Mud makes them dance in the spring

This book’s first line, “Mud makes me dance in the spring,” could only be written for kids, and Charlotte Agell’s new book, Mud, Sand, and Snow will be loved by children, who do indeed love all of our seasons, unlike many of us who love to complain about mud and snow.

It’s a board book that kids will enjoy holding, and the words are simple enough that both our young granddaughters will be able to read them. Pretty sure I won’t be holding the book once they get their hands on it!

The book explores our four seasons, through the eyes and adventures of a young girl. The illustrations are watercolors and particularly entertaining, and yes, the girl is dancing in the mud. She also celebrates summer and even spins around in the fall wind. I especially like the illustration of the girl walking in the snow right past a bear’s den. On the next page she and her little brother are playing with their teddy bears.

Charlotte Agell has written and illustrated 14 books for children and young adults. Originally from Sweden, she grew up in Canada and Hong Kong and is a public school teacher. She says she loves living near the coast of Maine.

I liked her story about learning English as a kid by borrowing many many books from the public library in the town of Mount Royal, Québec. That’s when she knew she wanted to write and draw on her own. And as a relatively new Mainer, she actually likes all of our seasons including the mud season. At least that’s what she claims!

Mud, Sand and Snow was published by Islandport Press and will be treasured by children everywhere.

 

George Smith

About George Smith

George stepped down at the end of 2010 after 18 years as the executive director of the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine to write full time. He writes a weekly editorial page column in the Kennebec Journal and Waterville Morning Sentinel, a weekly travel column in those same newspapers (with his wife Linda), monthly columns in The Maine Sportsman magazine, two outdoor news blogs (one on his website, georgesmithmaine.com, and one on the website of the Bangor Daily News), and special columns for many publications and newsletters. Islandport Press published a book of George's favorite columns, "A Life Lived Outdoors" in 2014. In 2014, George also won a Maine Press Association award for writing the state's bet sports blog. In 2016, Down East Books published George's book, Maine Sporting Camps, and Islandport Press published George and his wife Linda's travel book, Take It From ME, about their favorite Maine inns and restaurants.