Mother Nature Nursery Rhymes
First created thirty years the original collection of Mother Nature Nursery Rhymes responded to an impending environmental crisis. Today, the intent behind this book seems more urgent than ever. Turning hearts toward nature and the environment is a task that cannot begin too early. Mother Nature Nursery Rhymes is a starting point for parents, grandparents, and other caring adults who hope, as we do, that coming generations will love the planet and care for it.
The authors do not, of course, expect babies to organize Crawl-a-thons for the Rain Forests or Wail for the Whales. We will be gratified however, if we can foster the inborn sense of wonder, awe, and delight that is inside each of us. The illustrations and rhymes are, therefore, meant to educate and inspire as well as entertain. Their themes remind us to pay attention and play our own part in the preservation of our planet.
Even though a young audience is not in a position to make decisions about recycling, planting trees, or saving energy, many of the rhymes call for some kind of involvement. These verses are included because it has been shown that the lyrical cadence of nursery rhymes makes them fun and easy for children to repeat and remember. And, although they may not fully understand the rhymes while they are very young, the words will stick with them and, soon enough, the meaning will come through. Lessons learned in the nursery are lessons learned for life.
About the Authors:
Mindy Bingham
Social entrepreneur and author, Mindy’s titles have sold over two and a half million copies worldwide. She is the recipient of numerous national, regional, and local awards including A Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition for Innovative Approaches to Curricula by the United States Congress.
Penelope Colville Paine
Creator and award-winning author of sixteen children’s titles and a book shepherd and art director for many more, Penny holds a Fine Arts degree from Goldsmiths College, London. She moved to California in 1972, and worked for Girls Incorporated and as an independent state and national educational equity consultant until 2005.
Sandra Stryker
Former Minnesota journalist, Sandy Stryker is the author, co-author, and editor of eighteen children’s and young adult titles. Her children’s picture book Tonia the Tree was awarded the Friends of American Writers Juvenile Book Merit Award and her work with the ground-breaking “Choices” series was recognized by many women’s and educational programs.
Itoko Maeno
A celebrated water colorist, Itoko has been a Teaching Artist with the Santa Barbara Museum of Art for over twenty years. She has also illustrated more than twenty picture books. Four of these have won national awards. My Way Sally, by Mindy Bingham and Penelope Paine, received the Benjamin Franklin Award for Best Picture Book, and Minou, by Mindy Bingham, was nominated for the Caldicott Honor. A world traveler, Itoko’s international flair, attention to detail, and sense of fun add special charm to her work.
Press Release:
Santa Barbara, September 2021
Award-winning authors and illustrator to release a second edition of Mother Nature Nursery Rhymes, first published in 1991.
New and rewritten nursery rhymes, provide a way for parents and caregivers to begin teaching very young children about nature and help cultivate a love and appreciation of our planet.
Flossie Flies Home
Written by Penelope Colville Paine, Illustrated by Carl Wenzel
Publication date: July 2015
Honeybee Flossie looks forward to growing up and becoming a worker bee, But she is tempted away from her tasks by a handsome dragonfly only to find herself a long way from home. With some help from her sisters Flossie focuses on what is important and learns to stand up for herself. Delightful illustrations reflect nature and the special roles bees have.
Time For Horatio
Written by Penelope Colville Paine , Illustrated by Itoko Maeno
Horatio creates a vision of a kind and compassionate world.
In this charming myth, an abused kitten can’t understand why everyone is so mean to him… dogs chase him, wasps sting him, gulls squawk at him, and people tease him. Then Horatio is befriended by a gentle London lad who takes him to the Royal Observatory where he learns that the world runs on MEAN time. In an effort to establish KIND time, Horatio climbs to the very top of Big Ben. Itoko’s magnificent illustrations take you on an unforgettable tour of the Thames River and the inner working of Big Ben.
48 full color pages, Hardcover
For ages 4 – 11
Item #80101
$17.95
My Way Sally
Written by Penelope Colville Paine, Illustrated by Itoko Maeno
Learning to be a leader can change things for the better.
Sally, a fox hound puppy who befriends a fox kit, soon learns she is to chase her friend in the hunt. She also learns that, when you are a leader, everyone looks up to you… and you decide which way to go. In adventures that take her all the way to Windsor Castle, Sally works hard to command the respect of the pack, and leads them on a win-win chase even the fox enjoys.
48 full color pages, Hardcover
For ages 4 – 11
Item #80102
$14.95
Clarissa
Story Created by 
Penelope Colville Paine
, Written by Carol Talley, Illustrated by Itoko Maeno
Clarissa teaches children to recognize their special worth.
Children are special in their own special ways. Clarissa is just a plain brown cow – to herself and almost everybody else on the Larsen Farm. This story of how she rescues a troop of prize animals and proves the worth of her own abilities is a blue-ribbon lesson for every youngster who learns it. Itoko Maeno’s award winning illustrations depict the lush Wisconsin dairyland, a magical county fair, and a child-enchanting cast of two and four-legged characters.
32 full color pages, Hardcover
For ages 4 – 11
Item #80102
$16.95
Mimi Makes a Splash
Written and Illustrated by Agnes Rosenthiel , Translated and Edited by Penelope Colville Paine
Mimi encourages all children to use their imaginations and creativity.
Mimi is a role model for everything childhood should be. Whether plunging into the sea or inventing games to play in the dark, Mimi is a fearless explorer. As she embarks on one imaginative adventure after another, Mimi is charming, disarming, creative, confident and enjoyed by millions of adults and children worldwide. Each book contains ten delightfully imaginative picture stories. Perfect for preschoolers, her questions at the end of each story stimulate discussion. Her “Bright Ideas” at the end of each book list fun-filled family activities.
48 full color pages, Softcover
For ages 3 – 8
Item #80103
$6.95
Mimi Takes Charge
Written and Illustrated by Agnes Rosenthiel , Translated and Edited by Penelope Colville Paine
Mimi encourages all children to use their imaginations and creativity.
Mimi is a role model for everything childhood should be. Whether plunging into the sea or inventing games to play in the dark, Mimi is a fearless explorer. As she embarks on one imaginative adventure after another, Mimi is charming, disarming, creative, confident and enjoyed by millions of adults and children worldwide. Each book contains ten delightfully imaginative picture stories. Perfect for preschoolers, her questions at the end of each story stimulate discussion. Her “Bright Ideas” at the end of each book list fun-filled family activities.
48 full color pages, Softcover
For ages 3 – 8
Item #80103
$6.95
Papa Piccolo
Story Created by Penelope Colville Paine, Written by Carol Talley, Illustrated by Itoko Maeno
Papa Piccolo shares his strength and finds his tender heart.
Piccolo leads a free-spirited life of adventure and possibilities – until two homeless kittens decide to adopt him. As he enters into a new kind of adventure, children will delight in seeing how the kittens help Piccolo discover his own tender heart. Itoko’s captivating illustrations bring the story alive and capture romance and beauty of the canals, bridges, markets, and byways of Venice.
32 full color pages, Hardcover
For ages 4 – 11
Item #80104
$16.95
Molly’s Magic
Written by Penelope Col
ville Paine,
Illustrated by Itoko Maeno
Molly’s creativity is as charming as the Emerald Isle.
In this charming story of farm life in western Ireland, the O’Malley family’s plan to supplement their meager farm income with a seaside tea garden, which seems destined to failure. Then, Molly’s example shows them that adversity can best be overcome with a little creative thinking. The extensive Discussion Guide makes sharing the book’s messages with children a delight as you explore Molly’s creative problem-solving strategy, discuss farm life and animals, and examine the customs and geography of Ireland.
32 full color pages, Hardcover
For ages 4 – 11
Item #80105
$16.95
Minou
Written by Mindy Bingham, Illustrated by Itoko Maeno
This charming book acts as both a guide to the city of Paris, where the story occurs, and as a metaphor about learning to become self-reliant and self-supporting.
12″ x 9″ Hardcover
64 full color pages
For ages 4-11
Item #80107 $24.95
Flower Girl A to Z – NEW
Every Flower Girl is the star (just look in the mirror on page 29!) in this trendy new guide for today’s Flower Girls. Written in rhyme with pictures that reflect the diversity of our world, this book is perfect for Flower Girls in any wedding.
6 1/4″ Hardcover
32 full color pages
Item #20104 $12.95
Ring Bearer A to Z – NEW
Colorful and trendy, Ring Bearer A to Z will make sure every young attendant will have fun learning about the special part he will play in the wedding. Written in rhyme, each letter of the alphabet ties in to a tradition or sentiment involving the upcoming wedding. There are full color photographs throughout plus a mirror on page 29.
6 1/4″ x 6 1/4″ Hardcover
32 full color pages
Item #20105 $12.95
10 Neat Things About Being a Flower Girl
These charming books, beautifully illustrated by Itoko Maeno, help little Flower Girls understand their roles in the wedding. A wonderful gift to give before the wedding event, one that every Flower Girl will treasure.
6 1/4″x 6 1/4″ Hardcover
24 full color pages
Item #20102 $10.95
10 Cool Things About Being a Ring Bearer
These charming books, beautifully illustrated by Itoko Maeno, help little Ring Bearer’s understand their roles in the wedding. A wonderful gift to give before the wedding event, one that every Ring Bearer will treasure.
6 1/4″x 6 1/4″ Hardcover
24 full color pages
Item #20102 $10.95
Love to Color
Love to Color Wedding Coloring book is designed with space for young children to include themselves in the pictures. Created to celebrate today’s diverse weddings, each 20-page coloring book includes a set of three crayons.
8″x 9″, 20 Pages
Item #20101 $5.95