Mud by Mary Lyn Ray



Illustrated by Lauren Stringer. Turtleback Books, St. Louis, MO, 2001.
Hardcover edition, 32 pages, ISBN 978-0613355414.

    

Ray unfolds a sensory medley of the smell ("like sap on snow"), the sound ("leaves... run rattling in the flapping wind"), and the sight ("the hills will remember their colors") of the gently thawing springtime earth. A joyous vernal dance explodes. "Stir it. Stick it.... / Gooey, gloppy, mucky, / magnificent mud." Stringer's soft curly textures depict a child's pudgy, cavorting feet, a delightful paen to the fifth season.

This colorful ode to the transition from winter to spring is suitable for ages 1-4. There are short bursts of text on each page, making it easy for the youngest to follow. Particularly suited to the toddler group.

Minnesota Book Award, IRA Children’s Choice Award, Crayola Kids Best Book of the Year Award.