Protecting Nature's Patterns

From fractals to spirals to cycles, nature is beautifully arranged in organized ways that are highlighted in the inspiring picture books of this session. In the mountains of Meghalaya, India, a boy learns how to care for and weave the roots of the living tree bridges in Living Bridges: The Hidden World of India's Woven Trees by Sandhya Acharya. But when he notices litter on the bridge and scars on the roots from people stealing sap, he must rally his community to protect the living tree he loves. Colleen Paeff writes about another empowering story in Firefly Song: Lynn Frierson Faust and the Great Smoky Mountain Discovery, a nonfiction picture book about how one woman proved to skeptical scientists that the fireflies of the Great Smoky Mountains put on dazzling synchronized light shows each night! Join this environmentally focused read-aloud and discussion, moderated by author Meera Sriram, that encourages young kids to take wonder in the environment and action to sustain it. This event took place in Downtown Berkeley, at the Bay Area Book Festival, May 29-31 2026.  Support our work and help to keep the Bay Area Book Festival 96% free! https://givebutter.com/writingthefuture Check out our upcoming events www.baybookfest.org Follow us on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/baybookfest/