Wilder child

Jump, climb trees, and run through a field of stars with the wild children. No shoes? No umbrella? No map? No problem. Based on a poem by Sowder (founder of Wild Child and Wildschooling, organizations dedicated to nature-based learning), this lyrical picture book celebrates the "wild children": those who aren't afraid to get mud under their fingernails, scramble up the rocky coastal shoreline, or get up close and personal with a nest of newly hatched spiderlings. After the author lists the many ways these adventurous children immerse themselves in nature, her lofty final stanzas suggest that their deep connection to the natural world will inspire them to speak up for those who have no voice. Softly textured, mellow pastel and pencil illustrations feature children with varying skin tones and hair colors as they connect with their vibrant outdoor environment. While the children's cartoon faces are sweet, simply rendered, and serene, the outdoor scenes are the true stars of the show. The visuals are dazzlingly detailed, down to a moth's fragile antennae; the forests and streams command attention as the wild children merely pass through. Roll up your sleeves and read this book with your toes in the grass.(Picture book. 3-6) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.