Joyce Sidman, Author
Beth Krommes, Illustrator
Houghton Mifflin Company, Fiction, 2006
Suitable for: Ages 6 and up
Themes: Meadows, Science, Nature, Poetry
Opening/Synopsis: “On calm, clear summer nights, the meadow cools down quickly. Grasses, flowers, leaves, and even insects become cooler than the warm air around them. Just as it does on a cold can of soda pop, water vapor in the air condenses on those cool surfaces, forming dew. Then, as dawn comes and the sun touches them, the dew drops evaporate back into the air.” Written in both verse and prose, this is story of a living and breathing meadow that is dependent and connected to life, and is constantly changing. There are beautiful poems about the awakening meadow, the animal life, birds and insects, the flowering plants and grasses that offer a feeding frenzy for all, and trees that provide shade. Children are taken on a journey into the meadow from sunrise to sunset. Each poem brings science to life. The poems vary from mysterious and captivating, to silly and magical.
What I like about this book: Both author and illustrator fell in love with meadows as young children and found them enchanting. Joyce Sidman has written such a magical book, alternating between double spreads of verse and prose that add interesting science details about how life coexists in the meadow. Children will find that each poem is a riddle to solve about butterflies, snakes, rabbits, fox and deer. The text that follows provides the answers and interesting facts. Krommes illustrations are a feast for the eyes. Each illustration is made by a scratchboard technique that is rich and colorful. Children will enjoy studying every detail on the page. With Earth Day April 22, and Poetry Month in April, I found this book a lovely celebration of both. The author and illustrator have also released a book in 2011, Swirl by Swirl: Spirals in Nature.
Activities: Since this is Earth Day weekend, it would be a nice time for a spring outing with your child. Visit a meadow in your area. Many local Park and Recreation Divisions, and Nature Preserves provide guided tours and programs. Let you child hunt for treasures that they can take home and make a collage of their own meadow as an earth day contribution. For Earth Day resources, click on this Earth Day link .
To see a complete listing of all the Perfect Picture Books with resources, please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s Perfect Picture Books. Or click on the Perfect Picture Book Fridays badge in the right sidebar.