Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation encourages parents and grandparents who are caring for young children to embrace the magnificence of nature, but doing so doesn’t have to take place entirely outside. Throughout this newsletter you will find reading recommendations for children of all ages from educators who work with, and support, Sheriff’s Meadow.
The following book suggestions are from Susan Levine, a longtime Vineyard seasonal resident, Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation supporter, and an almost retired librarian at a boys school in New York City.
A Walk in the Forest by Maria Dek (For ages 3-6 years)
A Walk in the Forest is a stunning invitation to discover the woods as a place for both imaginative play and contemplation: collect pinecones, feathers, or stones; follow the tracks of a deer; or listen to the chirping of birds and the whisper of trees.
Over and Under the Pond by Kate Messner (For ages 5-8 years)
Over and Under the Pond tells the story of a secret underwater world brought to life: In this book, readers will discover the plants and animals that make up the rich, interconnected ecosystem of a mountain pond. Over the pond, the water is a mirror, reflecting the sky. But under the water is a hidden world of minnows darting, beavers diving, and tadpoles growing.
Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt by Kate Messner (For ages 5-8 years)
A companion to the new Over and Under the Pond and the beloved Over and Under the Snow, Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt is a sweet exploration of the hidden world and many lives of a garden through the course of a year.
The Tree Book for Kids and Their Grown Ups by Gina Ingoglia (For ages 8-12 years)
The birds, the bees, the flowers and the…TREES! How do trees grow? Why do leaves change? What kind of tree is that? The Tree Book is acclaimed Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s guide answers all kids’ (and their parents’) tree-related questions in an easy-to-understand way.