It's almost April, dear reader, and that means Earth Day is approaching.
Of course, I think of every day as Earth Day, but I'm always happy to spotlight important days and events in celebration of their loveliness and unifying gifts to the world. The wildflowers in full bloom feed my soul.
I can't think of ripples without remembering back two decades, after I spoke one afternoon to a group of counselors in Frisco ISD. On the plane flight home, while reading their Reflection Exit Slips, I came across a kind comment from one of the growth-session participants that said:
You are changing the world.
At tuck-in time, I tell my then-teenaged son what that counselor said, and, without skipping a beat, he said something that I'll never forget:
Mom, you are. Think about it. You've spoken in Washington DC and San Fransisco, Tennessee and Texas, Wisconsin and Washington, Arizona and Alabama, Indiana and Iowa, even Mexico and Puerto Rico, right? Well, those ripples are eventually going to touch.
A decade later, he made this for me.
Prepare for today's PPBF title to feed your soul.
Title: Ripples
Author & Illustrator: Katie Yamasaki
Publisher: Norton Young Readers
Birth date: April 7, 2026
Suitable for: ages 4-8
Themes: nature, sustainability, connection
Brief synopsis: Climb aboard a river raft with a young girl and her Aunty for a relaxing nature ride.
Opening page: It is a magical day.
Resources: Read a Kirkus review {here}.
Find out more at Publishers Weekly {here}.
Meet the author/muralist {here}.
Why I like this book: Not only is this float down the river perfectly-timed to celebrate Earth Day 2026, it's also serendipitous timing at releasing during Poetry Month as its lyrical text flows like a poem.
This gem invited me into the raft with Alya and Aunty Koko to see the beauty can be unearthed by a unifying day on the water.
Wet earth smells like mud pies from Mother Earth's bakery.
Friends on the shore wave and connect as our vessel ripples into their stories.
My toes toast in the sun.
We tend to nature's gift by picking out harmful debris,
a subtle but significant call to action.
For our beautiful crown jewel, Mother Earth.
It's a lot for two people.
Many hands make light work; will their friends join them so that the sparkling water can ripple freely again?
Check out this book and let its gorgeous illustrations draw you into the adventure; brainstorm what you and your friends could do to make a splash and create ripples that could touch and change the world.
It doesn't have to be grand to be great.
Smile at someone.
Give someone a hug.
Hold the door for someone.
Send someone a Missing You note.
Call a friend who'd love to hear your voice.
Text someone an inspirational, uplifting song.
Pick up some litter, even if it isn't yours, so that
the person behind you can enjoy Mother Earth, too.
Then head to Susanna Hill's blog for today's other titles.
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