Nature Undercover - Growing Up
#4 of 4 in Magic Tricks for Kids Series
What’s inside...
Nature Undercover provides an intimate and detailed view into the lives of various animals, emphasizing key aspects of survival, growth, and reproduction common to all living things. The book takes readers on a journey to witness events such as a chameleon capturing its meal, seagulls evading a great white shark, and tortoise hatchlings breaking out of their shells. Through incredible illustrations, readers gain perspectives on nature that are unattainable by cameras, making them feel as if they are part of the animals' private lives. Detailed spreads offer a wealth of information that highlights the awe-inspiring aspects of animal life.
Discussion points
What's your favorite part about watching plants or animals grow? Why do you think that is?
How do you think the changes in seasons affect the way plants and animals grow?
Can you think of a time when you noticed something new in nature? What was it and how did it make you feel?
What are some ways we can help take care of the plants and animals in our environment?
If you could ask a plant or animal a question about growing up, what would you ask?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before reading, ask your child what they already know about how plants and animals grow, setting the stage for new insights.
While reading, pause to let your child describe the pictures and relate them to the text to strengthen their understanding.
After reading, encourage your child to draw a picture of their favorite plant or animal from the book, discussing each choice and its growth journey.
Incorporate a walk outdoors to observe nature's growth processes in action, linking real-life examples to the book’s content.
Prompt your child to think critically by asking how they would care for the plants or animals in the book if they had the chance.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of patience
Explanation: In 'Nature Undercover - Growing Up', the story illustrates how a tiny seed gradually transforms into a flowering plant, demonstrating the virtue of patience.
Real-World Application: Children learn to understand that some results are not immediate, such as waiting for a plant to grow from a seed, which teaches them the value of patience in everyday tasks and relationships.
Example Lesson: Responsibility towards nature
Explanation: The protagonist's journey of nurturing a plant teaches children about the responsibility we have towards taking care of our environment.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to engage in eco-friendly activities, such as planting trees or recycling, applying the lesson of environmental stewardship in their daily life.
Example Lesson: Observation skills
Explanation: Throughout the book, the young characters observe changes in the plant life cycle, promoting keen observation skills.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to observe and note changes in their surrounding environment, enhancing their attention to detail and curiosity about how things work.
Example Lesson: Growth and development
Explanation: The book mirrors personal growth with that of plants, showing stages from seed to full growth, paralleling human developmental stages.
Real-World Application: Children can relate this to their own growth and learning stages, understanding that growth is a natural, gradual process.
Example Lesson: Teamwork and collaboration
Explanation: The characters in the book work together to care for the plant, showcasing the benefits of collaboration.
Real-World Application: This lesson can be extended to teach children the importance of working together in group settings such as school projects or family tasks.