Nature in Stories

As a school teacher, I loved reading stories to my class and using stories and poetry whenever I could to enthuse my class about different topics. With my own sons, if we are not outside then my favourite pastime is to curl up with them and share a favourite book.  Last week my 6 year old brought back 'Stella, Fairy of the Forest' by Marie-Louise Gay from his school library. It is a wonderful picture book, beautifully illustrated about an outdoor adventure Stella and her young brother Sam have in a local wood after they cross a stream in search of a fairy.

Packed full of curiosity and observations with questions from Sam like:

'Why do rocks grow so big?'

'A giant waters them everyday' replies Stella.
Or a conversation about the bark of 100 year old trees. "Is that why their skin is so wrinkled?"

It is full of images and descriptions that could only come out of the mouths of two young children.

Books are wonderful tools to stimulate discussion and share a characters feelings and inquisitiveness about the outdoors. My older son has recently  enjoyed 'The Secret Garden' by Frances Hodgson Burnett  with its goal of showing how nature, coupled with positive thinking, can transform people's lives. 'The Tiny Seed' by Eric Carle is another favourite that takes us on the journey of a brand new seed and unfolds as a story about the life cycle of a flower. 

There are many children's books that either explore nature or our relationship with it. I will continue to highlight more titles so stay in touch!