New Children’s Book Release
“Animals are all around us. While we may not often see them, we can see signs that they’ve been there. Some signs might be simple footprints in snow or mud (tracks) and other signs include chewed or scratched bark, homes or even poop and pee (traces). Children will become animal detectives after learning how to “read” the animal signs left all around. Smart detectives can even figure out what the animals were doing! This is a perfect sequel to Mary Holland’s Animal Anatomy and Adaptations series.” (Arbordale Publishing)
New Children’s Book
Can you smell with your feet? Do you dig your claws into a river’s muddy bank to climb up and bask in the sun? Animals’ legs are different from humans’ in so many ways! Find out why strong talons suit a raptor, or webbing is perfect for water dwellers as author Mary Holland continues her photographic Animal Anatomy and Adaptations children’s series by exploring the ways insects, amphibians, reptiles and mammals make their way in the world. Arbordale Publishers
The third book in my animal adaptation children’s series (ANIMAL EYES and ANIMAL MOUTHS are the first two) has just been released. ANIMAL LEGS explores how different animal feet and legs are adapted to perform different tasks. Moles, praying mantises, ruffed grouse and many other animals are featured. Each animal’s text and accompanying photograph is spread over two pages. Activities are included in a special “For Creative Minds” section at the end of the book. ANIMAL LEGS is geared to 4 to 8 year-olds.
To order a paperback, hard cover, or a Spanish edition from the publisher, you can go to my blog, http://www.naturallycuriouswithmaryholland.wordpress.com. Scroll down and on the right, click on the cover image (of any book) you wish to purchase. These books are also available in bookstores and online.
Connecting Young Children with Nature
With spring about to burst, it’s the perfect time to introduce your infant or toddler grandchild, son, daughter, niece, nephew or young friend to the great outdoors. A child is never too young to encounter nature — in fact, the younger the better! According to the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), recent studies document the importance of introducing children to the natural world, beginning in the early years. The development of their social, emotional, and physical health depends on this exposure.
If you can’t get your infant or toddler into nature, bring nature to them! It’s well known how children observe, listen, feel, taste, and take apart any and everything they encounter in an effort to become more acquainted with it. A very young child, presented with anything from a leaf to a pine cone to a snake skin (or the tail end of a snake) will engage his or her innate curiosity. Infants and toddlers do not associate nature, be it a fuzzy caterpillar, a slimy frog or a honey bee visiting a flower, with fear. Quite the opposite. Connecting young children with nature is a golden opportunity to foster curiosity and appreciation for this amazing natural world of ours. (Photo: Otis Brown investigating a red oak leaf.)
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