Be a Nature Explorer!

Be a Nature Explorer! by Peter Wohlleben, illustrated by Belle Wuthrich (Greystone Kids) PB RRP ISBN9781771649698

Sub-titled ‘Outdoor Activities and Adventures’, this is a small book written by a German, who, in his introduction, suggests that children keep notebooks filled with their natural discoveries. The book has an eclectic, long contents’ table with titles ranging from ‘Whistling with Grass’, ‘Acting Smart in Stormy Weather’, ‘Snacking on Sweet Blossoms’, and ‘Blowing Bubbles’.

Wohlleben encourages the young reader to take equipment on their nature adventures, such as a pencil, plastic containers, notebook, magnifying glass and binoculars. He suggests that the child make an entry in the notebook right away when he finds something interesting. Next, he explores bird life from insect and seed eaters to sugar sippers and leaf and fruit eaters. Other things he explores are pond life (such as mosquito larvae and frogs’ eggs), then he says what kinds of birds the child might spot. 

As a European, the author talks about birds and insects with which an Australian children might not be familiar with, but some of them our local child likely knows, such as raptors (eagles, hawks and owls), crows and geese, slugs, and snails.

The author’s enthusiasm for nature is obvious: he even suggests the reader makes friends with a tree by watching it as it changes through the seasons, observing its leaves, buds, blooms, even its twigs. He suggests making a list of spring wildflowers ‘in your forest’ (not bush). Again, some of the flowers he mentions – such as columbines and wood anemone – are not found in our country. Nor are insects such as firebugs, oak gall wasps, and beech gall midges.

There are 52 activities suggested that the keen botanist can undertake as he explores his natural surroundings. The book displays artwork and photographs, and the text is easy enough to read. A child aged 8+ years who is enthusiastic about taking on projects is likely to enjoy this book and its activities.