​

When Mae the mayfly first hatches she learns she'll have just a day to enjoy the world. But soon a hungry trout has her racing for cover! As she peeks from her hiding spot and notices some of nature's most beautiful sights, she realizes she must live in the moment and experience everything the--sometimes scary--world has to offer. This tender story reminds us all--young and old--to be present and mindful in all we do.

​

Click the play button and follow along while Denise reads Mae the Mayfly:

​

​

​

 

Reviews

​

“In this story about making the most of time, Mae is a mayfly who decides to spend her one day of life exploring the big, wide world. At times it is scary, but her brushes and near misses with animals great and small make her experience so fulfilling. Once Mae embraces her fear, she truly begins to marvel at all she encounters and finds unexpected strength when faced with a perilous situation. In rhyming couplets that dance on the page, Brennan-Nelson creates an endearing character who realizes that when you take a chance, the rewards can greatly
outweigh the risks. Weiser’s colorful illustrations invoke a natural world that can be both terrifying and awe-inspiring. Her images of Mae capture the character’s plucky spirit. This book would make a great addition to any nature-themed program and pairs with perennial classics such as In the Tall, Tall Grass (1991), by Denise Fleming. Readers looking for picture books with a similar theme would also enjoy All in a Day (2009), by Cynthia Rylant.” - Booklist

​

"The last few weeks have been draining, overwhelming, and slightly scary. Still, I have realized how blessed I am in many aspects of my life. I have learned to enjoy every minute with the people I love. Mae the Mayfly is a creative and touching story about the importance of being mindful and present in each situation. Mae is excited to begin her day exploring her new world. But after a close encounter with a large fish, Mae isn’t sure that she wants to face the uncertainties of the world. After some pondering, she realizes that fear could hold her back from some wonderful experiences. The text is written in a rhyming scheme and flows beautifully within the pages. The illustrations by Florence Weiser are whimsical lovely. The colors jump off each page. The back of the book shares more with readers about the life and habits of a mayfly. This is a must-have read-aloud for children." - PictureBooks4Learning Blog

​