Nature at Night
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Bats, Owls, and Spiders - OH MY!
This is a story of a young bat learning how to navigate the world using his ‘good sense’ as his mother calls it. This is a beautifully illustrated book that explains echolocation in a way children can easily grasp.
After reading this book, explore echolocation with questions and experiments! Can people use echolocation? How do people navigate at night?
This is a great nonfiction book about bats for kids interested in learning all the bat facts! It’s very informative and has great photographs too!
After reading this book, head out at dusk and see if you can find any bats. If children are particularly interested in bats, have them help you build a bat box.
Bat Jamboree is one of the best counting books in our opinion. The book is about a theatrical ‘Bat Jamboree’ with different silly bat acts that include counting. The book helps children learn to count and the ending is sure to make kids laugh.
After reading this book, have the children act out their own Bat Jamboree! If children enjoy this, extend the activity by having them create a New Jamboree with a different animal.
Another great book is Bats Around the Clock by the same author. This book will help children learn to tell time!
Silverwing is a chapter book about a young silverwing bat named Shadow who gets separated from his family in a storm. He meets other bats along the way of different species. Some of the bats become his friends and some become his foes. The book is really magical and interesting and hits on many important literary themes, but also helps you see the perspective of a bat. (For example- the bats discuss why humans put a small little metal band on their feet). We personally highly recommend this book as a read aloud or independent read for older kids.
While reading this book, have a book club type discussion with learners. This book really hits on some interesting topics.
Little Owl wakes up and watches his other nocturnal animal friends enjoying their night. He wonders why anyone would want to sleep during the night when nighttime is so fun and beautiful. He asks his mom what happens during daylight hours. An easy and fun read for young learners curious about the lives of nocturnal animals.
After reading this book, have the children make a list of the reasons why night or day would be more fun to be awake during- then have the children vote which they would prefer to be awake for! (represent the results in some of chart or graph!)
This book is based on a true love story of two Barn Owls; Molly and McGee. The two owls decide to nest at a nature-loving family’s house in a suburban neighborhood. The family puts up cameras to observe the owls and thousands of people from all over the world watch this true story unfold. This book is wonderful for all ages and genre-lovers since it is a nonfiction book, but told through whimsical storytelling.
After reading this book, look into the real Molly and McGee. If possible, set up a nature camera somewhere outside your home and see if you can tell your own story about the wildlife in your backyard!
Owls is a nonfiction picture book about, well obviously- owls! Gibbons shares about different owl species and their similarities and differences. The book delves into owl habitats, baby owlets and their development, and threats owls watch face. This is a great book for learning all the owl facts and answering all of your owl questions.
After reading this book, look into what owl species are local to your area. Can you find/hear any owls on a night walk?
Hoot is an award winning chapter book about an endangered owls’ home being threatened by new construction. A group of middle school kids work together to try to help the owls. A heartwarming story with humor, quality characters, and nature- great as a read aloud for younger learners or independent reading for older learners.
After reading this story, find out about an endangered species in your area and find a way that you can help. You’re never too old or young to make a difference!
A wonderful book to give children the perspective of a small baby house spider. The reader will feel as small as the spider while learning all the interesting facts about a spider, that may very well live in their house.
After reading this book, have the children write or draw their own story about a spider who lives in their actual home. What does that spider do all day?
A Very Busy Spider
This is a story of a very busy spider who is working hard on spinning her web. Farm animals try to distract her, but she stays focused! Children are able to see and feel the process of a spider web being spun through the pages. It gives them a true appreciation for the art. The book also shows how important a spiderweb is to a spider- making children think before wrecking a spider web they encounter.
After reading this book, put out materials for children to make their own spider webs (either on a small scale for art or large scale with ropes for children to play in,)
This is a fantastic nonfiction book about spiders from all over the world. It will answer all your spider questions and show you amazing up close photographs of different spider species.
After reading this book, go see how many different kinds of spiders you can find near your house!
The Lady and the Spider is the perfect book to teach children empathy for the natural world. Instead of killing the spider that was on her recently picked lettuce, the woman shows compassion and puts the spider back out in the garden. Critters are living their lives, just as us humans are living ours.
After reading this book, create a critter rescue kit to have handy in case you need to help a small creature. Learn how to make an easy critter rescue kit!
Songs
‘Not original songs, but wonderful to sing with young kids!’
