The Practical Naturalist, Explore the Wonders of the Natural World

Juvenile reference book, 256 pages. A guide to experiencing the natural world outside your door, in an urban setting, or deep in a natural setting near the sea or the mountains. Published in 2010 by DK Books.

"Tropical rain forests and Antarctic seas are home to many celebrity species, but it is in and around our own homes that we meet most of our wildlife...

"To watch in "real time," to identify species that share our community, to relate to their lives and perhaps provide for them - even touch, feel and smell them - this is the essential source of a real affinity with nature."

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Book Recap

Produced in collaboration with Audubon, The Practical Naturalist is a guide to observing, exploring and understanding the natural world around us. Diverse habitats are examined with examples of the type of wildlife that exist in each habitat.  There is this sweet little disclaimer at the front of the book: "Not all examples shown for a given habitat will be found together or in one specific geographical location." It is impressive that "Close to Home" and "Farm and Field" are included as nature study habitats, along with more traditional biosphere designations such as "Forest" or "Coast."

Learning Options

Family Read Aloud Time
While certainly not a traditional story, this book could be used by children during a family quiet time - the illustrations and text are intriguing.

Learning at Home
Each section of the book could be used for individual nature study units. For example, a study of deciduous woodlands could include a series of observational walks in a nearby park or forest, ongoing conversations or lessons about trees, and literature such as Sky Tree, Leaf Man, or Wishtree.

Classroom Options
A solid reference for upper elementary classrooms. Many of the sections include information about the birds found in specific habitats which would accompany lessons at Audubon's Adventures for Young Nature Lovers.

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