The Monthly Booklist

Nature Connections

Welcome to our very first monthly booklist. September is a beautiful month, and what better way to connect your kids with nature, than to go outside? These books will keep you motivated to get outside with your kids, long after the summer has faded. Happy trails!

Where Once There Was a Wood by Denise Fleming

With Denise Fleming’s trademark cut paper illustrations, this book makes a powerful and poignant environmental statement.

Including nature activities & a great bibliography, this one is perfect for starting the ecological conversation with children young and old.

Sunflower Houses by Sharon Lovejoy

When I discovered this one a few years ago, I fell in love with the idea of growing a house made of sunflowers. The subtitle “for children and their grown-ups” captures the magic of this delightful garden activity book.

Toad Cottages & Shooting Stars by Sharon Lovejoy

It isn’t often I’d put two books by one author in a booklist, but this one is so lovely I had to include it as well. Although aimed at grandmothers, it is chock full of magical ideas perfectly suited to homeschooling families.

Gardening, cooking, crafts and more, this book has all you could want for a year full of nature connections.

Henry Hikes to Fitchburg by D.B. Johnson

Any of the books in the “Henry” series would be sure to delight. The cubist illustrations, coupled with the homage to the life of Henry David Thoreau, make a perfect introduction to nature observation for children of all ages.

Young ones will delight in the story, while older ones can ponder the illustrations and the life and philosophy of Thoreau. This title could also be seen as a lovely allegory for the homelearning life.

The Kids’ Guide to Nature Adventures by Joe Rhatigan

Although seemingly out of print, this is one to find on your library shelves (or buy used). While many nature activity books for kids are full of simple paper crafts, this book is focused on real-world connections with nature.

Full of activities and information this book will get your kids – and you – outdoors and exploring in no time. One of the best in the genre.

EcoKids by Dan Chiras

Parent Resource

An insightful read full of practical ideas to help parents raise kids that love the earth.

Chock full of great home learning activities, and packed with a thorough bibliography for further reading.

Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv

Parent Resource

The book that kicked off the growing child and nature movement. A treatise on the importance of connecting children with the natural world, and letting them get outside and play!

Full of both research and resources, it’s a must-read for all who love the earth.

Welcome Members

Check out our new Socialize groups for families with kids of all ages. Why not join our Children & Nature group while you’re at it?

September Monthly Booklist: Nature Connections