Storytime: Adventures in Nature
For this early literacy adventure, it’s time to go outside! Use the nature weaving board to collect things from your environment, read a book about exploring the outdoors, and then compare and contrast the nature weave board with items you and your child found in the book. This activity encourages awareness of your child’s surroundings and promotes STEM learning at the same time.
Join us Tuesdays, and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. or Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room.
Ages 2-5
Sing, Talk, Read, Write, Play
Tip
Children are born curious. From a very young age, they show interest in exploring the world around them. Tune into your child’s discoveries and use words to talk with them about the things they see, hear, and feel. — https://talkingisteaching.org/
Activity
Go on a “Look and Find” walk either outside or in the house and collect a variety of objects. Then talk about how you can sort and categorize the items into groups perhaps by color, texture, or perhaps smell.
Books Presented
![Abracadabra, It's Spring by Anne Sibley O'Brien Book cover for Abracadabra, It's Spring by Anne Sibley O'Brien](https://www.madisonlib.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Abracadabra-Its-Spring-by-Anne-Sibley-OBrien.jpg)
Abracadabra, It's Spring! by Anne Sibley O'Brien
Winter turns to spring in this lyrical book that celebrates the magic of nature and the changing seasons. Eleven gatefolds open to recreate the excitement and surprise of spring’s arrival
![The Hike by Alison Farrell Book cover for The Hike by Alison Farrell](https://www.madisonlib.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/the-hike.jpg)
The Hike by Alison Farrell
The Hike is a plucky and sweet adventure story about three intrepid young female explorers set out to conquer the outdoors in their local forest. Here is the best and worst of any hike: from picnics to puffing and panting, deer-sighting to detours. This spirited picture book is filled with lyrical language that captures the majesty of the natural world, coupled with a fun narrative throughout. Features a glossary and scientific backmatter. Includes a sketchbook by one of the characters that highlights aspects of the hike. Abundant labels throughout for scientific learning. The Hike is about how fun it can be to explore nature in your own backyard. This book is a must-have for budding scientists, best friends, and all adventurers in preschool and kindergarten.
![Acorn Was a Little Wild by Jen Arena Book cover for Acorn Was a Little Wild by Jen Arena](https://www.madisonlib.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Acorn-Was-a-Little-Wild-by-Jen-Arena.jpg)
Acorn was a Little Wild by Jen Arena
Acorn is the first one off the tree, longing for adventure and new experiences (though maybe not being eaten), but when a squirrel buries Acorn he is forced to stay still in the dark until the exciting changes begin, and he grows into a mighty oak–though at heart he is still a little wild.
![Outside In by Deborah Underwood Book cover for Outside In by Deborah Underwood](https://www.madisonlib.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/outside-in.jpg)
Outside In by Deborah Underwood
Outside is waiting, the most patient playmate of all. The most generous friend. The most miraculous inventor. This thought-provoking picture book poetically underscores our powerful and enduring connection with nature, not so easily obscured by lives spent indoors. Rhythmic, powerful language shows us how our world is made and the many ways Outside comes in to help and heal us, and reminds us that we are all part of a much greater universe. Emotive illustrations evoke the beauty, simplicity, and wonder that await us all … outside
Songs, Rhymes, and Fingerplays
The Green Grass Grew All Around
Oh in the woods, there was a tree
The prettiest tree
You ever did see
And the tree was in the ground
And the green grass grew all around, all around, and the green grass grew all around
And on that tree
There was a limb
The prettiest limb
That you ever did see
And the limb was on the tree
And the tree in the ground
And the green grass grew all around, all around, and the green grass grew all around
And on that limb
There was a branch
The prettiest branch
That you ever did see
And the branch was on the limb,
And the limb was on the tree,
And the tree was in the ground
And the green grass grew all around, all around, and the green grass grew all around
And on that branch
There was a nest
The prettiest nest
That you ever did see
And the nest was on the branch
And the branch was on the limb
And the limb was on the tree
And the tree was in the ground
And the green grass grew all around, all around, and the green grass grew all around
And in that nest
There was an egg
The prettiest egg
That you ever did see
And the egg was in the nest
And the nest was on the branch
And the branch was on the limb
And the limb was on the tree
And the tree was in the ground
And the green grass grew all around, all around, and the green grass grew all around
And in that egg
There was a bird
The prettiest bird
That you ever did see
And the bird was in the egg
And the egg was in the nest
And the nest was on the branch
And the branch was on the limb
And the limb was on the tree
And the tree was in the ground
And the green grass grew all around, all around, and the green grass grew all around
The Acorn Song
I’m an acorn small and round
lying on the cold, cold, ground
people always step on me
that is why I’m cracked you see
I’m a nut (clack, clack)
I’m a nut (clack, clack)
I’m a nut, I’m a nut, I’m a nut (clack, clack)
Source: Jbrary
5 Little Leaves
Five little leaves so bright and gay,
Were dancing in a tree one day.
The wind came blowing through the town,
One little leaf came tumbling down.
(4,3,2,1…)
Source: Literacious
My Little Turle
This is my little turtle.
(Make fist)
He lives alone in a shell.
He likes his little home.
He thinks it’s really swell. He pokes out his head
(Poke out thumb)
When he wants to eat.
Then he pulls it back in.
(Hide thumb in fist)
When he wants to sleep.
Source: Librarian is on the Loose
Crafts and Activities
![Nature Coloring Page Coloring page featuring flowers and a butterfly.](https://www.madisonlib.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Nature-Coloring-Page-e1719352727138.png)
Adventures in Nature
![Nature Weaving Make a weaving loom to take on a hike in nature.](https://www.madisonlib.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/nautre-weaving-e1719352829852.jpg)
Nature Weaving Board
Additional Books
![Scaredy Squirrel Goes Camping by Melanie Watt Book cover for Scaredy Squirrel Goes Camping by Melanie Watt](https://www.madisonlib.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/scaredy-squirrel-goes-camping.jpg)
Scaredy Squirrel Goes Camping by Mélanie Watt
Scaredy Squirrel takes a trip through the campground and finds out the wilderness is meant to be enjoyed up close.
![Log Life by Amy Hevron Book cover for Log Life by Amy Hevron](https://www.madisonlib.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/log-life.jpg)
Log Life by Amy Hevron
A nonfiction picture book that’s all about the tiny world of nurse log habitats. Nurse logs are tiny ecosystems with hundreds of rare and important life forms. When old trees fall to the forest floor, they can take centuries to decompose, helping all sorts of organism for hundreds of years. They provide nutrients for tree seedlings, hideaways for small animals, shelters for the winter, and protection from the elements
![The Slug and the Snail by Oein DeBhairduin Book cover for The Slug and the Snail by Oein DeBhairduin](https://www.madisonlib.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/the-slug-and-the-snail.jpg)
The Slug and the Snail by Oein DeBhairduin
Two slug brothers travel happily together until an old crow asks them where their home is. The younger brother, feeling embarrassed, makes himself a shell, and calls himself a snail. The older brother carries on as he is. At first, the brothers grow apart. But in time they learn to respect each other’s way of life.
![Brown is Beautiful by Supriya Kelkar Book cover for Brown is Beautiful by Supriya Kelkar](https://www.madisonlib.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/brown-beautiful.jpg)
Brown is Beautiful by Supriya kelkar
On a hike with her grandparents, a young Indian-American girl makes note of all the things in the wilderness that are brown, too. Includes instructions on how to make a scrapbook.
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