Handbook of Nature Study

Rating:
Summary: Great Book for All Ages!!!
Review: I bought this book today, sorry, not from Amazon, but from the zoo! I love this book! It is a great reference for teachers and children, or just anyone wanting to learn more about the nature near home. This book allows all to explore the beauty of nature in their own area, to adventure into a vast land of hidden beauty without going on a exotic safari. This book encourages learning and is a great resourse. It's a wonderful addition to anyone's library!!

Rating:
Summary: Good book depending on your location
Review: I checked this book out of our local library because it was recommended for homeschoolers and because of the reviews here at Amazon.com. I do agree this is an excellent book BUT not very useful when you live in Hawaii. Seems the animals and plants the writer focusses on are mostly common to the eastcoast of the US. If you live in Hawaii, and possibly other places on the mainland, this book in not very helpful in studying our daily environment.

Rating:
Summary: The ultimate Nature Study resource guide
Review: This book was originally written for elementary school teachers with little knowledge of common plants and animals. The book is as helpful and relevant today as it was when first written in 1911---dandelions, toads, leaves and constellations have changed little since that time! Whether you live in the mountains or on a farm with wide expanses of Nature spread before you, or whether your Nature Study involves the bugs and flowers of a small urban backyard, you'll find easy directions and valuable information about studying firsthand the natural world and it's wonders.

Rating:
Summary: The most detailed nature handbook available.
Review: This handbook was written for school-aged children by a professor at Cornell University in New York. The plant and animal life represented is therefore specific to the New York area, but most of these animals can also be found across the northern continental US and southern Canada. There are some useful sections that would apply to Hawaii, but I agree that they are few. For example, it includes Astronomy and Geology. Finally, this book excludes oceanographic studies, so to round off your child's nature studies, you will need to purchase a separate book, such as "The Edge of the Sea," by Rachel Carson. Of course, if you are really serious about nature study, you will probably have several good books on related topics.

Rating:
Summary: GREAT BOOK!!!!
Review: This is a wonderful book for studying ANY aspect of nature (except ocean life.) Thoroughly discusses all details of any living thing that you could dream of...want to know where a cricket's ears are located? How to tell if you have a male/female? What should you feed your cricket? Ever wondered why a lightning bug "lights up"? How can you tell if you have a male or female? Covers birds, fish, reptiles, wild animals, farm animals, pets, trees, flowers, rocks, weather, stars, etc, ETC!!! Many labled diagrams. A GREAT book, and written to fit in wonderfully with a Charlotte Mason philosophy. Geared towards elementary grades and complete with lessons, questions, projects, etc. Over 800 pages of easily understood information. As the original was published in 1911, be aware that the photos are not in color, nor as clear as modern nature guides, but the book MORE than makes up for this in so many ways! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Rating:
Summary: Excited About Nature
Review: We purchased this book for our two little ones and have enjoyed running to get the book when we see unusual and interesting bugs, leaves, etc. outside in our natural wonderland of a back yard! We even keep the book on the bookshelves in the kitchen for fast reference! I have noticed that not everything we have wanted to look up is in the book but not everything can be and we are very pleased with the book as a whole. I do wish there were colored pictures to help me identify certain creatures when I'm not 100% sure "that is it".

Rating:
Summary: Impresively Comprehensive
Review: While I do not agree with everything the author asserts about teaching methodology, I doubt there is any other book on the market that is as comprehensive as this one. What other textbook can be used with equal effectiveness in both kindergarten and high school? Lessons are short and easy to follow. It covers almost everything including agriculture, wildlife, geology, astronomy, etc. Marine life and oceanography are not included. Some minor flaws. For example, the author confuses selective breeding with evolution theory. However, such flaws can be overlooked and they do not detract from the value of the lessons.