SIMPLE THANKS

Children delight in nature.

Two little ones marvel at their surroundings and thank the wonders all around: the clouds, the rain, and the land. Soon a friend arrives to help the protagonists plant a sapling. “Love connects us, every one,” the children proclaim. “The world is one”—a phrase that’s repeated occasionally. Other friends appear, and the text suggests relationships among other natural phenomena: “the youngest bee, the oldest tree,” “the rocks, the springs, the birds that sing.” Once more, the youngsters give thanks—for the sea and the sky, for “blooms / for butterflies.” Everyone engages further with nature and each other. At the end, readers are assured that “we’re different, yet we’re all the same… / We’re all the colors of the world.” The story is narrated in sweet, gentle verse. The ideas are inspiring and ennobling, but children’s interest may flag, as the text is on the long side, and the concepts will likely waft over their heads. While the idea of getting kids excited by nature is a laudable one, youngsters may prefer spending time outside to reading this tale. The colorful digital illustrations are bland, though the final double-page spread is quite cheery. The protagonists are tan-skinned and brown-haired; other characters are diverse in skin color and physical ability.

Much-needed encouragement to engage with the natural world, if a bit on the lofty side.