#Monday Moments at Cody's Cabin by Gayle Irwin

My early #Monday Moments have dawned clear and crisp today in my part of north east Scotland- Jack Frost having visited now for a good 36 hours and it looks like he might intend to stay a bit longer!

It's a fine morning for a long winter's day walk - even better if I were to take that walk with a lovely little dog like the one described by my friend Gayle Irwin whose books touch the hearts of young and old! 

I've said recently that books make great stocking fillers and Cody’s Cabin: Life in a Pine Forest is wonderful for younger readers and for older ones to keep handy, as well.

If you haven't yet read any of Gayle's inspirational books, then you can find out below what Gayle's passion is and what she's been currently dedicating her life to doing. She's had an incredibly busy 2015, but has taken time out to pay us a couple of visits before the year ends. Next week she'll be writing a bit more about how she goes about her authorly tasks. 

Welcome to my #Monday Moments blog slot, Gayle. Please tell us about the book you're featuring today...

Have you ever walked through a field of wildflowers and absorbed the intense fragrance or been awe-struck at the sight of the colorful meadow? Perhaps the fresh scent of a forest after a rain with the aroma of pine and clean air has made you stopped for a long, deep sniff. Has the happy chorus of bird song lingered in your ears long after the melody vanishes because the vibrancy struck a chord in your soul? All of these experiences can also delight children, but often kids aren’t exposed to nature on a regular basis. Yet, as American Catholic priest, author, culturalist and ecologist Dr. Thomas Berry said "Teaching children about the natural world should be seen as one of the most important events in their lives."

Cody sniffing out the forest

That's what the book Cody’s Cabin: Life in a Pine Forest written by Gayle M. Irwin attempts to do. This story takes children on a journey through a Rocky Mountain woodland as experienced by the eyes, ears, and nose of a cocker spaniel. Throughout Cody’s experiences of encountering wildlife, such as squirrels, turkeys, mule deer, and a black bear, children learn about the creatures of a pine forest as well as the trees and wildflowers that make up the ecosystem. They learn that the different senses (hearing, sight, smell, and touch) allow deeper, richer experiences with the outdoors as Cody uses his different senses to investigate and appreciate the natural world. Young readers will learn about nature not just through the story, but also with the inclusion of vocabulary words, nature tidbits, and outdoor activity pages in the book.

One reviewer, a former elementary teacher, says of Cody's Cabin: Life in a Pine Forest:

“Educators, including home schoolers, can make good use of this book. It gives children information about different animals and their habitats without them even realizing they are learning.”

Another reviewer, a current educator, says:

“Author Gayle Irwin entertains as well as educates her readers through Cody’s woodland experiences and through her encouragement to children to get outdoors with the provision of a nature journal at the end of the book. Teachers, parents, and anyone else who appreciates the beauty of the mountain world and wants to share that experience with children will love this book!”

Cody’s Cabin: Life in a Pine Forest tells the tale of a cocker spaniel named Cody who explores a mountain woodland near the cabin he shares with his human family. Within the aspen leaves and pine branches, among the colorful wildflowers, and deep in the thorny thickets, Cody sees, smells, hears, and touches nature. Children will delight in Cody’s antics with squirrels and shiver as he encounters a black bear. Not simply an engaging story, Cody’s Cabin…. is also a strong teaching tool, encouraging children to explore natural areas using their own senses. Included in the book are activity pages to further engage children in outdoor experiences, nature tidbits to enlighten their minds, and vocabulary words to enhance their education, making this a great book for families to enjoy together and for private and public school teachers as well as for homeschoolers to enhance students’ outdoor and other educational experiences.

Gayle and Mary dog. 

Gayle M. Irwin writes inspirational dog books for children and adults and has had short stories published in five Chicken Soup for the Soul books. She enjoys sharing what people can learn from pets, including appreciating nature. A former humane and conservation educator, Gayle once lived next door to Yellowstone National Park, and she continues to visit and enjoy America’s natural splendors, including national parks, traveling as often as she can from her home in Wyoming. Gayle volunteers for various animal rescue organizations, to which she donates part of her book sale revenues; her pets, including Cody the cocker spaniel, are adopted from these great organizations. 

Learn more about Gayle and all of her inspirational dog books for children and adults at www.gaylemirwin.com.

Find Cody's Cabin... on Amazon at http://amzn.to/1QAyKCQ

And for those of us in the UK you'll find it HERE

Thank you for coming today to share Cody's Cabin, Gayle. My very best wishes for lots of sales of it as Christmas presents for some lucky people. 

Slainthe!