Good Morning, Mother Nature: (Nature Time)
on Goodreads (8)
What’s inside...
Good Morning, Mother Nature: (Nature Time) is a heartwarming tale that takes its readers on a spirited journey through the natural world. The author, Lucas Alberg, weaves a story of adventure and discovery as the characters interact with the wonders of nature, learn about the environment, and build a deeper respect for the earth. The book is a warm, rhyming tale that serves as an ode to the great outdoors, following a chickadee at sunrise as it greets various forest creatures and encounters common sights and sounds of the forest. Written as a companion to the acclaimed Goodnight Great Outdoors, this children’s book, featuring highly stylized, playful artwork by Megan Marie Myers, is perfect for starting the day with a celebration of nature.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
2-5
Length
22 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What is your favorite part of nature we read about today, and why?
How do you think the animals in the book feel when the sun rises?
If you were part of this nature scene, what would you like to be—a bird, a tree, or a river? Tell me why.
What are the different sounds you might hear if we were in the woods like in the book?
How do you think taking care of nature helps the animals and plants?
Tip: Role play these questions
Pause at beautiful illustrations to ask your child what they see and how it makes them feel, linking their thoughts to the story.
Reinforce new vocabulary introduced in the story by connecting it with familiar everyday objects or occurrences.
After reading, take a walk outside and encourage your child to point out elements they remember from the book, fostering a real-world connection.
Encourage your child to express the story in their own words, which aids in comprehension and memory retention.
Relate the book’s themes to your child’s experiences, asking them about times they have interacted with nature, to enhance personal connection.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Appreciation of Nature
Explanation: Through vivid illustrations and engaging text, 'Good Morning, Mother Nature' encourages children to observe and appreciate the beauty of the natural world around them.
Real-World Application: Kids can develop a habit of exploring their own backyards, parks, or nature trails, cultivating a lifelong love and respect for the environment.
Example Lesson: Understanding Ecosystems
Explanation: The book introduces various animals and plants, showing their roles within their habitats, which helps children understand the concept of ecosystems and interdependence.
Real-World Application: Children learn to recognize the importance of every organism in maintaining the balance of nature, promoting responsible behaviors like not disturbing wildlife.
Example Lesson: Seasons and Weather Patterns
Explanation: As the story unfolds, it educates on different seasons and weather patterns, illustrating how they affect the life cycles of plants and animals.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to be observant about seasonal changes and weather patterns, enhancing their scientific knowledge and curiosity.
Example Lesson: Curiosity and Exploration
Explanation: The book’s adventurous narrative stimulates curiosity and encourages exploration, as the main characters discover new aspects of their natural surroundings.
Real-World Application: Children are inspired to ask questions and explore new things in their environment, which boosts their cognitive development and problem-solving skills.
Example Lesson: Responsibility towards Environment
Explanation: The story subtly teaches children about the impacts of human actions on nature and the importance of taking care of our environment.
Real-World Application: This lesson can translate into everyday actions like recycling, conserving water, and other eco-friendly practices that children can easily adopt.