8 Ways to Nurture Your Children's Love of Nature

This entry was posted on 15 March 2023.

There is no greater adventure for children than to go exploring outside, and we’re lucky in South Africa to have an abundance of natural life, with creatures great and small, just waiting to be uncovered. Nurture your child’s love of nature with these books that explore all our beautiful country has to offer, and are perfect for children aged three- to eight-years-old.

 


 

My First Book of Southern African Birds

by Erroll Cuthbert

A very first guide to birds for children aged 3 to 7, this title presents 56 of the most striking and commonly seen southern African species.

After a brief introduction that explains how the title works and provides simple guidelines for watching birds, each new page introduces a new bird. Most of the information supplied is visual, in the form of a full colour illustration of the bird and line drawings of food eaten, typical nest and the bird's track. A visual guide to the bird's size is given at the base of the page.

The brief text (provided in four languages) highlights interesting or notable facts about the bird.

 


 

My First Book of Southern African Creepy-Crawlies

by Charmaine Uys

My first book of Southern African creepy-crawlies is the newest title in this children's series, and a companion to its sister edition on Southern African Insects.

The title covers 58 spiders, snails, millipedes and other creatures (excluding insects) that are likely to be seen around the home and garden. An illustrated introduction gives context to the subject, and then each page features of a vivid, full-colour illustration; clear, informative text and visual clues for both pre- and beginner readers; translation into 3 other languages – Afrikaans, Xhosa and Zulu; simple graphics conveying the creatures’ size, what it eats and when it is active.

This illustrated title will introduce everyday creatures to both pre-readers and those beginning to read in their mother tongue.

 


 

My First Book of Southern African Animal Tracks

by Chris and Mathilde Stuart

My first book of Southern African Animal Tracks introduces 55 different types of animals and the footprints they leave behind.

The animals and birds included are those that you are likely to find on visits to nature reserves or game parks – or even in gardens.

For each species featured, the book gives:

Life-sized track ‘imprints’

A full-colour illustration of the animal and a visual size comparison with a human body, arm or hand

A short description in four languages of each creature and its prints.

This introduction to the intriguing world of tracking will keep children happily absorbed for hours at home or on trips to view wildlife. The text in four languages expands the readership and promotes multilingualism.

 


 

My First Book of Southern African Insects

by Charmaine Uys

Children are fascinated by ‘bugs’ of all kinds, and insects are a familiar part of their everyday environment. Dragonflies and ants, beetles and stick insects, butterflies and bees are just some of the many insects that are found in the home and garden, providing youngsters with a handy introduction to the natural world.

This book presents:

58 of the most common, intriguing and beautiful species accurately illustrated in full-colour

concise text and simple graphics conveying the insect’s size, when it is active and what it eats

straightforward text for children beginning to read in their mother tongue

parallel texts in Afrikaans, Xhosa and Zulu for older learners who wish to improve their knowledge of other languages.

Vivid and scientifically accurate illustrations in full colour

Clearly and concisely written for children who are starting to read, but also suitable for adults to read to young children.

 


 

My First Book of Southern African Ocean Life

by Roberta Griffiths

Young children will enjoy discovering the 58 fascinating ocean creatures in My first book of Southern African ocean life, which range in size from the earth's largest animal – the blue whale – to the tiniest plankton.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

My First Book of Southern African Snakes & Reptiles

by Bill Branch

Children are both fascinated by, and afraid of, snakes and other reptiles, making them a receptive market for this topic.

My first book of Southern African snakes and other reptiles introduces 56 different species, with accurate, full-colour illustrations accompanied by concise text and simple graphics that depict where the reptile lives, what it eats, how it reproduces, and how big it is when fully grown. In addition to snakes, the title also features lizards, geckos, skinks, tortoises and turtles - of all shapes and sizes, some dangerous and to be treated with caution, others harmless, some rare, and all part of the fragile chain of life.

The clear text is geared for young readers (aged 3-8); parallel translations make this title suitable for mother-tongue learners in four official languages, as well as for older children and adults wanting to improve their knowledge of a second or third language.

 


 

My First Book of Southern African Mammals

by Peter Apps

Mammals come in a huge variety of shapes and sizes, from tiny bats and mice to massive elephants and whales. This title introduces a cross-section of southern African mammals - 58 animals illustrated in full colour, along with easy text and visual clues as to the animals' size, their tracks and what they eat.

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

My First Book of Southern African Seashore Life

by Roberta Griffiths

My first book of Southern African Seashore life is the latest title in this successful children's series.

The title covers 58 sea creatures and plants that are likely to be seen at the shore. An illustrated introduction gives context to the subject, and then each of the featured specimens gets a vivid, full-colour illustration; simple, informative text; translation into three other languages – Afrikaans, Xhosa and Zulu; visual clues about the creatures' diet, size, distribution round our coast, locomotion and exactly where they live relative to the water line.

This beautiful and inspiring introduction to southern Africa’s shores will appeal to children – and parents – of all ages.

 


 

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