A Field Guide to Autumn: Play and Learn in Nature

Gr 1-4–A lovely series of field guides that encourage an appreciation for and reverence of nature while including valuable information and fun activities for kids. Dawnay presents two interactive volumes filled with poetry, sidebars, prompts, and infographics that will inspire kids to use all of their senses to explore the many factors that make each season special. Small icons representing the five senses appear throughout, highlighting activities and experiences in nature that correspond to the different senses. In a spread about pond-dipping in Spring, readers are encouraged to use the sense of smell to breathe in the “lovely, weedy, reedy stink of mossy, mushy, pondy dampness.” In Fall, before starting a painting with blackberries project, kids should pause to touch, smell, and taste the fruit. Recipes, diagrams, and lyrical text help ground and immerse children in the seasons. The books note when the aid of an adult is needed, and warning signs as to when kids should be aware of possible dangers (eating poisonous fruit) are highlighted. The painterly illustrations truly set these titles apart. Brouwers uses vivid colors to depict the awe-inducing markers of each season. The art is also informative, providing images that explain the metamorphosis of a tadpole into a frog in Spring and an explanation of how the Earth’s orbit around the sun causes the different seasons is included in Fall. An index and glossary are featured in the back matter.