Spit & Sticks

Spit & Sticks

Picture book
Marilyn Grohoske Evans' Spit & Sticks: A Chimney Full of Swifts
is another book that neatly ties an enchanting narrative in with real
life explorations.
A swift has flown thousands of miles from South America to
Texas. Somehow it is able to locate the chimney where it was born.
It and another bird build a nest. Soon there are three eggs for them
to tend to.
The family in the house is expecting a baby. The enchanting
story line segues between the two clans until the early winter day
when the swifts head back to South America.
The book gives ideas on what kids and families can do to help
chimney swifts survive. Here are some other fun activities.
*Pick a kind of migratory bird and learn as much as you can about it
and the journey it takes. If human activities put it in peril share
this information with friends.
*In the winter investigate the best ways to feed the birds that arrive
or stay around. They can be a joy to watch. Just make sure any cat
you may have stays indoors.
*Find out what kind of bird will nest in your locale. Carefully
construct a bird house. Orono Community Garden volunteers enjoy the
bluebirds that take up residence. Just make sure to keep a window
between your tenants and your family felines.
Happy reading and observing!
On a personal note, yesterday was a gorgeous, warm day. Signs of
spring are popping up. Literally. There are gold and purple crocuses
and buds on trees at UMaine. Joey is scanning the skies for incoming
robins. I've heard rumors of daffodils. As much as I love UMaine, I
am enjoying a three day weekend to do a little catching up.
A great shout out goes out to my fellow students who are working on
catch up, attending concerts, or traveling somewhere. Also faculty
and staff peeps who are up to their eyeballs in end of semester.
jules hathaway


Sent from my iPod