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As Maya Grows in the Natural World
For ages 3-6 and the caregivers who nurture their love for outdoor play.
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!
Join Maya in the great fun she has outdoors on every page.
She hopes you love reading her book under a tree, beneath the sky, or wherever you feel the happiest!
Why a Lotus Flower?
Seek and find searches are fun! They encourage attention to detail and instill a sense of accomplishment that brings a smile to a child’s face.
I felt an instant connection with the metaphor of the lotus flower for the book and my logo.
The lotus grows through mud, rising above the water and opening into a beautiful flower with the help of sunlight. Like the lotus, a child can reach their potential despite adversity when given guidance and shown kindness. Its blossoming mirrors Maya's flourishing through her experiences in nature, which will lead her, in time, to care for the environment.
A lotus flower reflects mindfulness in nature. It is a reminder to stay grounded in the here and now rather than being lost in past regrets or future anxieties. It teaches that success and individual development require time, patience, and perseverance. The lotus symbolizes a transformative journey that nurtures growth and fosters harmony with nature.