Secrets of the Forest: 15 Bedtime Stories Inspired by Nature
on Goodreads (32)
What’s inside...
A collection of enchanting bedtime stories that weave nature's wonders with delightful adventures. Each tale is set in a different forest around the world, introducing young readers to the magical, yet real, world of flora and fauna. The book features beautifully illustrated stories about the wildlife in woods worldwide, including a squirrel searching for an acorn, an Alaskan wood frog freezing to survive winter, a lost reindeer in Scandinavia, and a color-changing chameleon in Madagascar. Other stories include elephants, wild cats, pangolins, and even forest-dwelling penguins, all brought to life through stunning illustrations. Each story is based on real animal biology and behavior, with scientific insights provided at the end of each tale to educate young readers about the natural world as they drift off to sleep.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-8
Length
160 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think the forest animals do when we are not watching?
Can you imagine a new story for your favorite animal from the book?
Which story did you like the best and why?
How do you think the forest changes with each season?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use vivid descriptions to bring the stories to life, enhancing the imaginative experience for your child.
Encourage your child to draw their favorite scene from a story, fostering a deeper connection and understanding.
After reading, ask your child to guess what might happen next if the story continued, promoting creative thinking.
Relate the stories to real-world nature experiences, like a family walk in the park, to make the content relevant.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Respect for Nature
Explanation: Through enchanting stories set in the forest, the book teaches children to appreciate and care for the environment.
Real-World Application: Children learn to be mindful of their surroundings and the impact of their actions on nature, fostering environmentally responsible behaviors.
Example Lesson: The Importance of Curiosity
Explanation: Characters in the stories often embark on adventures or solve problems by asking questions and exploring, which underscores the value of curiosity.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to explore the world around them, ask questions, and seek out new knowledge both inside and outside of the classroom.
Example Lesson: Empathy Towards Animals
Explanation: The stories often feature animal characters with distinct personalities and emotions, teaching children to empathize with creatures different from themselves.
Real-World Application: Children can translate this empathy towards better treatment of animals and understanding diverse perspectives of their peers.
Example Lesson: The Power of Teamwork
Explanation: Many stories highlight characters working together to overcome challenges, illustrating the benefits of cooperation and teamwork.
Real-World Application: This can motivate children to collaborate with others, enhancing their social skills and ability to work in a team in school projects or playground activities.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Problem Solving
Explanation: The forest's challenges require creative solutions from the characters, promoting innovative thinking.
Real-World Application: Fosters a mindset in children that values creative approaches to problem-solving, useful in their academic and personal life.