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43rd out of 93 books
—
205 voters
Outside Your Window: A First Book of Nature
This gorgeously illustrated volume of poetry — sprinkled with facts and fun things to do — sows an early love for nature in all its beauty and wonder.
The buzz of bees in summertime. The tracks of a bird in the winter snow. This beautiful book captures all the sights and sounds of a child’s interactions with nature, from planting acorns or biting into crisp apples to studyi...more
The buzz of bees in summertime. The tracks of a bird in the winter snow. This beautiful book captures all the sights and sounds of a child’s interactions with nature, from planting acorns or biting into crisp apples to studyi...more
Hardcover, 108 pages
Published
February 14th 2012
by Candlewick
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Such a busy week with company and wonderful Christmas celebrations. I’m trying to read all the poetry nominations for the Cybil’s awards before I am given a list of the finalists for the 2nd round judging. This time I found Outside your Window, A First Book of Nature by Nicola Davies, illustrated by Mark Hearld. It’s a beautiful compilation of poems and information about nature through all the year, beginning with spring. This will be read over and over to young ones, showing them different asp...more
Lovely and graceful poetry, accurately evoking all of the feelings of being outside during all four seasons. During the spring poems, I could hear the rain, during the summer poems, I could practically feel the warmth of the sun on my face (though maybe that was the building's heat going a little overboard...). I could feel the fall's crisp air and taste its delicious treats, and winter feels warm and cozy from inside.
I especially loved the Pond Dipping poem - makes me feel like I am 10 years ol...more
I especially loved the Pond Dipping poem - makes me feel like I am 10 years ol...more
“Outside Your Window: A First Book of Nature” by Nicola Davies and illustrated by Mark Hearld (Candlewick 2012) is a stunning work.
The 110 page picture book progresses through the seasons, starting with spring. The poems are simple and straightforward for the most part. Which makes the author’s occasional metaphors and similes light up her poems.
The spectacular art, which we’re told is mixed media, draws you into the author’s observations of each poem. By the look, I’d say the artwork is a coll...more
The 110 page picture book progresses through the seasons, starting with spring. The poems are simple and straightforward for the most part. Which makes the author’s occasional metaphors and similes light up her poems.
The spectacular art, which we’re told is mixed media, draws you into the author’s observations of each poem. By the look, I’d say the artwork is a coll...more
It's rare indeed to find books of children's poetry so enormous these days. The 58 poems in this collection pay homage to the seasonal wonders of nature with 14 poems celebrating spring, 18 extolling the wonders of summer, and 14 focusing on fall. Poor winter only elicits 12 poems. There are free verse poems here as well as rhyming lines, but most of all, the lines remind readers to pay attention to the intriguing natural world that lies just outside their windows. There are wonderful sensory im...more
I must admit that I don't read a lot of children's poetry, but one of the things I've been trying to do is broaden my appreciation of children's books in general. I fell so in love with the illustrations & design of Outside Your Window that I ended up reading the poetry and not just the illustrations. While I try not to buy too may books, I kept going back to pick this one up and reasoned that if I waited to have children, it would probably be out of print, so if I loved it (and I do!) I had...more
"Outside Your Window: A First Book of Nature" written by Nicola Davies is a dazzling read in it's lyrical presence and it's brilliant illustrations. Written in free verse poetry, this book follows the seasons and observes it's patterns and changes. Eyeing stars, birds constructing nests, apples ripe for fall, snow falling all around and other naturally occurring developments are all beautifully described and cataloged.
This book is for young readers, especially readers who are interested in poetr...more
This book is for young readers, especially readers who are interested in poetr...more
What an absolutely charming book. 'Outside Your Window' is a beautifully illustrated book of poetry for children about nature. It covers all four seasons and the many wonders that each has to offer. It is very down to earth and simple, natural. This would be a great book for preschool to second grade. I would use this as an excuse to hold class outside. I would take the class on nature walks, read the book outside, then come back in for writing activities and art activities. It is a great exampl...more
I can't wait to read this with students! Not only are the mixed media illustrations gorgeous and reminiscent of picture books from my childhood (1970s), the text is just right: not too flowery, not too sparse. It is divided into the four seasons (there is a table of contents) with each season containing at least 12 short, poetic narratives or instructions or how to build or make something (a den, a berry crumble), and most are on gorgeous double-page spreads that depict the common scenes of the...more
An absolutely gorgeous book that is also educational and entertaining. I can't imagine how long it took to write and illustrate the many wonderful poems. Just when I thought I had a favorite spread, another came along to take my breath away. I think this book could serve as a wonderful model for students to write and illustrate their own nature poems. It's a shame in its current format that you'd be limited to viewing one spread at a time; maybe this would be a good candidate to purchase as an e...more
Fungi and spiderlings. Tidepooling and pond dipping. Milking. Making hay. Baby birds. Outside Your Window is a ceaselessly charming first book of nature. "Sometimes, in the rain and dark, / worms come up from underground. / They seem to small to be important, / but watch ... the worms are recycling. They pull dead leaves into their burrows for a feast, / then poop them out in tiny heaps called casts / that turn into a covering of rich new soil." Nicola Davies' haiku-ish expertise on a host of cr...more
This is a lovely book that I shared with my granddaughter who is kindergarten age. She loved the first few poems that we read, but she lost interest rather soon. I don't think it was because of a poorly written book as much as it was her age and interest in the subjects. I think that her older brother would have liked it better because he is older and because he likes science. The information is presented in free verse poems. I enjoyed the language in many of them, but found some of them more li...more
I love poetry, the seasons, Nicola Davies - and this book has all 3! I LOVE this book! While some poetry books for younger readers are written with simple, predictable and "rhymie" language, Nicola Davies introduces us to the beautiful poetic language that describes the sights and sounds of the seasons. The illustrations are extraordinary - mixing collage, wood cutting and etching. This is a beautiful book: beautiful visuals, beautiful writing. It would be a great choice for visualizing as well...more
Nov 16, 2012
Jessica
marked it as hikedigitalbookshelf
Outside Your Window is a informational picture book about the nature you are surrounded by. Whether you live in a city or a country nature is all around you. This book contains amazing illustrations to portray the beauty of the this poetic book. It sends a stunning reminder that nature is right at our doorsteps waiting to be discovered.
I think this book would be appropriate for all elementary grades. It could be made simple for younger students by just looking at natures characteristics. While f...more
I think this book would be appropriate for all elementary grades. It could be made simple for younger students by just looking at natures characteristics. While f...more
This beautifully written and illustrated collection of poems follows the changing seasons and introduces children to natural processes like bulbs sprouting in spring and dandelions turning to seed: (“Dandelions bloom like little suns./but the flowers don’t last long-/they fold up like furled umbrellas pointing at the sky”). Zoologist and author, Nicola Davies evokes the feel of each season with concise and observant free verse: “Winter is a slow, low time. Everything/is hiding from the cold; jus...more
This is a book of poetry that takes children through all four seasons, with dozens of poems per season. It has informative wording that is easy for young children to understand and follow.
It would be good for students pre-K through 2.
It incorporates science with poetry and uses very creative illustrations. The illustrations use mixed media and vary for each season.
It would be good for a lot of lessons. It could be a poetry lesson, a science lesson, a lesson about the seasons, or just nature i...more
It would be good for students pre-K through 2.
It incorporates science with poetry and uses very creative illustrations. The illustrations use mixed media and vary for each season.
It would be good for a lot of lessons. It could be a poetry lesson, a science lesson, a lesson about the seasons, or just nature i...more
A beautiful book of free verse poetry celebrating nature and the seasons. The illustrations are beautiful with a "rough hewn" quality, in deep colors. There are also brief entries on activities a child can do related to the season, such as making bird feeders. But the poems are not really memorable - I think this age group might find rhyming poetry more accessible. Still, a great book for teachers to use to introduce science lessons.
This is a book compiled of many poems-all having to do with a WIDE range of scientific (nature-related) material. Pretty cute.
I would take out a few poems that I can find related to a specific subject matter that I will be teaching. For instance, there are poems about the seasons, plant growth, or animals, etc.
Appropriate for grades 2nd-5th.
This would be a pretty cool book to have in your classroom library.
I would take out a few poems that I can find related to a specific subject matter that I will be teaching. For instance, there are poems about the seasons, plant growth, or animals, etc.
Appropriate for grades 2nd-5th.
This would be a pretty cool book to have in your classroom library.
I love turning the pages in this book. Each time was a little thrill, absorbing the colors and words - each double-page layout had its own feel. The author strikes that perfect balance between speaking a child's language and capturing the beauty of an informal poem. Though my daughter still loves things like this as a preteen, she would have wanted it read aloud over and over as a toddler, especially since there are lots of kitties to point out.
I am a sucker for books with cool illustrations, poetry, and awe of the amazing created world around us. Bonus: there are activities! Recipes! This is a book to have on hand for the duration: it's organized seasonally, so you'll want to pore over each season's section as that time of year comes. Perfect for a school, classroom (or home!) library. Recommended for elementary.
Organized by seasons, this gorgeous poetry collection celebrates every aspect of Nature from birds' nests, to sea shells, to acorns, to stars. A must-have resource for young naturalists. Rich with scientific detail, poetic language, and vibrant illustrations-- I shy away from the term "instant classic," but this book deserves the label.
I'd like to tear up this book and hang every page in my home--but I won't because the one I have is a library book! Needless to say, the artwork is amazing. The language isn't fancy, but the feeling at the end of each poem is special: warm, cozy, and a sense every person can connect to the experience and feelings conveyed.
This book is SO beautiful. I can't even tell you how much I love it. The illustrations are gorgeous. The poems are wonderful (I specifically like "Cherry Blossom"). If I were on the Caldecott committee, I would nominate it in a flash (which I'm not and am never going to be important enough to be on said committee).
Adore this gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous book of art and prose that writes rhapsodies about nature and is also just a big whomping gorgeous book that is a bit retro and a lot fabulous. Already ordered it for my library, plan on giving it to my niece, a great gift book too...(can you tell I like this book? hmmm.)
Outside Your Window A First Book of Nature is an engaging children’s book full of poetry that helps students learn about science concepts such as seasons, animals, plants, and water. Also, the illustrations are captivating and will grab a child’s attention immediately.
A glorious compilation of seasonal glimpses of nature. The illustrations magnificiantly enhance the simple yet strong poetry based text. Nature is treated magically with verse and illustrations to intrigue and capture the imagination and wonder of the child. Reveiwer 3.
Grade: k-3
Topic: Seasons, plants, nature
These poems can encourage students to think deeper about the outside world. The illustrations are great too. I would read a few poems before having the students write their own poem about a nature related topic.
Topic: Seasons, plants, nature
These poems can encourage students to think deeper about the outside world. The illustrations are great too. I would read a few poems before having the students write their own poem about a nature related topic.
The poems are lovely and the pictures have great depth. It's subtitled "A First Book of Nature" which in my mind indicates a very young audience but this book is far to sophisticated for that age group, the size is also awkward for small hands.
This poetry collection encompasses nearly every aspect of nature organized by seasons. The diversity and appeal of the verses and illustrations are a blend of retro and current, muted and colorful, lively and reflective.
Great for a classroom library, or as a treasured gift for a child.
Full review here: http://jenkellyread.weebly.com/4/post...
Full review here: http://jenkellyread.weebly.com/4/post...
A beautifully illustrated book of short, wonderful poems about nature. I put off reading this book for a few days because it's a pretty fat book and I'm sorry that I did. Once I opened this richly illustrated book, I thoroughly enjoyed browsing through the pictures and reading the short, almost nursery-rhyme like poems. The poems are organized by season and a variety of animal, plant, and outdoor experiences are included in the text and pictures.
This is a beautiful book to share with children ag...more
This is a beautiful book to share with children ag...more
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"I was very small when I saw my first dolphin," says zoologist Nicola Davies, recalling a seminal visit with her father to a dolphin show at the zoo. Enchanted at the sight of what she called the "big fish" jumping so high and swimming so fast, she determined right then that she would meet the amazing creatures again "in the wild, where they belonged." And indeed she did--as part of a pair of scie...more
More about Nicola Davies...
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