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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

    3. Gaye McGill on

      “Teaching children about the natural world should be treated as one of the most important events in their lives.” ~Thomas Berry

      Reply
    4. Lisa Williams on

      I love for my children to learn about this planet we live on and teaching them to take care of it for this generation and generations to come,so we get outdoors and much as possible and we love our earth.

      Reply
    5. Sue E on

      To me a lush carpet of pine needles or spongy grass is more welcome than the most luxurious Persian rug. —Helen Keller

      A beautiful Quote from a woman who is blind!, but sees with her other senses better than some of us!

      Reply
    11. LisaM on

      I love the quote from Carl Sagan – we are all stardust. It may not seem very “naturey” but it reminds me all the time that we’re all interconnected with everything around us

      Reply
      • Patti on

        Sue, thank you. I could not help but think of nature’s complexity. As a Floridian living through multiple hurricanes, I know they are a natural phenomenon with an important role in maintaining ecological balance. Love for nature requires an embrace of its gifts in our hearts and acceptance of its harshness in our minds.

        Reply
      • Patti on

        Tracy, thank you very much for this quote. Inspired by her roots, Dolly Parton truly lives what she sings through her natural world-focused advocacy, philanthropy, and business initiatives.

        Reply
    20. Tracy Urschler on

      “Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts…. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature—the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.” —Rachel Carson

      Reply
    24. Tracy Urschler on

      To me a lush carpet of pine needles or spongy grass is more welcome than the most luxurious Persian rug. —Helen Keller

      Reply
    30. Sue E on

      The three great elemental sounds in nature are the sound of rain, the sound of wind in a primeval wood, and the sound of outer ocean on a beach.

      Henry Beston

      Reply
      • Patti on

        Thank you, Sue. This is one of my favorites:

        It is only when we are aware of the earth and of the earth as poetry that we truly live.

        Henry Beston

        Reply
    31. Tracy Urschler on

      For most of history, man has had to fight nature to survive; in this century he is beginning to realize that, in order to survive, he must protect it. —Jacques-Yves Cousteau

      Reply
    38. Patti on

      Tracy, thank you. This quotation resonates with my book. I hope to convey that a childlike curiosity in harmony with time spent in nature will engage both heart and mind and encourage a lifelong passion for discovery and belonging.

      Reply
    39. Sue E on

      In nature, nothing is perfect
      and everything is perfect. Trees can be contorted, bent in weird ways, and they’re still beautiful.
      Alice Walker

      Reply
      • Patti on

        Donna, thank you. “As Maya Grows in the Natural World” is a poetic journey through the simple yet beautiful wonders of nature. The book blends the joy of outdoor play, expressed in verse, with quotations for adult reflection, intended to be shared during story time moments. Each experience becomes a stepping stone to fostering love and care for the environment. Adding an element of interactive fun is a red lotus flower ‘seek and find’ activity. Throughout the book, Kim’s beautiful illustrations bloom with enchantment.”

        Reply
    54. Sue E on

      Tranquility, serenity, and beauty of nature taught me how to find happiness in life and in the
      silence of eternity.
      Debasish Mridha

      Reply
    63. Sue E on

      “What is the good of your stars and trees, your sunrise and the wind, if they do not enter into our daily lives?” –E.M. Forster

      Reply
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