Fun With Nature: Take Along Guide (Take Along Guides) [Hardcover]

Mel Boring (Author), Diane Burns (Author), Leslie Dendy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 1998 | Age Range: 7 - 10 years | Series: Take Along Guides

Fun with Nature helps kids discover the incredible world in their backyards. It is a compilation of seven bestselling titles: Caterpillars, Bugs and Butterflies; Frogs, Toads and Turtles; Snakes, Salamanders and Lizards; Rabbits, Squirrels and Chipmunks; Tracks, Scats and Signs; and Trees, Leaves and Bark. This entertaining book is filled with fascinating facts and awesome activities.

Editorial Reviews

From Scientific American

Fun with Nature is six nature handbooks in one. Each of the book's six sections--"Caterpillars, Bugs and Butterflies"; "Frogs, Toads and Turtles"; "Rabbits, Squirrels and Chipmunks"; "Snakes, Salamanders and Lizards"; "Tracks, Scats and Signs"; and "Trees, Leaves and Bark"--is like its own self-contained book. Although nothing is covered in great depth, the reader does not feel short-changed. The text, illustrations and easy-to-follow format of the first four sections teach us what each animal looks like, what it eats and where it can be found. The section focusing on tracks, droppings (scat) and signs is organized by habitat and includes information about a number of animals, each shown in the setting where it is most likely to be sighted. The book's final section, about trees, leaves and bark, is particularly striking. The stark layout highlights the illustrations and brings details to the forefront. Most notable are the drawings of bark. They show the texture so realistically that there almost appear to be actual pieces of bark pasted onto the page. The book has several blank pages at the end of each section, should your young explorer wish to make sketches or take notes. Some hands-on activities are also suggested. In addition, advice and special warnings that will enhance your outings are set off in boxes at the bottom of many pages. Contrary to the title, this volume is a bit too heavy to work well as a field guide on a hike, but it's a great resource for reading beforehand and for referring to on your return. Young naturalists will enjoy this book.

Joan Silberlicht Epstein

Product Details

• Age Range: 7 - 10 years
  
• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Cooper Square Publishing Llc (December 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1559717025
• ISBN-13: 978-1559717021
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 8.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #12,323 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #8 in Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Nature > Flowers & Plants

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 44 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the a must-have book for exploring the outdoors! July 6, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

If you ever go camping, this book is a must!! Fun with Nature describes everything from trees to rabbits to snakes to butterflies to animal droppings - called 'scat'! I didn't know that - did you?? With colorful illustrations and fact-filled pages, you can look up and indentify all sorts of things found in nature. Each page describes an animal, plant or insect in easy-to-read detail and helps you to indentify and learn about what you might encounter. Fun facts dots the pages, too. The entries are divided into sections to make referencing easy and at the end of each section is a fun enrichment activity to do. Blank pages also create a place to record your findings on your outings. My family took this book on our camping trips and half of our fun was spent identifying the squirrels, butterflies, trees and insects that we came across. Even us adults were hooked - making this a great activity for all ages to get involved with. As an elementary school teacher, I can use this with my class, too! I can't recommend this book enough! You'll love it!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Nature Book for Families and Children May 26, 2010

By DSK

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I bought this book along with Carson Adventure Pak Containing 5x30 Binocular, Lensatic Compass, Flashlight, & Whistle/Thermometer so that we could start bird-watching and taking nature walks as a family. This book does not have much on birds, but the companion book Birds, Nests & Eggs (Take-Along Guides) can be purchased separately for bird watching. Although this book is hardbound and heavy, it is still compact enough to insert into a backpack and take along on a nature walk or hike. This book is actually a compilation of six different books: two written by Mel Boring, three written by Diane L. Burns, and one written by Leslie Dendy. Illustrations for all six books by Linda Garrow.

We have already completed the "Make a Pinecone Snackbar" activity, and my daughter wants to complete the "Make a Toad House" activity next. This book is great and will keep children and adults entertained as a family for some time. I like the scrapbook that is provided at the end of each book for notes and observations. FIVE STARS!!

Here is a break-down of the book:

Caterpillars, Bugs and Butterflies (Mel Boring) - Introduction, a sub-section on Caterpillars, a sub-section on Bugs, a sub-section on Butterflies and Moths, an activity at the end of each sub-section, and a scrapbook at the end.

Frogs, Toads and Turtles (Diane L. Burns) - Introduction, a sub-section on Frogs, a sub-section on Toads, a sub-section on Turtles, an activity at the end of each sub-section, and a scrapbook at the end.

Snakes, Salamanders and Lizards (Diane L. Burns) - Introduction, a sub-section on Snakes, a sub-section on Salamanders, and a sub-section on Lizards, an activity at the end of each sub-section, and a scrapbook at the end.

Rabbits, Squirrels and Chipmunks (Mel Boring) - Introduction, a sub-section on Rabbits, a sub-section on Squirrels, a sub-section on Chipmunks, two activities at the end of the Rabbits sub-section, one activity at the end of the Squirrels sub-section, two activities at the end of the Chipmunks sub-section, and a scrapbook at the end.

Tracks, Scats and Signs (Leslie Dendy) - Introduction, a page on safety, a sub-section on The Forest, a sub-section on The Field, and a sub-section on The Pond, an activity at the end of each sub-section, and a scrapbook at the end.

Trees, Leaves and Bark (Diane L. Burns) - Introduction, 16 sub-sections on various trees, four activities, and a scrapbook at the end.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun With Nature August 29, 2001

By MIKE INMON

Format:Hardcover

I cant recommend this book enough, the layout and subject matter covered is great. I recommend this to parents and teachers alike.
Simply wonderful.