Mammals are out of the limelight in The Jumbo Book of Nature Science: not a bat or bear in sight. A toad creeps in, and spiders slip under the wire in the inexact category of “bug,” but the focus here is on birds, insects, and plants. One reason for this is that the material here appeared in three of Hickman’s earlier books, Birdwise, Bugswise, and Plantwise.

This new jumbo book emphasizes developing young naturalists’ close observational skills, sharpening ears and eyes with more than 100 all-season activities and experiments. Like other Hickman nature books, The Jumbo Book of Nature Science is strong on safety. The phrase “get an adult to help you” accompanies all directions involving sharp knives or high temperatures. While teachers or parents will find this a great source book for activities, the magazine-style format, with a high ratio of Judie Shore’s lively line drawings to text, lends itself to browsing. Kids can read through to find an activity that appeals to them – dissecting owl pellets, for example. Broad sections such as “Nature Outdoors,” “Nature Indoors,” and “Nature and You” produce a grab-bag effect: from endangered insects to dyeing with plants to feather collecting, all within the space of a few pages. But the index is a helpful navigational aid, and using it, the ant enthusiast, for example, can track down nine different entries. Along the way any reader is bound to pick up conversation-enlivening tidbits: Did you know ants are smarter than rats in mazes? After once finding their way, they remember it perfectly next time. Or: why is it that you can mow down grass close to the roots and it keeps on growing, but when you mow tomatoes, they rarely survive? Speaking of survival, as a former co-ordinator for the Federation of Ontario Naturalists, Hickman gently underscores for young nature enthusiasts the importance of membership in a conservation organization, in this case, the FON.