Why books and nature help your kids flourish.
Duke and Daisy have been busy finding excellent books and nature activities for kids. They love their job helping kids explore and grow with new adventures that make children happier and healthier. Let’s dive in and see what Duke and Daisy have for the kids today.
Reading is the first thing we find in Duke and Daisy’s Treasure Chest.
They think you may want to share these quotes with your kids.
“You can find magic wherever you look. Sit back and relax all you need is a book!” – Dr. Seuss
“If you are going to get anywhere in life you have to read a lot of books.” – Roald Dahl
“There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate’s loot on Treasure Island.” – Walt Disney
Arabel’s Raven by Joan Aiken
Arabel’s Raven tells the story of Mr. and Mrs. Jones and their daughter Arabel, and how they meet an eccentric raven who Mr. Jones takes home, and who becomes Arabel’s friend and pet. The story is full of humor and adventure, involving as it does, a plot line about a series of burglaries that affect the town where Arabel and her parents live. There are some beautifully eccentric touches like the fact that Mortimer likes to eat staircases, and the fact that he steals things and hides them under carpets. My children were particularly entranced by the fact that he eats the escalators at the local tube station.
Night Birds of Nantucket by Joan Aiken
Having had enough of life on board the ship that saved her from a watery grave, Dido Twite wants nothing more than to sail home to England. Instead, Captain Casket’s ship lands in Nantucket, where Dido and the captain’s daughter, Dutiful Penitence, are left in the care of Dutiful’s sinister Aunt Tribulation. In Tribulation’s farmhouse, life is unbearable. When mysterious men lurk about in the evening fog, the resourceful Dido rallies against their shenanigans with help from Dutiful, a cabin boy named Nate, and a pink whale.
The Wolves of Willoughby by Joan Aiken
Simon, the foundling from The Wolves of Willoughby Chase, arrives in London to meet an old friend and pursue the study of painting. Instead he finds himself unwittingly in the middle of a wicked crew’s fiendish caper to overthrow the good King James and the Duke and Duchess of Battersea. With the help of his friend Sophie and the resourceful waif Dido, Simon narrowly escapes a series of madcap close calls and dangerous run-ins. In a time and place where villains do nothing halfway, Simon is faced with wild wolves, poisoned pies, kidnapping, and a wrecked ship. This is a cleverly contrived tale of intrigue and misadventure.
They think you’ll enjoy the Bright Horizons article which is a great list of the reasons why playing outdoors in nature can benefit children intellectually, socially, emotionally, and physically.
Raven Fun
Danielle’s Place is the place to go for bird crafts and learning activities.
Iheartycraftythings gives instructions on making a handprint raven craft.
Fun with wolves
Enjoy the many games, crafts, and wolf facts with the wolf conservation center.
Kidzone is full of activities like wolves themed word activities and crafts to reinforce your child’s new knowledge about wolves!
Fun with whales
Littlefishblog is packed with 15 whale themed arts and crafts for kids
Wdcs is a great place for whale and dolphin activities
