Nature Picture Books for Little Ones

Whilst discovering a lovely selection of nature picture books for the older child recently we also discovered some treasures for the under 5s.

In the Pond – Anna Milbourne
The storyline follows a tadpole as it grows into a frog, encountering other pond life along the way; a fish, ducklings and dragonflies.  Text is simple but plenty of information for little ones.  Lovely, bright pictures. Recommend.

In the Nest – Anna Milbourne
The book captures the first days and weeks of a nest of baby birds. The parents build a nest, lay eggs, eat seeds and bugs and the babies grow feathers, learn to fly, feed themselves and gain independence
Informative with bright illustrations. Recommend

Under the Ground – Anna Milbourne
Slightly different to Milbourne’s other titles above, this is a beginner reader and contained a bit more information.  We journey to the centre of the earth and discover what is beneath our feet, plants and animals, underground trains, fossils, caves and gold mines. Recommend.

Hush, Hush by Margaret Wild
Baby Hippo couldn’t sleep, he was too awake and full of energy, so he took a walk instead.  Along the way he meet all kinds of baby animals being called by their mothers to sleep, he then wanted his mum and to go to sleep.   A really sweet book, just perfect to snuggle with the children, text has a musical rhythm, gorgeous illustrations.  Highly recommended for little ones.

Little Humpty – Margaret Wild
“In the hot, hot desert where the wind whirled and the sand swirled, lived Big Humpty and Little Humpty”  Big Humpty is concerned that Little Humpty needs playmates of his own and so they travel to the Great Waterhole.  Along the way Little Humpty tries to guess what they will find there.   Text is caring, pictures are delightful.  Highly recommended.

Babies in the Bayou – Jim Arnosky
There are lots of babies in the bayou, some have sharp teeth, hard shells or quick claws, but their mothers watch over them all and protect them from harm.  A rich introduction to a habitat we have never read about before.  Text is easy to follow, illustrations colourful. Recommend.

Baby Bat’s Lullaby – Jacquelyn Mitchard
Mama bat and her baby wake up at dusk and take a flight into the sky, soaring and exploring togther until bedtime at dawn.  Text is rhyming and illustrations soft.  Recommend.

Help Me by Paul Geraghty
A herd of elephants are on the move in the night.  An impala watches a tortoise stumble towards the water, hatchling turtles slip into the pool while crocodiles sleep.  A tortoise slips and a suspenseful chain of events begin.  Highly recommended.