Being in nature is life-giving to me in a way that nothing else is. That is why, even in the cold snaps that happen so frequently here in Ohio, I often go on winter walks or hikes and leave the curtains open on those dreary days as long as possible. When I heard the weatherman predict yet another week of 20 degree days and even colder nights, I decided to take a few moments to brainstorm books with plenty of nature imagery for both myself and Reed and the ages in between, too.
I went through our shelves and found some of our favorite books that have plenty of natural settings, descriptions, and imagery. For now, it seems we have to just pretend spring has arrived. Sooooooo ready for it to be here!
I went through our shelves and found some of our favorite books that have plenty of natural settings, descriptions, and imagery. For now, it seems we have to just pretend spring has arrived. Sooooooo ready for it to be here!
I'm excited to start with an old favorite! In this vivid allegory, the timid and lame Much-Afraid embarks upon an incredible adventure from the Valley of Humiliation to the mountains and beyond with her beloved Chief Shepherd. My mom gave me this book as a teenager, and it has held a special place on my bookshelf and in my heart ever since. I may have to check out the 2017 mixed-media special edition soon-- it looks gorgeous!
I know the audience is 8-12 years, but I have continued to love and read Farmer Boy as an adult. I was OBSESSED with the Little House books as a girl, and Farmer Boy was always my favorite. Laura Ingalls Wilder writes about her husband's time growing up on a big farm in New York. The descriptions of the livestock, farm country, rural life, and family never cease to capture my imagination.
Before I begin: We LOVE Jan Brett in our home. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! We own The Turnip and The Mitten, and we have rented many others from the library. Her illustrations alone are incredible, but Mossy has a cool story, too! Mossy is the story of a turtle who grows moss, flowers, and plants on her back. Her shell attracts quite a bit of attention, which leads to some small problems, but it all works out in the end!
I discovered Rebecca when reading a post by Modern Mrs. Darcy (love her!) about books with unreliable narrators and ambiguous endings. Rebecca is about as close as I get to a "scary" book-- it's really just a hauntingly beautiful thriller. It is set in the 1930's and considered a "Gothic classic", so Rebecca includes breathtaking natural imagery, including vivid descriptions of the mysterious Manderly estate.
We found this little treasure at a used book sale last year. Based on the "Winnie the Pooh" works by A. A. Milne and E. H. Shepard, this endearing tale describes a day at the stream in the 100-acre wood. Roo and his friends invent games, solve problems, and help each other out- all without help from Kanga or Christopher Robin! This book makes me want to spend a day at the river ASAP.
How do I begin to describe Anne? Anne notices and knows nature better than any other character I have met. She is a most delightful character with her simple innocence, clumsy antics, and impressionable heart. Every time I read it, even as an adult, I want to go visit Prince Edward Island and imagine dear, orphaned Anne and her quirky neighbors.
Am I allowed to have a "nature book" list without Owl Moon on it? In this captivating children's book by one of my favs, Jane Yolen, a young girl and her father go "owling" in the deep, cold winter snow. The young narrator learns about bravery, resilience, and relationship with her father and nature as they look for the Great Horned Owl on a New England countryside.
Ah-- Mary Oliver. How I wish I would have discovered her poetry earlier in life! (Not that I'm old and full of regrets- but still. On second thought, that may have been a bit dramatic.) A Thousand Mornings is a small collection of poems that I often carry with me when Jacob, The Little Outdoorsman, and I travel to especially rugged and natural places like Assateague Island or Bighorn National Forest. The beautiful simplicity and clarity of her poetry have brought me to tears over and over again. (Dramatic again, but appropriately so this time.)
The Hobbit is another beloved classic, and we are big fans the movies here at our house, too. Tolkien's descriptions of magical lands, creatures, and adventures capture any imagination. I just finished listening to the Audible version not too long ago. In fact, I spent a couple of hours on Christmas Day walking Echo around a local park and soaking up this glorious adventure. Bilbo Baggins is an excellent walking companion, as you well know if you have read The Hobbit.
When little Alice revealed her wishes to travel the world and live beside the sea, her grandfather gave her an important mission to keep in mind while accomplishing her dreams. I discovered Miss Rumphius while Googling "books about kindness". It's a good one, and it is filled with beautiful paintings of natural landscapes, faraway lands, and family gatherings.
The Recipe Box stole my heart not only because of the beautiful descriptions of a Michigan apple farm through the generations, but also with the mouthwatering food descriptions and recipes sprinkled throughout the book. Light-hearted and easy to read, The Recipe Box was part love story, part cookbook, part coming of age, part girl power, part family tradition- all ingredients for the very best kind of book!
Each of these books deliver a much-needed dose of nature along with an amazing story. Let me know what you think of this list! Which of these have you read? What would you add? I would love a few suggestions for my own TBR shelf!
Did you enjoy this book post? Check out a few others like it:
Did you enjoy this book post? Check out a few others like it:
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