Best nature reads to help you #OptInside

Articles

Kids

​Ranger Rick​ has long been regarded as a phenomenal stepping-stone for young readers since its first issue in 1967. This publication was presented the Parents’ Choice Gold Award in 2020 for their factual and fun approach to teaching kids about the outdoors. These magazines cater to the ages 0-4 (Cub), 4-7 (Ranger Rick Jr.) and 7-12 (Ranger Rick). With a variety of characters and friends, kids are able to follow along in the magazines easily while learning interesting animal facts along the way. These magazines inspire kids to engage in hands-on learning and utilize their observational skills when exploring.

Teens

Teenagers are often exposed to literature that is above or below their comprehension level which can lead to confusion and boredom. Articles relating to nature increasingly focus on the bad things (climate change, pollution) rather than the aspects of nature that make it enjoyable to learn about. ​Science News for Students​ is an online directory that houses an abundance of articles relating to all things science. In the top right corner of their home-page, you can select “Life,” and then a sub category (“Animals,” “Plants,” etc.). From here, there are seemingly endless articles on subjects to keep teens interested. Why not check out an article on the voltage capacity of eels? Or what narwhals sound like underwater?

Adults

As mentioned earlier, it can be difficult to find articles that are both informative and interesting to read. If you’re going to skim through literature, why not indulge in some material that is also engaging? ​National Geographic​ is a fantastic classic choice in this category. Another option is Minnesota Conservation Volunteer . MCV is a conservation magazine that covers Minnesota and surrounding midwestern states. The topics being addressed are relevant to what midwestern explorers would actually find when on their travels. Best of all, their DNR-based website allows access to articles without a subscription. It includes new and archived articles, poems, and wildlife photography submitted by various patrons.

Fiction

Kids

Owl Moon​ ​by Jane Yolen is a Caldecott award-winning book, and for good reason! It contains wonderful illustrations and a heartwarming story about a father & daughter exploring the north woods. Its sentiment is found through the silence of the characters and the captivating sounds of a Great Horned Owl on a clear winter’s night. This powerful book reminds the young reader that amazing wildlife can be discovered through silence and patience. Another notable fiction title is​ The Road Home ​by Katie Cotton. This book delves into the various methods that animals use survive in the wild. It relays to the reader that survival is difficult, but with the help of your caregivers, there is always a way to make it back home safely. The watercolor illustrations and gentle rhymes offer a cozy reading experience for both kids and adults!

Teens

Aside from the very popular Hatchet and My Side of the Mountain series, another great read for teens is Incident at Hawk’s Hill​ by Allan W. Eckert. This book is an easier read than the prior two, and explains the story of a two year old who becomes lost in the Canadian wilderness and is adopted by a badger. This book was based off a true story and is a riveting tale of survival and unlikely friendship.

Adults

A unique fiction book for adults is ​The Hungry Coast​ ​by Marlais Olmstead Brand. This collection of folklore tales takes place on the North Shore. It offers a more philosophical perspective on experiences we encounter on a daily basis. Moreover, it delves into how these experiences intertwine with nature and the spiritual world. This book is recommended for open-minded readers who want to question the unknown while traveling along a familiar shore.

Nonfiction

Kids

Great nonfiction books for kids need to touch upon the most fascinating facts. ​Fun With Nature​ by Mel Boring does just that, by providing kids with tips for finding animals, vibrant illustrations, and sections for scrapbooking throughout its pages.

Teens

A Sand County Almanac​ by Aldo Leopold is the perfect read for the up-and-coming naturalist. Set mostly in Baraboo, Wisconsin, Leopold journals the tiniest details about the flora and fauna. These observations are written down in a way that keeps the reader captivated and curious, as well as invites them to be more aware of their surroundings by the end of each chapter.

Adults

Every book by Sigurd F. Olson has ultimately been regarded as a classic, but one specific work of his that stands out is ​Reflections from the North Country​. Set in the Boundary Waters (Quetico Superior) Wilderness, Olson invites his readers to explore the same places he did while growing up. This book gives the reader reasons to find value in every piece of forest, lake, and river, as they make soul connections to their own places of outdoor solitude.