MARY McKENNA SIDDALS - Children's Book Author
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ACTIVITIES  *  TEACHING RESOURCES  *  LESSON PLANS  *  REVIEWS

Bringing the Outside In
Bringing the Outside In
by Mary McKenna Siddals
illustrated by Patrice Barton
Random House / 2016
Picture Book

Celebrating the joys of outdoor play!

LOOK INSIDE! - sample pages

BUY at Amazon.com (U.S.)
BUY at Amazon.ca (Canada)
BUY from a local bookseller


ACTIVITIES

Free Printable
BRINGING THE OUTSIDE IN Printable
Personalized Painted Pail
Personalized Painted Pail... for collecting treasures!
Rainbow Nature Hunt
Rainbow Nature Hunt
Seasonal Scavenger Hunts - CBC Kids
Spring Scavenger Hunt - CBC Kids
Summer Scavenger Hunt - CBC Kids
Autumn Scavenger Hunt - CBC Kids
Winter Scavenger Hunt - CBC Kids
More Scavenger Hunts - Wild Tales of...
Spring Scavenger Hunt - Wild Tales of...
Summer Scavenger Hunt - Wild Tales of...
Fall Scavenger Hunt - Wild Tales of...
Winter Scavenger Hunt - Wild Tales of...

... or just go outside and play!

TEACHING RESOURCES
& LESSON PLANS

Gumboot Kids Curriculum
Explore nature with Gumboot Kids Curriculum
The Nature Playbook
Click on image to download pdf from Canadian Parks Council
Nature as a Classroom
Click on image to download pdf from Garrison School
Nature Play
Click on image to download pdf from PA Land Trust
Nature Play at Home
Click on image to download pdf from NWF.org

REVIEWS

* Sweet book for any place with small children in it. 
–Kirkus Reviews *starred review*


Following the seasons, four diverse kids (and one small dog) show the value of time spent outdoors.
–Todd Krueger at Capitol Choices
2017 Nomination


2017 CLEL Bell Awards finalist
in the category “PLAY
"


Sweet, rhyming text captures the fun and spontaneity... [while] whimsical illustrations embrace the mess and joyous chaos of childhood.
–Amy Sands at Politics & Prose Bookstore
Staff Pick for Children’s Book of the Week


Energetic rhymes and tenderly detailed illustrations... capture the kinetic motion of this quartet of kids as they run, leap, fly kites, and make snow angels, their faces brimming with joy. 
–Publishers Weekly


Lively and playful, the verse reads aloud beautifully and moves the story along with ease... [while] the inviting illustrations... capture the warmth and joy that the young children in this multiracial family feel in being together, outdoors and indoors, throughout the year.
–Booklist


Four diverse children joyfully celebrate the messy nature of outdoor play through the seasons... and spend time looking at photographs and treasuring the memories of good fun.
–School Library Journal

Truly a celebration of playing outdoors... Grins spread ear-to-ear on their faces as they fly kites, stomp in puddles, jump in leaves and sled in snow.
–Tasha Saecker at Waking Brain Cells


Fun lyrical text... beautiful illustrations, and a strong message of the importance of spending time playing in nature, no matter how dirty you get.
–Michael D. Barton at
Exploring Portland’s Natural Areas


A celebration of dirt, nature, and play that gets kids up and moving featuring a diverse cast of children. 
–Lindsey Krabbenhoft at Jbrary


While parents can surely relate to the familiar routine of wiping up mud, sweeping out leaves, and drying out snow that follows their kids into the house, you’ll also find that the fun and memories these little messes represent will never be forgotten.
–Blue Manatee Book Blog


A gentle reminder to go outside and play...
–Angela Reynolds at Valley Storytime


I love this celebration of the old-fashioned joys of an unplugged childhood spent outside in nature, exploring, learning, and growing by experiencing and getting messy!
–Jane K. Wittingham at Raincity Librarian


Enough to pry any young couch potato away from the Xbox and into the great outdoors.
–Janet Hamilton at A Kids Book a Day


I love the fact that this book also explores little hands cleaning up after the seasonal fun.
–Upper Arlington Public Library (Ohio)


The rhythm of this story is wonderful... It almost feels like a song waiting to happen.
–LibrLdyMapleValley at
King County Library System


A lovely book about messy play and seasons.
–Sophie at Chroniques d’une globe-têteuse


A great book to encourage outdoor play with the promise of wonderful treasures of nature to discover everywhere.
–Ronna Mandel at Good Reads With Ronna


Perfectly captures the bouncy wonder young children exhibit in the freedom of a natural environment.
–Kathy Carroll at Celebrate Picture Books


All young readers will relate to the fun to be had in each season and also the friendships to be found in the outdoors.
– Susan Olcott at I Love Nature Books


No matter the cold, the wind, the rain, the heat, being in nature is always fun and good for the spirit.
–Kathia Ibacache at K Librarian


A great read-aloud that will appeal to playful children of all ages.
–John Cook in Columbus Parent


In our modern world, where adults and children cannot seem to do without their electronic devices, there are rewards in playing outside, one of which is building memories. I love this book!
–Diane Prather, Prather’s Pick
in The Craig Daily Press


Four children show how much fun it can be to play outside, no matter what the season.
–Association of Children’s Librarians
of Northern California


Adorable and engaging!
–Literally Lynne Marie


Rolling poem about the seasons and how the outside tends to cling to us. Loved the incidental diversity within this book.
–Michele Knott at Mrs. Knott’s Book Nook


My 3 year old loves how we sing instead of speak it to him, as the rhymes are just begging to be sung.
–Jenn Haunold, Corvallis, at Hike It Baby


Gently reminds readers of the importance of exploration, the joys of being ‘in the moment’, and our need to be truly carefree.  A wonderful “it's good to be a kid” story with a diverse set of characters.
–Vivian at Tales from the Treehouse


Click here for Goodreads Reviews

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