Written by Jennifer Comeau
Illustrated by Suzi Linden
To order a special hardcover edition printed with certified recycled materials, click here!
e-book 978-1-961905-15-3 | softcover 978-1-961905-14-6
June 2024 | 40 pages | Age: 4-7 years
Categories: Juvenile nonfiction, science & nature | Juv nonfiction, body concepts | Juv nonfiction, activity books
The Inside of ME is a sweet, rhyming story with flowing imagery about connecting with the natural world through a child’s eyes. More than it seems, it prompts children to think about their magical, interconnected world and the possibility of a reciprocal relationship with nature. Each illustration renders a scene from a natural place in Maine that is both open to the public and accessible to small children. In the back of the book are invitations to adventure to those places. This book is a keepsake and guide for exploring Maine’s outdoors and the natural world wherever you are. It has received a 5-star review from Reader Views Kids, praising it as a “wonderfully whimsical and reflective picture book that will carry readers easily through some adventures in the natural world.”
How to use The Inside of ME in learning
The Inside of ME offers educators and parents a rich resource to foster children’s connection with nature and encourage self-reflection. Here are some ways to integrate this book into learning experiences:
- Nature Journaling: After reading, encourage children to visit local outdoor spaces and document their observations through drawings or writings, enhancing their descriptive skills and attention to detail.
- Artistic Expression: Inspire children to create their own nature-inspired art or stories, using the book’s illustrations and themes as a foundation for personal creativity.
- Mindfulness Activities: Use passages from the book to lead mindfulness exercises, helping children to engage fully with their surroundings and reflect on their inner experiences.
- Exploring Local Natural Sites: While the book highlights locations in Maine, its universal themes encourage the exploration of natural environments anywhere, fostering a global appreciation for nature.
By incorporating these activities, The Inside of ME becomes a versatile tool in promoting environmental awareness and personal growth among children.
Retailers and schools, bring our transformative stories to your community. Wholesale inquiries welcome via our Contact page. Schools receive a 10% discount on all purchases.
12 Willows titles can also be purchased from all major bookseller platforms.
In the media
books_of_prisha – review – August 23, 2024
WABI Book Club – interview – September 13, 2024
worldofbooks607 – review – October 3, 2024
“A word-and-picture book that takes children and parents on a sun-and-wind-blown joy ride across the place where we live, reawakening our childhood souls in much the same way that Dylan Thomas’s ‘Fern Hill’ does.”
—Kerry Hardy, researcher, eco-historian, and author of Notes on a Lost Flute: A Field Guide to the Wabanaki
“The Inside of ME is a beautiful book that reminds children of all ages of the joy and gratitude we have for our intimate relationship with Mother Earth and all her children. It is a book to have in your personal library.”
—Dr. Anita Sanchez, Nahua & Toltec, author of The Four Sacred Gifts: Indigenous Wisdom for Modern Times
“The Inside of ME is a wonderfully whimsical and reflective picture book that will carry readers easily through some adventures in the natural world. However, it will also invite readers to take a pause and think about the spaces and nature that surround them.“
—5 Stars, Reader Views Kids
“The Inside of ME shimmers. When I founded Climate Change & Consciousness, I did so with the full faith that inner and outer environments mirror each other. Jennifer Comeau opens this portal to our precious little ones so that they can feel their birthright of connection to the natural world.”
—Stephanie Mines, Ph.D., author of The Secret of Resilience: Healing Personal and Planetary Trauma through Morphogenesis and The Great Physician: Medicinal Poetry for the Anthropocene
“The book’s simple yet profound language reflects the majesty of the natural world, inviting readers on a journey to discover their own inner beauty. It reignited a connection to nature that resonated deeply within me, reminiscent of my wonder as a young girl.”
—Maria Inés Miranda, founder at Wise Women Chile and Innoavture
