Tag along with young Hank and his family as they fish, crab, and boat in the mighty Chesapeake Bay. Whether moon fishing with dad or catching crabs with grandpa, readers discover bay critters like oysters, turtles, fish, and crabs in “Moon Fishing,” “Crabbing with Poppy,” and “The Perfect Little Pinecone.” Plus, if you love backyard animals and were delighted by Eric Carle’s “The Hungry Caterpillar,” you’re sure to enjoy “The Perfect Place for a Nest” as a pair of birds hunt to find a perfect home for their soon-to-arrive hatchlings. Like Beatrix Potter’s famous rabbit, a pesky squirrel causes nothing but problems for Gramma in “That Pesky Squirrel.” And, who doesn’t love a world of imagination? In “Bunny, Can I Catch You?” and “That’s Boring!” little Gabriel learns to occupy himself in his own backyard. Young readers will look forward to bedtime as they embark on “The Magical Journey to Slumberland.” Eight family-centric tales with detailed imagery invite young listeners to find animals, count, and recall order of events. Embedded questions inspire kids to share their points of view on topics such as character, kindness, being grateful, and overcoming conflict. Broaden the vocabulary of more experienced listeners by challenging them to identify elements of character, synonyms, and story sequence words. The author is an instructor of English Language Arts dedicated to the promotion of literacy through reading and discussion, and she is a supporter of environmental sustainability dedicated to preserving habitats that benefit native species. Residents of the Chesapeake Bay region, Lori and her husband continue to explore the bay’s marvelous tributaries as they’ve done for a quarter century in their small boat Salad Days. Readers will see elements of regional flora and fauna in Lori’s works. In addition to narrative and expository writing, the author enjoys gardening, photography, drawing, music, and culinary arts. This collection of eight stories for children ages four through eight is family-centered literature with themes promoting kindness and gratitude. Topics include imaginative play, parent/grandparent/neighbor relationships, gratitude, kindness, outside play, outdoors, nature, boating, fishing, crabbing, squirrels, rabbits, birds, fish, and the Chesapeake Bay.