Nathaniel T. Wheelwright and Bernd Heinrich
Storey Publishing
October 19, 2017
SASCHA DARLINGTON’S REVIEW
Catch Up Time
And now for something completely different.
If you follow my blog, you know that I am all over the place. But that’s life. None of us are just one thing. So, here I am to prove it again via my review of The Naturalist’s Notebook.
As I read through this beautifully illustrated book, I was struck by what a wonderful gift this would make for parents of young children who are trying not only to carve out family activities but also to get them involved in pursuits beyond electronic ones.
The authors provide a great deal of guidance on how to become a naturalist, an observer of the natural world around you, what to look for, how to record observations, and information for further research.
As an individual who tries to observe the world around me everyday and has a philosophy of observing and not interacting in the natural world in any way that could do harm, I was not keen on the “experiment” sections, but others will probably find these sections very useful. Who knows they could even nurture a budding biologist!
The end section is a five-year calendar with sections for writing observations so this becomes not only a guide but a keepsake.
I would recommend this for anyone who would like to begin to observe their natural environment and, as I mentioned, it would make a wonderful gift. The dimensions are 8.2 x 0.9 x 8.6 inches so I think it could easily be carried around in a knapsack for easy access.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
rating: 
4 butterflies and a ladybug out of 5 butterflies
Hi Sascha. I will look this book up. Over the years I have started dairies and kept field notes on natures gifts. But I found that was not my forte. But writing fictional stories about what I see, that is right for me. I only wish that I had found my writing voice much sooner.
I hate to throw in the old cliche, better late than never. Some people never get the courage to even try to find their writer’s voice. One of my favorite short fiction writers, Ellen Gilchrist, didn’t start writing until her late 40’s.
Yes, everything we see and record becomes fodder for our writing. Good on you for adding it to your work! I think knowing the details adds some special to writing.
“Experiment” section? Is it as gruesome as it sounds? (involving living critters, I hope not) Otherwise, sounds like an interesting book.
Oh, no, not gruesome. Although I did wonder if the insects involved in the experiments would make it out alive. But this is the stuff of biologists and that ilk. It’s a lovely book though. I was certainly enthusiastic to see it! 🙂
ps should I alter my review to indicate that it’s not gruesome? Being the type of individual who puts most insects back outside into the natural world (mosquitoes don’t get that special treatment), I have a lower tolerance than most. I suspect you may as well.
Book sounds interesting …
gramswisewords.blogspot.com
I found it to be so. And so excited by the fact that it might introduce some young people to the natural world.