What’s Wild Outside Your Door? Discovering Nature in the City is a non fiction guide to the wildlife that can be found on our doorsteps, especially in more urban environments.
After an introduction from the author we get ready to explore. Suggestions for equipment are given including a rucksack and binoculars plus a gentle warning that some creatures could hurt us if we touch them and some plants may be poisonous. With ideas about how to record our findings and preserve plants we’re ready to go…
The book is split into five sections: Getting Ready To Explore, Adventures In The City, Exploring Close To Home, What You Can Do To Help and Nature All Around You. The pages have a beautiful cream background, the headings are bold and eye catching and clear photos and illustrations are interspersed throughout.
As well as the main text we love the little sun illustrations which advise children to stay safe in particular situations. Readers are also given ‘Insider Info’ and encouraged to ‘Dive Deeper’ into a concept. The smaller text boxes convey interesting information in easy to read chunks.
There’s a wealth of information in this book which tells us about the many places that you can find wildlife in the city including underground, nestled in roofs and in parks. We were fascinated to read about pocket gophers and raccoons as well as the different kinds of birds that make their homes in cities and the plants that seed themselves in pavement cracks. We love the way that children are encouraged to use their senses by smelling sweet scents and stinky trees and listening to various animals and insects.
Closer to home we are given ideas on growing edible plants including radishes, nasturtiums, herbs and avocados. There are also suggestions as to how you can help wildlife by providing them with snacks and shelter.
Fabulous explanations about the sun, moon and stars and thunder and lightening precede details of fun experiments including electric lemons, making rainbows and a sundial. There are also instructions for making your own compass.
An alphabetical index at the end of What’s Wild Outside Your Door? helps you find information and facts quickly. It’s impossible to mention all the fascinating information and fun activities that are included in this book, it’s such a fantastic resource for introducing children to the city wildlife that lives all around us.
Age Range: 7 +
Author: Peter Wohlleben / Illustrator: Belle Wuthrich / Photographer: Jens Steingässer / Translator: Jane Billinghurst
Thank you to Greystone Books for sending a copy of this inspirational book which also gave us insights into Canadian wildlife.
Leave a Reply