Connect kids with nature through reading

By Jenna Shaver

Welcome back! With the emergence of spring, this month’s recommendations revolve around the natural world and our place in it.

Trees by Verlie Hutchens

The first book I want to talk about is a perfect example of quality children’s poetry. Trees by Verlie Hutchens celebrates trees, one of nature’s most prevalent offerings, in a most whimsical, sophisticated, and extraordinary way. While most children see trees every day, many don’t know the names of most trees or their hidden “personalities,” specific qualities that make each type of tree special in its own way. While the subject matter is relatable to most children, what makes this book interesting and timeless is the unique perspective it provides with its almost-but-not-quite personification of the trees by giving them beautiful, humorous and imaginative qualities. The prose in this book is beautiful, using rhythm in a very lyrical way. Each poem includes interesting, diverse and novel language, expanding children’s descriptive vocabulary. In addition, the illustrations of the trees, their environments, and the use of perspective art in exaggerating the trees’ most interesting qualities is exciting and draws the reader into the effervescent world of trees.

The second book I want to discuss also is about our natural world and something that many children will grapple with in their childhood: ants!

Hey, Little Ant by Phillip M. Hoose is a song now turned book that takes place from the underside of a young boy’s shoe.

The question at play is to squash or not to squash the ant. While the ant makes a compelling case for him not to be squished, the young boy struggles as his friends begin to crowd around him, encouraging him to squash the ant. The back and forth exchange between the ant and the boy’s perspective keeps the reader engaged only to arrive at an ambiguous ending.

Perhaps the most compelling aspect of this book is that we are left wondering how the story ended. Did the boy squish him or leave him be? This thoughtful end to the story opens a beautiful door for discussion with children about the role we play in the well-being of nature, including insects.

Normally, I don’t get excited about books in which animals “talk,” due to the fantastical aspects being difficult for young children to separate from reality. However, in this case, it draws attention to the “livingness” of the ant and the fact that ants too are part of a family and just living their lives. It can be challenging for children to understand we are not so different from the tiny little bugs with which we share this world and, as an active global citizen, it is important we do what we can to protect them.

I hope this brief discussion of these two books helps them to make it onto your bookshelf and into the hands of your child. I appreciate your taking a few moments to read this little column and to explore the role books play in developing mindful, loving and kind beings.

Jenna Shaver is an accredited teacher, developing and educating young minds as a Certified Lead Guide. She is a graduate of Montessori Northwest, an Association Internationale training center and one of a small cadre of AMI-certified teachers in Idaho. She holds dual Bachelor’s degrees from Boise State University, one in Early Childhood Intervention/Early Childhood Education and the second in Elementary Education.