Nature Study Oldie Goldies

I was just going through my bookshelves in preparation for next school year, looking for nature study read-alouds for JBug. I have lots of newer stuff, but wanted to first post about some of the older treasures I uncovered. These are books I remember reading as a child and could perhaps be some of the earliest seeds of my love for nature. I wanted to share them with you.

The Hole in the Tree, by Jean George. Mine is a 1961 Weekly reader Bookclub edition of this 1957 classic by an author later and more popularly known as Jean Craighead George. It is the story of two children and their observations of the various inhabitants of a hole in an old apple tree. The nice thing about the book is that it traces the progress of the hole from it’s origins (bark beetle) through it’s many inhabitants (from downy woodpecker to carpenter bees to a raccoon family) as they each enlarge the hole and make it their home. Utterly charming illustrations and sweet text in typical 1950’s style. Can be read in one longish sitting, with a cup of lemonade, preferably while sitting outdoors.

Moon Jelly Swims Through the Sea by Marie Jenkins. This 1969 treasure is a bit longer, but gives considerably more scientific info, such as the names for the developmental stages of a moon jelly (planula, polyp, ephyra) and it’s habits and reproductive strategies though it’s life until it’s death on the shore. It is written in a simple, factual manner, but with the storyline of the Jelly’s life as it’s unifying thread. Illustrations are simple but detailed. May take more than one sitting to read while children explore the many rabbit trails it will inspire.

McCrephy’s Field by Cristopher A. and Lynn Born Myers.
This 1991 picture-book isn’t as old as the rest, but it has the same feel to it. In this story a young farmer leaves his fields in Ohio to help his brother in Wyoming. From there we witness just what happens when a field is abandoned for many years. This is a wonderful introduction to ecological succession as the beautiful watercolor illustrations show the progression of wildflowers, animals, and trees that gradually reclaim the land. At about 30 pages, with very few words per page it could easily be read aloud in a short sitting. But don’t hurry through it! Let the beautiful, detailed pictures do the talking and take a leisurely stroll through McCrephy’s field.

Those are my oldie goldies and they bring back such memories for me and my children. They are easily overlooked on library shelves, as they are not the flashy, eye-catching kind. But I hope you get a chance to meet them . They are hidden treasures for sure.

And what are your favorite older nature reads?