Front matter
Class.
Book.
Copyright N°_
Part I — Autumn Page
The Leaf Dresses 11
Autumn Leaves 13
Getting Ready for Winter 15
The Carpenter 18
Seeds 19
The Walnut Tree 23
A Thanksgiving Talk 23
What Shall We Do Thanksgiving? 26
Happy Autumn Days 28
Kindergarten Baking Exercises 29
Apple Pie 30
The Loaf of Bread 31
Little Lillian Edna Blue 34
The Squirrel Family 37
The First Gift Balls 43
The Little Balls as Fruits 44
The Six Balls 45
The Second Gift 46
My Cat 49
A Little Rosa Bonheur 50
Part II— Winter Jack Frost 55
What the Coal Said 56
11 CONTENTS
Page
Mending Day , 60
A Snowflake Story 62
Little Snowfl akes 65
Story of the Christ Child 66
Christmas Welcome 68
Santa Claus' Helper 69
The New Year Talk 71
The Little New Year 72
Abraham Lincoln 72
Our Flag 76
George Washington 77
Brave Washington 79
What Became of the Teapot? 80
Modern Eve's Dress 83
A Morning Talk About Cloth— Wool 84
Silk 85
Linen 87
Cotton 89
Seeing Good in Others. 90
Studying Nature 93
The Lumbering Industry 94
Part III — Spring Spring is Coming 101
The Easter Talk 101
Furry Little Caterpillar 103
The Caterpillar 104
The Butterfly Talk 106
Blue Bird 108
Pussy Willows / 109
CONTENTS 111
Page
Alice and the Leaves 109
Little Pussy Willow 115
Linnaeus 116
Planting the Seed 120
The Hen and the Turkey 123
Spring Rain 128
Reading the Flowers 129
Uncle George's Story of the Birds 130
Birds so Gay . 134
Robins, Blue Birds and Blue Jays 135
The Nest Builders 139
The Swallow, Oriole and Woodpecker 140
A Dream Poem 145
A Morning Talk About Birds — Part 1 147
Talks About Birds—Parts II and III 148
Classes of Birds 151
The Wren and Brown Thrush 152
Froebel 155
The Evolution of the Apple 156
Potato Planting 160
The Bees 161
Little Brown Bees 163
All is Mine 164
Part IV— Summer The Summer Time 169
The Pigeons 170
Summer Rain 173
Story of the Snail 174
The Three Fishes 177
IV CONTENTS
Page
The Fishes 180
Clover Blossom Borders 180
The Swing 183
Little Bird Tell Me 183
The Spider and His Ways 185
Robert Bruce and the Spider 188
The Conquered Lesson 191
Getting Rid of the Sweet Peas 192
The Dandelion 195
Studying in the Woods 197
A Boy's Toy Store 204
Sponges 205
A Nature Lover 207
Our Pet Dogs 209
The Child's Question 213
The Mother's Answer 214
Our Shoes 215
Leather 217
Milk, Butter and Cheese 219
If You Would Be Healthy 223
Where Our Rubbers Come From 224
Good Night, Dear World 226
Preface
Through the medium of the story, the deepest truths of science can be brought to the child in such a way that 'his mind will readily grasp the meaning.
Many of these stories were originated for use in my schools and kindergartens; others, including all of the poems, for use later on, in my home, for instruction and entertainment of my own children.
Friends have requested me to publish them, and I have done so, in hopes that they would be instrumental in drawing many children nearer to Nature, and from Nature to Nature's God.
Little folks are eager to hear stories, and it seems wiser to present those calculated to interest them in the world around them; for it is through the systematic study of Nature that their minds are to be developed.
The value of rhymes in child literature can not be overestimated.
If they are too young to read, the mother should repeat them to her children and
6 PREFACE.
when they are old enough, they should read the verses for themselves. These poems should interest them in the living things around them, and be the means of helping to find their activities in Nature.
Verses for children should be of simple construction, and language adapted to their understanding; thus they are awakened to the beauties of Nature.
This little volume is intended as a help to teachers and mothers.
The busy mother is often at a loss to find something at hand for the entertainment and instruction of her children.
She wishes to give them Nature Stories and talks for the different seasons of the year ; but may be too busy to plan the undertaking of systematic, seasonable lessons.
The teacher in the schoolroom can not have too many helps for her important work with children.
To teachers of the smaller cities and of rural schools (who do not have access to libraries), such a work must fill a long felt need.
PREFACE.
The busy teachers of larger cities require helps on Nature Study just as much; for in their vocations, there is but little time for outlining such lessons, and constantly visiting the libraries for something new.
This volume divides into four parts, beginning with Autumn, the time of the child starting to school.
This is followed by the Winter, Spring and Summer departments of stories and verses, coming in the order of the year's school work.
As will be seen by the perusal of the book, it contains Nature Study adaptable to the kindergarten and first four grades.
It is also recommended as supplementary reading for the child at home or at school.
Great stress is laid upon the humane treatment of animals; and the child is taught, through these lessons, not only how to live and see and learn, but of his own true relationship to all life in general.
In many states, teachers are now required to give pupils such instruction, and helpful suggestions may be found here.
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