Handbook of Nature Study

by Anna Botsford Comstock, Verne N. Rockcastle (Foreword)

A matchless handbook for decades, this classic work has been the natural history bible for countless teachers and others who seek information about their environment. Written originally for those elementary school teachers who knew little of common plants and animals, and even less about the earth beneath their feet and the skies overhead, this book is for the most part as valid and helpful today as it was when first written in 1911―and revised in the spirit of its authors by a group of naturalists in 1939. After all, dandelions, toads, robins, and constellations have changed little since then! And modern society's concern with the quality of life and the impact of people on soil, water, and wildlife makes this book even more relevant. Nature-study, as used in this handbook, encompasses all living things except humans, as well as all nonliving things such as rocks and minerals, the heavens, and weather. Of the living things described, most are common in the northeastern states, and many, such as the dandelion, milkweed, and mullein, and the house mouse, muskrat, and red fox, are so widespread that people living outside the United States will recognize them easily. Anna Botsford Comstock very appropriately took the view that we should know first and best the things closest to us. Only then, when we have an intimate knowledge of our neighbors, should we, journey farther afield to learn about more distant things. Teachers and children will find the material in this book invaluable in that regard. Details of the most common, but in some ways the most interesting, things are brought out, first by careful, nontechnical descriptions of the things themselves and later by thoughtful questions and study units. Because the most common things are treated in greatest detail, materials for study are easy to find. Whether the reader lives in the inner city or in the rural outback, the handbook is a treasure trove of information. A teacher does not need to know much about nature to use this handbook. The information is there for the novice and the expert alike. All that is needed is an inquiring mind, senses to observe, and a willingness to think about nature on a personal level. To enter this book in search of information about any common organism, stone, or object in the sky is to open the door to a fresh and lively acquaintance with one's environment.

Genres: Nature, Science, Education, Nonfiction, Reference, Parenting, Childrens

912 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1911

About the author

Anna Botsford Comstock (1854-1930) was an acclaimed author, illustrator, and educator of natural studies. The first female professor at Cornell University, her over 900-page work, The Handbook of Nature Study (1911), is now in its 24th edition. Comstock was an American artist and wood engraver known for illustrating entomological text books with her her husband, John Henry Comstock including their first joint effort, The Manual for the Study of Insects (1885). She wrote Confessions To A Heathen Idol, published in 1906, under the name Marian Lee.

Reviews

[Carling Barker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Currently reading this with my kids who LOVE nature and we are all going to start our own field guide books to keep track of what we have learned & seen :)

[Mary Mimouna · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best resources available for parents and homeschoolers, and primary teachers who are looking for useful, practical ideas in teaching about plants, animals, earth, and sky.

[siriusedward · Rating 5 out of 5]

10 star worthy..

[Sherri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore this book. I haven't finished reading it yet because it is the kind of book that is best read in little snippets, but I can't say enough good about what I have read so far. The book is a compilation of essays/lessons written by a female professor at Cornell back I the early 1900s. I love the old fashioned language and the author's unrestrained love for the natural world which spills over into everything she writes. Sometimes she is really funny even though she is not trying to be because she is very opinionated about random/odd things. Though written so long ago, the information and ideas about how to learn and interact with animals and the natural world is surprisingly relevant. I love reading little bits of this book to my kids, some of whom seem to love the book as much as I do. The morning after I read them the chapter on hummingbirds, we were lucky enough to see one in the backyard. The fact that we had just read the chapter and learned a bit about the birds made the sighting much more fun and memorable.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-read as audiobook.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has already been a valuable resource, even in our beginning nature study. I look forward to using it more as we discover more!

[Abigail Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a stunning resource!

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful book gifted to me by a wonderful sister. This is an extensive nature guide for the layman. I believe it was originally published in 1939 and Cornell University had something to do with it. Her writing on nature is witty and informative; I seem to recall a particularly funny description of a badger. The book is broken up by animal, and includes questions for review for those using it as a study guide or textbook.

[Rivka D. · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of my shelf staples! A really great and handy guide.

[Alyssa Bohon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly a classic of living, intelligent nature study.

I'm quite pleased to have actually finished this book after slowly plugging away at it for almost six years, alternately by myself and aloud to the kids for school. Most of it I read on the Kindle version, which I bought to avoid heaving the hulking tome. Near the end, I was able to get some of the lovely separate volumes published by Living Book Press, and they are just the right size, with updated color photos added to the classic text.

I often found myself in awe of the way Comstock blended careful scientific detail with beautiful, captivating language. Even though there are tiny bits outdated here and there, it is quite solid science, and the outdated parts often serve to teach history (such as how metereology was done before GPS and the internet).

From the last chapter on the moon:

"Imagine this barren, dead world, chained to our earth by links forged from unbreakable gravity, with never a breath of air, a drop of rain or flake of snow, with no streams, nor seas, nor graced by any green thing --not even a blade of grass- a tree, nor by the presence of any living creature! Out there in space it whirls its dreary round, with its stupendous mountains cutting the black skies with their jagged peaks above, and casting their inky shadows below; heated by the sun's rays until hotter than the flame of a blast furnace then suddenly immersed into cold that would freeze our air into solid ice, its only companion the terrific rain of meteoric stones driven against it with a force far beyond that of cannon balls, and yet with never a sound as loud as a whisper to break the terrible stillness which envelops it."

[Parks and Education · Rating 4 out of 5]

A timeless classic that has been the preferred reference material for many decades among those seeking to delve into nature study. Originally written in 1911, Anna Botsford Comstock sought to inform other educators on how to incorporate nature study into their classrooms and cultivate a desire in their students to observe the natural world around them. Despite its age, The Handbook of Nature Study continues to be a source of relevant information on both the living and non-living specimens that the reader will come across in their daily lives.

We have found this book to be indispensable while conducting our own nature studies. My children have loved to look up the correlating pages after observing something new on their nature walks. This has and will continue to be one of the books we use the most in our home education.

[Summer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was impressed that my library had a 1960's edition of this century old book. I haven't read every single page, and I know that some of the scientific information is out of date, but this book is an absolute gem. Before reading, I didn't realize that it is geared towards school teachers. I am not a teacher, but as a parent who likes to take my kids outdoors I find this to be a great resource. I am so impressed by the author. What an undertaking! The writing is beautiful. And her philosophy for introducing children to the natural world is exceedingly well thought out and expressed in beautiful language. The pitiful state of publication is almost laughable when we consider that information like this has been available for a hundred years. Wow, just wow!

[Jasmine Shadows · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has such wonderful lessons. I still to this day pull this from my shelves and research so many different things. This is one that all families with any interest in nature and the study of nature should add to their shelves. This is even a book that I think those who aren't really interested in studying nature should consider reading. It may just make you want to get out there and take a hike. There were even some lessons that would bring a smile as you read them (i.e. the one about the skunk). This book is packed with wonderful information.

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is overlong and has only black and white pictures, some of which are too small to see the details. So much for the negatives. This book fans a spark of curiosity about nature and asks many questions designed to enhance our observation skills so that we see more of what we have been seeing all along. The author deliberately chooses plants and animals we are likely to see and adds a whimsical note to it all by quoting from literature, creating her own stories, or recalling childhood games. It was a delight that has spurred me on to take greater notice of God's wonderful creation.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I've only read the first part, and browsed the remainder, this excellent book serves as a teaching guide for nature study with basic information and questions regarding animals, insects, plants, etc. found commonly in North America. If you enjoy being outside and want to learn more about what you find in Nature, you can learn a lot from this book.

[Hilary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Essential Charlotte-Mason style companion, although I must push back against her constant fear of "teaching too much" and the specific (and exceedingly constrictive) restraints she specifies. To each (parent and child) their own, lady!

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

We use this book as a reference and read parts of it when we study a certain item. Not a book you would read cover to cover. Good information but just a bit much that the kids don't even turn to it. I use it to read aloud when doing a nature study on a particular item...krb 9/26/19

[Mariah Everett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great resource for Charlotte Mason style nature studies with kids. After perusing the massive amount of information in the complete black and white copy, I think it would be worth getting a full set of the colorized versions so that it would be easier to look up the material.

[Jennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very detailed complete book of nature, great resource!

[Kristine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I only read the first 24 pages of this book because the other 863 pages are reference material.

[Nelleke Plouffe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I use the Handbook of Nature Study as a reference for our homeschool Nature Study. The ideas contained in the introduction alone are worth the price of the book. It amazes me how valuable the nature information in this book is, even in this age of the internet. I think it's because the author loved nature. This is more than mere information. This is a living book with perspective, wisdom, and interesting detail.
I would like to see this book updated with better binding (hardcover would be nice) and many more (and clearer) illustrations. Here's an idea...maybe it could be divided into three or four smaller volumes suitable for taking along with your field guides on nature walks.
However, these are minor complaints. I highly recommend this book, especially used alongside the Handbook of Nature Study website.

[Laura Cheek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent handbook for studying nature with your children (or by yourself) - I guess the title is appropriate, eh?
It might be a little tedious to those who don't like to or won't read the introduction. The beginning includes lots of lofty philosophy about how to do nature study correctly - all of it excellent, but non-bookish people might balk at the old fashioned language and sheer volume of text to wade through. It is worth the read. Apply the principles and you will have an award winning nature program for your children, or the book could just sit on your shelf for decoration along with a birds nest and some leaves you found on a walk.

[Poiema · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great resource for nature study with children. It prepares the teacher to guide her students in developing obvservation skills via hands on exploration of nature. What I love about it is that the author doesn't come across as being didactic, but writes as someone who comes alongside the reader to share in the joy of discovery. The preface of the book, written directly to the teacher, is worth the price of the book. In it, she discusses the importance of nature study, not only for the benefit of the student but as a means of refreshment to the teacher. Highly recommended.

[Cecilia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely a great book. The way I read it is reading Part I to learn the concepts of teaching nature study and using the rest of the book as a reference. When kids are young, it is useless to feed them with knowledge. What is more important is to inspire their curiosity in learning the nature. I take my kid out for a walk and encourage discovery by herself, and reference back the parts of book that are related. I used a pretty old version, so pictures are black and white. I wish I could find a colored one.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing collection of useful information. I picked it up in my travels it's old A. F. and heavy a very dense book.
When you open it up and start leafing through you understand why.

I can't remember another book that has so much information on so many topics as this bible for anyone who spends time in nature. Regardless if you are a farmer or homesteader a wildcrafter a keener or just a student of life outside the house, this will cover the bases.

If it's not in the covers of this book you better call someone as you probably just discovered something new and unknown.

[A Hoppy Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars
I thought I'd never finish it. Lots of good information, unfortunately a lot of it is outdated, and some of it pertains only to New,York state.

[Deanna Sutter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a classic. This is my new favorite book for Biology. I need to get a copy of this. This book will now be our family's scholor book to teach biology.

This book is descriptive and answers all the questions we could ask about nature. This book is black and white and certainly not entertaining. I'm trying to remove the books out of my life that are entertaining and provide only "good or fair" reading material. This book will actually teach us about nature and biology.

[Chris Gager · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unlikely that this is the book I'm looking for but at least it's old enough to have been on the family bookshelves in the 1950's. I found my first nature book there and found it to be reasonably kid friendly. The book I'm referring to was not 7-900 pages and was hardbound and bigger than an encylopedia volume and may have been only about animals. I don't remember. Very engrossing... Date read is approximate.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I didn't exactly read it cover to cover yet, it's just one of those books you know that while it would take years to "finish", it will be used and used often. The introduction on how to teach nature study is phenomenal and necessary as the entire book is a necessity for every parent who wants their child to have a great relationship with nature.

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm starting the Green Hour Challenget and she directs folks to view or download the book here