Kyra Howes, a mother of 3 and known to many of us as a former Couchiching Conservancy employee, now with the Nottawasaga Conservation Authority seemed like a great person to choose books that we might want to give to our young friends as Xmas presents. She has made great choices, as you can see.
For the youngest nature lover in the family, Owl Moon by Jane Yolen gives a glimpse into the joys of nighttime, winter owling. Reading this book might give you a bit of a chill as you remember past winter owling adventures of your own, which will lead to great story-telling opportunities with your young companions.
Have you Heard the Nesting Bird by Gray and Pak is a fun, yet sweet book that allows you to test your bird call vocalizations with your young companion. The book also provides the opportunity to encourage the quiet springtime observations of a robin on her nest.
The images in Over and Under the Pond by Kate Messner provide really interesting visual perspectives on pond life. The book follows a mom and son on a paddle as they observe the aquatic ecosystem around them.
The Lorax is a Dr. Seuss classic is a must-have for every generation of nature lover. Written almost 50 years ago, Dr. Seuss’s story of environmental awareness still resonates today. The fun lyrics and vibrant images are timeless and appropriate for a variety of ages.
The author, Jess Keating, has a lot to offer readers of all ages. Keating always seems to provide entertainment and education in the same book. Some favorites for reading with younger kids (~6-8) include Shark Lady and Ocean Speaks. These provide interesting facts along with a simple story line. Eat your Rocks Crock is a lighter, colourful, but very informative book. The book investigates animals and plants from around the world and provides interesting facts about each in a comic-book style. A book that explains terms like ‘diurnal’ and ‘precocial’ in a child-friendly way is a pretty unusual find.
There is something for everything in the DK series that includes An Anthology of Intriguing Animals (available in French and English) and The Wonders of Nature, by Ben Hoare. These books include captivating graphics with short descriptions of a variety of species. These books appeal to the not-quite readers, as well as the bookworms on your list.
The Science of Why Series is also geared to adults but are great reads for kids. This 5-part series provides answers to questions you never knew you had. Author Jay Ingram asks all types of odd, yet fascinating questions and provides 2-3 page comprehensive responses that are suitable for middle school readers and adults.
An important consideration is that just because a book isn’t labeled as a ‘book for kids’, don’t discount it as being inappropriate for the children in your life. Many books, including identification books, have everything that is needed to appeal to kids, including bright images and short texts. “Adult” field guides will also cover more species, so the species of interest is more likely to be covered, which won’t leave your young naturalist disappointed. The Sibley’s Field Guide to Birds of Eastern North America is a great option, as are the Lone Pine series, which cover everything from animal tracks, mushrooms and trees. The Lone Pine books are older releases, but can still be ordered through local book suppliers.
Thank you Kyra for your help.
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