Wake Up, Woods

What Reviewers Are Saying…

“An enchanting peek into the splendor that awaits us outdoors.”
— Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods, The Nature Principle, and Vitamin N

“Wake Up, Woods is a much-needed resource for anyone seeking to instill a love for local nature in early learners. Gentle verses and lovely, scientifically accurate illustrations guide children through an introduction to native woodland wildflowers, while additional text provides background for parents and educators.”
— Chicago Academy of Sciences/ Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

“Detailed illustrations, lilting verses, and scientific explanations make Wake Up, Woods an important text for anyone wanting to wake up to the wonder around them when visiting the woods. This is an excellent nature book to share with young readers and is perfect for the classroom or to tuck in a backpack before a hike.”
—Suzanne Walker, Director, Indiana Center for the Book, Indiana State Library

About the Book

Wake Up, Woods showcases the splendor of the eastern North American woodlands through true-to-life illustrations that depict plants, such as green dragon and bloodroot, along with the insects, birds and mammals that have specialized roles in the plant’s reproduction.

Through Wake Up, Woods, children (and adults) learn what to watch for in the deciduous forests within our parks and preserves—and even in shade gardens around our homes. This book celebrates some of nature’s most fascinating moments in forests where we live and play and hike.

Target audience for this book is children ages 5-10. Older children and adults will also enjoy the lush illustrations in this book as well as using it to discover these plants growing outside. Younger children may enjoy the pictures along with the rhyming verses before they grow old enough to appreciate the factual content.

Contributors

Gillian Harris, Illustrator

As a natural history illustrator and botanical artist, Gillian Harris works at the intersection of art and science. Gillian has studied at Indiana University, Harvard University, and the University of Michigan. She has illustrated field guides and garden books, and has exhibited her illustrations in zoos, botanical gardens, and at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.

Gillian loves to hike; one of her favorite places is the Great Smoky Mountains. She also draws inspiration from the wild plants and animals she encounters in the Great Lakes region and in her own backyard, the wooded uplands of southern Indiana.

Michael Homoya, Botanist and Ecologist

Michael Homoya was a botanist and plant ecologist for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Natural Heritage Program for 37 years prior to his retirement in 2019. Mike discovered, inventoried, and assessed natural communities to determine what should be included as state dedicated nature preserves. He also monitored rare species to update the official Indiana list of rare, threatened, and endangered vascular plants.

He has shared his knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm about plants by authoring several books, teaching at the collegiate level, and serving as president of professional science associations. In keeping with his passion for plants, his motto is: “Always Be Botanizing!”

Shane Gibson, Poet

At an early age, Shane Gibson’s dad immersed him in nature through fishing, hunting, searching for morel mushrooms, walking the farm for historical artifacts, and just playing outside. This immersion in nature grew into a life-long passion for the outdoors. With degrees in environmental science and elementary education from Indiana University, Shane enjoys blending his love of the outdoors, writing, and literature. He is Environmental Education Director for Sycamore Land Trust and has worked as a teacher and naturalist.

Shane has envisioned his poetry in book form for many years and is thankful for this publication. Shane lives in Monroe County, Indiana, with his wife Taji, two boys Tanner and Sawyer, and a slew of fleabitten varmits.

The Publishing Team

Book designer – Pat Prather
Steering Committee – Ruth Ann Ingraham, Melissa Moran, Carolyn Wamsley
Publisher – Rubber Ducky Press at Cardinal Publishers Group, printed in the USA