Children’s book review‘Gi-ga-green, gi-ga-green. Come out, there is plenty to do’, Children for Children sings in het Children’s book week song. Because the Children’s Book Week, which starts next Wednesday, is all about nature, many informative children’s books about animals, the forest and the climate will be published. Children’s book critic Jaap Friso lists interesting publications.
Milk standards and tile gardens
Immediately the best, a book by Auke Florian Hiemstra (whom you probably know from his striking haircut and enthusiasm during his talk show appearances) about nature in the city. In a catchy tone he writes about all kinds of animals and plants in the city, which you see but not always very consciously. Hiemstra uses many examples, great anecdotes and photos to show the role of animals in our living environment. Stories about waste, bird droppings and tiled gardens. Hiemstra has indulged in alliterations, in addition to platform parrots & cricket criminals, there are also chapter titles such as ‘croquette crabs & child devourers and milk normes & letterbox brothers. That makes curious in a cheerful way.
‘Platform parrots & cricket criminals – on safari in the city’ by Auke Florian Hiemstra. Illustrations Annette Fienieg, Ploegsma publishing house, 10+
mnemonics for little biologists
For children who really want to know what flowers, plants and animals are called, Species Treasure an ideal book. How can you recognize species and what are the most important properties? Biologist Geert-Jan Roebers uses well-similar and often funny drawings to enthuse children to get to know the surrounding nature better. How cool is it if you can say with certainty that it is a shepherd’s purse because you recognize the heart-shaped fruits? With puns like mnemonics: ‘The stickleback has three spines on its back. That makes him a little irritable.’
‘Species treasure. Children’s canon of nature in the Low Countries’ by Geert-Jan Roebers., illustrations Pieter Fannes, publisher Gottmer, 6+
The use of poison
In the preface of Poison in the animal kingdom Freek Vonk writes such an exciting anecdote that children will love. He could have died after being bitten by a life-threatening venomous snake, but luckily it fizzled out. Children like a dangerous edge, so poison is a great subject for a children’s book. Biologist Mátyás Bittenbinder extensively discusses the origin and dangers of poison, but also its importance. Animals need poison to protect themselves and some poisons are used to make medicine. For example, the poison of the gila monster, a lizard, helps against diabetes. Of course, the most poisonous animals in the world are highlighted, such as the golden poison dart frog, the blue-eyed octopus and the Australian sea wasp. The Netherlands stands out a little bit with its vipers, bumblebees and spiders, but that is also reassuring. In addition to many photos and drawings, this colorful and somewhat messy book also contains a few stories.
‘Poison in the animal kingdom’ by Mátyás Bittenbinder & Barend Last, illustrations Dagmar Heikens & János Bittenbinder, publisher Fontaine, 8+
Baby book – from worm to ladybug
For the little ones, it starts with words related to nature. From worm (one syllable) to ladybug (five syllables). With colorful icon-like drawings, this book is an introduction to animals, plants and things that occur in the garden, jungle and forest, by the sea and in the countryside. About the fox and the penguin, a palm, a sunflower and the tractor and a mountain. With a drawing with a flap on every page. Behind the pine stands a woodcutter. It can be that simple.
‘100 first words in nature’ by Edward Underwood. Gottmer Publishers, 1+
Reading about deer calves and bats
From early morning to night there is plenty to do in the forest. A deer calf kicks off the day and the bats wake up when it gets dark. Each page in ‘The secret forest’ focuses on other animals with their young. With narrative explanation of their activities and questions about what can be seen in the drawings. Everything is peaceful and lovely in the full prints and there are somewhat unctuous sentences like ‘the early sunlight puts spots on the trees and the plants’. But for those who read through it, it is an instructive discovery and reading book. Just explain to the toddlers that there are no bears in Dutch forests.
‘The secret forest, a book of discovery’ by Sandra Dieckmann, translation Monique van der Zanden, publisher Christofoor, 3+
Making tea and sniffing droppings
While you’re in the woods, there’s plenty to do. Looking for seeds, recognizing animals or doing a branch scavenger hunt. Maartje Kouwen guides young game seekers through all seasons. She describes the forest as a large amusement park where there is plenty to see, hear, smell, taste and above all play and gives original tips. Put a handful of pine needles in a thermos of hot water and you have delicious tea. Do you dare to sniff animal droppings up close? And play a game of domino with leaves or mikado with small twigs. A practical book with clear illustrations.
‘Wild hunters in the forest’ by Maartje Kouwen, illustrations by Kim Merel, publisher Lemniscaat, 6+
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