Welcome to Week 3 of Our Summer Book Club
Just as the world outside is in full bloom, we're bursting into our third week of summer book club with an adorable book about conservation and how one person can create big changes.
In Daisy Rewilds by Margaret McNamara, we meet Daisy, a born naturalist who has always felt most at home in nature. As an infant, she composted her own baby food. As a toddler, she slept on a bed of leaves. Now she’s launching her most important experiment: planting herself on her manicured front lawn, staying put, and letting nature take over. After five weeks of avoiding bath time, something extraordinary happens, Daisy begins to bloom. Ferns unfurl behind her ears, yarrow curls around her ankles, and even a butterfly settles on her shoulder.
With help from her gardening-loving aunt, she continues learning and when September comes, the neighborhood takes notice of Daisy’s amazing plants and wonders how they can do something like it. Exactly what Daisy hoped would happen! And when her mother finally insists it's time for a bath, Daisy happily points out she's already washing up... standing outside in the warm summer rain.
Day 1: Read & Discuss
Begin by reading the story aloud together, taking your time and pausing to look closely at the illustrations. Husband and wife team Kerascoët have created vibrant and detailed illustrations packed with natural details in bright summery colors that bring Daisy's growing world to life.
When you've finished reading Daisy Rewilds, ask your children what they thought and start a conversation led by your children's insights and observations. Ask them what were their favorite moments in the story? What parts or lines made a big impression? What questions did the story stir up (like do they want to go 5 weeks without a bath!)?
These kinds unhurried and thoughtful discussions are what allow stories to really sink in and allow kids to remember them long after the last page.
To help steer your conversation, we've put together a list of some discussion questions and prompts specific to Daisy Rewilds below.
- Have you ever wanted to sleep outside and only take your showers in the rain?
- What would it feel like to have a garden grow out of you? Would you like to be covered with plants and moss?
- Does this book inspire you to make changes to your yard and garden like Daisy's yard?
- What are some things you and your family have done to encourage nature to flourish?
Day 2: Writing & Drawing Prompt
On the second day, return to the story and retell it together. Share some more of your favorite parts and moments. One of the beautiful traditions in Waldorf education is extending a story through art, writing, dramatic play, and conversation.
Drape a playsilk over a table or doorway to create a simple puppet theater where children can retell Daisy's journey through movement and imaginative play. Or gather crayons, colored pencils, and paper alongside the book, creating a cozy invitation to draw, write, and revisit the story whenever inspiration blossoms.
To help bring Daisy's world to life, we've included a few prompts to inspire drawing and creative writing.
- Invite your child to imagine what their yard or their body could look like if they let it 'rewild.' Have them draw all of the different plants and creatures that might visit.
- Research how you can rewild your backyard or neighborhood. Write a letter to your neighbors to convince them to join your efforts.
Day 3: Paired Craft: Make Pollinator Flower Cups
Spring and summer are the perfect seasons to celebrate the tiny pollinators that help our gardens bloom. In this simple craft, you will create colorful clay flower cups that provide a safe resting place for bees and butterflies in your gardens. What sweet flowers will you create?
For all the steps and more information on this craft, click here.
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