Musings of a New Naturalist: Sharing moments of awe in nature
It's an extra special joy to share moments of awe in nature with children. In such moments, we share a direct experience that immerses us and fills us with wonder and respect for the natural world. On several field excursions over the last year, students and I were filled with awe, such as when we heard coyotes howl as we explored a prairie, spied on a fawn suckling its mother in a meadow of wildflowers, and eavesdropped on pygmy nuthatches conversing as we took a precious time-out to sit and draw in the forest.
I also love picture books that convey special moments of awe. They can be experienced any time, even if the weather outside is frightful!
Author Michelle Cusolito and illustrator Jessica Lanan do an incredible job of sharing the awe of a freediver who was welcomed (by the whales) to witness the birth of a sperm whale at sea. How extraordinary! I love how the text uses the repetitive sounds of breath and the fluid movements of both the whales and the diver to draw us into the scene and show the connections between the diver and the whales. The evocative illustrations, based on photos and videos of the event, transport us into the whales’ watery world. Share this dose of awe with children of any age.
(Please note that I do not receive any compensation for recommending books or linking to the Bookshop site.)