Using good nature study reference books and literature will be a huge help in nudging along the seeds of a love nature in your child. To help you find what you need when you need it, these are our best tips for organizing your nature library. As the seasons and years pass, they will dig deep into your nature library and become familiar with so many things.
“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature — the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.”
― Rachel Carson, Silent Spring
Creating a love of beauty in nature is something that develops over time with encouragement and nurturing. Each of us has a way of looking at things and learning to see an object in nature through someone else’s eyes will expand your own vision.
Tips for Organizing Your Nature Library
As you add to your library, you may wish to incorporate some of these ideas that have stood the test of time in my own nature library. I have more nature books than the average person, first because I love them all and second because I support my nature challenges with great information found in books.
Divide Nature Books into Categories on the Shelves and Then Try to Group Books by Topic
Field Guides
I love having a variety of guides all lined up on one shelf…or now it is actually two shelves.
Reference Books
These are books that are a little more scholarly and provide meaty information about a topic for nature journal pages. I have my Handbook of Nature Study on this shelf because it is a ‘go to” book for me.
Children’s Literature
I am a big collector of nature-related children’s literature. I try to group the literature by topic: garden, insects, ocean, etc.
Travel Guides and Hiking Books
These are used over and over as we explore different areas of the world both near by and far from home.
Coloring Books
I have quite a collection of coloring books that my children have used over the years and I still use as a basis for drawing in my own nature journal.
Series of Books
When there is a series of books from an author, I group them together so I can find them easily. Books in this category include the One Small Square series, the Discover Nature series, and the Golden Guides.
The Outdoor Hour Challenges Bring The Handbook of Nature Study to Life in Your Homeschool!
For even more homeschool nature study ideas for all seasons, join us in Homeschool Nature Study membership! You’ll receive new ideas each and every week that require little or no prep – all bringing the Handbook of Nature Study to life in your homeschool!
Be inspired. Be encouraged. Get outdoors!
by Barb McCoy, founder of the Outdoor Hour Challenges.