Exploring Nature: Part One
We discussed our favourite children's books about nature via a Zoom meeting. Coincidentally September 8th was also World Literacy Day and it is also part of Nature Book Week in Australia. We talked about an interesting mixture of older and classic books alongside recent publications. The longer we chatted the more books we remembered from our childhoods, where the natural world plays an important role.We explored fictional adventures in the great outdoors and real-life natural wonders. We shared old favourites or new discoveries during this quarterly adult conversation about children’s books.
Children’s writers and illustrators bring our world to life through the books they create. Natural history books written for young people are attractive and informative, and they provide an accessible way for everyone to learn about the world we live in. Children's fiction and nonfiction books about nature focus on our concerns about the health and future of Earth and our connection to it. All of these books on nature and natural history fill readers with wonder for the natural world. You don’t have to be a child to appreciate them.
Our Choices, September 8 2021
Aesop's Fables
Definitely the oldest stories discussed during the evening.
The Hidden Forest Jeannie Baker
Collage artist Jeannie Baker uses objects she finds in the natural world to create the pictures in her books. Check out her other books including Mirror, Window and Where the Forest Meets the Sea.
Mr Bear Branches and the Cloud Conundrum Terri Rose Baynton (NZ)
Take the Long Path Joan De Hamel (NZ)
Winner of the 1979 Esther Glen Award. The first book by Dunedin-based writer, Joan De Hamel, X Marks the Spot, has been reprinted several times. In 1985, De Hamel won the A. W. Reed Memorial Award for her picture book, Hemi's Pet.
Rush! Rush! Elena De Roo (NZ)
A wonderfully alliterative poem describing the joyous run from home to the beach, with all the sights, sounds and smells that capture the moment. Elena De Roo was the 2020 University of Otago College of Education/Creative New Zealand Children’s Writer In Residence.
Parables from Nature Mrs. Alfred Gatty (Margaret Gatty 1809-73)
Heritage has Red Snow: And Other Parables From Nature in the Reed Rare Book Collection as well as a letter by the author.
My Side of the Mountain Jean Craighead George
A 1960 Newbery Honor book. A young boy relates his adventures during the year he spends living alone in the Catskill Mountains including his struggle for survival, his dependence on nature, his animal friends, and his ultimate realisation that he needs human companionship.
The Acorn Edward Gibbs (Not currently held by DPL)
Wind in the Willows Kenneth Grahame
We listened to excerpts from chapter 7, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn and chapter 9, Wayfarers All, from this book which was first published in 1908 and has stayed in print ever since.
You're Called What? Kes Gray, illustrated by Nikki Dyson
The Great Experiment Edith Howes (NZ)
Dunedin-based writer, Edith Howes (1872-1954), was one of New Zealand's first homegrown writers of nonfiction for children. She began writing because as a teacher she was concerned that there was very little material written on scientific subjects for New Zealand children. She believed that facts were easier to learn when woven into a story or song.
Wildwood Chronicles Colin Meloy, illustrated by Carson Ellis
This trilogy is set in a wood in Portland, Oregon. Includes Wildwood, Under Wildwood, and Wildwood Imperium.
North and South: A Tale of Two Hemispheres Sandra Morris (NZ)
Pax Sara Pennypacker
The sequel Pax, Journey Home was published in September 2021.
McElligot's Pool Dr Seuss
First published in 1947, a boy imagines the rare and wonderful fish he might catch in McElligot's pool.
Hello Hello Brendan Wenzel
Children’s Literature Research (CLR)
The selection of books below from the Children’s Literature Research (CLR) collection also explore how nature is immortalised in children’s literature. Anyone (young or old) can borrow from this collection. Parents, teachers, and any one who loves children's literature is welcome to borrow from the CLR collection, found in the Youth section of the City Library.
Beasts at Bedtime: Revealing the Environmental Wisdom in Children's Literature Liam Heneghan CLR 809 HEN
The Making of The Wind in the Willows Peter Hunt CLR 823 GRA (HUN)
The Natural Storyteller: Wildlife Tales for Telling Georgiana Keable CLR 372.677 KEA
Gone to the Woods: Surviving a Lost Childhood Gary Paulsen CLR 823.54 PAU
Gary Paulsen, author of Hatchet died on 13 October 2021. Read his obituary here.
The Landscapes of Anne of Green Gables: The Enchanting Island That Inspired L.M. Montgomery Catherine Reid CLR 823 REI
Also check out Imagining Anne, an edited volume of Montgomery's scrapbooks.
See Exploring Nature: Part Two also in this edition of NB.
