In this episode, Roxanne Chester and Gina Soldano-Herrle talk about co-Picture Book Peep Member Emily Dangremond’s book, Meet the Trees. Emily’s book inspires a personal connection with readers to each of the trees depicted (Juneberry, Aspen, Oak) as their stories unfold.
As nature is such a huge force in our world, this conversation serves as more of a spark to alight whichever trail you choose to follow. We cover a wide range of natural relationships from how we feel about the moon to trees and even natural disasters.
Find the tornado (or grasshopper) and create that personal connection with nature as you follow your curiosity.🦗🌪️ -Gina Soldano-Herrle
Within the natural world, there are many avenues one can explore. In our conversation, we talk about movements such as The Bird Alliance within the United States and how some conservation organizations are moving to more inclusive practices.
We would like to thank authors Lynn Becker and Karen Greenwald for sharing their thoughts with us about the moon and natural disasters respectively.
Nature is versatile and ever changing. It can be calming, destructive, or regenerative. Whatever your avenue into explore the natural world is (I highly recommend tardigrades!), remember that all relationships, even those with unstoppable forces start with respect.
“We can’t control nature but we can control our own behavior and just show the respect to the natural world it deserves.” - Karen Greenwald
Further Reading📚:
This is by no means an exhaustive list of all the beautiful books about nature out there. These titles aim to inspire you to explore further.
Plants🌲🌳🌷
Meet The Trees by Emily Dangremond illustrated by Summer Morrison
My Grandpa, My Tree, and Me by Roxanne Troup illustrated by Kendra Binney
Leafy Landmarks: Travels with Trees by Michelle Schaub illustrated by Anne Lambelet
The Wall and the Wild by Christina Dendy illustrated by Katie Rewse
Stand as Tall as the Trees: How an Amazonian Community Protected the Rain Forest by Patricia Gualinga and Laura Resau illustrated by Vanessa Jaramillo
Eco Girl by Ken Wilson-Max
What the Garden Tells Me by Monica Mikai
Here Are the Seeds by JaNay Brown-Wood illustrated by Olivia Amoah
Be a Tree by Maria Gianferrari illustrated by Felicita Sala
Animals🦌🐍
Animals in Surprising Shades: Poems About Earth’s Colorful Creatures by Susan Johnston Taylor illustrated by Annie Bakst
An Accidental Hero: A Mostly True Wombat Story by Laura Roettiger illustrated by Debbie Palen
Jumper: A Day in The Life of The Backyard Jumping Spider by Jessica Lanan
Worm and Caterpillar are Friends by Kaz Windness
Little Otter by Julie Abery illustrated by Suzie Mason
Just a Worm by Marie Boyd
Nudi Gill: Poison Powerhouse of the Sea by Bonnie Kelso
The Three Little Tardigrades by Sandra Fay
Trick or Treat Bugs to Eat by Tracy C. Gold illustrated by Nancy Leschnikoff
Up, Up and Away: Monarch Butterflies by Marta Magellan illustrated by Mauro Magellan with photos by James Gersing
If Tigers Disappeared by Lily Williams
Bionic Beasts: Saving Animal Lives with Artificial Flippers, Legs, and Beaks by Jolene Gutiérrez
Bird House by Blanca Gómez
Natural Events🌪️🌋⛈️
The Mud Angels: How Students Saved the City of Florence by Karen Greenwald illustrated by Olga Lee
Fire Flight: A Wildfire Escape by Cedar Pruitt illustrated by Chiara Fedele
I Am a Tornado by Drew Beckmeyer
A Party for Clouds: Thunderstorms (Bel the Weather Girl) by Belinda Jensen illustrated by Renee Kurilla
The Sky Stirs Up Trouble: Tornadoes (Bel the Weather Girl) by Belinda Jensen illustrated by Renee (contains tornado cake recipe)
Water🌊🌊
Tell Me about Oceans by Lisa Varchol Perron illustrated by Jennifer Falkner
The Planet We Call Home by Aimee Isaac illustrated by Jaime Kim
Aqua Boy by Ken Wilson-Max
Great Carrier Reef by Jessica Stremer illustrated by Gordy Wright
Deep, Deep Down: The Secret Underwater Poetry of the Mariana Trench by Lydia Lukidis
Land
A Stone is A Story by Leslie Barnard Booth illustrated by Marc Martin
Hide-and-Seek by Molly Cranch
Over and Under the Canyon by Kate Messner illustrated by CHristopher Silas Neal
Finding Wild by Megan Wagner Lloyd illustrated by Abigail Halpin
Look by Gabi Snyder illustrated by Samantha Cotterill
Outside In by Deborah Underwood illustrated by Cindy Derby
Beyond🌝🌌
June Moon by Lynn Becker illustrated by Nate Carvalho
Max and the Tag Along Moon by Floyd Cooper
River of Dust: The Life-Giving Link Between North Africa and the Amazon by Jilanne Hoffman illustrated by Eugenia Mello
Light Speaks by Christine Layton illustrated by Luciana Navarro Powell
Humongous Fungus by Lynne Boddy illustrated by Wenjia Tang
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Resources:
If you want to get involved, learn more, or prepare to connect with the natural world, check out the tools and organizations below.
Tools🧰:
Merlin Bird Identification App
Organizations-Birds🦉:
The New York City Bird Alliance
Nature Conservation🌱:
World Wildlife Foundation (WWF)
The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation
International Database of Native Plant Societies
Check out your local science or natural history museums for conservation programs in your area.
Other Useful Links🔗:
Have a book for us that isn’t listed above? Or is there a topic that you want us to explore on a future episode? Leave a comment below. Thanks for listening!
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Fostering Positive Relationships with Nature through Meet the Trees by Emily Dangremond