My First Book of Nature

Camilla De La Bedoyere (Author) Camilla de la Bedoyere has an academic background in zoology and has written more than 200 books for children and adults, many of which explore the natural world. She has also worked as a journalist, editing a children's page in a national newspaper, and is a specialist reading teacher. She is a Fellow of the Zoological Society of London.Jane Newland (Illustrator) Jane Newland studied Illustration at Maidstone College of Art.She works from her home studio in Norfolk, UK, where she liveswith her family. The natural world features heavily in Jane's work,providing an endless source of inspiration. She is drawn to the richcolours and details of nature. Jane works almost exclusively digitally.

My First Book of Nature is a really gorgeous large-format book that, as its title suggests, offers an introduction to a range of plants, creatures and habitats, as well as touching on life cycles and changes such as metamorphosis. From bugs and plants to animals and ocean life, the spreads are beautifully illustrated and informative, offering much for the young reader to dip into and for the adult to explore with them. There are sometimes surprising facts that adult and child might not know, such as bumblebees sleeping underground in winter, or that spiders can taste with their feet! The information is provided in short sections of text, often in a step by step format such as for life cycles, or how a spider makes its web - so it is not overwhelming. The colourful painted illustrations add to the pages' appeal. Lots to enjoy and find out and a perfect book for dipping into. While there isn't an index - making this a book for browsing rather than using for topic work - there is a useful list of 'nature words' at the end, including a simple description for example for insect, nectar and larva. There are also wipe-clean boards that children can use to record what they have spotted - a bug, plant, bird or animal - and which can be used by children in groups during nature walks, or copied and handed out