The Practical Naturalist by Chris Packham

I'm the type of person who purchases books faster than she could read through them. I know there's the library if I'd like to read, but there's something about owning my own copy that is truly special.

Knowing I have a stack of books waiting to be finished never deters me from walking into a bookstore and perusing the shelves. I'd loiter in the 'used books' section in dusty antiques shoppes and come home with seven or eight books that pique my interest.

Since I can easily fall in love with a book, choosing only one book to share with you all is difficult for me -- there are so many great books I'd love to showcase. So for this new blog series, I will feature books that have captured my interest. Without further ado, I present The Plant's first Book Spotlight of The Practical Naturalist.

I've always been a bargain shopper. Whatever I'm looking for I instinctively go to the discounted and sale sections first. This includes even the bookstore, and at my nearest Barnes & Noble their 'Bargain Books' section is conveniently near the entrance.

Not long into browsing I spotted a square paperback with lovely photos of shells, leaves, butterflies, and other natural oddities on the cover; titled, The Practical Naturalist: An Illustrated Guide To The Wonders Of The Natural World by Chris Packham.

The forest chapter is broken into 3 parts:
Deciduous, coniferous, and tropical

This field guide meant for all ages is sectioned off by habitat. The first few chapters talk about evolution and biodiversity; it also touches on how both natural and climate change has affected the planet and its inhabitants. A good-sized chapter detail necessary tools and materials for the naturalist in practice.

 What drew me in was the synopsis, found on the back of the book. It reads:

"Today, many people feel cut off from the natural world, with little knowledge of its marvels. The Practical Naturalist shows you how to bring nature back into your life, whether you live in the heart of the city or a cabin deep in the woods. 

Detailed illustrations and specially commissioned photography, inspired by National Audubon society, impart a deeper understanding of how nature really works. 

Simple activities make the experience of nature accessible to all. 

An indispensable guide for anyone fascinated by the natural world, from budding biologists to seasoned wildlife lovers."

So, whether you want to read about your own backyard or someplace halfway around the world, this book has information about it. For those raised in places disconnected from "the great outdoors" -- for those who may not have had the opportunity to learn about plants, wildlife, and environment science; this guide is perfect for those eager to learn but don't know where to start. It welcomes the curious with open arms.

For all my mori friends out there, I wanted to share with you some pages from my favourite chapter, "Forest."

For best quality, view in full-size. Please enjoy! ☺

I didn't know the difference between deciduous and
coniferous trees was how often they shed their leaves.

While The Practical Naturalist loaded of information, it isn't overbearingly so. Indeed, it's packed with a ton of great facts of just about everything! But this is no scholarly textbook. If you are looking for a more intense read, I'm afraid this isn't the book for you. This is meant to be a fun, casual read; it's meant to get its readers out and about into the natural world.

I also love that every photograph is labelled. So, if I see a specimen that's very intriguing -- I'm never left guessing. There's always a small blurb or line explaining what it is.

And this book is not just about plants; there are so many animals to discover, too. A budding zoologist has plenty to read about animals that match with its specific environment.

Besides its great visuals, The Practical Naturalist has little activities and project suggestions sprinkled throughout the guide. In the section Tidepool in the chapter "Coast," they provide easy-to-follow directions for creating an underwater viewer: all you need is an ice cream carton, a craft knife, some tape, plastic wrap, and a rubber band.

Although these pictures are interesting to look at, it makes me
want to run outside to find my own log to observe in real life!

On the page pictured on the right, the book suggests watching a fallen log over a period of years:

"A freshly fallen log offers a habitat for wildlife for many years, but the creatures that exploit it change as time goes by. This is a perfect chance for you to watch and record what happens as a fascinating ecosystem develops. Keep a "log file" with notes, lists of wildlife inhabiting it, and photos—especially from a fixed position nearby—over several years."

There is a setback to all this information; some text is very small and hard to read. So, as with all books, only read in bright light to avoid eyestrain. It's tempting to sneak this into bed to read under blankets with a flashlight, but resist the urge! I reach for this book on mornings when it's clear and sunny; I like looking through it during breakfast time, or in the lazy, quiet afternoons with a nice cup of hot tea to sip from.

There are tons of useful science facts within this book. Terms like 'symbiosis' and 'chlorophyll' are described in a straightforward, but easy to understand way. For beginners, you truly can learn a lot about how the earth works! This makes The Practical Naturalist a great tool or a lovely gift for those interested in the natural sciences.

You can find the PDF of The Practical Naturalist here - but I must say this book is even better when you hold it with your own two hands. Plus, you can bring it with you on your outdoor escapades; I know I certainly will be.

Thank you so much for sticking around. Is there any book or nature guide out there that inspires you to explore? Which type of habitat would you like to check out? I'd love to hear what you have to say in the comments below.

Happy reading, and see you next time!