Earth Day Delight

For many children, moving is a common event in childhood. This past year maybe more so than ever. There have been many families who have opted to move out of large urban centres in favour of quieter more rural settings. Percy’s Museum by Sara O’Leary and Carmen Mok is a lovely springtime reminder of the beauty of a new place and how that beauty is best shared with friends.

Percy’s family has moved out of the city. At his new house things are a lot quieter and there are not as many people around to play with. The silver lining is that he has time to observe and record all of the new things he sees around him like the bugs and the clouds. He realizes that being alone doesn’t mean you need to be lonely, although, making new friends is nice too.

Sara O’Leary takes readers on a journey of outdoor discovery, sparking the joy of observing all of the creatures around us. There are a couple of nature hunters who live here and they are always going around the neighbourhood searching for plants and insects and documenting their discoveries in pictures ALL. OVER. THE. HOUSE! The collecting, drawing and observing is so familiar to little explorers and so many will recognize many of the things they do everyday in what Percy is doing. Sara O’Leary wonderfully provides readers, who may have just moved or who may have trouble finding friends, with a strategy to help them navigate this new place.

The illustrations by Carmen Mok are bright, bold and beautiful. The layout includes two page spreads filled with colour and springtime delights. If you look closely you will see a little cat friend that is familiar to you if you have seen any of Carmen’s other books. The illustrations are comforting and familiar, inviting the readers to join Percy as he explores nature all around him.

Percy’s Museum is a perfect story for springtime inspiration.