Mud

Mud
Ages 3 and up.
ISBN: 0152024611
Published by Sandpiper, 2001
Authored by Mary Lyn Ray
Illustrated by Lauren Stringer

Recommended Reading

What happens in spring? What happens before the fruit blossoms, before the daffodils flower, before the grass even grows? Why, mud, of course.

In this book, the earth seems to secretly thaw overnight, and in the morning a look outside finds winter receding down a muddy dirt road. Puddles of water are left everywhere, and mud quickly takes over the landscape. A child takes off her shoes. Muddy feet are happy feet.

This book’s free-verse poetry evokes sounds (“squish, squk”), images (“hills remember their colors”), and action (“dig it! dance it!”) for readers of all ages. After reading the book, try using the first line, “One night it happens…” as a model for children to create their own poems and stories about the wonderful world of mud.

Check out this book and get ready to enjoy a lyrical celebration of the cycling seasons.

Try it in conjunction with the following PLT activities:

Environmental Experiences for Early Childhood

#3 – Get in Touch With Trees
#4 – We All Need Trees
#7 – Bursting Buds
#8 – Adopt a Tree
#10 – Trees as Habitats

PreK-8 Environmental Education Activity Guide

#18 – Tale of the Sun
#30 – Three Cheers for Trees
#31 – Plant a Tree
#61 – The Closer You Look
#65 – Bursting Buds
#70 – Soil Stories
#87 – Earth Manners

• Bio

Jackie Stallard

Jackie is Director of Curriculum for Project Learning Tree. Jackie oversees the next generation of PLT’s PreK-12 environmental education materials, as well as other instructional materials and resources. She also directs strategic alliances that advance curriculum implementation with other environmental education and sustainability resource providers.

• Bio

Jackie Stallard

Jackie is Director of Curriculum for Project Learning Tree. Jackie oversees the next generation of PLT’s PreK-12 environmental education materials, as well as other instructional materials and resources. She also directs strategic alliances that advance curriculum implementation with other environmental education and sustainability resource providers.

• Bio

Jackie Stallard

Jackie is Director of Curriculum for Project Learning Tree. Jackie oversees the next generation of PLT’s PreK-12 environmental education materials, as well as other instructional materials and resources. She also directs strategic alliances that advance curriculum implementation with other environmental education and sustainability resource providers.