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Early fall is a great time to get outdoors at night and enjoy star gazing. The big dipper has shown brightly the past few weeks. We also enjoyed a super blue moon for several nights in August. THE FIRE OF STARS: THE LIFE AND BRILLIANCE OF THE WOMAN WHO DISCOVERED WHAT STARS ARE MADE OF … [Read More]

Della Farrell at Holiday House has acquired world rights to Stone by Stone: A Rock’s Journey Through Time by Melissa Koch, illustrated by Victoria Tentler-Krylov. This nonfiction picture book takes readers on a journey through the world’s stone structures, revealing their geological and sociological significance. Publication is set for spring 2026; Laurel Symonds while at … [Read More]

While I’m usually thinking of bodies of water or landscapes, the last eight months I’ve been thinking, talking, and teaching about our own body images. In other words, how we view our human bodies. As we grow and age, our bodies change. Some changes we welcome, others we resist. At the same time, we are … [Read More]

    Long, hot summer days spent splashing in the sprinkler, drinking icy lemonade and taking a dip in the swimming pool. Water. My favorite part of summer. I love how water feels cool and refreshing as it slides down your throat or on your skin when you dive deep, emerge, and then let the … [Read More]

Spring is a time we go outside to enjoy nature: it’s not too hot nor too cold no matter where we live. And there’s a lot going on in the spring too: new flowers budding, birds singing, and all sorts of animals awakening.  It’s a great time to reconnect with the outside that’s been waiting … [Read More]

It’s a snow day as I write this post. The world seems to have stopped for a bit or at least slowed down with a quiet hush. It’s warm and cozy inside while we watch the outside world disappear beneath a blanket of white. We sip some hot tea or cocoa while we wait for … [Read More]

Forest BathingSpend some time with trees this summer. Whether it’s in your backyard, a nearby park, or on a hike in the woods. Use all your sense to take in what you see, hear, feel, smell, and taste (just the air, please) around you. Use all of your senses to absorb your tree surroundings even … [Read More]

During April 2019 in honor of Earth Day, I gave Forest Talk book talks at several libraries in the Midwest. The audience ranged in age from 4 to 84. Forest Talk has something for everybody! “Melissa, it was such a joy having you at our library! Your book is wonderfully informative and interesting! The kids, … [Read More]