Welcome to New Zealand: A Nature Journal

by Sandra Morris, Sandra Morris (Illustrator)

Overview

A gorgeous guide to creating a nature journal that will inspire kids around the world to chronicle what they see in their own backyards.

Kids love to be outside, but it’s easy to miss all the astounding wonders of nature, unless you look closely. Have you ever noticed that ladybugs have different numbers of spots? When you look at a leaf, what do you see: is it pointed or round, long or short, soft or hard? In this stunning idea book, acclaimed author and illustrator Sandra Morris shares her love for the flora and fauna of her native New Zealand and encourages budding scientists to record their own discoveries in creative ways, no matter where they live. Back matter includes a glossary, an index, and a bibliography.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780763674779
Publisher:	Candlewick Press
Publication date:	11/10/2015
Pages:	48
Product dimensions:	8.40(w) x 11.40(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	920L (what's this?)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Sandra Morris is an award-winning author and illustrator in her native New Zealand. She has a graduate degree in plant and wildlife illustration, and her work has been exhibited in museums and galleries.

Editorial Reviews

As much an exercise in artistic expression as naturalistic observation, Morris’ lovely guide encourages kids to explore and appreciate the world around them.
—Booklist

...this charming work is attractive and inspirational...
—School Library Journal

From the Publisher

12/01/2015
Gr 3–6—A beautifully designed guide to keeping a nature journal. Morris provides examples of different activities that children might want to use their journals for, such as keeping a moon and cloud log, drawing birds from the forest and swamplands, and leaf pressing. Gentle illustrations, rendered in pen, pencil charcoal, crayon, and watercolor, take center stage, with brief bits of text describing what might be found in different locations. Directions are also simple; information on keeping tadpoles to observe their metamorphosis, for example, is limited to one paragraph, with little detail on how to find, raise, and house them. Nor is there clear guidance on how readers should draw what they see; the illustrations are more inspirational than instructive. In keeping with the hand-produced theme, there is different lettering for each of the headings. While most of the flora and fauna mentioned here are from New Zealand, there are also a number of plants and creatures common in Europe and North America. Though a title on nature journals might be a useful addition, most North American children may overlook this one because of the emphasis on New Zealand. VERDICT While this charming work is attractive and inspirational, it may not find its intended audience in every library.—Michelle Anderson, Tauranga City Libraries, New Zealand

School Library Journal