Mélina Mangal – författare

Jayden and a new friend bring nature to the city in this timeless story about a community gardenAmidst all the buildings, people, and traffic in his neighborhood, Jayden sees nature everywhere: the squirrels scrounging, the cardinals calling, and the dandelions growing. But Mama doesn't believe there's nature in the city. So Jayden sets out to help Mama see what he sees. With the help of his friend Mr. Curtis, Jayden plants the seeds of a community garden and brings together his neighbors—and Mama—to show them the magic of nature in the middle of the city.Timeless and vibrant, this story highlights the beauty of intergenerational relationships and the power of imagination and perseverance in bringing the vision of a community garden to life. Jayden's love of nature will inspire readers to see their environment and surroundings as bursting with opportunities for growth and connection. At the back of the book, readers will find activities to make items found in the book, such as the milk jug bird feeder.Jayden's Impossible Garden is the winner of the 2019 African American Voices in Children's Literature writing contest, cosponsored by Strive Publishing and Free Spirit Publishing; the recipient of the 2021 Foreword INDIES Honorable Mention, Picture Books, Early Reader (Children's); and was named one of the Best Children's Books of the Year 2022 by The Children's Book Committee of Bank Street College of Education.

Jayden discovers the secret ingredient to trying something new. Jayden loves the outdoors and the garden he created with his friend Mr. Curtis. But he’s not so sure about sampling some of the garden’s produce. When Mr. Curtis invites neighbors to share the harvest of scarlet runner beans, Jayden faces a dilemma. Will he find the courage to try something new? Jayden returns for all new adventures in Jayden’s Secret Ingredient. This story, which can be read as a standalone or as a sequel to the award-winning Jayden’s Impossible Garden, emphasizes the importance of friendship, community, and the courage and openness to try new things. Along with Mr. Curtis and Jayden, readers learn the value of outdoor play and contact with nature, from planting a seed to sharing and eating what it produces. This story is a natural starting point for the exploration of nature, ecology, and gardening, as well as for a cooking club. At the back of the book, a section for adults has additional activities and other information to expand on the story and its ideas.

Encourage Toddlers to Explore Nature, Build Confidence, and Learn Through Play Introduce toddlers and preschoolers to the beauty of the world outside with this outdoor-themed 4-book board book set—perfect for early learning at home or in the classroom. Featuring children living in urban environments, this nature-themed collection encourages outdoor exploration, sensory awareness, and emotional development through simple, relatable stories.Each book follows two young cousins as they experience the outdoors, green spaces, and plants and animals around them—feeling the wind, watching squirrels play, listening to birds sing, and standing tall like trees. These gentle adventures are designed to help children develop key early childhood skills like mindfulness, self-awareness, teamwork, and communication.Parents, caregivers, and educators will appreciate the thoughtful storytelling, diverse city settings, and built-in prompts for conversation. Each book also includes fun activity ideas to inspire hands-on learning and play.Titles Included: Wind Whirls – Discover the power of wind and working togetherSquirrels Scamper – Embrace movement, teamwork, and playBirds Sing Their Words – Explore sound, voice, and communicationTrees Stand Tall – Celebrate family roots, strength, and resilienceThis set is part of the Outside Our Window Board Books series—thoughtfully designed to inspire children to explore, protect, and delight in nature, wherever they live. Each book highlights one element of the natural world, one sensory focus, and one social-emotional theme, making this series a valuable addition to any child’s home or preschool library.

People are like trees—strong, flexible, and rooted.In Trees Stand Tall, two young children admire the trees outside their window. When they take the city bus to a family picnic at a park, the children observe and mimic the trees with their cousins. Seeing that the trees stand tall, the children stand tall. Seeing that the branches sway, the children sway and dance too. Rooted in their families, the children too are flexible and strong.Trees Stand Tall:Shows that children can connect with nature and its important lessons, no matter where they liveEngages young children in reflecting on the natural worldIncludes activity ideas to engage children in learning about trees in their own neighborhoodsThis book is part of the Outside Our Window Board Book series, which encourages children—especially those in urban neighborhoods—to explore, protect, and delight in nature. Each book in the series focuses on one feature of the natural world (like trees), one sense (sight), and one social or emotional learning skill (family connection). The books emphasize community and encourage children and families to explore the natural world around them.

Awaken young children to the purposeful movement of squirrels and their own sense of work and playIn Squirrels Scamper, two young children—Kamali and Josiah—step outside to discover the busy world of squirrels in their own backyard. As they watch the squirrels scamper, climb, and jump through the crisp autumn air, the children join in the fun—testing their own balance and agility as they mimic the squirrels’ playful movements. Whether gathering twigs for their nests or searching for acorns, the squirrels are always on the move, and so are the children! After a day of joyful exploration and teamwork, including raking leaves and diving into leaf piles, the children realize that, like the squirrels, we too spend our days working and playing, celebrating the harmony of nature and the rhythm of life.Squirrels ScamperShows that children can connect with nature and its important lessons no matter where they liveEngages young children in reflecting on the natural worldIncludes activity ideas to engage children in learning about squirrels in their own neighborhoodsThis book is part of the Outside Our Window Board Books series, which encourages children—especially those in urban neighborhoods—to explore, protect, and delight in nature. Each book in the series focuses on one feature of the natural world (like birds), one sense (hearing), and one social or emotional learning skill (communication). The books emphasize community and encourage children and families to explore the natural world around them.

Introduce children to the sounds and sensations of the wind, and to the importance of togetherness In Wind Whirls, two young children, guided by an adult, take an early winter walk through a city neighborhood, bracing against the wind as they make their way to their grandparents’ home. The sounds of the wind surround them—whoosh, rustle, bang, flap-flap-flap. The wind brings sensation too. Cousins Kamali and Josiah feel their scarves dancing around their necks and the force of the wind pushing them along. They learn that, together, they can stand stronger and find their way through any weather. Wind Whirls:Engages young children in reflecting on the natural world and togethernessIncludes discussion ideas and activities to help children learn more about nature and their own sensesShows children that they can connect with nature and its lessons, no matter where they liveHighlights children in diverse urban environmentsThis book is part of the Outside Our Window Board Books series, which encourages children—especially those in urban environments—to explore, protect, and delight in nature. Each book in the series focuses on one feature of the natural world (like wind), one sense (hearing), and one communication or relationship skill (togetherness). The books emphasize community and encourage children and families to explore the natural world around them.

Inspire children to explore the wonderful fragrance and unique characteristics of the flowers that bloom all around themIn Flowers Bloom, two young children, guided by an adult, set off on a spring walk through their colorful city neighborhood. The air is soft and sweet with the scent of blooming flowers. Guided by their curiosity, cousins Kamali and Josiah notice how every flower is different—some planted neatly in window boxes, others sprouting wild and free. As they stroll, they notice flowers spreading comfort and joy at every step. They learn that, like flowers, people bloom in many ways. No matter where we come from, we brighten the world in our own unique way.Flowers Bloom:Encourages children to explore the beauty of the natural world—no matter where they liveCelebrates diverse communities and the many ways people flourishSparks conversations about uniqueness, growth, and belongingIncludes discussion ideas and activities to help children learn more about nature and their own sensesThis book is part of the Outside Our Window Board Books series, which encourages children—especially those in urban environments—to explore, protect, and delight in nature. Each book in the series focuses on one feature of the natural world (like flowers), one sense (smell), and one communication or relationship skill (blooming where you land). The books emphasize community and encourage children and families to explore the natural world around them.

Awaken young children to the different roles we play in our communitiesIn Ants Work Together, two young children prepare for a summertime community picnic in their city neighborhood. They notice that ants are all around us, taking on specialized roles to make sure the whole colony has what it needs.As cousins Kamali and Josiah help the adults pick vegetables, prepare food, tend the community garden, and take care of little ones, they reflect on how our own diverse strengths parallel those of ants. We all work together to get the job done.Ants Work Together:Shows that children can connect with nature and its important lessons, no matter where they liveHelps us notice how even tiny ants are an important part of natureIncludes activity ideas to engage children in learning about ants in their own neighborhoodsThis book is part of the Outside Our Window Board Books series, which encourages children—especially those in urban neighborhoods—to explore, protect, and delight in nature. Each book in the series focuses on one feature of the natural world (like ants), one season (summer), and one social or emotional learning skill (working together). The books emphasize community and encourage children and families to explore the natural world around them.