Through Four Seasons

by Edith M. Patch

An engaging introduction to a variety of natural phenomena that occur throughout the year. The seven stories for each season cover a range of topics from animal and plant life to geology and physics. Each chapter concludes with a list of activities to pursue and stories to read to excite further interest.  

232 pages, Paperback

Published January 20, 2025

About the author

Edith Marion Patch (27 July 1876 – 28 September 1954) was an American entomologist and writer. Born in Worcester, Massachusetts, she received a degree from the University of Minnesota in 1901 and originally embarked on a career as an English teacher before receiving the opportunity to organize the entomology department at the University of Maine. She became the head of the entomology department in 1904, and, despite misgivings from several male colleagues about having a female department head, she remained in this post until her retirement in 1937.[1] Patch is recognized as the first truly successful professional woman entomologist in the United States.

Patch earned her master's degree from the university of Maine in 1910 and a Ph.D. from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York in 1911. During her career, she was recognized as an expert on aphids and published Food Plant Catalogue of the Aphids in 1938. She was elected president of the American Nature Study Society and in 1930 became the first female president of the Entomological Society of America. Patch's residence in Old Town, Maine, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2001 (from Wikipedia article)

Reviews

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm always on the lookout for good year-round books that we can read for Morning Time. I'd never heard of Through Four Seasons, but picked it up on a whim during one of Yesterday's Classics' sales. It's a fun introduction to how the changing seasons impact our world--from plants and animals to other phenomena. It wasn't the kids' favorite of our Morning Time reads, but it was both solid and engaging.

[Gabby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not every naturalist makes for great reading with kids, but this was just perfect. My kids loved it and looked forward to our chapter each week. I love that it has follow up ideas and experiments that are very simple and doable with kids. Read for school 24-25.

[Michelle Fournier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent read aloud with my 10yo for homeschool year. Very interesting assortment of natural topics.