Reading is dreaming with your eyes wide open.

Below are professional & picture books I’ve written or recommended that emphasize the whole child & inspire play, exploration and an appreciation of nature.

Winter Friends

Written by: Peter Dargatz

Illustrated by: Monique Machut

With winter on the way, a trio of friends decide to ignore their instincts and battle the brutal season together. Sandhill is supposed to fly south but doesn’t want to go alone. Cottontail loves the winter, but is worried others won’t enjoy it as much as her. Groundhog is all about playing with his friends but just can’t stay awake.

There’s no stopping winter, but through it all, the friends discover that distance truly does make the heart grow fonder. WINTER FRIENDS is a story about tough decisions friends have to make and shows that, in the end, friendship always finds a way.

CLICK ON THE COVER TO ORDER

Teaching Off Trail

Written by: Peter Dargatz

The amazing evolution of a traditional public school kindergarten to a nature kindergarten

Teaching Off Trail describes the transformation of Peter Dargatz, a national board-certified teacher, and public school coordinator, from an anxious assessor and worksheet distributor to a fair and fun facilitator of learning while in the same public school system.

This book offers strategies for readers to implement Peter's unique teaching philosophy to increase opportunities for play, creative expression, and personalization in both the indoor and outdoor classroom. In his own classroom, Peter brought learning outside by creating a nature kindergarten program that emphasizes community partnerships, service learning, and meaningful and memorable experiences in the outdoors. He incorporates techniques often identified as more informal settings like Reggio or Montessori, and shows how they work within a public school system.

Teaching Off Trail aims to inspire educators, administrators, and parents across all levels to turn their outrage for today's educational system into outreach that promotes passionate and purposeful problem-solving.

CLICK ON COVER to order.

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Nature-Based Preschool Professional Practice Guidebook

Written by : Various authors

The Nature-Based Preschool Professional Practice Guidebook represents the combined expertise of professionals across the field of nature-based education, and describes how nature-based educators offer programs that are safe, effective, and inclusive. The Guidebook unites diverse models of nature-based education—from outdoor schools to forest kindergartens to nature-based preschools—to provide a platform for the sustained growth of outdoor, nature-based education for young children. The Guidebook is focused on preschool programs, but the principals and practices are relevant to any early learning program, including elementary schools. 

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Play & Playground

In 2020, Peter became a regular contributor to the Play & Playground magazine. Below are his articles so far.

Dec. 2020 - Embrace the Chill

Sept. 2020 - Slow Down to Catch Up

June 2020 - Nature Play

March 2021 - Play Like a Scientist

Magazine Issues