Out of School and Into Nature

The Anna Comstock Story

Sleeping Bear Press

(pub. 3.15.2017)
32 pages

A True Tale with
A Cherry On Top  

A uthor: Suzanne Slade
      and illustrator:
       Jessica Lanan

C haracter: Anna Comstock

O verview from the jacket flap: 

     "This picture book biography examines the life and career of naturalist and artist Anna Comstock (1854-1930), who defied social conventions and pursued the study of science. From the time she was a young girl, Anna was fascinated by the natural world. She loved exploring outdoors, examining wildlife and learning nature's secrets. From watching the teamwork of marching ants to following the constellations in the sky, Anna observed it all. And her interest only increased as she grew older and attended Cornell University

       ... Eventually, Anna became known as a nature expert, pioneering a movement to encourage schools to conduct science and nature classes for children outdoors, thereby increasing students' interest in nature."

T antalizing taste: 
      

"So she decided to start by teaching the teachers. Anna grabbed her pen and wrote lessons about nature's marvelous mysteries.

     Caterpillars changing into graceful butterflies.

     Water freezing into six-sided snowflakes.

     Trees turning rain and sunlight into sweet sap.

Her lessons captivated curious teachers. Soon, nature classes sprouted up in schools everywhere."
  
and something more: The "More About Anna" section at the back of Out of School and into Nature explains that "Anna is one of only four women inducted into the National Wildlife Federation's Conservation Hall of Fame... Her beloved nature-study handbook has been translated into eight languages and reprinted dozens of times. Today children around the world still enjoy her book. Many of her readers have become nature teachers, keeping her passion for the environment alive."