Author Nancy White Carlstrom's imaginative and poetic text encourages all readers, both very young and older, to wake up to and participate in the opportunities for joy and learning each day offers. And Tim Ladwig's extraordinary illustrations perfectly capture the moods of weather and season, the magic of childhood, and our deep connection to all creation and its Creator.

Listen.  Listen to this bright shining earth!"  I love that the little girl just happens to be non-white.  Hispanic, black, or Indian children could all see themselves in her. Also, she's a child - not a tomboy, not a fancy-nancy, but a child.  Absolutely lovely artwork, especially the page where she dances, as the sky instructs, freely and joyfully in her yellow sundress in the glowing morning light.  A must-own for libraries, and a wonderful gift for your special little girl so she can grow up both kind and fearless, joyful and wise." ( )