My Favorite Moment in Nature
by Jane Yolen
A duck story. I was getting an honorary doctorate at the University of Massachusetts. There we all were in our academic robes. It was being held in the library just for me (I'd missed the actual event because my husband--a professor of Computer Science--had recently died and I had had to postpone my participation. So as we were walking to the room where I would get my degree and give my talk, we passed by a two-room high enclosure-- a mammoth herbarium where plants were growing in a room-size, glass-in room. Things had slowed down and we were inching forward. Something moved in the herbarium. I saw it out of the corner of my eye as my birdwatcher husband had taught me.
It was a male mallard. I tugged the gown of my marching partner, Dr. Masha Rudman. "Duck!" I said. She flinched. "No...no, duck!" I said, pointing to the mallard. We stopped. The whole line stopped. We all crowded to look.
Why and how a duck could have gotten in, I was only to find out ten years later. Evidently the top of the glass herbarium was open to the outside. But I didn't know then. It was very mysterious.
The mallard moved again, nervous about all the people staring in. And as he moved, there was another movement. A female on a nest.
At that, the line of academics started to move again. Within moments, the ducks were behind us. But if I had been religious I might have believed that my husband had engineered it all.
Stop by Foodie Bibliophile in Wanderlust tomorrow for Day #3 of the tour!
Blog Tour Schedule:
April 10th – Word Spelunking
April 11th – Mrs. Mommy Booknerd
April 12th – Foodie Bibliophile in Wanderlust
April 13th – Late Bloomer's Book Blog
April 14th – Mundie Kids
April 17th – Life Naturally
April 18th – Chat with Vera
April 19th – The Kids Did It
April 20th – Books My Kids Read
April 21st – Marianna Frances
April 11th – Mrs. Mommy Booknerd
April 12th – Foodie Bibliophile in Wanderlust
April 13th – Late Bloomer's Book Blog
April 14th – Mundie Kids
April 17th – Life Naturally
April 18th – Chat with Vera
April 19th – The Kids Did It
April 20th – Books My Kids Read
April 21st – Marianna Frances
From award-winning and NY Times bestselling children’s author of more than 350 books, Jane Yolen, and award-winning illustrator, Bob Marstall, On Duck Pond is the first sequel to the acclaimed On Bird Hill, which launched the children’s picture book series written for the esteemed Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the world authority on birds.In On Bird Hill, Yolen and Marstall took readers on a surreal journey with a boy and his dog, as they stopped, looked, and noticed things along their path—ultimately discovering the miracle of the birth of a baby bird. On Duck Pond continues the journey of the boy and dog story, this time in a new place—a serene pond, filled with birds, frogs, turtles and other creatures going about their quiet business. Their intrusion stirs the pond into a cacophony of activity, reaching climactic chaos, before slowly settling back to it’s quiet equilibrium.This beautiful and enchanting sequel is sure to delight On Bird Hill fans and millions of readers and fans of Jane’s popular classics.
A beautifully illustrated story written in rhyming verse is one I will not soon forget. It takes out down to duck pond and inside nature's activities; sights and sounds. This book will cause you to want to head outside and to get exploring. There is so much to see and enjoy when you get out of the house and take the time to observe, appreciate and honor all the wonders of nature that surrounds us. A delight...beautiful, moving and stunning!
About the Author: JaneYolen has authored more than 350 books, including the Caldecott-winning Owl Moon, which every budding young ornithologist owns, You Nest Here With Me, which is a popular new favorite, and the New York Times bestselling series How Do Dinosaurs. Jane Yolen’s books have been translated into over 20 languages and are popular around the world.
Janes husband, David Stemple, was both a well known bird recordist and a professor of computer science and he taught the entire family how to identify birds. Many of Jane’s books are about wildlife subjects, especially the winged kind. Jane lives in Hatfield, MA. Visit her online at http://janeyolen.com
About the Illustrator: Bob Marstall is the illustrator of nine nonfiction children’s books, including the The Lady and the Spider, which sold over a quarter-of-a-million copies and was a Reading Rainbow selection. Bob has also been honored with an ALA Notable; an IRA Teachers’ Choice; a Smithsonian Magazine Notable Book for Children; and three John Burroughs selections.
In addition, two of Bob’s books are included in the New York Times Parent’s Guide’s “1001 Best Books of the Twentieth Century.” Bob Lives in Easthampton, MA. Visit him online at http://www.marstallstudio.com.
About the Cornell Lab:The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is a world leader in the study, appreciation, and conservation of birds. Our hallmarks are scientific excellence and technological innovation to advance the understanding of nature and to engage people of all ages in learning about birds and protecting the planet. birds.cornell.edu
GIVEAWAY
- One (1) winner will receive a set of both On Bird Hill and On Duck Pond -- a great Earth Day gift!
- US only
ENTER HERE: A Rafflecopter Giveaway
No comments:
Post a Comment
I love comments, so please leave some! If you are a new follower and have a blog yourself please let me know so I can follow you back! Have a great day!
Emily, AKA Mrs. Mommy Booknerd