National Trust: Story of the Seasons
by Anna Wilson, illustrated by Carolina Rabei
Interest age: 7 to 11
Reading age: 7+
Published by Nosy Crow, 2024
About this book
Take a fresh look at nature by observing the changes in 8 recognisable habitats over the course of a year. Find out how birds survive cold winters, how foxes scavenge in cities, how a hedgehog raises its baby hoglets and much more besides!
Using woodland, pond, meadow, hedgerow, park, river, mountain and coastal settings, children can learn about the lives and natural relationships of a huge diversity of plants and animals and how they adapt to seasonal changes.
This comprehensive book is well-pitched for children of mixed primary school ages. There are accessible facts to share with younger children and opportunities for older readers to explore more detailed scientific explanations. Information is presented in bite-sized chunks and is complemented by excellent full-page illustrations which are child-friendly while remaining accurate.
The range of habitats on offer make this a brilliant book to use as a teaching tool. It aligns with the science curriculum brilliantly, including key animals which are explored in more detail, such as the life cycles of frogs and the importance of bees as pollinators.The variety of habitats featured also mean that children would likely have access to at least one of the settings, allowing them to take their knowledge out into real-world contexts.
About the author
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Lists of recommended reads
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Hibernation booklist
During the coldest months many animals snuggle down into their warm dens to sleep until Spring. These cosy picture books books are all about hibernation, perfect to read aloud for wintery bedtime stories.
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Early years - habitats
Children in the early years enjoy observing nature and should be encouraged to notice connections between animals and the places they live. The following fiction and non-fiction titles explore the variety of habitats that animals call home. From rock pool dwelling crabs to nesting owls, these books teach young children about animals in the wild and how their features suit the environments in which they live.
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Life cycles booklist
This booklist is designed to support children’s understanding of animal life cycles. From tiny caterpillars transforming into butterflies; the incredible journey of frogs from egg to adult; and the epic growth from humble seed to mighty tree, these engaging stories and informative texts make life cycles accessible for readers of mixed primary ages. The featured books will help children get to grips with key scientific knowledge from the National Curriculum while also contributing to a love of reading and the natural world.