move about in the
neighborhood, for-
ests, water, and the
air. Activities, ideas
for parents and teach-
ers, and extra infor-
mation and links at
the end of this book
make it one that is
not only a wonderful
read-together book,
but one that can lead
to more discoveries,
questions, and conversations.
Another book for this great out-
door time of year is Scampers Thinks
Like a Scientist (Dawn Publications,
Nevada City, 2019, $8.99), written by
Mike Allegra and illustrated by Eliza-
beth Zechel. This clever and curious
little mouse has all the makings of a sci-
entist. She asks questions, loves to in-
vestigate, and she has the spirit of an ex-
plorer. If this sounds like someone you
know, then this is the book you want to
share. Everything was fine in the garden
until the owl arrived. All the mice scat-
tered except for Scampers. Something
just didn’t seem right… but how can
she figure out what it is? Through her
experiments and her observations, she
solves the mystery and she gets to invite
everyone safely back into the garden.
The adorable illustrations are followed
by photographs of real animals, like the
ones we meet in the story, with more in-
formation about them. Activities for Lit-
eracy and STEM (Science, Technology,
Engineering, Math) are also included.
Whether you are
outdoors on sunny
spring days or inside
on the ones that are
rainy, there is always
a book for entertain-
ment, learning, or
both! May has so
many flowers, so
many things to do,
and there are so many
books! Plus, what
better way is there,
than to celebrate the
promise of May and the message of
Mother’s Day with flowers and books
for the special mother(s) in your life!
Dr. Donna Phillips is an associate pro-
fessor in the College of Education at
Niagara University where her specialty
is literacy and children’s literature. She
lives on Grand Island, NY, and is the
mother of two adult children and the
grandmother of one.
May 2019 WNY Family 17