Suggests projects and activities designed to teach children about observation, ecology, and nature Hug a Tree is a great book for introducing 2- to 6-year-olds to nature and the outdoors. It is filled with creative, yet simple and inexpensive activities to develop such important skills as observation, counting, classifying, measurement, and recognizing the changing seasons as well as the beauty and mystery of the outdoors. Activities are clearly explained and easy to follow, with a list of the equipment needed (often everyday household stuff), and there are extension ideas for further challenges. -- Green Teacher Unless you are a born naturalist yourself, the best way to help your children love nature is to share with them the superb book, Hug A Tree. It contains a wealth of activities to do outdoors with young children from age two upward. Early chapters lead children to appreciate their environment; later chapters focus on making observations, collection and recording data. Each activity has a suggested age level, a clear description of what will be done, and suggestions for follow-up learning. -- Sacramento/Sierra Parent and Seattle's Child What better gift can we as parents and teachers give this precarious earth than a generation of children who have learned to know and love the natural world? And better still, to help care for, it. You don't always need a deep dark woods or a sunny meadow to explore nature. Any area that contains a sprinkling of plant life can serve as an outdoor laboratory. Children can learn from living things everywhere. Each of the learning experiences in Hug A Tree has a suggested age level, a clear description of what will be done, and suggestions for follow-up learning. Special emphasis is placed on using natural environments for learning language, spatial and mathematical relationships, and much more. Robert Rockwell is the author of numerous books and articles addressing early childhood topics, including science education, language and literacy, fitness and nutrition, and parent involvement. He has conducted workshops throughout the United States, Europe, and Australia. He has been a frequent guest on radio and television programs advocating for young children and their caregivers.