The Kid's Guide to Exploring Nature

by Brooklyn Botanic Garden Educators, László Veres (Illustrator)

Overview

This gorgeously illustrated guide will inspire kids to look closely at the world around them!

Created by the experts at the renowned Brooklyn Botanic Garden, it teaches children how to observe environments as a naturalist does and leads them on 24 adventures that reveal the complex ecosystems of plants and animals in the woods, at the beach, and in a city park. Detailed, scientifically based drawings help young scientists identify hundreds of North American plants and animals, while dozens of fun projects include keeping a journal, conducting field experiments, and exploring nature with all five senses.
 
Winner, Hands-on Science category, 2015 American Association for the Advancement of Science Subaru Prize for Excellence in Science Books
The Kid’s Guide to Exploring Nature has also been named an honor book for the 2015 Green Earth Book Award in the Children’s Nonfiction category!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781889538891
Publisher:	Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Publication date:	09/01/2015
Series:	BBG Guides for a Greener Planet Series
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	120
Sales rank:	504,777
Product dimensions:	8.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.09(d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Brooklyn Botanic Garden is an internationally esteemed leader in environmental education for children of all ages. Since 1913, the Garden's Education staff have designed and led inquiry-based programs for youth. In 2006, the Education team created BBG's first children's book, Gardening with Children, which has now been reprinted three times.

Editorial Reviews

08/11/2014
This addition to the BBG Guides for a Green Planet series walks readers through the basics of becoming a naturalist. Divided by season, the chapters introduce a variety of ecosystems, such as the beach, woods, city, and meadow. Nature-themed activities appear alongside guides to the flora and fauna of the regions, scavenger hunts, naturalist careers, and introductions to concepts like symbiotic relationships, all of which encourage readers to observe the intricacies of the natural world. Despite the project’s New York City origins, readers from just about any geographical location will be able to find information for identifying local wildlife. Ages 8–12. (Aug.)

Publishers Weekly

"This appealing, textbook–style introduction to nature is broken down by season . . . The sections are subdivided by habitat (ponds, meadows, beaches, lakes), and there's also an emphasis on ways to explore plant and wildlife in urban areas. The author covers a wide variety of topics that highlight seasonal changes. . . . 'Nature Activities,' such as 'Make Your Own Bug Spray' and 'Build a Boat That Stays Afloat' using only materials readers can find at their feet, make learning fun. 'Tips for Adult Caregivers' are also included. Illustrations vary from full-page scenes of different habitats . . . to smaller photographs and drawings of nature items—seed pods, leaves in fall colors, fungi, bee varieties. The lessons and activities here will motivate many readers to explore further." —School Library Journal

From the Publisher

11/01/2014
Gr 3–6—This appealing, textbook–style introduction to nature is broken down by season. The title begins with some general information about ways in which naturalists observe nature, suggestions for keeping a journal, and places to explore. The sections are subdivided by habitat (ponds, meadows, beaches, lakes), and there's also an emphasis on ways to explore plant and wildlife in urban areas. The author covers a wide variety of topics that highlight seasonal changes. For instance, the section on "Winter" deals with "Life Under Ice," while "Autumn" discusses "Leaf Color." Page-long job descriptions scattered throughout delve into skills and interests needed for various nature-related occupations (horticulturist, taxonomist, botanical illustrator, and others). "Nature Activities," such as "Make Your Own Bug Spray" and "Build a Boat That Stays Afloat" using only materials readers can find at their feet, make learning fun. "Tips for Adult Caregivers" are also included. Illustrations vary from full-page scenes of different habitats (labeled with names of the plant and animal species) to smaller photographs and drawings of nature items—seed pods, leaves in fall colors, fungi, bee varieties. The lessons and activities here will motivate many readers to explore further.—Susan Scheps, formerly at Shaker Public Library, OH

School Library Journal