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Field Guides for Children
Audubon Pocket Guides. Alfred A. Knopf Publishing.
Small and easy to handle. Uses photos instead of illustrations. Devotes two pages (description & photo) per species.
Selected titles: Animal Tracks, Butterflies, Eastern Birds, Eastern Flowers, Eastern Trees, Insects and Spiders, Mammals, Mushrooms, Reptiles and Amphibians, Western Birds, Western Flowers, Western Trees.
Golden Guides. Golden Press. Pocket-sized old favorites. Smaller illustrations than above series, but good text about families and specific species.
Selected titles: Bats, Birds, Flowers, Insects, Mammals, Reptiles and Amphibians, Spiders and Their Kin, Sky Observer's Guide, Trees, Weather, Weeds.
Instant Guides. Bonanza Books.
Small and colorful books, though with small print. Uses color code system and symbols to lead reader to information about each species.
Selected titles: Birds, Butterflies, Insects, Mammals, Reptile and Amphibians, Trees.
Peterson First Guides.
Small and easy to use. Contains the most common and conspicuous species, but sometimes lump Eastern and Western species together. Large and colorful illustrations.
Selected titles: Birds, Caterpillars, Butterflies, Clouds and Weather, Insects, Mammals, Reptiles and Amphibians, Trees, Urban Wildlife, Wildflowers.
Ecology-related tradebooks & literature for children
Arnold, C. 1992. House Sparrows Everywhere. Minneapolis, MN: Carolrhoda Books Inc.
This book provides a close up view of one of the most common, yet least understood birds. Outstanding photographs illustrate the "feathering out" process. Intermediate reading level.
Bash, Barbara. 1990. Urban Roosts: Where Birds Nest in the City. San Francisco: Sierra Club/Little, Brown, & Co.
Includes information on snowy owls, swifts, swallows, pigeons, crows, starlings, falcons and other birds that have successfully adapted to city life.
Bellamy, D. 1988. The Roadside. New York: Clarkson Potter.
This is a low key story about changes wrought in a community of plants and animals living in an abandoned farm when a superhighway is built through the area. Grades 1-5.
Burnie, D. 1991. How Nature Works. New York: Dorling Kindersley.
Excellent photographs and activity suggestions.
Busch, P.S. 1972. Exploring as You Walk in the Meadow. J.B. Lippincott Company.
Dekkers, M. 1988. The Nature Book - Discovering, Exploring, Observing, Experimenting with Plants and Animals at Home and Outdoors. New York: Macmillan Publishing.
Discovering Nature Series. New York: Bookwright Press.
Outstanding photographs and in-depth text.
Eyewitness Series. Produced in England, but are published and distributed by different U.S. publishers. Though some of the European animals and plants portrayed will be unfamiliar to us, all books in this series are alive with stunning photographs and in-depth text. The different series are listed below, with selected titles for schoolyard ecology needs.
Eyewitness. New York: Dorling Kindersley.
Selected Titles: Birds, Mammals, Fish, Insect, Tree
Eyewitness Science. New York: Dorling Kindersley.
Selected Titles: Ecology, Evolution, Energy
Eyewitness Juniors. New York: Alfred Knopf Publishing.
Grades pre K-3.
Selected Titles: Amazing Insects, Amazing Beetles, Amazing Spiders, Amazing Birds, Amazing Mammals
Eyewitness Explorers. New York: Dorling Kindersley.
Grades 1-5.
Selected Titles: Birds, Flowers, Butterflies and Moths, Insects, Mammals, Trees
Eyewitness Visual Dictionaries. New York: Dorling Kindersley.
Selected Titles: Plants, Animals
Eyewitness Look Closer. New York: Dorling Kindersley.
Grades 1-4.
Selected Titles: Tree Life, Meadow, Forest Life.
Fife, D. 1991. The Empty Lot. Sierra Club/Little Brown, and Co.
This engaging story describes the preservation of a small patch of land and one man=s new found respect for the creatures who call it home. Grades K-4.
Gardener, R., and D. Webster. 1987. Science In Your Backyard. New York: Julian Messner (Division of Simon & Schuster).
Written for upper elementary students and above, this book devotes chapters to backyard astronomy, backyard weather, trees and weeds, signs of wild animals, & an insect safari.
Glaser, L. 1992. Wonderful Worms. Brookfield, CT: Millbrook Publishing.
Simple and informative book about worms for primary grades. Two page fact sheet is helpful in discussions with children.
Goodman, S. 1995. Bats, Bugs, and Biodiversity Adventures in the Amazonian Rain Forest. Simon and Schuster.
Grenier, N. 1998. Following Indian Trails. Young Discovery Library.
No. 9 in a series of books of discovery for children five years old and upwards.
Herberman, E. 1989. The City Kid's Field Guide. New York: Simon and Schuster.
Excellent photographs of familiar urban places highlight niches and homes for urban wildlife. An easy to read, engaging resource for upper elementary students.
Hickman, P. 1991. Bugwise. Menlo Park, CA: Addison-Wesley Publishing Co.
Background information and easy investigations about insects. Clear and accurate drawings. Suitable for grades 3-6. Also companion texts Birdwise and Plantwise.
Hughey, P. 1984. Scavengers and Decomposers: The Cleanup Crew. New York: Atheneum Books (Macmillan).
Defines the roles of scavengers and decomposers with chapters on bird and mammal scavengers, water scavengers, and soil decomposers.
Jennings, T. 1982. The Young Scientist Investigates Small Garden Animals. Chicago: Children's Press.
Keeping Minibeasts Series.
Addresses the care, ecology, and behavior of animals brought temporarily into the classroom.
Selected titles: Ants, Beetles, Butterflies and Moths, Caterpillars, Earthworms, Grasshoppers and Crickets, Ladybugs, Slugs and Snails.
Kudlinski, K. 1988. Rachel Carson: Pioneer of Ecology. New York: Viking Publishers.
Scientist and author Rachel Carson brought awareness of our environment to the general public. Her childhood, pioneer spirit, and accomplishments come to life in clear text with soft black & white drawings.
Kuhn, D. 1990. More Than Just A Vegetable Garden. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Silver Press.
A beautifully photographed look at the changing world of a vegetable garden and the many creatures that inhabit it.
Lavies, B. 1990. Backyard Hunter - The Praying Mantis. New York: Dutton Children's Books.
Outstanding photographs document a thorough discussion of the behavior, life cycle, and development of an impressive insect.
Lavies, B. 1993. Compost Critters. New York: Dutton Publishing.
An exploration of a compost heap, with close ups on all the inhabitants. An accurate text explains the composting process. For Intermediate grades.
Lerner, C. 1990. Plant Families. New York: Morrow.
A concise introduction to taxonomic principles through examination of 12 of the largest and most common plant families. Meant primarily as a study guide for young adults.
Lerner Natural Science Series. Minneapolis, MN: Lerner Publishing.
Series won Children's Science Book Award from NY Academy of Science.
Selected Titles: Beetles, Wasps, Fireflies, Ladybugs.
Leslie, C.W. 1991. Nature All Year Long. Greenwillow Publishers.
Written in the form of a nature journal, this book describes the changing natural world throughout the year. Can help young readers develop the important habit of becoming careful observers. For grades 2 and up.
MacPherson, M. 1989. Bird Watch: A Young Person's Introduction To Birding. Toronto, Canada: Summerhill Publishing.
An introduction to birding for children in grades 5-8. It is well-organized, simply written, and contains many clear and uncluttered line drawings.
Major, T., and T. Tempest Williams. 1984. *The Secret Language of Snow. San Francisco, CA: Sierra Club Books.
*Now out of print, look in library or used book stores.
Poetry, background information and activities related to 10 different kinds of snow identified by the Inuit people of Alaska. For upper elementary to adult.
Markle, S. 1994. Outside and Inside Spiders. Bradbury/Simon & Schuster.
For primary and intermediate grades, this book highlights the life processes of a spider. Companion book is Outside and Inside Birds.
McLaughlin, M. 1986. Earthworms, Dirt, and Rotten Leaves: An Exploration in Ecology. New York: Athenum Books (Macmillan).
Written for upper elementary students (and older), this book concentrates on the earthworm's body, life story, and its community relations. Suggestions for easy experiments with them.
Merrick, M. 1993. Invertebrates in the School Grounds. England: Southgate Publishers.
A small book with clear, large illustrations of terrestrial and pond invertebrates with background information and "How To Investigate" chapters. Some unfamiliar European species listed.
Myers, C. 1990. McCrephy's Field. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Co.
In simple, direct words and vivid pictures, this book records and explains the changes that occur on an Ohio farm over a fifty-year period.
Nature Club Series. Mahwah, NJ: Troll Associates.
Great illustrations, text written for upper elementary students. Reasonably priced.
Selected Titles: Plants and Trees, Insects and Other Small Creatures, Animal Homes, Birds.
Norsgaard, E. J. 1990. Nature's Great Balancing Act: In Our Own Backyard. Cobblehill Publishing.
The interrelationships of plants, animals, insects, and birds are explored in a semi-wild New England backyard.
Parker, Steve. 1994. Eyewitness Natural History.
A new encyclopedic book from Dorling Kindersley addressing form and function, life cycles, and natural survival. For upper elementary to adult.
Parker, P. Your Wild Neighbors. A Project Eco-City Book.
Explores environments of schoolyards, sidewalk cracks, small pond, piles of rubble for animals.
Parker, P. Your Living Home. A Project Eco-City Book.
Explores the home habitat for creatures such as silverfish, grain weevils, and more. For ages 9+.
Parnall, P. 1990. Woodpile. New York: Macmillan Publishing.
A lyrical portrait of a habitat depicts how a variety of woodland creatures live, hide, store food, and stalk prey in and around a common woodpile.
Pringle, L. 1969. Discovering the Outdoors. Garden City, NY: Natural History Press.
General information, resource, and activity book for upper elementary students to adult.
Rockwell, A. 1992. Our Yard Is Full Of Birds. New York: Macmillan Publishing.
Accurate color drawings accompany simple text on what common birds can be observed right at home. Good for very young readers.
Rotner, S., and K. Kreisler. 1991. Nature Spy. New York: Macmillan Publishing.
Photographic essays of a young girl's observations of plants, animals, and scenes form nature. Good for teaching children how to observe carefully objects around them.
Ryder, J. 1990. Under Your Feet. New York: Macmillan Publishing.
A unique approach to living things that dwell underground follows a lone boy on walks through the changing seasons. Beautiful illustrations. Grades K-3.
Schwartz, D. 1988. The Hidden Life of the Meadow. New York: Crown Publishing.
In well written text and striking full color photographs, animals, plants, and the ecology of the meadow is described. A companion book is The Hidden life of the Forest.
Selsam, M., and J. Hunt. 1989. Keep Looking! New York: Macmillan Publishing.
Wonderfully illustrated snowy scenes around a country house reveal hidden birds and animals. Simple text encourages readers to observe new details at every reading. Grades K-3.
Settel, J., and N. Baggett. 1986. How Do Ants Know When You're Having A Picnic? New York: Macmillan Publishing.
General information about terrestrial invertebrates written in question/answer format. Easy, user-friendly reading for upper elementary students to adults.
Sheperd, E. 1988. No Bones: A Key To Bugs & Slugs, Worms, Ticks, Spiders, Centipedes, and Other Creepie Crawlies. New York: Macmillan Publishing.
An excellent introduction to dichotomous keys, plus good background information and illustrations on insects and other arthropods. Written for upper elementary students.
Silver, D. 1993. One Small Square Backyard. New York: W.H. Freeman and Co.
Well-written and illustrated resource book for kids about what's in, under, above, and passing through a small patch of backyard habitat.
Simon, Seymour. 1994. Winter Across America. Hyperion Books.
For primary and intermediate grades. Addresses the ecology of winter by looking at animal migrations, animal survival, snow, etc.
Souza, D.M. 1991. Insects Around The House. Minneapolis, MN: Carolrhoda.
This is a short, but informative volume for upper level elementary school students, discussing insect morphology and in-depth portraits of some common insects.
Suzuki, D. 1986. Looking At Insects. New York: Warner Books.
A resource with easy to read text about general insect characteristics, insect orders, and insect relatives (spiders). Also "Something To Do" activity sections in each chapter.
Swanson, D. Coyotes in the Crosswalk, True Tales of Animal Life in the Wilds of the City.
Stories about those species able to survive in urban habitats.
Taylor, K. 1990. Hidden Underneath. New York: Delacorte Press.
Part of the "Secret Worlds" series. In addition to discussing creatures under stones and logs, the book addresses animals under a mother bird and even under fur (a flea).
Usborne Science & Experiments Series. Tulsa, OK: EDC (Educational Development Corporation).
Technical but well written and challenging for upper elementary students.
Selected Titles: Spurgeon, Richard. Ecology. The World of the Microscope.
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