"Even if we live in a big city, there is always nature outside: clouds and stars, trees and flowers, rocks and beaches, birds, reptiles or mammals.
What are we waiting for?
Let’s jump off the couch and begin exploring!"
What are we waiting for?
Let’s jump off the couch and begin exploring!"
Maria Ana Peixe Dias and Ines Texeira do Rasari, both from Portugal, received degrees in Biology from the University of Lisbon, before Maria migrated for a short time to Great Britain to work with BirdLife International, the world's largest nature conservation partnership, and Ines studied a vulnerable species of mouse (Cabrera's Vole) found in the Iberian Peninsula. In their beautiful collaboration with illustrator Bernardo P. Carvalho, they offer young readers rich and simple reminders that there are many opportunities to connect with nature right outside the door. Activities such as starting a rock collection, climbing a tree, watching clouds, sitting in the grass, and identifying neighborhood birds are examples of the simple joys one can forget in our current cultural hustle of school and work life. It is not however, a lightweight whimsical guide to activities one doesn't really need guides for. Filled with deep research language 4th graders will understand, this book names trees by leaf shape, animals by footprint, and amphibians by traits. It is full of work worthy of a child's wonder and a teacher's dreams for informative text that keep students engaged.
The illustrations, while beautifully drawn, are also aids that connect readers to the names of the shapes nature makes.
I recommend reading it with a student to promote mutual epiphany! It takes a village to love the earth. Get outside already!
The illustrations, while beautifully drawn, are also aids that connect readers to the names of the shapes nature makes.
I recommend reading it with a student to promote mutual epiphany! It takes a village to love the earth. Get outside already!
For the Toolkit:
Take this book to the window (now!) and try to identify the names of trees and birds with a young reader.
Go on a nature walk at your local state park and carry along this guide for activity ideas all hike long.
In this resource, former elementary teacher turned full time parent brings her experience in the classroom home to help educators and families find rich children's activities that grow curiosity and knowledge while having fun in and out of doors. This post shares some activities that introduce birdwatching to children.
Take this book to the window (now!) and try to identify the names of trees and birds with a young reader.
Go on a nature walk at your local state park and carry along this guide for activity ideas all hike long.
In this resource, former elementary teacher turned full time parent brings her experience in the classroom home to help educators and families find rich children's activities that grow curiosity and knowledge while having fun in and out of doors. This post shares some activities that introduce birdwatching to children.
You may also like:
Get Outside: The Kids Guide to Fun in the Great Outdoors
by Jane Drake (Author), Ann Love (Author), Heather Collins (Illustrator); This guide, like the book above, is a great resource for all ages. In addition to outdoor activities, this book includes loads of activities indoors as well that still connect the reader to nature.
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen is a great read like for the reader (ages 10-12) who is looking for a fictional story that will keep them outside and on the lookout for danger! Fast paced, fearless, and literally outside, Paulsen gives us a character that has to learn to survive on his own in the woods with only a few tools and his wits. An exciting read with some very true (and eye-widening!) informational tips about survival out of doors.
Not a Box by Antoinette Portis (Author, Illustrator), is a book full of mischief and good humor, when a bunny insists that the box before the reader's eyes has much more potential than its simply being a box. Like the above recommended books, portis calls readers to look deeper at the wonder-riddled potential for fun available in the simplest of places. Readers will be thinking outside of the box by the end of this read!
Outside: A Guide to Discovering Nature by Maria Ana Peixe Dias & Ines Teixeira do Rosari, pictures by Bernardo P. Carvalho
Frances Lincoln Children's Bks, 2016
368 pages
Ages 9-12
Get Outside: The Kids Guide to Fun in the Great Outdoors
by Jane Drake (Author), Ann Love (Author), Heather Collins (Illustrator); This guide, like the book above, is a great resource for all ages. In addition to outdoor activities, this book includes loads of activities indoors as well that still connect the reader to nature.
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen is a great read like for the reader (ages 10-12) who is looking for a fictional story that will keep them outside and on the lookout for danger! Fast paced, fearless, and literally outside, Paulsen gives us a character that has to learn to survive on his own in the woods with only a few tools and his wits. An exciting read with some very true (and eye-widening!) informational tips about survival out of doors.
Not a Box by Antoinette Portis (Author, Illustrator), is a book full of mischief and good humor, when a bunny insists that the box before the reader's eyes has much more potential than its simply being a box. Like the above recommended books, portis calls readers to look deeper at the wonder-riddled potential for fun available in the simplest of places. Readers will be thinking outside of the box by the end of this read!
Outside: A Guide to Discovering Nature by Maria Ana Peixe Dias & Ines Teixeira do Rosari, pictures by Bernardo P. Carvalho
Frances Lincoln Children's Bks, 2016
368 pages
Ages 9-12