New to Our StoryWalk® Book Catalog: Because of a Storm - About Silk
We’re always excited when we get to add a new title to our StoryWalk® book catalog, and this one is especially fun.
Because of a Storm: The Spongy Moth — A Small Bug with a Big (and Icky) Impact by Dorna Schroeter is now available for StoryWalk® installations!
If “raining poop,” clouds of moths, and trees suddenly losing their leaves sounds like something that would get kids’ attention… you’re absolutely right.
Because of a Storm takes readers into the strange and surprisingly fascinating world of the spongy moth. Part science, part history, and part firsthand experience, the book explores how this invasive species came to North America and the impact it has had on forests for more than 150 years. Readers also get to see how everything from acorns and mice to birds, weather, and fungi can play a part in a spongy moth outbreak.
It’s a great choice for curious kids who like nature, science, insects, ecosystems, and, of course, the slightly gross stuff that makes you want to keep reading.
The book is geared toward ages 8–12, with a grade level of 4–6 and a Lexile level of 780L. It also connects naturally with topics like ecosystems, food webs, biodiversity, cause and effect, resilience, human impact, and the relationships between living things. That makes it an especially nice fit for schools, libraries, nature centers, environmental education programs, parks, and other outdoor learning spaces.
Choose the StoryWalk® Format That Works for You
We know every StoryWalk® setup is a little different, so we’re making Because of a Storm available in several formats.
You can order it printed and ready for your StoryWalk®, choose a laminated version, or purchase a digital version if your school, library, park, or organization would prefer to print the StoryWalk® panels in-house.
The StoryWalk® edition uses 14–22 panels, depending on your setup, and the 17" x 11" printed option is produced on thick, UV-resistant paper. It’s designed to fit directly into Lark Signs StoryWalk® signs without needing additional lamination.
We especially like having the digital option available because some institutions already have printing capabilities and simply need the properly licensed StoryWalk® files. It gives you a little more flexibility to choose what makes the most sense for your space and budget.
A Little Science, a Little History, and a Lot of Moths
One of our favorite things about StoryWalk® experiences is how they can turn a walk outside into something completely unexpected.
With Because of a Storm, families and students aren't just moving from page to page. They’re discovering how one small insect can affect an entire ecosystem, how different parts of nature are connected, and how something that happened more than a century ago can still have an impact today.
And if a few gross moth facts help get kids excited about ecology along the way, even better.
Because of a Storm is available now in our StoryWalk® Book Shop.
Take a look at Because of a Storm and choose the print, laminated, or digital version that works best for your StoryWalk® installation.
About the book:
Raining poop! Clouds of moths! Leafless summer trees! Sound too strange to be real? It's not!
Welcome to the creepy, crawly, chaotic world of the spongy moth! This bug-filled adventure is part history, part science, and part first-hand experience. It tells the story of an invasive species that's been chewing through North American forests, annoying humans, and creating unpleasant outbreaks for over 150 years.
Travel back to the 1800s to learn how a curious and well-intentioned amateur entomologist started this problem. Meet a modern-day scientist who's been studying these pesky bugs for over 30 years. Find out how acorns, mice, birds, mammals, weather, and fungi can play a role in a spongy moth outbreak
Perfect for curious kids ages 8-12 who love weird nature facts, yucky bug stories, and real-life science. This book shows how even icky creatures can teach us something about our world.
Grade Level: 4 - 6
Lexile: 780L
Perfect for: educators, librarians, homeschoolers, environmental education programs, science kits
This story provides literary support for several Disciplinary Core Ideas, such as Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems, Food Webs, Interdependence, Biodiversity, Cause and Effect in Ecosystems, Resilience, and Human Impact. And Cross-Cutting Concepts such as Cause and Effect, Patterns, Stability and Change, Systems and System Models.
Great for parents looking for:
nature books for kids
books about ecosystems for children
environment books for children
children's books about insects
children's books about invasive species
ecology books for kids
Number of Panels needed:
14-22 panels
Size:
17” x 11”
Type:
17”x11” is printed on thick, UV resistant paper. Will fit perfectly in a Lark Signs StoryWalk© Sign with no lamination needed. But if not, will still need to be laminated.
If using plain paper in our Read & Walk signs, use a Laser printer to print, NOT an ink jet printer!
Want a paper copy?
https://bookshop.org/p/books/because-of-a-storm-the-spongy-moth-a-small-bug-with-a-big-and-icky-impact-dorna-schroeter/65124f749fc08d71?ean=9781966997016
Copyright © 2026 Dorna Schroeter. All rights reserved.
This StoryWalk© edition is licensed solely for the creation and display of StoryWalk© panels. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, sold, modified or transmitted in any form or by any means beyond the StoryWalk© format without prior written permission from the copyright holder.
The author retains full copyright ownership.
This digital file may not be resold, shared, or uploaded to public websites.
For permission requests or additional licensing, contact:
meghan@larksigns.com
www.larksigns.com