Nature in the Neighborhood (Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12) [Hardcover]

Gordon Morrison (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 25, 2004 | Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12

Take a stroll through the seasons with naturalist Gordon Morrison as he reveals all of the many plants and animals to be found around one’s own neighborhood. Beautiful detailed watercolors paired with clear text and captions for additional information make this a book that will be enjoyed by readers young and old.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-4–While most books about habitats consider vast territories such as rain forests or tundra, Morrison calls attention to the workings of nature close to home. He focuses on plants and animals in a single neighborhood in an unnamed North American city, beginning in spring as the snow melts and following them through the seasons. A robin nests in a fire-alarm box. Weeds claim an empty lot. Monarch butterflies lay their eggs on milkweed plants. Two detailed maps of the neighborhood help readers locate the sites described. Full-color illustrations and standard type move the narration along. Lower on the pages, tiny black-and-white drawings are accompanied by more detailed descriptions of the animals and plants as well as explanations of concepts such as habitat. This format expands the title's usefulness to a broader range of children, depending on their interest and reading ability. At times, however, the amount of information threatens to distract from the main account. Still, this offering could serve as a resource for nature study or community units and will encourage readers to observe and appreciate their own surroundings.–Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Gr. 2-5. Employing the same format used for his previous picture-book titles, such as Oak Tree (2000) and Pond (2002), Morrison offers another quiet, layered view of a natural world that is familiar to many children. This time he zeros in on the plants and wildlife found in a neighborhood, throughout the seasons, beginning with the first spring grass sprouting in sidewalk cracks after a snow melt. His precise, pencil-and-watercolor artwork encourages viewers to look closely at common neighborhood scenes-- an alley, a vacant lot, a ball park, a family garden, train tracks--and find vibrant habitats that support weeds and wildflowers, animals and insects. Each double-page spread combines large drawings and understated, descriptive words with smaller sketches and text that offer more detailed information. Teachers can use this as a starting point for classroom science projects; young browsers will enjoy poring over this gentle encouragement to notice and appreciate the buzzing natural world that surrounds them. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children (October 25, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0618352155
• ISBN-13: 978-0618352159
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 9.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #660,141 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Morrison book to date!, December 15, 2004

By 

AHefron (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nature in the Neighborhood (Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12) (Hardcover)

Gordon Morrison has outdone himself with this most recent edition to his childrens' book collection. Nature in the Neighborhood is a wonderful book. The illustrations and text are supurb. Morrison's book brings to life the nature all around us, every day. Children of all ages will love this book and can take it with them on walks through their own neighborhood.