I Am Made of Mountains written by Alexandra Hinrichs and illustrated by Vivian Mineker is a lyrical visit to 16 of the country’s very interesting National Parks. The awesome map on the front and back “end papers” gives the reader a real feel for the many National Parks that dot our landscape. It also gives the reader a way of seeing where the 16 parks visited in this book are located including Yellowstone in Wyoming, Glacier National Park in Montana, the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee, Death Valley in Nevada, the Grand Canyon in Arizona, and the Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota.
Each of the 16 places host a double spread of the terrain, a lyrical Ode to its beauty and a description of what can be experienced there. For instance, a trip to Yellowstone is lyrically described thusly: “I am made of mud; bubbled warmth, my colors spill. Watch out for my geysers…they boil, erupt, and thrill.” A verbal description below the Ode tells the reader that there are more than 300 geysers that live there----including the stinky and smelly ones. The marvelous accompanying illustration shows Mom and Dad each holding their nose and their young son jumping up and down as he cheers for the erupting geyser -----smell and all.
In the back materials there is an unusual inclusion of what kids love about the national parks they have visited. It is delightful.
I Am Made of Mountains written by Alexandra Heinrichs and illustrated by Vivian Mineker is an interesting book for children 4-8 years of age about the country’s National Parks---- their beauty, history, and differences. (Charlesbridge) 2023.
The Children’s Bookshelf is a production of WCMU. Links to the podcast and the Activity Questions can be found at Children’s Bookshelf dot org.
Activity Questions for I Am Made of Mountains
Look at these questions and find the answers regarding the National Parks talked about in this book: Which Park is a feeding place for humpbacked whales? How many years did it take for the Colorado River to carve out the Grand Canyon? What National Park experiences less than 2 inches of water per year? What Park has more than 300 geysers? What Park is more than 95 percent forest? What Park has both crocodiles and alligators? What Park has more than 15,00 kinds of flowering plants? What Park has more than 77 mountain peaks?
Reread the back material where kids talk about a favorite Park they have visited. Which National Park would you like to visit? Why?
For older readers: An Ode is a poem that addresses someone or something. This book has many odes. Reread the odes which appear as part of the materials about the Grand Canyon, the Wind Cave, and the Rocky Mountain National Parks. Each of these odes also contain rhymes. Which is your favorite? Why? Write your own ode to one of the National Parks featured in this book. Go ahead----it will be fun.
