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Living Chapter Books for Nature Study

I think you’ll love these living chapter books for nature study. They capture the attention of readers with wonderful tales that weave a storyline and nature together beautifully.

From harrowing adventures to hidden gardens, many of these timeless stories have been well-loved for years. They also happen to subtly encourage a love for nature and make perfect read-alone or read-aloud selections for your homeschool.

Living Chapter Books for Nature Study #livingbooks #naturestudy

The books listed below are loosely in order from easier to more difficult reads. You will find some of them to be obviously “nature study-like” in essence, while others are more subtle and simply integrate plants, animals, and habitats into the stories. I hope you find some new treasures here!

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Living Chapter Books for Nature Study

The Bears on Hemlock Mountain by Alice Dalgliesh

This very easy chapter book is a sweet story of young Jonathan’s first trip over the mountain to his aunt’s home to fetch a pot for his mother. Much courage is required as he hikes there and back through the scary woods.

The Courage of Sarah Noble by Alice Dalgliesh

In another easy read, 8-year-old Sarah travels the wilderness with her father to build a new home for their pioneer family. She encounters many new things along the way – nature and people alike.

Stone Fox by John Reynolds Gardiner

I’ll warn you right up front that this book is sad in the end. But, it’s a great story of perseverance that is set uniquely in the Rocky Mountains as 10-year-old Willy works hard to win a dog race that he believes will help his grandfather.

Sarah Witcher’s Story by Elizabeth Yates

This faith-building story is based on a likely true folk tale from New Hampshire during the days of pioneers. It shares the adventures of little Sarah and her search party after she gets lost in the thick forest near her home.

Miss Hickory by Carolyn Sherwin Bailey

Miss Hickory, made from a twig and a nut, finds a way to survive the harsh winter weather with the help of several animals friends in this sweet little story. It shares a unique view of how animals survive in the winter that won’t long be forgotten.

Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Another book set during pioneer times, Farmer Boy circles through an entire year of old-fashioned farm life. It’s fascinating to see how imperative it was for these people to be in tune with nature for their survival. Because our own family lives on a cattle farm, this ranks up there as one of my son’s favorite books of all time.

Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White

Most of us already know the story of Charlotte’s Web, but have you read it through the lens of nature study? There are so many things to be learned about animals, insects, and farm life in this bittersweet book.

The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White

I hesitated to place this book on a list of living books for nature study because much of it takes place away from nature. However, there are still wonderful gems that will help children to appreciate birds, migration, and pond habitats that I decided I couldn’t pass it up. Children who appreciate humor will love this story.

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

A sullen atmosphere inside a huge estate inspires Mary’s curiosity and helps cheer up her sick cousin. Together they discover a garden tucked away behind a stone wall that was abandoned after a tragic accident. As she tends to the garden, the love that was once lost within a family begins to grow again.

The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame

Mole, Mr. Toad, Badger, and Ratty are all creatures who live near the Thames River and go on wild quests together. I will admit that this book has never been one of my personal favorites for reasons that I can’t quite put my finger on. However, it’s a classic that many people love and there are plenty of nature study connections, so here it is on the list.

Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink

Yet another book set during pioneer times, this one is told from the viewpoint of a girl who desperately prefers to be outdoors doing “men’s work” alongside her brothers. Her father obliges her spunky spirit, leading to many rollicking adventures.

The Call of the Wild by Jack London

Buck, a dog, is forced to go to Alaska during the gold rush. He then has to decide whether he stays to live with a man or goes out into the wilderness. The author’s description of the rugged landscape takes the reader right to Alaska itself.

The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare

12-year-old Matt is left alone in the Maine wilderness while his father sets off to bring the rest of the family to their new pioneer home. While he awaits their return – which takes longer than expected – he must learn wilderness survival, along with the help of some new friends.

My Side Mountain by Jean Craighead George

Sam runs away from his life in the big city to start a new life in the Catskill Mountains. Through many adventurous experiences, he learns a great deal about the wilderness and necessary survival skills. You might be surprised to see what happens when he’s finally reunited with his family.

Hatchet by Gary Paulson

After surviving a small plane crash, Brian is forced to learn how to live off of the land with only a windbreaker and a hatchet. He learns how to fish, build a shelter, and start a fire. All of these survival techniques keep him alive for 54 days in the wilderness alone.

Island of the Blue Dolphin by Scott O’Dell

This book follows a young girl who lives alone on a Pacific Island after staying behind when her tribe emigrates. While waiting for someone to come rescue her, she learns how to hunt for food, make her own clothes, and protect herself from the elements of the island.

The Bears on Hemlock MountainThe Courage of Sarah NobleStone FoxSarah Whitcher's StoryMiss HickoryCharlotte's WebThe Trumpet of the Swan 50th AnniversaryThe Secret Garden (HarperClassics)The Wind in the Willows (Sterling Illustrated Classics)Caddie WoodlawnThe Call of the Wild (Reader's Library Classics)The Sign Of The BeaverMy Side of the Mountain (Puffin Modern Classics)HatchetIsland of the Blue Dolphins

 

Fantastical Chapter Books for Nature Study

The following are set in fantastical worlds and not entirely true of the nature one would experience in the real world. However, I think they each have plenty to offer for those who love to observe the world around them – or those who need to be inspired to closely observe the world.

The Minpins by Roald Dahl

Once Billy discovers that the forest is full of little people called Minpins, he befriends them only to find that they are living in fear of The Gruncher who eats them. He decides to confront the mean monster and get rid of him for good.

The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

Lucy discovers a secret passageway to a winter wonderland through the doors of a wardrobe. After some hesitation, she convinces her siblings that this hidden place is real and they take off on a quest to save Narnia and its leader Aslan.

The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

Follow the adventures of the Hobbits, Bilbo and Frodo, as they battle evil. Their quest takes them through a variety of harsh landscapes and even to Middle Earth. Their adventure takes them face to face with a dragon and an even scarier creature, Gollum.

The MinpinsThe Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (The Chronicles of Narnia)J.R.R. Tolkien 4-Book Boxed Set: The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings

 

Nature Study Chapter Books for the Young Children

While the books listed above are for children between the ages of 8-13, for the younger crowd, I recommend the living chapter books written by Thornton Burgess. Any of them are great resources! I have only included a small sampling of a large list of available titles. They don’t need to be read in any particular order.

Blacky the Crow (Dover Children's Thrift Classics)The Adventures of Reddy Fox (Dover Children's Thrift Classics)Old Mother West Wind (Dover Children's Thrift Classics)The Adventures of Jimmy Skunk (Dover Children's Thrift Classics)The Adventures of Old Mr. Toad (Dover Children's Thrift Classics)The Adventures of Paddy the Beaver (Dover Children's Thrift Classics)

 

Do you have any living chapter books for nature study to add to our list? Please share them in the comments.

Living chapter books for nature study provide children with an opportunity to not only learn about habitats different than they may have experienced, but also to look more closely at the world around them. After reading these books, I hope your children are inspired to observe a little closer and have a passion for nature exploration that is contagious!

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6 Comments

  1. Glad to see some of our favorites on here— two we listened to on audio and both were excellent—Caddie Woodlawn and The Sign of the Beaver. Looking forward to reading Hatchet with my boys this summer! One we listened to recently that is similar to some on the list is Tree Castle Island. Really good! Thanks for the suggestions!

  2. Beth Adams says:

    We have enjoyed My Side of the Mountain and the two sequels.

  3. Yes, some of Eli’s favorites!

  4. Freckles by Gene Stratton Porter is really good.

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