Lauren Stringer

"A lyrical ode to that magical time in autumn when the leaves turn yellow"--

A child describes pleasant ways to stay warm during the winter, from sipping hot chocolate and eating grilled cheese sandwiches to wearing wooly sweaters and sitting near a glowing fireplace.

Although made of straw and borrowed clothes, a scarecrow appreciates his peaceful, gentle life and the privilege of watching nature at work.

As winter melts into spring, the frozen earth turns into magnificent mud.

A child describes all the things there are to do on a rainy day.

"What could be more wonderful than sharing bedtime with beloved friends? This little boy loves to talk to his stuffed animals at the end of the day, and share with them all the things that happened to him that day--and to hear about their day, too"--

"What is Bear to do when he wakes up one day to find his Smile gone?"--

Relates the evolution of the family of mankind, from single cells in the sea to human beings with "big brains that wonder who we are."