Part Four: The Great Gift

This collection introduces the Martin & Sylvia: Nature School Series.

In the Nature School Introduction, the idea for a "Nature School" is born. It's summer's end, and Momma, Martin, and Sylvia reflect on all the things they loved about the summer season: hikes, walks along the beach, blueberry picking, climbing trees and collecting bird feathers. Then Momma suggests that they keep the summer outdoor fun alive all year long: “Every Thursday, lets have Nature School!” And so Martin joins the Goose-eye Wilderness School, and Sylvia and her friend Sophia create a Nature home-school.

From wild craft cooking to outdoor games to building projects to tree identification, Nature School is a year of unfolding learning and fun.

In Part Four: Troy, one of the apprentices, helps the deer mice group work together by telling them a story about the 'great gift' — or paper birch bark. They make a fire and simmer some pine needle tea to celebrate the year ahead. Sylvia and Sophia also have a great afternoon playing and working outside in the mud and rain. Both brother and sister end the day exhausted and very satisfied — it looks like Thursday Nature School Day is going to be a huge success!