Natural Land Institute is pleased to make the following nature themed children’s book recommendations for the 2024 holiday gift giving season, or really for any reason.
Chickadees at Night
Who knew that chickadees were party birds, fun-loving and frisky as flying puppies? Find out their nighttime antics in this fun and beautifully illustrated book. Good for ages baby through 6. Read more about the book and author, and order here: https://billosmith.com/bill-o-smith-books/chickadees-at-night/
Read a review here: https://lookingglassreview.com/books/chickadees-at-night/
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Begin with a Bee
Begin with a Bee tells the story of a Rusty-patched Bumble Bee queen and explains to the reader their own responsibilities in the natural world. “Looking closely at the life cycle of one bee, this book helps readers of all ages understand and appreciate the contributions and significance of all bees. The queen bee’s life unfolds through captivating illustrations, while the authors impart the poetry and basic science of the rusty-patched bumblebee, the first bee to appear on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Endangered Species list.” (Author’s website) Read more about it here: https://www.lizaketchum.org/bookshelf/bk_begin_bee.html Look for it at your local bookstore or buy it online: https://bookshop.org/p/books/begin-with-a-bee-jacqueline-briggs-martin/15521365?ean=9781517908041
Creekfinding: A True Story
From the publisher University of Minnesota Press: In the words of award-winning author Jacqueline Briggs Martin and the enchanting illustrations by Claudia McGehee, this heartening tale of an ecosystem restored in the Driftless Area of northeast Iowa unfolds in a way that will charm and inform young readers who are drawn to a good mystery, the wonders of nature — and, of course, big earth-moving machines. Once upon a time a creek burbled up and tumbled across a prairie valley. It was filled with insects and brook trout that ate them, frogs that chirruped and birds watching for bugs and fish. This is a true story about a man named Mike who went looking for that creek long after it was buried under fields of corn. It is the story of how a creek can be brought back to life, and with it a whole world of nature.
Find more information about the author and the book here: https://jacquelinebriggsmartin.com/book/creekfinding-a-true-story/
Look for it at your local library or book store.
The Magic & Mystery of Trees
This book is written for ages 7-9, but all ages will have fun learning about the “wood wide web” of trees and all of their parts. Children will be encouraged to explore the various parts of trees and inspired to safeguard the future of trees and their habitat. Learn more about this book and find places to purchase it here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/766628/the-magic-and-mystery-of-trees-by-jen-green/
What It’s Like to Be a Bird (Adapted for young readers)
This children’s non-fiction book is recommended for ages 10 and up. Find out what birds are doing and why – from flying to nesting, eating to singing, and more. Learn fun and fascinating facts about birds with more than 300 full-color illustrations by author and artist David Allen Sibley. Read more about the book and find retailer links to buy it online here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/741908/what-its-like-to-be-a-bird-adapted-for-young-readers-by-david-allen-sibley/9780593430187/ or look for it at your local bookstore or library.
See our list of children’s book recommendations from 2023 here.