Let's Play Outdoors!: Exploring Nature for Children

by Catherine Ard, Carla McRae (Illustrator), gestalten (Editor)

Overview

A book that encourages children to go and play outside and discover what nature has to offer. Leave the house and roam into the nature: It is a fascinating place, waiting to be conquered by little ones with curious minds. Whether in the garden, park, or a nearby forest, a closer look at nature will draw out budding architects, their first constructions built from stones, branches, and leaves; a thorough investigation of trees will reveal all kinds of insects; and listening to the animals around will teach their sounds. Let’s Play Outdoors! is for a new generation of environmentally conscious children, showing them how to interact with their surroundings in a meaningful way. The activities suggested inspire independent learning about animals, plants, and the weather, as well as how to look after the world.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783899558432
Publisher:	Gestalten
Publication date:	07/14/2020
Pages:	56
Product dimensions:	8.25(w) x 10.25(h) x (d)
Age Range:	5 - 9 Years

About the Author

Carla McRae is an Australian illustrator living and working in Melbourne. Her work covers editorial, publishing, and branding. She also likes to design socks and paints large-scale mural projects. 

Catherine Ard’s first job after her studies was writing children's comics. Since then, she has written and edited many craft books for children. She lives in Bristol with her family. Their little dog, Annie, sleeps at her feet while she is working.

Editorial Reviews

"Each page is full of colourful child-friendly illustrations highlighting the easy-to-follow text and instructions to make outdoor exploration stress free and fun for everybody." — CHILDREN'S BOOKS IRELAND'S INIS MAGAZINE

June 2020 Children's Books Ireland's Inis Magazine

"A solid, accessible reference book that is fun to peruse." — KIRKUS

From the Publisher

06/01/2020

Gr 1–5—This cheerfully illustrated book provides instructions for a variety of outdoor activities. Each activity features a short list of materials needed as well as clear, specific directions and advice ("Now wash your grubby hands!" and "A grown-up needs to be present the whole time!"). Satisfying multiple interests, activities cover science, social studies, art, architecture, music, writing, and cooking. Young readers will enjoy the vibrant artwork, which reflects the high-energy activities. The text features short and simple sentences. Small speech bubbles from animal characters will keep beginning readers engaged. Ard offers many ways to enjoy the outdoors without special equipment, and the book's concise directions make it accessible to various learners and age levels. VERDICT This fun book shares activities for kids that can for the most part be done independently. Parents, caregivers, and teachers will appreciate the straightforward directions. A strong addition to any elementary collection.—Debbie Tanner, S D Spady Montessori Elem., FL

School Library Journal

2020-04-12
A series of activities offers simple directions for specific ways that kids can interact with the outdoors.

A chaotic but appealing table of contents lists the many single-spread topics, which include ways to observe nature (“Window Camera”), ways to help preserve nature (“We Need Bees!”), and how to create carefully controlled entertainment in the great outdoors (“Campfires,” “Outdoor Cooking,” and “Obstacle Courses”). From constructing careful environments for “minibeast” observation to making bark rubbings, the directions are always clear and simple. Along the way, animals (and a couple of mushrooms) remind children via speech bubble of proper, mindful behavior and of when an adult must be present during an activity. A notebook icon sometimes appears with further suggestions for writing or drawing. Badgers, hedgehogs, and general vocabulary indicate this German import’s European genesis, as does a note about shutting gates behind you when roaming in the countryside. Otherwise, the art and text translate well to many North American settings. Facts surface, such as the differences between deciduous and evergreen and between centipede and millipede, but the book’s strength lies in the many ways offered to enjoy the outdoors while being mindful of other life forms. The color-block illustrations are full of people with varied skin tones and hair types. Aerial views of a multicultural woodland band and a campfire gathering are particularly appealing.

A solid, accessible reference book that is fun to peruse. (Informational picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews