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Matthew's Meadow
A red-tailed hawk teaches Matthew to open his senses to the natural world in a special meadow cleared by Matthew's grandmother so she could have a place in the forest where a she could see the sky.
- GenresPicture BooksChildrens
40 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 1992
20 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 4, 2019
A young boy named Matthew, resting in the beautiful meadow created by his grandmother on the forest hillside high above his farm, is surprised to find himself being addressed by the red-tailed hawk sitting perched on the meadow's single black walnut tree. Offered annual "lessons" by the hawk, who speaks, in some mysterious way, for his grandmother, the boy gradually learns to use all of his senses, and to connect to the natural world on a deeply spiritual level. As he grows to be a young man himself, and begins to take on the responsibilities of the farm, Matthew ponders how he can communicate his gratitude to his (long dead) grandmother, and eventually closes the circle by bringing his own newborn daughter to the field...
Given the outstanding reviews that this title received from two of my online friends, I confess that I expected to be more taken with it, than I was. I appreciated Bliss' message about the importance of really taking the time to perceive the natural world, using all of our senses; and liked the way in which she captured Matthew's changing perspective about the meadow, over time: how, as he grew older, the meadow seemed to shrink. I also liked Ted Lewin's lovely watercolor illustrations, although I wished that there were more of them. But somehow, in the end, I wasn't as moved by Matthew's Meadow as some others have been. Still, it's an engaging book, one I would recommend to young nature-lovers (or to parents who want to inspire their children to become nature loves). It is definitely a text-heavy title, for a picture-book, so I think it would probably be best for early-readers (first grade?) and above.
Given the outstanding reviews that this title received from two of my online friends, I confess that I expected to be more taken with it, than I was. I appreciated Bliss' message about the importance of really taking the time to perceive the natural world, using all of our senses; and liked the way in which she captured Matthew's changing perspective about the meadow, over time: how, as he grew older, the meadow seemed to shrink. I also liked Ted Lewin's lovely watercolor illustrations, although I wished that there were more of them. But somehow, in the end, I wasn't as moved by Matthew's Meadow as some others have been. Still, it's an engaging book, one I would recommend to young nature-lovers (or to parents who want to inspire their children to become nature loves). It is definitely a text-heavy title, for a picture-book, so I think it would probably be best for early-readers (first grade?) and above.
August 21, 2009
This is a lovely book with a message about what nature can teach us.
It has much more story text than most picture books.
The illustrations are beautiful.
I enjoyed the story as well. While reading I had some trepidation about where the story would go, but I ended up greatly appreciating how the author told this tale.
Along with learning from and appreciating nature, there is a theme of loss and death, and rebirth also, just as in nature. That, and the more wordy story, lead me to think that the youngest age for this picture book might be slightly older than for many picture books.
This book is 17 years old, with one paperback edition published 12 years ago. I’m assuming this is what accounts for the very few ratings here at Goodreads, mine being only the third. (Thanks Melody for helping me to find this book.)
It has much more story text than most picture books.
The illustrations are beautiful.
I enjoyed the story as well. While reading I had some trepidation about where the story would go, but I ended up greatly appreciating how the author told this tale.
Along with learning from and appreciating nature, there is a theme of loss and death, and rebirth also, just as in nature. That, and the more wordy story, lead me to think that the youngest age for this picture book might be slightly older than for many picture books.
This book is 17 years old, with one paperback edition published 12 years ago. I’m assuming this is what accounts for the very few ratings here at Goodreads, mine being only the third. (Thanks Melody for helping me to find this book.)
February 8, 2013
OK... I'm a sap. I decided to read this to my boys at bedtime tonight. I was crying so hard by the last page that I had to have my 7 year old finish reading the book for us.
April 4, 2016
2014: I remembered loving this book, and when it fell into my hand tonight, I sat down and read it. Oh, what a treat. It conjured up my son's boyhood in a very concrete way. The book spoke to me on an entirely different level from this viewpoint. I was crying a little almost at once, and sobbing whole-heartedly by the end. What a treasure this book is.
1999: This remains one of Owen's favorite books to this day. We read it together any number of times, and we've both read it since. It's a lovely fable with a strong ecological theme. The illustrations are gorgeous, and the emphasis on spirit and nature's intersection is one that fits my family ethos like a glove made from sustainably harvested naturally dead deerhide. All snark aside, it's a deeply moving book with lots of room for interesting family discussion during and afterward. Stay away if you don't like talking animals, though.
1999: This remains one of Owen's favorite books to this day. We read it together any number of times, and we've both read it since. It's a lovely fable with a strong ecological theme. The illustrations are gorgeous, and the emphasis on spirit and nature's intersection is one that fits my family ethos like a glove made from sustainably harvested naturally dead deerhide. All snark aside, it's a deeply moving book with lots of room for interesting family discussion during and afterward. Stay away if you don't like talking animals, though.
August 5, 2024
Lovely illustrations and a good message.
I wouldn't have liked it when I was a child -- too philosophical -- but I would've liked the paintings. As an adult, I can imagine some children might find it inspiring.
I wouldn't have liked it when I was a child -- too philosophical -- but I would've liked the paintings. As an adult, I can imagine some children might find it inspiring.
February 5, 2019
What a great book definitely a favorite. The Illustrations are so perfect with the story
November 23, 2019
I've read this book many times. I really like it.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews