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A Field Guide Written for Children

© Diana Pederson

Peggy Kochanoff is the author and illustrator of a field guide I would have enjoyed as a child. It is called A Field Guide to Nearby Nature: Fields and Woods of the Midwest and East Coast. Mountain Press published this book in 1994.

The book is divided into several sections: Mammals, birds, Reptiles, Amphibians, Slugs and Worms, Insects and Spiders, and Plants. She covers several species within each of the categories. Each species is given a common name and a Latin name (scientific name). A little bit of information, clearly written for elementary students is given about each species covered. Her illustrations help the youngster identify the creature in the field.

The author presents additional nature study information at the end of several sections. For example: at the end of the mammal section, the author provides a section showing animal tracks, some clues to animals' presence, and information on winter survival tactics is provided. Bird nests are discussed at the end of the bird section. The next few sections simply talk about the different animal groups. If your child loves insects and spiders the way I did at that age, I am sure they will enjoy learning about the different types of spider webs.

The plant section includes a section on the different type of galls found on plants and the insects that make them. She even talks about the life cycle of ferns, something I don't remember learning about as a child. Another section teaches how maple syrup is made.

Elementary teachers, parents, and grandparents will all find this book to be a valuable resource. If it is given to just one child, it can even be used as a color book because the author uses line drawings for illustrations. This book would make an excellent gift for a child's birthday or other holiday.