The Curious Nature Guide, Explore the Natural Wonders All Around You

The Curious Nature Guide, Explore the Natural Wonders All Around You
Written and illustrated by Clare Walker Leslie
(Storey Publishing, 2015)

I first noticed the cover of this book while on vacation with some girlfriends in Coupeville, Washington. Hidden amidst a crowded display of books, toys, and souvenirs, the cover popped out and caught my attention. I wanted that book. But I resisted.

Fast forward to post-Christmas gift card shopping. As I perused my local Indie bookstore, Inklings, guess which book again popped out and grabbed my attention? Yes. The same book. And it was on a display of favs and book suggestions by staff.

I did not resist.

The Curious Nature Guide is a beautifully illustrated guide book written for children, teens, families, and others who love exploring the outdoors. I fell in love with this colorful edition.

I enjoyed this book so much, I used it as a reward. At the end of the day I would carefully read each page and inhale every photo, drawing, and illustration. Reading this book was almost as good as being outside.

While vocabulary will be difficult for young readers, they will love hearing it read aloud. The Curious Nature Guide contains nature information, suggestions of things to look for and do, maps, charts, plant labels, and more.

NO. It is not overwhelmingly encyclopedic.

The Curious Nature Guide is a nature journal filled with inspiration of both the exploring type and the creative sort. I want to go out and investigate the outdoors AND sit down with my art supplies and recreate what I find AND grab the camera to capture my nature.

Two thumbs up for The Curious Nature Guide, Explore the Nature Wonders All Around You.

Happy exploring!

Thanks for reading this blog. I'd love to hear what nature exploring you like to do.

Flowers Are Calling ~ Picture Book & KID KANDY

Flowers Are Calling
By Rita Gray
Pictures by Kenard Pak
(Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2015)

Oh, dear. It is only February, but already I am dreaming of flowers!

Maybe that is because I have seen promising buds and the tips of daffodil shoots. Or maybe I feel hopeful about spring because the sun has been shining and the snow melting.

Either way, flowers are calling!

Flowers Are Calling is a beautifully illustrated picture book about flowers and the ones who are called by their color, fragrance, and shape.

Bees, hummingbirds, butterflies, and other sorts of interesting pollinators are lured to flowers for food but end up helping out flowers by spreading pollen.

Parts of this book are set to rhyme. I did find this hard to get in rhythm with, but the information and enchanting pictures kept me reading. What I loved in Flowers Are Calling was learning about the specific animals that were drawn to specific flowers. I also enjoyed learning the names and types of flowers. This wonderful book even features flowers that bloom at night! I am always in bed when it's dark outside and live in the north, so I do not get to see those pretty blossoms.

Reading about flowers in February makes perfect sense. We are ready for spring and the flowers that pop up from the ground. Plus flowers feature prominently for a special holiday that happens each February 14.

KID KANDY:

Late Winter Flower Hunt

It may be too early where I live to see much (though I have already spied pink buds), but regardless of where you live, there should be signs of approaching spring.

~ Take a walk outside and use your super sharp eyes to find signs of spring:

flower buds on bushes, grass that is beginning to get green, skinny stalks of daffodil stems peeking from the soil, crocus sprouts (maybe even flowers), moss, weeds (of course they will be growing) . . .

What did you find? I'd love to hear about spring where you live.

Remember the locations of signs of spring. Go back in a week and see what has changed.

Welcome spring!