Summer on the road

Summer time in Maine, and that means getting out and meeting with kids to share books, art and nature. Last week found me in Grand Lake Stream, Maine--way up "down east"--with the Downeast Lakes Land Trust's summer program for children. A few days later I was closer to home--at the North Gorham Library for "stories around the pond." Later this week I'll be at the Friend's School of Portland on Macworth Island for "stories by the garden."

A young hiker

A special find: a robin's egg shell!

After a production of Turtle Splash and some craft activities, Grand Lake Stream kids and parents headed out for a nature walk.

The North Gorham Library kids had a great time making turtle puppets.

UPDATE: We had nearly 50 children for stories on Macworth Island today! And then we made little critter stick puppets. The creator of these was too shy to have his photo taken, but he let me take one of his duck (left) and turtle (right).

Kids Connect to Nature

On a recent visit to Eight Corners School in Scarborough, Maine, I talked to kids about the amazing critters that wriggle, waggle, scamper and scoot in and around my pond. We acted out Scoot! with animal movements and Turtle Splash! with puppets. Mrs. Wood's second graders sent me a gorgeous stack of drawings about my visit. I wish you could see them all! Here's Brendan's awesome drawing of the critters at Frog Song Pond.

Basking

Squirrels may be collecting acorns to store for the long Maine winter, but the turtles of Frog Song Pond are gathering sunlight. Four of them braved a chilly wind today to soak up some rays, reminding me of the illustrations I made for Scoot! and Turtle Splash, with all those teeny tiny pieces of paper. This one looked particularly pensive, perhaps reflecting on summer memories before hibernating in the bottom of the pond.

More frogs and turtles and other critters, are here.

Splashin' Around the Pond

Pre-school Story Time at Baxter Memorial Library, Gorham, Maine

March 10th, 9:30 am

We'll gather around the pond for stories, puppets and fun!