Customer Reviews

A Kid's Spring Ecojournal

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This book is meant to be a consumable eco-journal (aka nature notebook; nature journal or discovery journal). There is one half page of blank lines to write in. The concentration here is to write about nature and to do activities related to nature and to document those as well (rather than drawing or painting what is seen). At the bottom of that same page is the author's own dated eco-journal entry. For our inspiration, the author presents what she has written when observing nature in her own 20 acre, wooded backyard located in Pennsylvania. The author suggests that children document what they see, even a short listing such as when a tree first blooms, when an animal such as a deer is spotted, etc. Also suggested are longer descriptions and poetry. There is a whole page of ideas of what to write about from reports about a favorite animal to writing a book report on a nature book that was read.

The book begins with tips and encouragement to observe nature. The author urges us to spend time observing the same place on a regular basis (daily or weekly), so we can see the many changes that occur over short and long periods of time.

In addition to having writing space there are directions for 24 activities. Some of the activities are how to grow tadpoles indoors, making a map of a place in nature that will be visited regularly, pressing flowers and how to construct and maintain a birdhouse. The authors have a desire for children to become conversationalists and discussions of endangered species and how children can help save whales and wildflowers, among other things, is presented. I was confused by the page devoted to collecting birds' nests, as it is still illegal in America to do so, even if one is not being used presently. (Some birds deconstruct nests and use the same materials to build new nests.) A page about caring for wounded wildlife is amongst the activities.

I like this book and appreciate the easy to understand information and activities. However I prefer that a journal have more freedom, to make longer or shorter entries, more entries, and to have blank pages for drawing or sketching. For our family I have decided to use this book as a non-consumable reference book and to use a different type of blank book as an eco-journal.

There seems to be several (or many) books that provide lists and directions for nature activities. The unique thing about this book is the strong urge to have a child be an observer and writer of what is seen. This book provides the seeds to let a child open up to seeing and appreciating our natural world. To treat animals and our environment with respect and admiration is clearly a goal. There are many tips and ideas to prompt journal entries. I would say the main strong point of this book is the emphasis on stimulating a desire to create an eco-journal-the activities are secondary. You don't need to do all the activities, they are separate from the writing, however, doing them may excite the child about nature or be the basis of something to write about.

This book is meant to be a consumable eco-journal (aka nature notebook; nature journal or discovery journal). There is one half page of blank lines to write in. The concentration here is to write about nature and to do activities related to nature and to document those as well (rather than drawing or painting what is seen). At the bottom of that same page is the author's own dated eco-journal entry. For our inspiration, the author presents what she has written when observing nature in her own 20 acre, wooded backyard located in Pennsylvania. The author suggests that children document what they see, even a short listing such as when a tree first blooms, when an animal such as a deer is spotted, etc. Also suggested are longer descriptions and poetry. There is a whole page of ideas of what to write about from reports about a favorite animal to writing a book report on a nature book that was read.

The book begins with tips and encouragement to observe nature. The author urges us to spend time observing the same place on a regular basis (daily or weekly), so we can see the many changes that occur over short and long periods of time.

In addition to having writing space there are directions for 24 activities. Some of the activities are how to grow tadpoles indoors, making a map of a place in nature that will be visited regularly, pressing flowers and how to construct and maintain a birdhouse. The authors have a desire for children to become conversationalists and discussions of endangered species and how children can help save whales and wildflowers, among other things, is presented. I was confused by the page devoted to collecting birds' nests, as it is still illegal in America to do so, even if one is not being used presently. (Some birds deconstruct nests and use the same materials to build new nests.) A page about caring for wounded wildlife is amongst the activities.

I like this book and appreciate the easy to understand information and activities. However I prefer that a journal have more freedom, to make longer or shorter entries, more entries, and to have blank pages for drawing or sketching. For our family I have decided to use this book as a non-consumable reference book and to use a different type of blank book as an eco-journal.

There seems to be several (or many) books that provide lists and directions for nature activities. The unique thing about this book is the strong urge to have a child be an observer and writer of what is seen. This book provides the seeds to let a child open up to seeing and appreciating our natural world. To treat animals and our environment with respect and admiration is clearly a goal. There are many tips and ideas to prompt journal entries. I would say the main strong point of this book is the emphasis on stimulating a desire to create an eco-journal-the activities are secondary. You don't need to do all the activities, they are separate from the writing, however, doing them may excite the child about nature or be the basis of something to write about.