‘Mountain’ of fun

There are a mountain of reasons to love Marianne Berkes’ “Over on a Mountain: Somewhere in the World,” which features mountain ranges from around the globe, depicted in amazing collages by Pratt Institute grad Jill Dubin. Berkes’s rhyming text, which can also be sung to the tune of the traditional song “Over in the Meadow” (easily found on Google for those of us who can’t read music), incorporates counting to 10 and a rich vocabulary.

Recommended for kids ages 3–8, the book offers a fun challenge for older readers: finding the creature hidden in each illustration, a great way to introduce the concept of camouflage.

“Tips from the Author” offers ideas for parents and educators on how to further explore the book’s themes.

“Over on a Mountain: Somewhere in the World” book by Marianne Berkes, $8.95, www.dawnpub.com.

Williamsburg Northside School

<div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;">At Northside, our graduates will be comfortable being uncomfortable, for they&rsquo;ll recognize that resistance and friction are signals of growth, and they&rsquo;ll consistently seek out opportunities to expand the definition of who they are. They will be future-ready, able to thrive in challenging situations because they have the confidence and the wherewithal to embrace an ever-accelerating pace of change and adapt accordingly. They will be well on their way to becoming life-long learners that know what happens inside the classroom is a catalyst for the never-ending exploration of what lies beyond the school-house walls. And, most importantly, they&rsquo;ll be good, decent, and caring human beings that aren&rsquo;t afraid to show some emotion, that are quick to offer a helping hand, and that recognize that encountering differing opinions and perspectives only makes them stronger.</div> <div>&nbsp;</div>

Long Island Game Farm Wildlife Park & Children’s Zoo

Long Island Game Farm Wildlife Park &amp; Children&rsquo;s Zoo presents programming for children and families of all ages, animal encounters, zookeeper experiences, VIP tours, season memberships, and much more! Camp Zoo introduces and immerses children in nature through outdoor exploration, games, crafts, and other educational hands-on activities.&nbsp; In partnership with their nonprofit arm, the Foundation for Wildlife Sustainability, the game farm also offers culture, education, and wellness programs to connect people with wildlife and the natural environment.&nbsp; A critical aspect of the game farm is serving as a sanctuary to animals that&nbsp;have been rescued, rehabilitated, or re-homed, including Sicilian miniature donkeys, alpacas, African Sulcatta tortoises, peacocks, rabbits, goats, sheep,&nbsp;alligators, and our beloved Gomez, a Sulphur-crested cockatoo, and Nala, an African Serval cat!&nbsp; &nbsp;

Twin Parks Montessori Schools

TwIn Parks Montessori Schools nurtures a child&rsquo;s natural tendency to learn.&nbsp; Our three campuses on the Upper West Side of Manhattan serve children from 3 months to 5 years of age.&nbsp; We are called Twin Parks because each of our campuses are across from Central Park or Riverside Park.&nbsp; Being close to nature is just one of many things that make Twin Parks a wonderful school.&nbsp; Twin Parks is well known for its warm stimulating environment, joyful, active, independent learners, and welcoming community.&nbsp; At Twin Parks, each child is regarded with profound respect and care. Our nurturing teachers foster a beautiful learning environment designed to help each child reach their full potential.&nbsp;&nbsp; All of our students, even our youngest children, have enriched experiences in math, language, science, cultural arts, music, art and movement.&nbsp; The Montessori approach is internationally renowned for the development of each child&rsquo;s creativity, individual resourcefulness, and potential. All of our classrooms share a deep commitment to the Montessori Method and at each level our program is carefully constructed around the developmental stages of the child. The Montessori curriculum varies at the levels of our school, but the goals are consistent throughout the programs: - To partner with parents in the education of their children - To foster a love and joy of learning - To help children develop a positive self-image&nbsp; - To foster open minds, compassion, and respect for others - To develop independence and confidence. - To instill in each child a sense of responsibility for the world in which we live - To maintain the highest standards for a safe and clean program.