Nature Read and Explore

Nature Read and Explore is published by Barbara Fritschel, an Iowa Master Naturalist candidate and retired librarian. The goal is to recommend outstanding nature books to parents and to provide some ways of exploring nature. A recent study showed that American children spend only about 7% of their time out of doors. Nature is readily available in backyards, neighborhoods and local parks. I hope that reading these books will help children (and their families) to become more aware of the world around them.

Awards: There are three major awards offered that include nature books. The Caldecott Award is for the best illustrated picture book. There is a National Outdoor Book award that includes children’s books. Lastly the AAAS/Subaru (American Academy for the Advancement of Science) awards science books written for children. When a book has won one of these awards, it is noted.

Series: Several publishing houses will offer a series, such as the Ultimate Explorers Guidebook Series, the Junior Scientist Series or the Bug Scouts Series. Series are note so that if you child liked one book in the series, they may like others.

Age: The age ranges are provided by the publishers. You have the best understanding of your child’s reading ability. With the younger ages, many of these books assume someone is reading to the child.