There are so many great Christmas books to read with your children! I’ve posted about some of my top favorites from years past. But, since I write nature studies, I thought I’d highlight some of my favorite Christmas picture books that relate well with nature study. Really good ones are few and far between, with so much twaddle to weed through! I’ll admit that a few of these are a stretch when you consider tying them into nature study, but think creatively! For instance, the following two don’t have explicit nature themes, but An Orange for Frankie is appropriate when you consider the topic of Fruits and Nuts; while Silver Packages fits best with Snow and Ice.
If you’ve come across other great Christmas & nature-related books that I haven’t mentioned, please leave a comment!
By far, the Nature Study Through the Holidays study has been our biggest seller. For that, we thank YOU! The short and simple activities tied into the Advent theme are just enough during this busy season in our house.
Last week, my three children and I headed to a local cemetery for a red and green scavenger hunt, as suggested in Nature Study Through the Holidays. Luckily for us, it was a mild day, so we took advantage of the fresh air opportunity as we scoped out small glimpses of red and unique greens in nature.
Here are some photos from our walk. We found more reds that we had predicted!
Berries
A stately conifer tree
Buds
Lichen
More buds
A thriving vine
A ladybug
Some research is leading me to think this is a prickly sow thistle, but I'm not quite convinced yet. Any ideas?
During our Red and Green Walk from Nature Study Through the Holidays, we collected several cones for this activity. It’s mentioned for use during the 4th week of Advent (next week), but my preschooler was raring to go last week. So, last week it was! This is a glimpse at glittery pinecone ornaments as done by a three-year-old. Older children can take the process up a notch and make the ornaments something really spectacular!
Roll the cones in glue.
Then roll them in glitter - or sprinkle the glitter on.
Once dry, pile several cones prettily in a bowl or tie them with string to hang on your Christmas tree.
Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him. ~Matthew 27:27-31
Whether you’ve begun Nature Study Through the Holidays: Easter yet or not, you’ll likely be on the lookout for death and decay this week as you discuss Jesus’ death and burial. I wanted to share some photos of our fascinating finds this past week to give your some inspiration during your walk.
When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 1 Corinthians 15: 54-56
He will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove his people’s disgrace from all the earth. The LORD has spoken. Isaiah 25:8
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For instance, the following two don’t have explicit nature themes, but An Orange for Frankie is appropriate when you consider the topic of Fruits and Nuts; while Silver Packages fits best with Snow and Ice.
