Camping


with Kids While The Down and Dirty Guide to Camping with Kids doesn’t quite succeed in its goal of pro- viding “every-


thing you need to know about gearing up for family camping,” it does make a good stab at this impossible task. Au- thor, Helen Olsson, writes in a friendly narrative style and you can imagine you’re sitting across the kitchen table from her as she gives you the skinny on the ins and outs of camping with young ones. This guide, subtitled How to Plan Memorable Family Adventures & Connect Kids to Nature, attempts to cover a lot of ground. All of this mate- rial is catalogued in four major parts: Getting Started, In the Field, Activities and Adventures, and Hygiene, First Aid and Safety. From clothing to cook- ing, safety to outdoor activities, the author is able to provide more detail in certain sections than others. This non- fiction book is text heavy and could use a few more photos and helpful graphics. With that said, the wealth of information provided is accurate and useful what-to-bring lists are included in every section. Experienced campers will nod their heads and smile as they remember experiences similar to those described. However, the guide will be of greatest use to first-time campers. – (DR)


Shambhala Publications, Inc., 2012, ISBN 978-1-59030-955-1 (pb), 254 pp., US $17.95 from roostbooks.com


Do Fish Fart? Kids ask the funniest and most interest- ing questions about the world around them. In the fascinat-


ing book, Do Fish Fart?, the Ontario Water Centre attempts to provide the answers to some of these questions. Students, aged 7-12, have posed fasci- nating inquiries about the freshwater lake environment of Lake Simcoe. The questions relate to larger topics of learning that include the environment: “Do fish impact the cleanliness of the lake?”, systems: “Do forests help the water or does water help the forests?”, biology: “How can fish survive in


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the winter?”, history: “Is mud at the bottom of the lake dinosaur poo?” and geology: “What’s the difference be- tween a lake and a big pond?” All such questions have been answered by ex- perts on the topic, presented in simple language and accompanied by dia- grams and colorful images. This book is a great resource for anyone who wants to teach children about freshwa- ter lakes, not just Lake Simcoe. Ques- tions can be used to open a lesson, or children can enjoy flipping through the pages on their own. The book also includes QR codes throughout, which link to additional websites and videos that will help make your lessons interactive. By using children as the source of questions this book supports a greater scientific understanding of freshwater lake life in a way in which children can relate to. – (TV)


Ontario Water Centre, 2015, ISBN 978- 0-9947928-1-5 (pb), 96 pp., CAN $14.95, from www.lakesimcoekidsbook.com/


Birdology There is so much more to the sci- ence of birdwatching beyond simple identification! Monica Russo helps educators and young birders learn more in Birdology: 30 Activities and Observations for Exploring the World of Birds. This guide is packed full of amazing photographs,


crafts, and activities that everyone can appreciate, participate in and learn from. Learn how to start a bird journal (and why you should), a bird sketch- book, make bird feeders and draw a territory map. One of the numerous included “Try This!” sections encour- ages the reader to become a bird worker. Many of these activities, walk the reader through making their yard more bird friendly. This is a wonderful guide for bird enthusiasts, ages seven and up! It encourages journaling, writing and drawing, and most importantly indepen- dent nature observations. For the newly found bird enthusiast that would like more information (teachers included) additional resources are also included in the concluding pages. – (SW)


Chicago Review Press Incorporated, 2015, ISBN 978-1-61374-949-4 (pb), 108 pp., US $15.95, from www.chicagoreviewpress. com


GREEN TEACHER 109


Animal Tales The breezy songs on the 40-minute CD, Animal Tales by Key Wilde & Mr Clarke, will help kids learn about animals from around the world. The lead song, Ani- mal Kingdom, uses an island tempo to tell the listener of animals from every con- tinent. Bear


Song introduces the eight species of bears known worldwide; describing their field marks, some of their most notable behaviors, and where each of them can be found. Each tune is witty and whimsical while also managing to provide accurate information about the various insects, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and crustaceans covered. A great potpourri of Animalia that is sure to bring smiles to children and adults in both formal and non-formal settings. – (PM)


Worm Hole Productions, 2014, US $9.99, from www.itunes.com


Learning Gardens Many gardens have been added to school grounds in recent years. In Learning Gardens and Sustainability Education, Dilafruz R. Williams and Jonathan D. Brown argue that living soil is a metaphor for life and that “schools themselves are living systems and that learning gardens are legiti- mate academic venues and more than just a curricular add-on.” The authors describe that living soil offers seven principles that guide learning gar- dens pedagogy: cultivating a sense of place, fostering curiosity and wonder, discovering rhythm and scale, valu- ing biocultural diversity, embracing practical experi- ence, nurturing interconnected- ness, and awaken- ing the senses. In the book fittingly subtitled, Bringing Life to Schools and Schools to Life, each of these principles is


shown using case studies and lessons from real garden classrooms. In one case study, a school superintendent emphasizes the value of these garden lessons, including joy, wonder, work


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