Fun in the Mud: A Wetlands Tale

Written by Sally Bolger
Illustrated by Regina Shklovsky
Published November 20, 2018

Why we chose this book:
As a fun way to learn about an environment we don't know about. (And T has been having fun playing outside, so the title caught my eye initially.) Roundtree Press provided a review copy.

Mom's Review

Fun in the Mud sparks enthusiasm about the natural world.

A child looking at the wetlands in boredom meets two fairies who introduce him/her to the wonders of this environment. (The child's gender is ambiguous, open to the audience's interpretation.) The fairies, Jack and Mini, declare their love of the wetlands, explaining how they swim with the smolts, sing with the frogs, listen to the birds, and soak up the saltwater until their skin sparkles. Their wonder and joy is palpable. We could not help but yearn to visit wetlands ourselves. This is a perfect pairing of prose and pictures - the illustrations' style and color evoke the seashore and coast while the story entertains and instructs. And when you take the book jacket off (as T always insists we do), drawings of flora and fauna await you.

Before I started reading this to T, I explained that part of this is true and part is made up, and I asked him if he could point out the differences as we read. He was excited to be able to identify the fictional fairies and tall tales told by the birds, and then the real frogs, wetlands, rain, etc. In fact, he was so enthusiastic about this, that he pointed out to me and his dad that, "Some parts are real and some parts are made up," before the next several reads, and then went on to explain which was which as we read (unsolicited). T likes magical creatures, so we had fun imagining what we would do if we met fairies in nature. He also likes nature and animals, so we had fun talking about when we might visit wetlands and what we would like to see there. He and I both learned about wetland habitats, and we would like to learn more. This is a new topic for us and we will be seeking out further books. Fun in the Mud is great for conversation, great for learning, and great for imagination!

As I was trying to stage a picture with him, T
instead matched his fairy to those in the book.
Better than my plan!

Son's Review
(Age: almost 4)

Son: My favorite part is the wetlands.

Mom: What part of the wetlands is your favorite?

Son: The frogs!

Mom: What do you like about the frogs?

Son: I like that they're hoppy!

Mom: We saw a  few different things in here: fairies, frogs, smolts... What's real?

Son: Frogs.

Mom: What about the fairies?

Son: No. They're made up.

Mom: What if they were real and you saw one?

Son: I'd ask if they're friendly or not.

Mom: Would you want to go to the wetlands? What would you want to see?

Son: Yeah! Make-believe fairies, trees, frogs, worms, and birds. Because they would tell me stories when the tide comes in.

Mom: I would want to see the grass as it soaks up the salt water and the salt comes out on its leaves. If you were a bird what would you talk about?

Son: Tweeting. Nothing else.

Mom: What was your favorite thing you learned about the wetlands?

Son: If the wind is just so, and you find a quiet place to sit, and you hear wings and little feet, and if the tide is just right, and if you're very lucky, then you may catch a glimpse of a wetland fairy.

Mom: Wow! You remembered the words so well! Was there something real you liked?

Son: The smolts!
(These are young salmon.)

Mom: Did you like this book?

Son: Yes.

Mom: How did this book make you feel as you read it?

Son, screaming: GOOD!!!

Mom: Was there a part that made you feel the most good?

Son: Where they hold on to the fishes' tails.

Mom: Would you want to do that if you were a fairy?

Son: No. Yeah.

Mom: If you could meet these fairies, would you want to be friends with them? What would you like to do with Jack and Mini? What would be the most fun?

Son: Yeah. Do fun stuff. Putting stockings on our heads.
(Yep, it's Christmastime. We have stockings out. They get worn by T.)

Mom: Is there anything else that you want to say?

Son: Yes. That I like the wetlands!