My Naturama Nature Journal
My Naturama Nature Journal is the perfect companion to Naturama, by the same author–illustrator team. Michael Fewer’s text is simple and direct, yet full of information and good advice for the budding nature lover. Melissa Doran’s illustrations not only add to the aesthetic appeal of the book, but also reinforce the information in visual form.
A major selling point for an Irish readership is that the journal is based on nature in Ireland – detailing plants, animals, birds and insects that we can observe in their natural habitats. It follows the seasons and suggests projects to suit every stage of nature’s yearly cycle. Some are simple – build a tower of flat stones at the beach; some involve more skill – take a rubbing of tree bark; some require more planning – set a box of sugared water out at night to catch moths and observe them. There is good variety in the projects: some are suitable for a child to complete alone, some are best done with friends and some require adult assistance. All are fun. The Naturama Nature Journal encourages children to record what they observe – and this forms the basis of all good scientific research. The journal is not quite pocket-sized, but would slip easily into a small bag, and is designed to be carried around and used frequently throughout the year. This small journal cannot give comprehensive information but is a great beginning and will surely send readers in search of more. If Naturama was the perfect book for every library and classroom, this companion journal would be the perfect gift for an individual child.
