A Child's Seasonal Treasury

by Betty Jones

A Child’s Seasonal Treasury was conceived as a Waldorf-inspired resource book for parents and teachers of young children. Throughout the seasons, songs, verses, poems, riddles, fingerplays, games, creative drama and movement, watercolor painting, handcrafts, healthy recipes and gratitude for life that rekindles a sense of wonder are keynotes of this Smithsonian Notable Children’s Book (Nov. 1997, Vol 28, Number 8) 

Having been chosen as the first book in the Hearthsong Family Library (1996), Waldorf Education has grown tremendously and with the surge of home schools, charter schools, pre-schools and daycare centers, quality curriculum that is child-centred to help counteract the influences of TV and technology on the very young is imperative.

This newly published edition has been up-dated with more writing and all illustrations by the author, a conversion chart for the recipes to "translate" world-wide, and the promise that at home or at school, this book will bring joy into the process of learning, both for children and for the adults who are involved with them on a daily basis.

Reviews

Betty Jones has aptly titled the revised book she has reprinted A Child’s Seasonal Treasury. It is indeed a very rich treasury for children to experience the seasons of the year. There are glittering gems and jewels in word and song. There are imaginative sparkling diamonds of children’s activities in painting, handwork, movement, creative play, even baking and cooking. Ms. Jones has included numerous recipes that can involve the children’s helping hands. In this and many other ways the book is a practical resource that can inspire teacher and parent alike. It is replete with poems and verses, many by the Betty Jones herself. Her illustrations demonstrate a wondrous sensitivity to Nature, drawing the viewer deeply into the realm of the imagination. In her own words, she invites audience “to breathe in the wonder….”  Who could ask for anything more?  — Keith McCrary, Director of Adult Waldorf Education (AWE) on Maui


If you are familiar with Waldorf kindergarten, with its beauty, richness, and joy, you will find a home in Betty Jones’ beautiful book, A Child’s Seasonal Treasury. If you are not familiar with Waldorf kindergarten, Betty’s book will be a wonderful introduction, and will enrich your life and the lives of children in your care. Through crafts, recipes, stories, and songs, Betty travels the year as a flowing celebration of the Seasons and Festivals. If I was starting out as a kindergarten teacher or as a mother I would use Betty’s book as an inspirational guide. Betty’s paintings are jewels and illuminate her book with color and image both sweet and precious. A real treasure.  — Theresa Roach Melia, 25-year veteran, Waldorf Kindergarten

A Child’s Seasonal Treasury by Betty Jones, Marriage Family Therapist, provides a wide range of engaging hands-on activities, with a deep reverence for nature and an emphasis on learning through play. Ms. Jones’ curated and original finger-plays, interactive songs, activities and recipes provide accessible curriculum content for each of the seasons. As quoted in the December 11, 2012 edition of ExchangeEveryDay Connecting Children to Nature: “One of the great gifts we can give children through their frequent interactions with nature is a sense that they are connected to something larger than themselves”...and “just as early bonding establishes the foundation of trust between parent and child, the earlier a child develops a “bond” with the natural world, the more likely that child will feel trust and comfort in nature versus fear and dread.” A Child’s Seasonal Treasury supports early educators in fostering and nurturing children’s connections to themselves, others and nature. — Carol Simmons, RN, Coordinator Child Care Planning Council of Sonoma County, Sonoma County Office of Education

Ordering Info

To order one or more copies of "A Child's Seasonal Treasure" by Betty Jones, please follow this link or click the button below.

About Betty Jones

Betty Jones studied Rudolf Steiner’s philosophy of education at Emerson College in England (1973–76).She pioneered Waldorf kindergartens in California, Hawaii and New Zealand, and later became a Resource Specialist for Spanish-speaking learning disabled students in the California State Public Schools.She developed a cross-cultural curriculum inspired by Steiner’s methodology for early language acquisition including a “Sound Train”, a hand-made manipulative to enhance phonetic learning.In 1989, Ms. Jones earned her Master’s degree as a licensed Marriage, Family and Child Counselor, and subsequently a post-Masters degree in Art Therapy. She piloted her WATER OF LIFE project at Kinderspital Zurich (1996–97) with hospitalized children undergoing the stresses of catastrophic illness and disabilities, and brought this art therapy to Thailand for traumatized children who survived the devastating tsunami in 2005.With this new edition of A Child’s Seasonal Treasury, Ms. Jones looks forward to the publication of other books she has written and illustrated.