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A good introduction to nature is Fifty Nature Projects for
Kids Kit by
Cecilia Fitzsimons (Lorenz Books, £12.95, ISBN 1 85967 212 4). It
lures
children from 8 to 12 years old into collecting, observing and
constructing.
Children will love the project equipment, especially the magnifying glass
and
tweezers, and ample collecting bags are provided for those essential
specimens.
Parents will enjoy the clear layout and instructions within the book,
which is
illustrated by step-by-step photographs. The garden suddenly seemed to
take on a
new dimension once the children discovered they could make and collect
things of
interest. Some of the projects seem quite complicated even for the
designated
age range, such as digging your own pond in the garden. It has some nice
hints
on the country code and observation of animals. A very worthy and
informative
book, but be prepared for a lot of parental input.