Hands on Nature

Jean Free, a library consultant, is a retired public-school teacher and
librarian in Whitby, Ontario.

Hands on Nature is divided into four sections: Nature’s Creatures;
Nature’s Treasures; Understanding Nature; and Caring for Nature. A
seasonal index helps readers locate activities. It includes related
ideas—e.g., poetry, action songs, recipes, finger-play, and art
suggestions. Ideas for making a clothes-pin duck, a frog puppet, turtle
magnets, milkweed-pod boats, and bubble prints are included. Play-dough
and fingerpaint recipes are given.

Hands on Nature is an easily read, clearly laid-out activity book for
primary-grade students. Its spiral binding lets it lie flat while being
read. It includes simple illustrations and readily understood
directions. Unfortunately, there is nothing new in this publication, but
it might nevertheless be a useful resource for parents or for
Brownie/Cub/camp leaders.