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Nature Books for Kids
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Exposing children to the natural world is said to have many benefits including stimulating the senses, increasing awareness of one’s surroundings, improving one’s physical health and instilling a feeling of relaxation and well being. Did you know that sharing nature activities with your toddler and preschooler is also an effective way of developing their pre-reading skills?
Check out
I Love Dirt!: 52 Activities to Help You & Your Kids Discover the Wonders of Nature by Jennifer Ward for ideas and tips. Explore this book along with the literacy tips from DPL’s Babble, Scribble, Read! web site. | |
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The library has many books to help caregivers teach children about our natural world:
Animal Tracks & Signs by Jinny Johnson
Attracting Birds, Butterflies and Other Backyard Wildlife by David Mizejewski
Catch A Fish, Throw a Ball, Fly a Kite: 21 Timeless Skills Every Child Should Know (And Any Parent Can Teach) by Jeffrey Lee
A Child’s Introduction to the Night Sky by Michael Driscoll
The Girls’ Guide to Campfire Activities by Elizabeth Encarnacion
Field Trips: Bug Hunting, Animal Tracking, Bird Watching, Shore Walking by Jim Arnosky
Go Outside!: Over 130 Activities for Outdoor Adventures by Nancy Blakey
Grow It, Cook It by the editors of DK Publishing
Just for Little Legs, Boulder: Family Hikes with Children by Bette Erickson
On the Trail of Colorado Critters: Wildlife-Watching for Kids by Mary Taylor Young
Rock and Fossil Hunter by Ben Morgan
Summer: A User’s Guide by Suzanne Brown
Sunflower Houses: Garden Discoveries for Children of All Ages by Sharon Lovejoy
The Unplugged Play Book: The Essential Parents' Guide by Bobbi Conner
What’s That Bird?: Getting to Know the Birds Around You, Coast to Coast by Joseph Choiniere & Claire Mowbray Golding
Along with outdoor adventures, an important way young children can practice literacy skills through nature is through story books with nature-based themes:
Arabella Miller’s Tiny Caterpillar by Clare Jarrett
Birds by Kevin Henkes
Bumpety Bump by Pat Hutchins
Chicky Chicky Chook Chook by Cathy MacLennan
Counting in the Garden by Kim Parker
Do Lions Live on Lily Pads? by Melanie Walsh
Don’t Worry Bear by Greg Foley
Flora’s Surprise! by Debi Gliori
Have You Seen My Duckling? by Nancy Tafuri
Horse by Malachy Doyle
Leaves by David Ezra Stein
Little Farmer Joe by Ian Whybrow
One Brown Bunny by Marion Dane Bauer
Quiet in the Garden by Aliki
Quiet Night by Marilyn Singer
Scoot! by Cathryn Falwell
Up, Down, and Around by Katherine Ayres
Wake Up, It’s Spring! by Lisa Campbell Ernst
Wave by Suzy Lee
Whistling by Elizabeth Partridge
Are you looking for suggestions on where to explore the outdoors? These books and organizations will be helpful:
Books:
Best Hikes with Children in Colorado by Maureen Keilty
Grandparents Colorado Style: Places to Go & Wisdom to Share by Mike Link & Kate Crowley
The Preschooler’s Guide to Denver by Carolyn Sutton
Organizations:
Denver Parks and Recreation
Denver Botanic Gardens
Denver Museum of Nature and Science
Denver Zoo
Colorado State Parks
Colorado Division of Wildlife
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
U.S. Forest Service
National Park Service
To discover more about the importance of exposing children to nature, refer to these resources:
Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder by Richard Louv
Children & Nature Network |
