I am so excited to share this post with you!! I've long wanted to introduce you to the book that inspired and taught me to nature journal--and got me hooked. If you are looking for a fantastic, beautiful, all-around perfect introduction to nature journaling, this is your book.
Clare Walker Leslie is, in my opinion, the very best artist and teacher out there when it comes to the subject of nature study. Moreover, she seems to be a lovely person. I contacted her once about doing a workshop for a group of folks in my area, and she was fantastic to converse with. Unfortunately, we never were able to make it happen, but I've not given up that dream just yet.
I have both editions of the book, and both are utterly dog-eared. I've used Clare's books to help me facilitate nature study classes in my area. Most of the kids loved the books I brought along for them to look at so much I believe they convinced their parents to head right out and buy them their own copies!
Clare uses this book to teach how to keep a nature journal. She offers ideas on keeping seasonal journals as well as offering several skills pages to help you draw more closely what you actually see. There are a multitude of tips and tricks.
The book alternates between black and white sketches as well as full color sketches. No lack of inspiration here!
There are four chapters of seasonal journals, and each one begins with a gorgeous rendering from Clare's own journals.
The second edition of the book includes a whole section full of selections of pages from Clare's journals. Honest to goodness, it's nothing short of inspiring. If you're not itching for colored pencils and watercolors by this point in the book, I think you're probably not breathing.
Chapter 11 is about journaling with school children. This is geared for teachers in classrooms with many children, and a curriculum web is provided as well as information on the teacher's role, a reflection page, and several project ideas. Independent Educators can tweak all this information to suit their unique needs quite easily.
People of all ages love to experience this, and chapter ten talks about teaching journaling to groups of all ages. I facilitated a class where we had moms and dads and kids all learning together, and it was great fun! I like learning experiences that pull the generations together. We have so much we can learn from one another!
Hurry quick and nab a copy of this book for yourself! You will not, I promise, ever, ever, ever regret the $20 you'll spend to make it yours. It's really that good.
Here is where you can find Clare Walker Leslie on the web:
I think you'll love visiting her site, as you'll learn more about who she is, the workshops she offers, and you'll get to see lots of her beautiful illustrations. I will say that her fees for workshops are very fair, and if there is any possible way for you to experience this, go for it!
Here is where you can buy her book at amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/Keeping-Nature-Journal-Discover-Seeing/dp/1580173063
Also, check out this link for a more detailed look at the book itself:
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