Nature Study

booklist & activity guide

TABLE OF CONTENTS

How to Use This Booklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Know/Love/Do . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Poetry for Every Season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Spring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Summer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Fall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

At-A-Glance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

PRINT RELEASE: You may print/copy this Read-Aloud Revival® Booklist as needed for single family use. You may not
distribute the booklist outside of your family in print, electronically, or otherwise.

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 How to Use This Guide

AN INVITATION

What if a good book and a simple activity could anchor your child’s nature study? This booklist can
help make Nature Study easier than you ever imagined!

The earth is the Lord’s! Spend a year learning and exploring it together. This booklist and activity
guide will help you fall more in love with the beautiful world around you.

KEEP IT SIMPLE

There are more books and activities listed here than you need, so choose whichever books
interest you most and are available at your local library. You can find an online version of this
list here.

If you live in an area without seasonal changes, you’ll find plenty of activities that don’t
require a change in seasons. Do nature study wherever you are, in whatever capacity you
have energy for! Keep this as simple as you can.

When it comes to books,

the most important part
is reading them.

When it comes to nature,

the most important part
is getting out in it.

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RECOMMENDED AGES

These books and activities can be enjoyed as a whole family—no need to create separate nature-
based activities based on your kids’ ages.

Invite your kids, from toddlers to teens, to learn about nature by simply reading about and living
through the seasons and observing the world around them.

PRINTING THE LIST

We recommend printing this booklist.

Scan the QR Code for easy access to all of the

links. You'll need to be logged into RAR
Premium to view them.

PRINTER-FRIENDLY

If you need a low-ink

printer option, simply
print the two final
pages of this PDF for
simplified, at-a-
glance versions.

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 Know, Do, Love
We think about a scope and sequence for learning a little differently around here.

In our homeschools, we aren’t tied to the same learning requirements as schools are (and that’s a good
thing!). Rather than listing skills and measurable outcomes, then, we can focus on something better.

know do love
What do we
What do we What do we
want our
want our want our
students to
students to do? students to love?
know?

Asking ourselves these questions will help us build an education that will enliven our children's hearts and
minds, and give them the skills to be learners for life.

This simple Nature Study Guide has been created with Know/Do/Love in mind.

Your student will know new information because you’re reading the books together.
They will learn to do new things because each book is also paired with a simple, meaningful activity
(no busywork in sight).

As a result of all that knowing and doing, it is our hope that your students will learn to love: love each
other, love books, and love the beautiful world God gave us.

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 For Every Season

SING A SONG OF SEASONS: SLOW DOWN: 50 MINDFUL

A NATURE POEM FOR EVERY MOMENTS IN NATURE
DAY OF THE YEAR written by Rachel Williams, illustrated by Freya Hartas

selected by Fiona Waters, illustrated by Frann Preston-Gannon

All around us, nature is working wonders. Every

We recommend this beautiful hardback collection day, hour by hour, magical transformations

to enjoy all throughout the seasons. happen right in front of you. But it’s not always
easy to see them...

Filled with familiar favorites and new discoveries

written by a wide variety of poets, including In this beautifully illustrated collection, 50

William Shakespeare, Emily Dickinson, John moments in nature are paused for you to watch

Updike, Langston Hughes, and many more. them in detail. Then you should go outside and
explore and see what you find when you take the

Leave it open as part of a nature display, or add time to slow down.

reading a seasonal poem to your homeschool’s

Morning Time or read-aloud time.

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 Winter
= An RAR Family Book Club Guide is available for this title in RAR Premium.

ANTSY ANSEL: ANSEL ADAMS, A LIFE IN NATURE DO THE ACTIVITY:

by Cindy Jenson-Elliot, illustrated by Christy Hale
Take a
As a child, Ansel Adams just couldn't sit still. But in nature, Ansel photograph of
felt right at home. He fell in love with the gusting gales of the something from
nature.
Golden Gate, the quiet whisper of Lobos Creek, the icy white of
Yosemite Valley, and countless other remarkable natural sights.

BIRD WATCH DO THE ACTIVITY:

By Christie Matheson Start a family bird

Search for hidden birds and count them, too, in this seek-and-find list to keep track
of birds you’ve
picture book with a satisfying surprise.
seen.

THE BOY WHO DREW BIRDS: A STORY OF JOHN DO THE ACTIVITY:

JAMES AUDUBON Look for feathers

by Jacqueline Davies, illustrated by Melissa Sweet dropped by birds.

John James Audubon was determined to find out if the birds

nesting near his Pennsylvania home would really return the
following spring. Through careful observation, he laid the
foundation for all that we know about migration patterns today.

BUILDING DO THE ACTIVITY:

by Henry Cole Go on a walk and

look for signs of
Follow a family of beavers as they do what beavers do best: build!
beavers.
Two beavers find a stream, build a dam, and raise a family in their
new lodge. When the dam is threatened by storms, the beavers
work hard to rebuild it.

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WINTER

GOODBYE AUTUMN, HELLO WINTER

DO THE ACTIVITY:
by Kenard Pak
Bundle up and
As leaves fall from their trees, animals huddle against the cold, and
sketch outdoors.
frost creeps across windows, everyone knows―winter is on its
way!

OF WALDEN POND: HENRY DAVID THOREAU,

DO THE ACTIVITY:
FREDERIC TUDOR, AND THE POND BETWEEN
Look for ice on
by Lesa Cline-Ransome, illustrated by Ashley Benham Yazdani
tree branches or
Thoreau and Tudor could not have been more different from each frost on windows.
other, yet both shared the freezing bounties of Walden Pond and Take close-up

changed the course of history through their writings and photographs.

innovations.

OVER AND UNDER THE SNOW DO THE ACTIVITY:

by Kate Messner, illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal
Look for signs of
Over the snow, the world is hushed and white. But under the snow animal life over
lies a secret world of squirrels and snow hares, bears and bullfrogs, and under the
snow.
and many other animals making their winter homes.

DO THE ACTIVITY:
SNOWFLAKE BENTLEY
by Jacqueline Briggs Martin, illustrated by Mary Azarian Capture
snowflakes on
The true story of Wilson Bentley, who cataloged hundreds of
black felt and take
snowflake photographs that became the basis for all we know a close look with a
about beautiful, unique snowflakes. magnifying glass.

WATER IS WATER: A BOOK ABOUT THE WATER DO THE ACTIVITY:

CYCLE Visit a pond,

by Miranda Paul, illustrated by Jason Chin
stream, or other
Drip. Sip. Pour me a cup. Water is water unless . . . it heats up. This waters ource to
see what it's like
book follows a group of kids as they move through all the different
during winter.
phases of the water cycle.

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WINTER

WINTER DANCE
DO THE ACTIVITY:
by Marion Dane Bauer, illustrated by Richard Jones
Dance in the
Snow is coming, and it's time to get ready! The squirrel gathers
snow.
nuts, the geese soar south, and the snowshoe hare puts on its new
white coat. But what should the fox do?

THE YEAR OF THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS TREE

DO THE ACTIVITY:
by Gloria Houston, illustrated by Barbara Cooney
Find your favorite
A seasonal classic about courage and the power of family, told
tree on a walk
among the pines of Appalachia.

WINTER IS COMING
DO THE ACTIVITY:
by Tony Johnston, illustrated by Jim LaMarche
Take nature
If this book doesn't put you and your kids into a nature-journaling
journals outdoors
type of mood, I don't know what will! Absolutely stunning for some
illustrations from Jim LaMarche. A celebration of nature. sketching, just like
in the story

A MISCHIEF OF MICE
DO THE ACTIVITY:
by Christie Matheson
Draw and/or
The story of a mischief of mice who have disappeared...to
watercolor trees
hibernate! You'll find groups of animals (with all of their interesting like those found in
names) in this delightful book. this book.

WINTER BEES
DO THE ACTIVITY:
by Joyce Sidman, illustrated by Rick Allen
On a cold day,
This book is beautiful and full of delicious words! It's also designed
step outside and
by an Art Director we know and love, Cara Llewellyn. Worth write down words
owning. that describe
what you see,
hear, feel, and
smell.

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WINTER

MICE SKATING
DO THE ACTIVITY:
by Annie Silvestro, illustrated by Teagan White
Bundle up with a
A cute story about a mouse who loves winter so much, she finds a
harm hat, gloves,
rather creative way to get her friends to join her outside in the cold. jacket, and
Darling! whatever else you
need to enjoy a
cold day outside!

WINTERGARDEN
DO THE ACTIVITY:
by Janet Fox, illustrated by Jasu Hu
Grow a winter
The world is wintry outside, and a young girl and her mother plan
herb garden
an herb garden in the windowsill. Lovely, all the way through.
There's even instructions at the back for starting a windowsill
garden.

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 Spring
= An RAR Family Book Club Guide is available for this title in RAR Premium.

CELIA PLANTED A GARDEN: THE STORY OF CELIA DO THE ACTIVITY:

THAXTER AND HER ISLAND GARDEN Choose a flower

by Phyllis Root and Gary D. Schmidt, illustrated by Melissa Sweet to sketch in your
Celia Thaxter grew up on a desolate island off the coast of Maine, sketchbook.

finding color where she could. When she grew, Celia became a
foremother of writing about nature.

THE CLOUD BOOK DO THE ACTIVITY:

By Tomie dePaola Record cloud

Tomie introduces some of the most common types of clouds as well types in your
nature journal.
as the myths and legends inspired by their shapes. This book will
tell you many things about clouds that you didn't know.

DO THE ACTIVITY:
AN EGG IS QUIET
by Dianna Hutts Aston, illustrated by Sylvia Long Go for a silent
nature walk.
A fascinating introduction to the vast and amazing world of eggs.
Full of wit and charm, An Egg Is Quiet will at once spark the
imagination and cultivate a love of science.

GOODBYE WINTER, HELLO SPRING DO THE ACTIVITY:

By Kenard Pak This week, keep a

weather calendar.
Join a boy and his dog as they explore nature and take a stroll
Record sky
through the countryside, greeting all the signs of the coming
conditions, the
season. In a series of conversations with everything from the temperature, and
melting brook to chirping birds, they say goodbye to winter and the time and date

welcome the lushness of spring. of your recording.

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SPRING

A LITTLE MORE BEAUTIFUL: THE STORY OF A DO THE ACTIVITY:

GARDEN Choose something

by Sarah Mackenzie, illustrated by Breezy Brookshire to do that will
make your own
Sly as a fox and swift as a bird, Lou Alice is determined to leave
world a little more
each day a little more beautiful than she found it. But when she
beautiful.
moves away, no one in town notices she's gone. No one, that is,
except a little girl, who sets out to carry on Lou Alice's work.

LITTLE SEEDS OF PROMISE DO THE ACTIVITY:

by Sana Rafi, illustrated by Renia Metallinou Plant some radish

When Maya moves to a different country, she feels lonely and lost. or sunflower
seeds.
Everything―and everyone―seems so unfamiliar, and she wonders
if she will ever find a way to fit in. Longing for her home, she holds
tightly to the special seeds her grandmother gave her, afraid to
plant them. Can she take the risk that they―and she―might grow
and bloom in this new place?

DO THE ACTIVITY:
NESTING
by Henry Cole Leave out colorful
bits of string or
Follow two robins as they build a nest with twigs and grass. Then
yarn for birds to
mother robin lays four beautiful blue eggs and keeps the eggs use while nesting.
warm in the nest until they hatch into four baby robins. You might spy
them in birds’
nests next winter
when the leaves
fall from the trees!

OUT OF SCHOOL AND INTO NATURE: THE ANNA DO THE ACTIVITY:

COMSTOCK STORY Pack a picnic and

by Suzanne Slade, illustrated by Jessica Lanan
spend a whole
From the time she was a young girl, Anna Comstock was day outdoors.

fascinated by the natural world. Eventually Anna became known

as a nature expert, pioneering a movement to encourage schools
to conduct science and nature classes for children outdoors.

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SPRING

A SEED IS SLEEPY DO THE ACTIVITY:

by Dianna Hutts Aston, illustrated by Sylvia Long See how many

different kinds of
A beautiful and informative look at the intricate, complex, and often
seeds you can
surprising world of seeds.
collect to
compare. Sketch
some in your
nature journal.

SNOWMAN - COLD = PUDDLE DO THE ACTIVITY:

by Laura Purdie Salas, illustrated by Micha Archer Write some

equation poems
Math meets metaphor in this eye-opening exploration of spring.
based on nature.
Each clever equation is a tiny, perfect poem that prompts readers
to look at the ordinary and see the miraculous. Tip: RAR Premium
members, we
have a whole
workshop taught
by Laura Purdie
Salas for you here.

SPRING AFTER SPRING: HOW RACHEL CARSON DO THE ACTIVITY:

INSPIRED THE ENVIRONMENTAL MOVEMENT Go on a “sounds”

by Stephanie Roth Sisson nature walk.
What do you
As a child, Rachel Carson lived by the rhythms of the natural world.
hear?
Spring After Spring traces Rachel’s journey as scientist and writer,
courageously speaking for the world that could not speak for itself.

UP IN THE GARDEN AND DOWN IN THE DIRT DO THE ACTIVITY:

by Kate Messner, illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal
Go on a bug hunt.
Up in the garden, the world is full of green. But down in the dirt, What can you
find?
there is a busy world of earthworms digging, snakes hunting,
skunks burrowing, and all the other animals that make a garden
their home. Discover the wonders that lie hidden between stalks,
under the shade of leaves . . . and down in the dirt.

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 Summer
= An RAR Family Book Club Guide is available for this title in RAR Premium.

THE BEEMAN
DO THE ACTIVITY:
by Laurie Krebs, illustrated by Valeria Cis
Find and taste
Told from the viewpoint of a child whose grandpa is a beekeeper,
local honey.
this rhyming text offers an accessible and engaging introduction to
the behavior of bees and what a beekeeper does.

BLUEBERRIES FOR SAL

DO THE ACTIVITY:
by Robert McCloskey
Pick blueberries
Kuplink, kuplank, kuplunk! Sal and her mother are picking and make a pot of
blueberries to can for the winter. But when Sal wanders to the jam. (Or do a jam

other side of Blueberry Hill, she discovers a mama bear preparing tasting, if you'd
like to keep this
for her own long winter. Meanwhile, Sal's mother is being followed
extra simple.)
by a small bear. Will each mother go home with the right little one?

A BUTTERFLY IS PATIENT DO THE ACTIVITY:

by Dianna Hutts Aston, illustrated by Sylvia Long
Look for
This book celebrates a dazzling variety of butterflies.Turn each butterflies.
page to explore the amazing world of these beautiful winged Consider

insects through watercolor illustrations that bring to life garden sketching a

butterfly in your
landscapes filled with flowers, vines, leaves, and sunshine.
nature journal.

BUZZING WITH QUESTIONS: THE INQUISITIVE MIND

DO THE ACTIVITY:
OF CHARLES HENRY TURNER
Brainstorm five
by Janice N. Harrington, illustrated by Theodore Taylor III
questions about
Can spiders learn? How do ants find their way home? All of these nature, then look
questions buzzed endlessly in Charles Henry Turner’s mind. He up the answers!
was fascinated by plants and animals and bugs. And nothing
stopped Turner from wondering, researching, and experimenting.

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SUMMER

COME ON, RAIN! DO THE ACTIVITY:

by Karen Hesse, illustrated by Jon J Muth Make sun tea.
"Come on, rain!" Tess pleads to the sky as listless vines and
parched plants droop in the endless heat. Up and down the block,
cats pant while heat wavers off tar patches in the broiling
alleyway. More than anything, Tess hopes for rain. When it comes,
she and her friends are ready for a surprising, joyous celebration.

FOR THE BIRDS: THE LIFE OF ROGER TORY

DO THE ACTIVITY:
PETERSON
Explore local birds
by Peggy Thomas, illustrated by Laura Jacques
with Peterson’s
To some, he was "Professor Nuts Peterson" because of his Field Guide for
dedication to his craft. Yet Roger Tory Peterson went on to create Young Readers:
Backyard Birds.
the immensely popular Peterson Guides, which have sold more
than seven million copies and which birders everywhere appreciate
for their simple text and exquisite illustrations.

DO THE ACTIVITY:
HIKE
by Pete Oswald Go for a family
hike.
In the cool and quiet early light of morning, a father and child wake
up. Today they’re going on a hike. By the time they return home,
they feel alive—and closer than ever—as they document their hike
and take their place in family history.

THE HIKE DO THE ACTIVITY:

by Alison Farrell Draw a mind map

A plucky and sweet adventure story about three intrepid young with animal
information like
explorers who set out to conquer the outdoors in their local forest.
Wren did in the
story.

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SUMMER

POND DO THE ACTIVITY:

by Jim LaMarche
Visit a local pond.
When Matt is out for a late winter hike, he sees a trickle of water in
the old, deserted dirt pit at the edge of his neighborhood. Matt can
imagine the pond that must once have been there, shining in the
early spring light, freezing in the winter for skating, and the perfect
place for swimming in the summer. Can Matt’s discovery return a
forgotten pond to its natural wonder?

REDWOODS DO THE ACTIVITY:

by Jason Chin Identify trees near

A subway trip is transformed when a young boy happens upon a your home.

book about redwood forests. As he reads, the information unfolds,

and with each new bit of knowledge, he travels—all the way to
California to climb into the Redwood canopy.

DO THE ACTIVITY:
THE TIDE POOL WAITS
by Candace Fleming, illustrated by Amy Hevron If you can, visit a
tide pool. If you
Twice a day, when the tide goes out, an astonishing world is
don’t have any
revealed. Some of the creatures that live here look like stone. tide pools near
Others look like plants. Some move so slowly, it’s hard to tell if you, choose a

they’re moving at all, while others are so fast, you’re not sure you creature from the
book to sketch in
really saw them.
your nature
journal.

WONDER WALKERS DO THE ACTIVITY:

by Micha Archer Go on your own

When two curious kids embark on a "wonder walk," they let their “wonder walk.”

imaginations soar and look at the world in a whole new light.

Young readers will wonder, too, as they ponder these gorgeous
pages and make all kinds of new connections. What a wonderful
world, indeed!

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 Fall
= An RAR Family Book Club Guide is available for this title in RAR Premium.

BEAR HAS A STORY TO TELL DO THE ACTIVITY:

by Philip Stead, illustrated by Erin Stead Go for a fall walk

and watch for
Bear finds each of his friends, but no one has time to listen to a
signs of animals
story. By the time Bear is through helping his friends get ready for
preparing for
winter, will anyone still be awake to hear his story? winter.

CRANBERRY THANKSGIVING DO THE ACTIVITY:

by Wende Devlin, illustrated by Harry Devlin
Make cranberry
Every year, Grandmother invites a guest for Thanksgiving dinner bread. You'll find a

and allows Maggie to do the same. "Ask someone poor or lonely," recipe at the back
of the book.
she always says. But she isn't happy to find out Maggie has invited
the unsavory Mr. Whiskers to dinner. Will her secret cranberry
bread recipe be safe with him in the house?

FALL WALK
DO THE ACTIVITY:
by Virginia Brimhall Snow
Identify leaves
Take a stroll through the woods and learn to identify 24 different
that fall near your
kinds of leaves by their shapes and autumn colors. At the end of home.
the day, learn how to press the gathered leaves and how to make
a leaf rubbing.

GOODBYE SUMMER, HELLO AUTUMN DO THE ACTIVITY:

by Kenard Pak Go on an autumn
Join a young girl as she takes a walk through forest and town, scavenger hunt
(use our printable
greeting all the signs of the coming season. In a series of
scavenger hunt
conversations with every flower and creature and gust of wind, she sheet here).
says goodbye to summer and welcomes autumn.

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FALL

THE GRAVITY TREE: THE TRUE STORY OF A TREE

DO THE ACTIVITY:
THAT INSPIRED THE WORLD
Eat an apple! Try
by Anna Crowley Redding, illustrated by Yas Imamura
slicing it crosswise
A tree may seem like a rather ordinary thing. But hundreds of years to see the star
ago, a tree was about to embark on an extraordinary journey. And inside.

it all started with just a speck of a seed . . .

HOW TO HELP A PUMPKIN GROW

DO THE ACTIVITY:
by Ashley Wolff
Visit a pumpkin
Dog is planting a garden, doing all he can to help his pumpkins patch.
grow. But are Crow, Rabbit, Duck, and Goat really out to destroy
the garden?

THE LIFE AND TIMES OF CORN DO THE ACTIVITY:

by Charles Micucci Buy fresh corn

What grain has seeds in all colors of the rainbow, can grow twenty from a farm or
visit a corn maze.
feet high, is often harvested by moonlight, and is more valuable to
the United States than gold? Learn the science of corn.

MUSHROOM RAIN DO THE ACTIVITY:

by Laura K. Zimmermann, illustrated by Jamie Green
Make spore prints
What can smell like bubble gum, glow neon green at night, be as mentioned in
poisonous and still eaten by humans, and even help create rain? the back of the

From their hidden networks underground to their fruiting bodies book.

above, mushrooms can do incredible things.

A ROCK IS LIVELY DO THE ACTIVITY:

by Dianna Hutts Aston, illustrated by Sylvia Long
Collect rocks to
From dazzling blue lapis lazuli to volcanic snowflake obsidian, an display.

incredible variety of rocks are showcased in all their splendor.

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FALL

SOPHIE'S SQUASH
DO THE ACTIVITY:
by Pat Zietlow Miller, illustrated by Anne Wilsdorf
Sketch different
On a trip to the farmers' market with her parents, Sophie chooses a
types of squash in
squash, but instead of letting her mom cook it, she names it your nature
Bernice. From then on, Sophie brings Bernice everywhere, despite journal or make

her parents' gentle warnings that Bernice will begin to rot. zucchini bread.

SQUIRRELS LEAP, SQUIRRELS SLEEP

DO THE ACTIVITY:
by April Pulley Sayre, illustrated by Steve Jenkins
Take photographs
Squirrels wrestle. Squirrels leap. Squirrels climb. Squirrels sleep. If of squirrels, or
you followed a squirrel for a day, what would you see? Climbing sketch one in your
branches, storing seeds, making homes in tree holes, and maybe nature journal.

even flying!

A TREE IS NICE
DO THE ACTIVITY:
by Janice May Udry, illustrated by Marc Simont
Take leaf rubbings
Trees are beautiful. They fill up the sky. If you have a tree, you can
from several trees.
climb its trunk, roll in its leaves, or hang a swing from one of its
limbs. Cows and babies can nap in the shade of a tree. Birds can
make nests in the branches. A tree is good to have around. A tree is
nice.

MISS MAPLE'S SEEDS

DO THE ACTIVITY:
by Eliza Wheeler
See how many
What happens to seeds that don't sprout? Fortunately, they have
different kinds of
Miss Maple to look after them. Every year, she rescues orphan seeds you can
seeds, taking them to her cozy maple tree house. All winter long, collect for a nature

she nurtures them and teaches them the ways of seeds and the display.

paths by which they might find their new homes. And come spring,
she sends them off to take root out in the wide world and to sprout
into the wonderful plants she knows they'll become.

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FALL

DO THE ACTIVITY:

IF YOU FIND A LEAF Collect leaves and

by Aimée Sicuro press them
between sheets of
In this story, a young artist draws inspiration from the leaves she paper weighed
collects and every leaf sparks a new idea. She imagines turning a down with heavy
books. Leave them
Japanese Zelkova leaf into a boat to sail far away, a Honey Locust
alone for 2-3
leaf into a swing to sway in the gentle breeze, and an American weeks. Then use
Basswood leaf into a hot air balloon to float high above the trees. them to create your
own drawings!

BECAUSE OF AN ACORN
DO THE ACTIVITY:
by Lola M. Schaefer and Adam Schaefer, illustrated by Frann Preston-Gannon
Find an oak tree and
Because of an acorn, a tree grows, a bird nests, a seed becomes a collect acorns.
flower. Enchanting die-cuts illustrate the vital connections between
the layers of an ecosystem in this magical book. Wander down the
forest path to learn how every tree, flower, plant, and animal
connects to one another in spiraling circles of life. An acorn is just
the beginning.

IT'S FALL!
DO THE ACTIVITY:
by Renée Kurilla
Rake up a pile of
Break out your fuzzy socks and cozy scarves! Bring on the
leaves and jump in,
doughnuts, cider, and pies! It’s time for corn mazes, trick-or- flop!
treating, and all the Thanksgiving food you can eat.… It’s fall! With
playful rhymes and lively illustrations, this celebratory book shows
the many ways we welcome and enjoy a special season.

HUSH HUSH, FOREST

DO THE ACTIVITY:
by Mary Casanova, woodcuts by Nick Wroblewski
Make a list of the
Here, in enchanting words and woodcuts, is the magic of night
signs of fall present
falling and winter approaching in the North Woods. Hush Hush, in this book. Then go
Forest peers through twilight’s window at the raccoon preening, on a nature hunt

the doe and fawn bedding down, the last bat of the season flitting and see how many
you can spot!
away. The owl surveys, the rabbit scurries, the bear hunkers,
readying her den.

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© 2023, Sarah Mackenzie Media, LLC. All rights reserved Nature Study Book List 19
WINTER AT-A-GLANCE

TITLE ACTIVITY

Antsy Ansel Take a photograph from something in nature

Bird Watch Start a family bird list

The Boy Who Drew Birds Look for feathers dropped by birds

Building Go on a walk to look for signs of beavers

Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter Bundle up and sketch outdoors

Of Walden Pond Take photos of ice on tree branches/frost on windows

Over and Under the Snow Look for signs of animal life over or under the snow

Snowflake Bentley Capture snowflakes on black felt and look closely

Water Can Be Visit a pond, stream, or other water source

Water Is Water Go for a walk in the rain

Winter Dance Dance in the snow

The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree Go for a walk under the silver moon

SPRING AT-A-GLANCE

TITLE ACTIVITY

Celia Planted a Garden Choose a flower to sketch in your sketchbook

The Cloud Book Record cloud types in your nature journal

An Egg is Quiet Go for a silent nature walk

Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring Keep a weather calendar

A Little More Beautiful Do something to make your world more beautiful

Little Seeds of Promise Plant some radish or sunflower seeds

Nesting Leave bits of string/yarn for birds to use while nesting

Out of School and Into Nature Pack a picnic and spend the day outdoors

A Seed is Sleepy Compare different kinds of seeds and sketch them

Snowman - Cold = Puddle Write equation poems based on nature

Spring after Spring Go on a “sounds” walk

Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt Go on a bug hunt

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© 2023, Sarah Mackenzie Media, LLC. All rights reserved Nature Study Book List 20
SUMMER AT-A-GLANCE

TITLE ACTIVITY

The Beeman Find and taste local honey

Blueberries for Sal Pick blueberries and make a pot of jam

A Butterfly is Patient Look for butterflies and sketch one in your journal

Buzzing with Questions Brainstorm 5 questions about nature

Come On, Rain! Make sun tea

For the Birds Explore local birds with a field guide

Hike Go for a family hike

The Hike Draw a min map with animal information

Pond Visit a local pond

Redwoods Identify trees near your home

The Tide Pool Waits Visit a tide pool, or sketch a creature in your journal

Wonder Walkers Go on your own Wonder Walk

FALL AT-A-GLANCE

TITLE ACTIVITY

Bear Has a Story to Tell Look for signs of animals preparing for winter

Cranberry Thanksgiving Make cranberry bread

Fall Walk Identify leaves that fall near your home

Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn Go on an autumn scavenger hunt

The Gravity Tree Slice an apple across to see the stars inside

How to Help a Pumpkin Grow Visit a pumpkin patch

The Life and Times of Corn Buy fresh corn from a farm, or visit a corn maze

Mushroom Rain More spore prints as mentioned in the book

A Rock is Lively Collect rocks to display

Sophie’s Squash Make zucchini bread

Squirrels Leap, Squirrels Sleep Take photographs of squirrels, or sketch them

A Tree Is Nice Take leaf rubbings from several trees

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© 2023, Sarah Mackenzie Media, LLC. All rights reserved Nature Study Book List 21
FALL AT-A-GLANCE (CONTINUED)

TITLE ACTIVITY

Miss Maple’s Seeds Collect seeds for a nature display

If You Find a Leaf Collect and press leaves to create your own drawings

Because of an Acorn Collect acorns

It’s Fall! Rake up a pile of leaves and jump in

Hush Hush, Forest Go on a nature hunt and spot signs of fall from the book

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© 2023, Sarah Mackenzie Media, LLC. All rights reserved Nature Study Book List 22
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