A Year with Mama Earth by Rebecca Grabill

Back of Book:
In September, Mama Earth sighs out the first autumn frost, which crunches under children’s feet. Mama Earth looks after nature’s plants and animals throughout the year—singing lullabies to fat bears in the fall, dressing evergreens in icicles in winter, and waking up the crocuses in spring. And in the summer, Mama Earth sends warm sunbeams to her beloved children, so they can play outside and enjoy the amazing world around them.
My Review:
I received a copy of this picture book from Eerdmans Books For Young Readers in exchange for an honest review.
“A Year with Mama Earth” is a stunning lyrical story that allows readers to see the different beauty and changes throughout one calendar year. The book begins in September and flows through each month describing the differences in the earth as the season’s change. The text flows smoothly and effortlessly. I loved how the use of figurative language allows readers to make positive connections between the similarities and differences of each passing month.
I live and teach in Southern California, our environment is filled with dessert terrain and wildlife. I loved using this story to teach my students that seasons look different in different parts of the United States. I can also see myself using this book as a focus on the different figurate language and how to properly use it in a text. The illustrations by Rebecca Green are nothing short of breathtaking! Each illustration is perfectly crafted to match what the text is describing. The details truly bring the story to life and allow readers to visualize how seasons look in other areas.
The notes in the back of the book from the author and illustrator give the story a very well-rounded and personal feeling. I could tell as a reader that this book was a true labor of love for both of them.
“A Year With Mama Earth” is a true gem and a book that should definitely be a part of elementary and elementary libraries. It is a story that not only teaches us to appreciate the earth but to also love it as well.
Ages 5 and up
40 Pages