Wonderful Nature, Wonderful You is wonderful on so many levels – a read-aloud, bibliotherapy (books to help children deal with life), information (a wealth of facts about nature), and breath-taking illustrations. I remember listening to Christopher Canyon speak at a conference in Columbus Ohio a couple of years ago and hearing him talk about sitting in his studio in the wee hours of the morning painting individual hairs on a cat. He wondered if anyone would notice or care. Yes, the do. It shows and it makes a difference!
— Learning Explorations – Barbara Geiger, President (May 2005)
This beautifully illustrated book tugs at your heart strings as it points out that the differences in nature are normal. This encourages readers to accept themselves just the way they are, thus empowering them to feel comepetent and safe with their won strengths, uniqueness and gifts. There are many animals, facts and lessons of nature that teach us about ourselves throughout the book. It is a must read.
— ECO Institute – Earthworm
Nature can be a great teacher, reminding us to do things at our own pace and to bloom where we are planted. With a light touch especially suited for children, Karin Ireland explores the lessons of nature and finds their relevance to all of us. She shapes the qualities of nature into a metaphor for positive values and self-esteem. Christopher Canyon wonderfully captures the spirit of the animals with the magic of fourteen superb full-color paintings. Wonderful Nature, Wonderful You is highly recommended for ages 6 to 12.
— The Midwest Book Review – The Children’s Bookwatch
What better way to teach children their specialness than through nature and its wonders? This book shows how children can learn about their own uniqueness by comparison to nature’s changes and differences. Karin Ireland brilliantly describes the strengths and attributes of specific animals while moving children to recognize their own qualities.
For example, she describes how “ants can carry pieces of food that wiegh more than they do. If there is an obstacle in their path they just find a way to get past it to complete what they set out to do.” The child is encouraged to try something different whenever things don’t work out as planned.
On the opposite page, interesting facts are described pertaining to the specific animal’s family life, habitat and peculiarities. Did you know that snakes can’t see well so they would rather lie still and wait for food to pass by than hunt for it? Or that “opposums have as many as 14 babies at one time and they are carried in their mom’s pouch?” Or that “70 to 80% of the time the lion’s dinner escapes him?”
Wonderful Nature, Wonderful You is filled with powerful messages that help strengthen children’s self-esteem. It stresses perserverance, patience, doing your best, as well as trusting yourself.
Sensitively written and flavoured with topical illustrations, this book will captivate, inform and ultimately delight the child in everyone.
— Home and School News
A wonderful way to teach children important lessons about life by examining the attributes of specific animals (and thus teaching about the animals). Beautifully illustrated.
— Children of the Earth (childrenoftheearth.org) (April 2008)