Who Lives in Your Backyard?
on Goodreads (4)
What’s inside...
The Spotted Owl Press Discovering Animals Series introduces children ages 0-6 to various animals through vibrant illustrations and word association. Book 5 focuses on animals that live in backyards, encouraging kids to explore their surroundings and learn about the wildlife nearby. The book features a variety of backyard creatures, including squirrels, birds, frogs, butterflies, and hummingbirds, offering a fun and educational experience for young readers. The book includes a poetic verse that invites children to quietly observe the animals living around them, enhancing their awareness and appreciation of nature.
Age
4-8
Length
58 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What creatures do you think we might find in our own backyard? Why?
Can you imagine what these animals do during the day and at night?
How do you think these backyard animals feel during different seasons?
What can we do to make our backyard a safe place for these creatures?
If you could be one of the animals from the book, which one would you be and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading to make the backyard creatures come alive. Alter your voice for different animals to make the reading session more interactive and fun.
After reading, take your child outside to explore your own backyard. Encourage them to look for signs of animal life and relate it back to the book.
Encourage your child to draw or create their favorite backyard animal from the book. Discuss the animal's habitat and habits as they draw.
Ask your child to guess what might happen next in the story before turning the page, stimulating prediction skills and keeping them engaged.
Relate the animals' behavior in the book to similar human behaviors to help your child make personal connections with the text.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Biodiversity awareness
Explanation: The book guides children through different backyard environments showcasing various animals and insects, emphasizing the variety of life in familiar settings.
Real-World Application: Children learn to appreciate and respect the different creatures, big and small, they encounter in their own backyards, promoting environmental stewardship.
Example Lesson: Curiosity and exploration
Explanation: By asking 'Who lives in your backyard?', the book encourages children to observe their surroundings and ask questions about the natural world.
Real-World Application: This natural curiosity can lead to exploration and learning in other areas of their lives, nurturing a lifelong love for discovery.
Example Lesson: Conservation and responsibility
Explanation: The story introduces the concept of a habitat and the role each creature plays in maintaining the balance of their environment.
Real-World Application: Children are taught the importance of conservation, understanding that their actions can impact the world around them, fostering a sense of responsibility towards nature.
Example Lesson: Empathy for living things
Explanation: As children learn about the creatures in the backyard, they begin to understand and empathize with the needs and challenges different animals face.
Real-World Application: This empathy can extend to their interactions with people and other animals, promoting kindness and understanding in their everyday relationships.