Walking the World in Wonder: A Children's Herbal
on Goodreads (59)
What’s inside...
Introduce children to the magic of using herbs for healing, cooking, and nature crafts and inspire a lifelong interest in the natural world. Designed especially for children ages five to ten. A hands-on book for children, filled with fun, easy-to-follow activities. Walking the World in Wonder covers the medicinal and magical uses of sixty-seven common herbs. Each herb playfully introduces itself and talks about its habitat and many uses. With fun, easy-to-follow activities, herbalist Ellen Evert Hopman teaches children basic herbal skills and invites them to make a sunflower seed mosaic, sew a catnip-filled mouse, and dig for Jerusalem artichoke roots. The book also includes simple recipes that children can use, with adult supervision, to treat minor ailments--peppermint tea to soothe a troubled tummy or horse chestnut salve to heal a scraped knee. Children gain a sense of self-sufficiency and awe for the earth's treasures by eating wild nettle greens, sprinkling a sandwich with nasturtium flowers, making strawberry honey, and learning to season food with dill they've gathered themselves. Parents and teachers will appreciate how these earth-centered activities are placed within a broader social and environmental context. Sixty-seven full-color photographs enable children, parents, and teachers to identify these herbs during walks and field trips. Walking the World in Wonder gives children a direct and joyous experience of their connection to the natural world and inspires a lifelong interest in their own health and that of the planet.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-10
Length
160 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What are some of the most interesting plants you learned about in this book and why do they stand out to you?
If you could create a healing potion using any of the plants from the book, which ones would you use and what would the potion do?
How do you think plants are important to the world and to the people?
Which plant from the book would you like to see in real life and why?
How can we help take care of the plants around us after learning how important they are?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to describe the plants using their senses, discussing what they might look, smell, and feel like.
Connect the dots between the plants in the book and any houseplants or garden plants you have at home to make the information more relatable.
Ask open-ended questions that encourage your child to express their thoughts, feelings, and connections to the plant world.
Create a fun activity, such as drawing or making a collage of their favorite plants from the book to deepen their engagement.
Discuss the importance of plants to human life such as providing food, medicine, and clean air, stressing our role in protecting our environment.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Appreciation of Nature
Explanation: The book educates young readers about various herbs and their uses, fostering a deep respect and appreciation for the natural world.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by engaging in outdoor activities such as gardening, hiking, or participating in conservation efforts, enhancing their environmental awareness.
Example Lesson: Understanding of Herbal Benefits
Explanation: Through vivid descriptions and applications, the book provides knowledge about the benefits and uses of different herbs, educating children on natural remedies and the importance of plants in human health.
Real-World Application: Kids can use this information to adopt healthier lifestyle choices, understanding the role of natural herbs in nutrition and remedies for common ailments.
Example Lesson: Cultural Appreciation
Explanation: This book touches on the historical and cultural contexts of various herbs, helping children understand and appreciate the diverse ways cultures utilize nature.
Real-World Application: Children develop a broader world view and appreciation for different cultures, which can be demonstrated through their openness and curiosity about different cultural practices and foods.
Example Lesson: Scientific Inquiry
Explanation: Walking the World in Wonder encourages a scientific approach to understanding plants and herbs, prompting children to observe, question, and learn actively.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children apply a methodical approach to learning not just about nature, but in their academic subjects, bolstering critical thinking and investigative skills.
Example Lesson: Responsibility in Using Natural Resources
Explanation: The book promotes responsible use of natural resources, teaching children the importance of sustainability and conservation of the environment.
Real-World Application: This can be applied in everyday life through practicing recycling, responsible consumption, and conservation of resources like water and energy at home and in the community.