June 2022 Issue #20
June 1, 2022
Happy June!
Welcome to the twentieth issue of The Simpsonian Muse. I am your scribe, Martha Seif Simpson, Author and retired Children's Librarian. As the header says, this monthly newsletter will feature:
- News – Mine as well as other interesting tidbits
- Views – A few photos from my world travels
- Stuff You Can Use – A mish-mash of activities, crafts, recipes, or whatever I am excited about sharing
If you missed the previous newsletters, you can click the button on the left sidebar on my website to catch up or click here: Simpsonian News
Thanks for joining me on this adventure. I hope you will find something to inform and entertain you.
~ NEWS ~
I am soooo busy right now, preparing for the Association of Jewish libraries annual conference, which will be held in Philadelphia on June 27-29. Yes – in person! So I will get to meet many of the authors and illustrators whose books the 2022 Sydney Taylor Book Award committee chose for recognition.
But wait! There's more…
Aden Polydoros, author of The City Beautiful, which won the STBA in the young adult category, spoke at a panel featuring Jewish YA fantasy books on May 26. The event was run by RJ Julia, a popular book store in Connecticut.
Other speakers included Ava Reid - The Wolf and the Woodsman, Rebecca Podos – From Dust a Flame, Katherine Locke - This Rebel Heart, and Allison Saft - A Far Wilder Magic. Here's the link to the recording: YA Jewish Fantasy Panel
Lovers of YA fantasy and romance will enjoy these fascinating novels.
BOOK SHARE
It's almost summer – finally! The flowers are blooming, and the birds and butterflies are back. To celebrate, here are some great books about butterflies. Why butterflies? You'll find out below!
A Butterfly Is Patient by Dianna Aston Hutts, illustrated by Sylvia Long
Beautiful illustrations accompany this lyrical book of interesting and accurate facts about butterflies that will encourage children to observe and appreciate them.
Solimar: The Sword of the Monarchs by Pam Muñoz Ryan
In this middle grade fantasy novel, Solimar Guadalupe becomes protector of the monarch butterflies in the kingdom of San Gregorio and must save them and her kingdom when a villainous king seizes power.
My Book of Butterflies by Geraldo Valério
This informative book features gorgeous illustrations of butterflies of all sizes from around the world. A great book for learning about the life cycle and habitats of butterflies.
Is It a Butterfly or a Moth? by Susan B. Katz
A nonfiction book for beginning readers to show them how to tell these insects apart.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
There are many books about caterpillars that turn into butterflies, but none as popular or loved as this classic book.
CALENDAR TRIVIA
Did you know that June is National Candy Month?
According to the Every Day's a Holiday Calendar, other noteworthy June dates include:
- June 1 – Go Barefoot Day
- June 4 – Hug Your Cat Day
- June 5 – Hot Air Balloon Day
- June 9 – Writer's Rights Day
- June 11 – National Yarn-Bombing Day
- June 13 – International Axe Throwing Day (Be careful with this one!)
- June 14 – International Bath Day
- June 16 – Arborist Appreciation Day
- June 23 – Typewriting Day
- June 24 – Swim a Lap Day
- June 26 – Log Cabin Day
- June 29 – Waffle Iron Day
Celebrate Appropriately!
~ VIEWS ~
In 2008, John and I went on our first Caribbean cruise. The ship stopped at Key West and we decided to go to the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory. We enjoyed walking the paths of the enclosed habitat and seeing hundreds of butterflies up close. Unfortunately, my website is preventing me from adding the photos I took, but here is the link to their website: https://www.keywestbutterfly.com/
They also have a live webcam so you can enjoy watching the butterflies, too. https://fla-keys.com/webcams/key-west-butterfly/
Want to see more butterflies? This link to the butterfly webcam at the Melbourne, Australia Zoo is wonderful: Live Webcam - Butterflies at the Melbourne Zoo
In my Book Share section, I told you about Solimar: The Sword of the Monarchs by Pam Muñoz Ryan. Watch this incredible PBS video of millions of monarch butterflies waking from their winter sleep in Mexico: Monarch Butterflies Awaken
~ STUFF YOU CAN USE ~
Now that you are inspired by watching all those butterflies, here are some websites with coloring pages of butterflies for you to print and enjoy:
Super Coloring has pictures you can print out or color online: Super Coloring Butterflies
Homemade Gifts Made Easy has pictures for kids and adults: Homemade Gifts Made Early
And here are links to some butterfly craft sites:
The Spruce Crafts has projects for kids: The Spruce Crafts Butterflies
The Relaxed Homeschool also has crafts for kids: The Relaxed Homeschool Butterflies
Felt Magnet has butterfly crafts for kids and aduts: Felt Magnet Butterflies
Have fun!
That'll do it for this month.
Until next time, remember to amuse your muse!
~ Martha