Nature's Book Nook

Many of these books can be found on PrairieCat; many are available for as little as 1 cent or 99 cents from booksellers on Amazon (with $3.99 for postage and handling).

For Kids:

In the Woods: Who’s Been Here?
Lindsay Barrett George

Cammy and William don’t see any wildlife in the woods, but there are signs. Find the clues.

Leaves: An Autumn Pop-Up Book
Janet Lawler & Yoojin Kirn
Lindsay Dale Scott, illus.

Autumn: A Collection of Poems, Songs and Stories for Young Children
Jennifer Aulie, Intro

Owl Babies
Martin Waddell
Patrick Benson, illus.

Three owlets awaken to find their mother gone.

Owls
Gail Gibbons

Explores the mysterious world and workings of numerous species of owls, their habitats, life styles, birth, development and environmental hazards threatening certain species.

Owl: A Year in the Lives of American Owls
Paul Bennick, award photographer

A tribute to owls and a call to action.

Kids and Families
October/November 2017
Beginning Birder  |  Get Linked In

Audubon in the Library

Wildlife Wednesdays, 10:30 — 11:00 a.m. at the Freeport Library, 100 E. Douglas

Appropriate audience is two– to seven-year-olds

Ms. Juliet hosts a monthly series called Wildlife Wednesdays at the Freeport Public Library. Each month has a different theme related to nature and wildlife. She will read various books related to the theme and then show the children specimens that they can touch. There are also activities that can be done at home to continue the learning!

Fun with Fungi Wolves and Other Wild Dogs

Family Fall Hike – Saturday, Nov. 4

Meet in Front of the Mogle Center at Oakdale Nature Preserve

4433 S. Cranes Grove Road
Leader: Juliet Moderow

We will lead a hike around Oakdale and look for birds and other fall creatures before the snow arrives! We will have binoculars for the kids and family members to use and nets/jars to observe any critters we can find. Participants should dress appropriately for the weather with good hiking footwear. A parent or guardian needs to be present with the children at all times.

Family Fall Hike

Beginning Birder

Turkey Vulture
Cathartes aura

Turkey Vulture The naked red heads of the adult turkey vulture look like those of turkeys but they are not the same. The Turkey Vulture is a large bird that soars in the sky and likes to eat carrion (the dead body of an animal). You might see one soaring high in the sky and holding the wings in a little bit of a V-shape.

Fun Facts*

  • They do not build nests but lay eggs on the ground, in hollow logs, in caves, under fallen trees or abandoned buildings.
  • They prefer to eat carrion (dead animals). Cathartes means “purifier.”
  • They like to hang out in groups or “roosts.” Roosts can be small or up to several thousand!
  • If the weather is really hot, they will sometimes defecate on their feet to cool them off. Look up the word “defecate.”
  • If a Turkey Vulture feels afraid or threatened, the way they protect themselves is by vomiting their food, which they can send sailing up to 10 feet! Even baby vultures can do this. Vulture vomit is an effective way to scare off predators.
  • Some people call the Turkey Vulture a “buzzard,” but this is not correct.
  • They have a great sense of smell and can pick up the smell of a dead animal from high up in the air.

* Information adapted from Nature Mapping Foundation.

Get Linked In

Children, Nature and You Resources to help you give the children you influence the awe and wonder that only the natural world can inspire

Freeport Park District Information on all the Freeport parks

Freeport Public Library More than books on a shelf...visit the Freeport Public Library

Freeport Outdoor Experience Events located in Freeport and Stephenson County

Getting Kids Involved (The Cornell Lab of Ornithology) Includes bird information, tips, and more for kids and families

Jane Addams Recreation Trail Ride or Hike the beautiful Jane Addams Trail

Jane Goodall’s Roots and Shoots A program of the Jane Goodall Institute offering a variety of programs and resources

NASA Climate Kids to tell the story of our changing planet through the eyes of NASA missions studying Earth and provides games, activities, and articles that make climate science accessible and engaging for children

National Audubon for Kids provides resources for classroom curriculum, DIY activities, and bird activities for children at home

National Wildlife Federation Many family-friendly articles; Ranger Rick family magazine

Resource Guide Supplement to Last Child in the Woods Designed for parents, teachers, and community leaders to help them encourage children’s enjoyment of the great outdoors.

Severson Dells Nature Center Located near Rockford, IL.

Sierra Club Outdoors The program's goal is to give every child in America an outdoor experience.

World Migratory Bird Day Learn about the importance of migratory birds and how to celebrate birds any day of the year!

Family Activity

Autumn Scavenger Hunt of the Senses

Make a list or, better yet, a chart with picture:

  • To Find: pine cone, acorn, red leaf, apple, twig, feather (and any other color leaf or any item to add)

  • To Look For: Spider web, a leaf falling to the ground, clouds, a bug

  • To Listen For: Leaves under feet, wind in trees, chipmunks and squirrels scampering through leaves, calls of birds of fall/winter – bluejays, crows, chickadees, etc.

  • To Smell: pine, cedar, a fall flower, decomposing leaves

Then go home, have some hot chocolate and talk about your findings.

Calendar

News
and Events

Check out our full calendar of activities, events, and educational opportunities. You're sure to find something to interest you. Please join us!

Events include:

  • Monthly educational programs and issues discussions
  • Local bird walks
  • Field trips
  • Preserve work days

For more details, see the current newsletter.

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Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023
Program: Hidden Prairie: Photographing Life in One Square Meter... >

Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023
Christmas Bird Count... >

Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023
Beginning Birder Club- Bird Movement - REGISTRATION CLOSED - Contact for waitlist... >

Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024
Program: Birds and Beauty in Arizona... >