Nature Journal Inspirations

A Nature Journal—a written and pictorial record of things one observes in nature—is a foundation of Charlotte Mason’s science study. Though I loved the idea when I heard it, my perfectionist tendencies made me put off actually getting started. What kind of supplies do we need? What should we actually draw or write in our journals?

Two books helped me get going and continue to inspire me. The first is Wild Days by Karen Skidmore Rackliffe, available from Amazon or from here. Karen’s descriptions of her outdoor adventures with her children are illustrated with drawings, watercolors, and descriptions of plants and animals. It is a fantastic how-to book.

My second inspiration is The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady by Edith Holden. Edith’s diary is what I want my Nature Journal to look like when it “grows up”! Beginning in January, she has poetry, weather observations, quotes, and beautiful watercolor illustrations for each month of the year.

Though not necessarily inspirational, field books are definitely helpful. I like the Peterson’s First Book of ----- series because they are simple enough for a child to use. Anita Comstock’s Handbook of Nature Study must be mentioned here as well. Although it is mostly text, with small black and white pictures, it is full of delightful stories to introduce a child to new things.

With these tools, we have compiled our notebooks—though often in fits and starts. We like to put the correct name (if we can find it) of the specimen, including its Latin name. Then we add notes about when and where we saw each plant or animal, and information about its characteristics. Here are two pages from my nature journal. Although it's not much compared to Edith Holden's, it's been a delight to make.