Merberg and Suzanne Bober: In the Garden with Van Gogh, A Magical Day with Matisse, Quiet Time with Cassatt
Andy Warhol’s Colors by Susan Goldman Rubin

 

BOOKS TO SING-A-LONG TO
These books prompt song! So many benefits of singing to baby:

What a Wonderful World by Bob Thiele and George David Weiss, illustrated by Tim Hopgood
Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes by Annie Kubler
You Are My Sunshine by Jimmie Davis, Caroline Jayne Church
Five Little Ducks by Annie Kubler and Penny Ives
The Itsy Bitsy Spider by Iza Trapani
Down by the Bay by Raffi, illustrated by Nadine Bernard Westcott
Sign and Sing Along: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star by Annie Kubler

 

INTERACTIVE
Whimsical books that have an interactive component:

Press Here by Herve Tullet
Tap the Magic Tree by Christie Matheson
Game of Finger Worms By Herve Tullet
Game of Light by Herve Tullet
Wiggle! By Taro Gomi
Peekaboo! by Taro Gomi

 

UNIQUE
Not your typical board book. These are visually appealing, unique favorites that make you rethink your average baby book:

DC SUPER HEROES: My First Book of Girl Power by Julie Merberg
A White Butterfly by Laurie Cohen and Barbara Ortelli
My Lucky Little Dragon by Joyce Wan
Are You My Mommy? By Joyce Wann
It’s a Little Book by Lane Smith
Star Wars Epic Yarns: A New Hope by Jack Wang and Homan Wang
Vadar’s Little Princess by Jeffery Brown
Board books by Michelle Sinclair Colman, illustrated by Nathalie Dion: Eco Babies Wear Green, Foodie Babies Wear Bibs, Urban Babies Wear Black, Rocker Babies Wear Jeans
Baby Lit Books by Jennifer Adams and Alison Oliver: Sherlock Holmes in the Hound of the Baskervilles, Pride & Prejudice, Alice in Wonderland, Moby Dick
Cozy Classics by Jack Wang and Holman Wang: Pride and Prejudice, Moby Dick, War and Peace

 

AWESOME KID-APPROVED BOOKS NO ONE ELSE WILL THINK TO GIVE
Books that are a hit with babies & toddlers and are different than most books people typically give (e.g. books by Sandra Boynton, Eric Carle):

Read to Your Bunny by Rosemary Wells
Dinosaur Roar! by Henrietta Stickland and Paul Stickland
10 Minutes till Bedtime by Peggy Rathmann
Freight Train by Donald Crews
Llama Hoppity Hop by Anna Dewdney
More More More Said the Baby by Vera B. Williams
Baby Danced the Polka by Karen Beaumont, illustrated by Jennifer Plecas
Gossie by Olivier Dunrea
Good Night!: A Peek-a-Boo Book by Benoit Marchon
Besos for Baby: A Little Book of Kisses by Jen Areana, illustrated by Bianca Gomez

 

SENTIMENTAL
Books that make you go, “Awwwwwwwwwww”:

The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Clement Hurd
Guess How Much I Love You By Sam McBratney, illustrated by Anita Jeram
Always by Emma Dodd
On the Night You Were Born by Nancy Tillman
The Wonderful Things You Will Be by Emily Winfield Martin

 

 

FAVORITE BOX SETS
The Eric Carle Gift Set
Helen Oxenbury Baby Love Set
Boynton’s Greatest Hits
Big Box of Boynton

 

WHAT I GIVE
My go-to baby shower gift is:  a touch & feel sensory book, a book featuring baby faces, and a book that my own kids enjoyed as babies. These were a few of my girls’ favorite board books:

Moo! by David LaRochelle, illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka
The Swing by Robert Louis Stevenson and Julie Morstad
The Belly Button Book by Sandra Boynton
I Like It When.. by Mary Murphy
Little Owl Lost by Chris Haughton
Growing Vegetable Soup by Lois Ehlert
Not a Box by Antoinette Portis

 

A big thank you to all the librarians that provided suggestions for this list. I hope this baby shower gift guide helps you find the the perfect book for the little one in your life. Happy bookgiving!

 

Sunday Promise

Hello and Happy Sunday! Waking up on Sunday mornings have always been a happy place for me. The start to a whole new week and all that lies ahead. Sometimes when I wake up, the week’s agenda waits outside my Sunday Morning like a customer eagerly waiting for a shop to open for business. She peers in the window and taps on the glass. Sorry week! We don’t open till noon! I keep the door locked and pour a cup of coffee.

The picture at the beginning of this post is of our new pet. We are taking name suggestions if you have any! This monarch pupa was a gift we picked up attending the Monarch Watch Open House yesterday. Isn’t it exquisite? In this chrysalis, a quiet transformation is occurring. A silent promise hanging from our window.

In a way my Sunday Mornings are my silent promise, a still moment before the journey starts.

How do you like to start your morning?

We like to listen to blues most morning in our house. Here’s a recent favorite of mine to start your week:

Have you seen this New Horizons Tribute? New Horizons reached Pluto and to celebrate, NPR set those images to Ray Bradbury’s poem, “If Only We Had Taller Been”:

 We’ve had some wild storms pass through last week. A friend of a friend caught this storm brewing over western Kansas and it’s mesmerizing:

I’m off to pour another cup of coffee.

Have a great week!