Sometimes, when life gets hectic or the newsfeed seems overwhelming, I find it helps me to take a deep breath, take a walk, and look for the beauty that is everywhere in nature. And when we can share the beauty of nature with others, that’s even better.
Sidewalk Flowers
Author: Jon Arno Lawson
Illustrator: Sydney Smith
Publisher/Date: Groundwood Books (House of Anansi Press)/2015
Ages: 4-7
Themes: wordless picture book; finding beauty; nature; generosity
Short Synopsis (from Goodreads):
In this wordless picture book, a little girl collects wildflowers while her distracted father pays her little attention. Each flower becomes a gift, and whether the gift is noticed or ignored, both giver and recipient are transformed by their encounter. “Written” by award-winning poet JonArno Lawson and brought to life by illustrator Sydney Smith, Sidewalk Flowers is an ode to the importance of small things, small people, and small gestures.
Read a review at Katie Reviews Books.
tiny, perfect things
Author: M.H. Clark
Illustrator: Madeline Kloepper
Publisher/Date: Compendium, Inc./2018
Ages: 3-7
Themes: finding beauty; nature; intergenerational; multicultural
Short Synopsis (from Goodreads):
The whole world is a treasure waiting to be found. Open your eyes and see the wonderful things all around. This is the story of a child and a grandfather whose walk around the neighborhood leads to a day of shared wonder as they discover all sorts of tiny, perfect things together. With rhythmic storytelling and detailed and intricate illustrations, this is a book about how childlike curiosity can transform ordinary days into extraordinary adventures.
Read a review at Brain Pickings.
I paired these books because both feature walks by a child and adult, in which small things are noted, such as the flowers growing between the cracks of sidewalks, birds, leaves and even shadows. To be present in the moment and to appreciate nature and one’s neighborhood are gifts for children, and adults, to share.
Looking for similar reads?
See Ask Me (Bernard Waber/Suzy Lee, 2015) and Be Still, Life (Ohara Hale, 2017).
Wander, Ponder, Write 
I am finally beginning to enjoy wordless PBs because I see their value to children and their beauty. This one sounds like a must read! And I love Tiny Perfect Things. Children are more naturally “in the moment” and this is a perfect book for a child to share with their parents. They are so observant. Thanks for the recommendations!
I struggled with the wordless PBs, too, but agree that children love to tell the stories via the pictures.