Children’s literature can be a powerful tool for introducing children to Maine’s wildlife, which is why you’ll often see Maine Audubon educators toting books to classrooms, reading to campers in the shade of an oak tree, or making use of the story walks installed at Gilsland Farm. In fact, we love children’s books so much that we partnered with Islandport Press to publish four of them! So when we learned that the week of April 30th-May 6th is both national Children’s Book Week and Screen-free Week, how could we not celebrate?
Visit Gilsland Farm anytime this week to browse an expanded selection of children’s books in our Nature Store, read a story with your young one in the Discovery Room (and check on those soon-to-be-released salmon!), or hit the trails to find a story walk. Don’t forget to check out the artwork on loan from local author and illustrator Cathryn Falwell in our Education Center gallery, too!
In addition to our regularly scheduled programming, we also have some special guests and authors visiting this week:
Thursday, May 3, 10 am
How can people and animals be safe around roads? Author Melissa Kim will read A Blanding’s Turtle Story and Sarah Haggerty, a wildlife biologist at Maine Audubon, will talk about her work with wildlife road crossings. Lastly, Sergeant Frank Soule from the Falmouth Police Department will review pedestrian safety.
Friday, May 4, 9:30 am
Todd Gutner, NEWS CENTER Maine/WCSH Chief Meteorologist, will join us to discuss weather and read Raindrops Roll by April Pulley Sayre. After that, we’ll make pinwheel wind collectors and explore the weather conditions at Gilsland Farm.
Friday, May 4, 4-6 pm
Join Maine writer Amy Havel for a FREE, fun, and creative afternoon for kids ages 10-13 designed to explore the outdoors through a writer’s point of view. Register here.
Saturday, May 5
Join us for two special storytimes today, plus ongoing activities with Maine Audubon and Pam Leo from the Book Fairy Pantry Project from 10 am-2 pm.
10am-12pm
Meet author Lynn Plourde and illustrator Teri Weidner of Baby Bear’s Not Hibernating and Wake Up, Baby Bear!
12-2pm
Meet Cathryn Falwell, author and illustrator of Pond Babies, The Nesting Quilt, Gobble Gobble, and more!
