Magical World Of Joy And Wonder

                                                                 

"It was a magical world full of joy and wonder, and Jane felt very much a part of it.”

Me...Jane by Patrick McDonnell.

Me... Jane is a beautiful children’s book about the childhood of Jane Goodall, the environmental activist and female scientist that braved the Gombe jungle in Africa to study chimpanzees. It shares the oneness that Jane felt with nature, a calling that was undoubtedly strong in Jane, but is certainly present in all of us. It’s that feeling when we sit on the sand and absorb the majesty of the ocean waves, or hike a trail and listen to the leaves being crunched by creatures pattering about, or simply soaking in the cool breeze on an afternoon walk. Quarantine has certainly made me more aware of this, as my runs have been relocated from the treadmill to the streets of my neighborhood and my backyard has become Beckett’s daily recess.

Earth Day was last week, and although it’s a wonderful cause, I think it can be overwhelming for kids, because, sadly, caring for our earth can seem like such a large task and an insurmountable job these days. I believe our job right now is simply to foster empathy in our kids for all creatures great and small, so that they grow up and become adults that hold on to that oneness with nature and build a life that cares for and advocates for our earth.

Check out Me...Jane once the library reopens, or google it for some great read alouds online.

#childrensliterature #childrensliteratureforgrownsups #environmentalism

Creating Something Beautiful

 “In the light of the moon a little egg lay on a leaf…”

In a 2019 video released by Penguin Random House, Eric Carle said, “Children need hope. You, little insignificant caterpillar, can grow up into a beautiful butterfly and fly into the world with your talent. Will I ever be able to do that? Yes, you will. I think that is the appeal of that book.”

Amidst the fear and turmoil of the world right now, amidst the isolation and limitation and disconnect, let’s hold on to a piece of this hope that Carle gives us through this insignificant bug that turns into a butterfly. Let’s both remember and show our children that we can still find something so beautiful and become something so beautiful with what we have right now.

Also, let’s show solidarity with caterpillar that some days we’re going to eat green leaves and fresh fruits, and some days we’re going to eat twelve kinds of junk food… It’s all about balance.

Check out the pictures for an Eric Carle inspired activity you can do with your kids at home.