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Storybooks: A nature springboard

“It’s never too early to tell stories, sing songs, and narrate what you see; as simple as

it is, talking about the world helps imprint the brain—it’s the way little ones figure out

how language works.” – Carol Rasco, Reading is Fundamental CEO (Rasco 2014)

When warmer temperatures return, people are eager to reintroduce themselves to the natural world that has been resting for several months. Maximize this time by pairing spring nature treks with intentional story times. Storybooks can be a springboard to meaningful nature outings and can extend the learning that a child experiences after she returns inside. In Finding Spring, Carin Berger tells of a mother and baby bear preparing to hibernate. “Waiting is hard,” the baby bear keeps thinking as he sneaks out during winter days. Finally he explores the “great hill” in spring. Berger’s paper-cut illustrations inspire outdoor exploring and art expressions.

Coupling outdoor time and stories addresses two important needs for children—exercise and language. Children benefit from early and frequent exposure to

books. Unfortunately a literacy gap exists in the United States. By age four, children from higher income families have heard 30 million more words than their lower income peers, resulting in large gaps in vocabularies when children enter kindergarten. “Children who hear and learn fewer words in their first five years of life are often less prepared to succeed in school and beyond.” (O’Leary and Miller 2014) Organizations like Reading is Fundamental, Too Small to Fail, and

Pennsylvania One Book are all working to encourage families and caregivers to bridge that language gap by reading to children early and often.

Turn on their senses!Some children’s books encourage children to explore with all their senses. The Listening Walk by Paul Showers begins, “I like to take walks. I take walks with my father and our dog…on a listening walk, I do not talk. I listen to all the different sounds.” A listening walk provides a change of pace for children who go outside often—experiencing the same world in a new way. This book would be an excellent preamble to a spring walk. The “Who’s Been Here?” series by Lindsay Barrett George encourages careful observation. George, a Pennsylvania author/illustrator, shows signs of nature—feathers, holes, empty nests and snake skins. Each time, the author asks, “Who’s been here?” and the following page provides a detailed illustration and answer. When adults share books like these and remind children to listen, look, and touch, it can set a tone for exploring the outdoors in a slower way, taking in the nature rather than rushing past it.

“Read” illustrationsJennifer Emmett, VP for Education and Children’s Media at National Geographic, suggests that adults allow children to, “Dig a hole, peek in a cave, jump in a puddle and sift sand through your fingers! … just like our explorers in the field—because exploring and curiosity go hand in hand … Reading maps! Reading photographs! ... And [we] also make sure to target just what kids are curious about—sharks, frogs, butterflies, storms and more.” (Emmett 2014) Emmett recommends “reading photographs.” What does that mean? Literacy coaches remind readers to pause, look at the illustrations, the photographs, don’t just read the words and move on. Images provide cues to the reader. Children need to learn this pre-reading skill. It will also help them to connect the information in the book with their own lives

and experiences. Adults can ask children questions like, “Have you ever seen anything like this on our walks?” A simple spoken prompt like, “We should look for that when we explore outside this afternoon,” can really multiply the value of both the reading and the outdoor time.

Enjoy fiction and non-fiction books togetherBoth fiction and non-fiction books can inspire outdoor conversations and investigations. The Let’s Read and Find Out About Science series has facts, illustrations, and basic activities to extend nature investigations. For example, Feel the Wind by Arthur Dorros includes instructions for a make-your-own weather vane. Some authors include nature or animal notes at the back of picture books adding information to share. In Henry and Mudge in Puddle Trouble by Cynthia Rylant (available in English and Spanish) the characters forget to ask permission to play outside and have trouble not picking the newly blooming flowers. When Dad finally finds them, he decides to join them in their fun. Pennsylvania One Book’s research found that reading a book is not enough. “Adults must find ways to engage children in activities like talking about a book’s cover and illustrations … pretend play related to the book, and more.” (Pennsylvania One Book 2015) Getting outside to experience their own version of a storybook is a great way to reinforce the language, ideas, and images of a book.

Spanish language readers may enjoy:

• Primavera by Berta Hiriart

• Laughing Tomatoes: And Other Spring Poems / Jitomates Risuenos: Y Otros Poemas de Primavera (The Magical Cycle of the Seasons Series) by Francisco Alarcón

Titles to consider when trekking at other times of year:

• Summer: Blackout by John Rocco, and Thunder Cake by Patricia Polacco

• Fall: Leaf Jumpers by Carole Gerber, and Grandma’s Smile by Elaine Moore

• Winter: Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Briggs Martin, and Owl Moon by Jane Yolen

References:O’Leary, Ann, and Patti Miller. 2014. “Talk, Read, Sing: How Small Actions Make a Big Difference for Little Learners.” Media Planet: Literacy in America. Accessed February 6, 2015.

Emmett, Jennifer. 2014. “Learning Outside the Classroom: A Roundtable Discussion.” Media Planet: Literacy in America. Accessed February 6, 2015.

Pennsylvania One Book. 2015. “About One Book.” Accessed February 6, 2015.

Rasco, Carol H. 2014. “America’s Literacy Crisis: An Overlooked Epidemic.” Media Planet: Literacy in America.

This publication is available in alternative media on request.

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