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    As Maya Grows in the Natural World | Book Giveaway

    Bianca SchulzeBy 5 Mins Read Giveaways
    As Maya Grows in the Natural World Book Giveaway Header

    Book giveaway of As Maya Grows in the Natural World presented* by Patricia Ambinder in partnership with The Children’s Book Review.

    Inspired by John Muir’s timeless wisdom, the essence of the book As Maya Grows in the Natural World lies in his profound words:

    Nature is the greatest teacher of all. It teaches us to love, to care, and to appreciate the beauty of the world around us.

    This book is a celebration of the joy found in outdoor play and the invaluable lessons nature imparts in building self-confidence and resilience, all while fostering a deep love for the environment. Author Patricia Ambinder hopes that through these pages, young readers will forge a lasting connection with the natural world, recognizing that ‘the world is our home, and we belong to each other.’

    In addition to receiving a copy of the book, three lucky winners will have the opportunity to direct a $100 donation to a children’s or nature-related charity of their choice.

    To enter this giveaway, participants are invited to share a favorite nature quotation—be it an original composition or one from a known or unknown source. Let us unite in spreading the wisdom and beauty of the natural world.

    Book Cover As Maya Grows in the Natural World

    As Maya Grows in the Natural World is a lovely introduction to sustainability and the environment for young readers. 

    —Dr. Jen Harrison, The Children’s Book Review

    Book Giveaway

    As Maya Grows in the Natural World: Book Giveaway

    About the Book

    Book Cover As Maya Grows in the Natural World

    As Maya Grows in the Natural World

    Written by Patricia Ambinder

    Illustrated by Kim Soderberg

    Ages: 2-6 | 34 Pages

    Publisher: Patricia Ambinder (2023) | ISBN-13: 9798988238553

    Publisher’s Book Summary: Maya and her friends delight in catching falling leaves, dancing to the music of swaying trees, and discovering other enchanting adventures that grow self-confidence and foster a love of nature.

    The sounds of rippling streams seem to flow from the pages, and your fingertips can almost feel the texture of sticks, stones, and cones from the beautiful illustrations with stunning detail.

    Imaginative rhymes-Paint a pumpkin with colors that splish-splash and swish-paired with insightful quotations for adults by known and unknown sources -The sea has a way of reminding us of our smallness, yet at the same time, our potential for greatness- teach nature’s nurturing lessons of kindness, empathy, compassion, and the joy of curiosity.

    Among the book’s surprises is a red lotus flower, a symbol of resilience, hidden brightly, its bloom waiting to be found.

    Through Maya’s journey, children grow to understand that nature’s gifts belong to everyone and that protecting them is our shared responsibility—Earth and Heart are spelled with the same letters.

    Celebrate the wonder of the natural world brimming with flowers, apples, turtles, deer, ducks, birds, soil, streams, leaves, and other open-air treasures!

    Enjoy the great fun Maya has on every page. She hopes you love reading her book under a tree, beneath the sky, or wherever you feel the happiest!

    Buy the Book

    amazon
    barnes and noble

    About the Author

    A writer of poetry and prose, Patricia Ambinder is a passionate social justice advocate with an avid curiosity to understand the complexities of the human experience. She appreciates the concise eloquence of quotations to nurture imagination and challenge thinking.

    For decades, Patricia held leadership positions on boards and councils, offering guidance and enhancing communications to strengthen community engagement on issues such as early childhood education, food security and peace and justice. She is an Honorary Life Member of the Board of Directors of Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.

    Patricia and her husband cherish time with their four children and extended family. It was her adored granddaughter Maya’s fascination with leaves and delight in morning nature walks that inspired “As Maya Grows in the Natural World.” Patricia loves watching birds and hearing the rustle of sea grapes.

    For more information, visit AsMayaGrows.com.

    Patricia Ambinder: Author Headshot

    About the Illustrator

    Kim Soderberg is a Children’s Book Illustrator with a personal and professional passion for helping children grow in kindness through visual storytelling. After her son was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the importance of advocating for acceptance became a focal point in her work. Through portraying characters of all differences and abilities, she supports a culture where we all belong as we are in this world.

    Kim currently lives in Cleveland, Ohio, with her graphic designer husband, Josh, and their three energetic children. She has a BFA in illustration from the Columbus College of Art Design and is an active member of SCBWI. When she is not illustrating, you can find her creating with Sculpey, exploring Lake Erie, or searching for a new succulent to add to her collection.

    For more information, visit kimsoderbergillustration.com.

    Kim Soderberg: Illustrator Headshot

    Thank you for entering the As Maya Grows in the Natural World book giveaway. Check out our book giveaways page to see what other free children’s books may be up for grabs!

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    *Disclosure: Please note that this post may contain affiliate links that share some commission. Rest assured that these will not affect the cost of any products and services promoted here. Our team always provides their authentic opinion in all content published on this site.

    Share.

    Bianca Schulze is the founder of The Children’s Book Review. She is a reader, reviewer, mother and children’s book lover. She also has a decade’s worth of experience working with children in the great outdoors. Combined with her love of books and experience as a children’s specialist bookseller, the goal is to share her passion for children’s literature to grow readers. Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, she now lives with her husband and three children near Boulder, Colorado.

    353 Comments

      • Patti on

        Thank you, Anne, for sharing. I thought about the quotation’s meaning for me. Nature is a nurturing and soothing space to rest, grow and rejuvenate. I hope that home offers the same environment for children to feel safe, grow and thrive. I love how the same words have so many interpretations.

        Reply
      • Patti on

        Thank you, Anne, for sharing. I thought about the quotation’s meaning for me. Nature is a nurturing and soothing space to rest, grow and rejuvenate. I hope that home offers the same environment for children to feel safe, grow and thrive. I love how the same words have so many interpretations.

        Reply
    3. Susan J. on

      If you talk to the animals they will talk with you and you will know each other. If you do not talk to them you will not know them and what you do not know, you will fear. What one fears, one destroys. Quote from Chief Dan George.

      Reply
      • Patti on

        I appreciate your sharing this quotation. In the book, I quote Qwatsinas, Hereditary Chief, Edward Moody of the Nuxalk Nation and Black Elk of the Oglala Lakota Nation. I wanted to convey that Indigenous peoples view themselves as part of nature and Indigenous environmental stewardship predates modern environmentalism by centuries. Thank you.

        Reply
      • Patti on

        Nadine, it is raining outside my window as I write this thank you for your quotation. It conveys appreciation for rain as cheerful, not gloomy, life-giving like sunshine, and not inconvenient. I will share this with Maya, who loves playing in liquid sunshine.

        ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

        May I use this space to convey what I told Bianca Schulze when we discussed this giveaway? I knew that every quotation shared would be inspiring. I am grateful for each and every one.

        Reply
      • Patti on

        Thank you so much, Amy. John Muir truly stood as a towering figure in championing the profound significance and impact of the natural world on well-being.

        Reply
      • Patti on

        Heather, thank you. I could not help but relate this to a lotus flower that perseveres through muddy waters to bloom with beauty above the surface.

        Reply
      • Patti on

        Sherry, thank you for sharing this quotation from Mary Davis. I looked at her author page and read she”…lives a contemplative life in harmony with nature.” This added a deeper layer of understanding to her words.

        Reply
      • Patti on

        Nature is certainly a profound teacher, offering wisdom and insights into the many complexities of life. I love its ability to inspire endless curiosity and a lifelong joy in the pursuit of knowledge. The quotation you chose elicits so many perspectives. Thank you.

        Reply
      • Patti on

        I found your quotation to be a very powerful reminder to leave nature undisturbed and live responsibly with minimal impact on the world. Thank you.

        Reply
      • Patti on

        Thank you, David. Little ones can enjoy the seek-and-find red lotus flower and pointing to other objects they are familiar with. I hope the book grows with the child as a listener, an early reader and as an evolving thinker.
        The quotations are for adult reflection to share in their own words. Fun experiences enhance the joy of discovering the wonder of the natural world.

        Reply
    14. Anne Perry on

      As Maya Grows in the Natural World is a lovely introduction to sustainability and the environment for young readers.

      —Dr. Jen Harrison, The Children’s Book Review

      Reply
      • Patti on

        Jonathan, your quotation made me think about the challenge of adopting patience in our fast-moving technological world. This pace contrasts with the slow gradual processes of nature. I feel the more I engage with the rhythms of nature, its calming presence instills patience. Thank you.

        Reply
    19. Patti on

      Lynda, thank you so much for this quotation. I hope there will never be Wi-Fi in a forest to disturb its tranquility. (Written with a smile), disconnecting while in nature can help boost our inner bandwidth and deepen our connections.

      Reply
    22. Penny Lebaron on

      John Lubbock
      “Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer’s day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.”

      Reply
    34. Patti on

      Thank you, Anne. I find this fascinating: “In September 1867, at age 29, John Muir undertook a walk of 1,000 miles from Indiana to Florida to experience and study the natural world, which he recounted in his book A Thousand Mile Walk to the Gulf. He had no specific route chosen except to go by the “wildest, leafiest, and least trodden way I could find.’ “

      Reply
    36. Patti on

      Dear Sara,
      I am deeply moved that you collect ASD-sensitive books for your children. Your commitment to nurturing their love for reading with books they are comfortable with is very heartening.

      Reply
      • Patti on

        Rebecca, thank you. The diverse splendor of nature mirrors the diverse beauty of humanity. Maya’s friends in the book are based on real people in her life and people I envision will be in her life as she grows.

        Reply
    39. Patti on

      Thank you, Gloria. Maya and her friends have a great deal of fun playing outside, which is the first element of what I would call The Green Smile Equation: Fun + curiosity + imagination + learning = love for nature and care for the environment.

      Reply
    44. Jewelz B. on

      I love the theme of this book! I’d love to give this to my niece. She loves to be outside and loves animals so she would definitely love this story! The girl on the cover even looks like her! Thanks for the chance to win. And I love the donation to a children’s charity prize!

      Reply
      • Jewelz B. on

        I can’t remember who said it or where I saw or heard this quote but I love it.

        “The sound of a waterfall is nature’s lullaby”

        Reply
        • Patti on

          Jewelz, the metaphors reflecting nature’s connection to children are all around us. Thank you very much for sharing this one. Thank you times three for your enthusiasm, interest and appreciation of the charitable donation!!!

          Reply
      • Patti on

        Jewelz, thank you times five for your enthusiasm, interest and appreciation of the winner’s choice of a charity to receive a donation in their name!!!!!

        Reply
    46. Patti on

      With appreciation for your comments,

      Please excuse duplications and awkward placement of my replies. Like nature has its own unique patterns, my replies seem to find their own unexpected arrangement. Thank you for understanding, Patti

      Reply
    47. SARA on

      I really appreciate your dedication to spreading autism awareness. It’s especially important for neurotypical kids to understand and accept, thanks again.

      Reply
    55. Patti on

      Daniel, thank you for sharing Rabbi Hillel’s message of perseverance, hope and optimism for the future. Guidance that is timeless and very timely.

      Reply
      • Patti on

        Sara, I am very moved by the connection to TCBR supporters like you who have left comments like yours about the book or shared a quotation. Thank you.

        Reply
      • Patti on

        Thank you, Gloria. In the book, I wanted to communicate that outdoor play nurtures curiosity, awakens imagination, and nature educates so love and care for the environment can grow.

        Reply
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