10 Picture Books about Nature
The children's nature book, Nature in the Neighborhood, by Gordon Morrison, was the inspiration for a map of selected natural resources in my neighborhood. Kelly Brenner of Metropolitan Field Guide asked for "other must-have nature children's books". Here are 10 recommendations.
1. Big Night for Salamanders, by Sarah Marwil Lamstein, with illustrations by Carol Benioff
Evan and his family help the salamanders migrate across a road. The book is cleverly organized: the natural history of the salamander is told alongside the fiction in a facing page layout.
2. Las Estaciones, by Iela Mari
A story of the seasons centered on one oak is told in pictures only -- the illustrations are so fabulous that you don't miss the text.
3. Bugs Galore, by Peter Stein with illustrations by Bob Staake
A fun way to introduce the sheer diversity of bugs. (The book is all about bugs though some of the bugs look like no-bug insects like bees. Learn about the difference between bugs and insects.)
4. The Carrot Seed, byRuth Krauss with illustrations by Crockett Johnson
A classic tale of patience and a friendly guide to vegetable gardening.
5. The Very Quiet Cricket, by Eric Carle
Here's one book with sound effects you won't mind your child reading, again and again. Eric Carle is one of the best illustrators and his art in this book is no exception. Children learn about a range of insect sounds. It's also a nice love story.
6. The Wind Blew, by Pat Hutchins
Pat Hutchins is another talented illustrator (check out What Game Shall We Play?). I have not found many well-written, approachable children's nature books about elements like wind. This is a good one!
We also like:
7. Hope for the Flowers, by Trina Paulus about the transformation from a caterpillar to a butterfly.
The book celebrated its 40th birthday last year.
8. Sasha Visits the Botanic Gardens, by Shamini Flint with illustrations by Alpan Ahuja
A dear friend gave the book after we spent time in Singapore.
9. A Child's Calendar, by John Updike with illustrations by Trina Schart Hyman
The calendar is livened by Updike's poetry and Schart Hyman's art is evocative of the New England town landscape. This book pairs well with Las Estaciones.
10. Here is the Arctic Winter, by Madeleine Dunphy with illustrations by Alan James Robinson
A gently didactic book about the Arctic ecosystem. One reason I like this book is that it's set in the dark - and the dark is a place of life.
1. Big Night for Salamanders, by Sarah Marwil Lamstein, with illustrations by Carol Benioff
Evan and his family help the salamanders migrate across a road. The book is cleverly organized: the natural history of the salamander is told alongside the fiction in a facing page layout.
2. Las Estaciones, by Iela Mari
A story of the seasons centered on one oak is told in pictures only -- the illustrations are so fabulous that you don't miss the text.
3. Bugs Galore, by Peter Stein with illustrations by Bob Staake
A fun way to introduce the sheer diversity of bugs. (The book is all about bugs though some of the bugs look like no-bug insects like bees. Learn about the difference between bugs and insects.)
4. The Carrot Seed, byRuth Krauss with illustrations by Crockett Johnson
A classic tale of patience and a friendly guide to vegetable gardening.
5. The Very Quiet Cricket, by Eric Carle
Here's one book with sound effects you won't mind your child reading, again and again. Eric Carle is one of the best illustrators and his art in this book is no exception. Children learn about a range of insect sounds. It's also a nice love story.
6. The Wind Blew, by Pat Hutchins
Pat Hutchins is another talented illustrator (check out What Game Shall We Play?). I have not found many well-written, approachable children's nature books about elements like wind. This is a good one!
We also like:
7. Hope for the Flowers, by Trina Paulus about the transformation from a caterpillar to a butterfly.
The book celebrated its 40th birthday last year.
8. Sasha Visits the Botanic Gardens, by Shamini Flint with illustrations by Alpan Ahuja
A dear friend gave the book after we spent time in Singapore.
9. A Child's Calendar, by John Updike with illustrations by Trina Schart Hyman
The calendar is livened by Updike's poetry and Schart Hyman's art is evocative of the New England town landscape. This book pairs well with Las Estaciones.
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| Image: The owl in Here is the Arctic Winter, by Madeleine Dunphy (source) |
10. Here is the Arctic Winter, by Madeleine Dunphy with illustrations by Alan James Robinson
A gently didactic book about the Arctic ecosystem. One reason I like this book is that it's set in the dark - and the dark is a place of life.