DIY Homeschooler

We are always on the lookout for useful books that are in the public domain, and as a result, we have gathered quite an assortment of free eBooks that are suitable for nature study. Some are guides, some present information in story form, and still others are more textbook in design. Whatever your personal interest, you won’t have a hard time finding a great fit!

As our site has grown (over the last 24 years!), we have been working on ways to make things easier to find. In the meantime, when it comes to nature study, we hope this guide will help you find some of our favorite nature resources:

General Resources

“Look About You” Nature Books {Free eBooks}
Series of three books for younger readers that takes a look at nature including plants, birds, insects, mammals, and more.

Nature Readers: Seaside and Wayside Book 2
Offers younger readers nature studies derived from various sea and land creatures.

Nature Stories to Tell to Children ~ Free eBook
Introduction to familiar plants and animals particularly for those children who live in the city.

Young Folks’ Nature Field Book ~ Free eBook
Arranged with nature readings for every day in a year. Perfect addition for nature studies!

An Introduction to Nature Study ~ Free eBook
If you have enjoyed our free nature study series based on the book Our Wonderful World, then you may enjoy An Introduction to Nature Study as a next step. This free eBook assumes no previous knowledge and takes an “observe and think” approach to nature study.

Common Objects of the Microscope {Free eBook}
The objects are mostly from nature, including plants, insects, fungi, and more.

Plants

Nature Study & Gardening by George W. Carver {Free eBook}
Interesting look at how to garden from a master gardener.

A Little Garden Calendar ~ Free eBook
Beautifully illustrated living book helping even the youngest children maintain their garden month by month.

Stories of Luther Burbank and His Plant School {Free eBook}
Great biography of a man very interested in wildflowers!

The First Book of Plants {Free eBook}
The books in the First Book series are amazingly complete introductions. Includes illustrations of plants with different types of roots, stems, fruit, and more.

First Studies of Plant Life ~ Free eBook
The author’s purpose in writing the book was to interest young students in plant life, not by teaching them something, but rather appealing to their curiosity and willingness to investigate.

Plants and Their Children ~ Free eBook
An illustrated introduction to plants for younger children that follows a regular school season.

The First Book of Trees {Free eBook}
Another in the First Book series covering identification, classification, and anatomy of trees.

Common Trees ~ Free eBook
Covers 50 trees and includes wonderful diagrams, illustrations, and vocabulary!

A Year in the Wonderland of Trees ~ Free eBook
What to look for in the world of trees each month, September through August!

Nature Study Made Easy {Free eBook}
A favorite on plants with lessons presented in story form including narration and labs.

North American Wild Flowers {Free eBook}
Covers thirty wildflowers found in North America.

Field Book of Western Wild Flowers {Free eBook}
Identification book that includes classification.

100 Desert Wildflowers {Free eBook}
Free public domain eBook that will introduce your child to plants he may not be familiar with.

Floral Illustrations of the Seasons ~ Free eBook
Beautiful illustrations of garden flowers as they bloom throughout the seasons.

Outlines of Lessons in Botany ~ Free eBook
For the Use of Teachers or Mothers Studying with Their Children, fosters observation.

Introduction to Botany {Free eBook}
All about plants, including classification, illustrations, and review questions.

Birds

A Book of Birds {Free eBook}
Picture book for the youngest.

Burgess Bird Book {Free eBook & Activities}
Told in story form, this a children’s favorite!

The Children’s Book of Birds {Free eBook}
Identification, anatomy, and more for younger readers.

Bird World: A Bird Book For Children {Free eBook}
Delightful resource for nature study for young children.

Little Friends in Feathers {Free eBook}
Illustrated with an introduction to 72 common birds you are likely to see around your home.

A Manual of Bird Study {Free eBook}
A description of 25 birds with an outline for study.

Fifty Birds of Town and City {Free eBook}
Beautiful full-color identification guide from the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Bird World: A Bird Book For Children {Free eBook}
A favorite covering various species and their identifying characteristics.

Bird Biographies {Free eBook}
Unique guidebook to 150 birds commonly found in the United States. Subtitled, A Guide-Book for Beginners: An Introduction to 150 Common Land Birds of the Eastern United States, this free eBook is more poetic in nature than others we commonly encounter.

First Book of Birds {Free eBook}
The books in the First Book series are amazingly complete introductions. Covers anatomy, eggs, nests, migration, and lots more!

The Bird Study Book ~ Free eBook
Provides everything you need to study birds, including how to teach bird study to children.

Bird Houses Boys Can Build {Free eBook}
Birdhouse construction plans, placement, food areas, birdbaths, and more.

Ducks at a Distance ~ Free eBook
Identifying waterfowl is easiest in the fall and winter seasons. Free guide to make identification easier.

For the Birds {Free eBook}
Free publication from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that encourages backyard bird watching.

Migration of Birds ~ Free eBook
Complete text on the topic of bird migration including the influences of weather, topography, and routes.

Insects

First Book of Bugs {Free eBook}
Tells you all about the creepy crawlies: crickets, beetles, flies, spiders, ants, moths and butterflies, wasps, and bees.

Our Common Insects ~ Free eBook
Develop thinking skills by reading, recording, drawing, illustrating, and discovering everything about the creepy crawlies in the backyard!

Elementary Study of Insects {Free eBook}
Introductory guide to entomology that includes narration ideas, observation instructions, and discussion questions.

A Text-Book Of Entomology ~ Free
Subtitled Including the Anatomy, Physiology, Embryology and Metamorphoses of Insects for use in Agricultural and Technical Schools and Colleges as well as by the Working Entomologist…. Well. I think you get the idea. This is truly a textbook for an older student but will work well at the high school level, or even middle school for those with an interest in bugs.

The Butterfly Book ~ Free eBook
Covers the anatomy and classification of North American butterflies.

Butterflies {Free Download}
Very complete but accessible study.

The First Book of Bees {Free eBook}
The books in the First Book series are amazingly complete introductions. Includes helpful illustrations and diagrams.

The Honey Bee ~ Free eBook
Everything you need to know about honey bees and over 80 illustrations.

The Structure and Habits of Spiders {Free eBook}
Simply but adequately covers habits, anatomy, and classification.

Entomology for Beginners ~ Free eBook
When you are ready to bump it up a notch, Entomology for Beginners will take you from interest to investigation — and it is free!

Young Collector’s Handbook of Ants, Bees, Etc. {Free Bug eBook}
With a focus on identifying, collecting, and classifying.

Fabre’s Book of Insects ~ Free eBook
Not only a course in entomology, but an example of nature study.

Insect Architecture {Free eBook}
Encourages “minute and careful attention” when observing the commonest things around us.

Animals

My Book of Ten Fishes {Free eBook}
Colorful picture book for the youngest.

Wilderness Babies {Free eBook}
Introduction to mammals for younger readers.

Christian Liberty Nature Readers 1 & 2 {Free}
Beginning readers that cover animals.

The Scripture Alphabet of Animals ~ Free eBook
Covers 33 animals found in the Bible.

Tracks and Tracking {Free eBook}
Illustrated guide showing how to identify common animals in your neck of the woods.

Tropical Fish Handbook ~ Free eBook
Maintaining an aquarium is not only educational but also restful! The Tropical Fish Handbook will get you started

Shells and Pebbles ~ Free eBook
What types of things do you find along the seashore? Ships and sails, waves, rocks, and shells and pebbles!

The Sea Shore {Free eBook}
Illustrated guide for exploring the fauna (and flora) around the sea.

Glimpses of Ocean Life {Free eBook}
Marine zoology is the focus. Suitable for older students.

Frederick Holder’s Marvels of Animal Life and Living Lights
A look at animal life and light.

Weather

Cloud Studies {Free eBook}
Great resource covering the classification and identification of clouds.

Gilbert Weather Bureau (Meteorology) ~ Free eBook
A book full of experiments to help students understand the principles of meteorology.

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Additional Resources

10 Ideas for Nature Study
What to do for those who would like more help.

Nature Index
Other nature resources.

Pocketful of Pinecones
Sometimes you just have to see something in action to understand how to implement it. Love this book by Karen Andreola — mostly because it helped me see what could be. Read our full review.

Free Bird Studies: Nests & Eggs ~ Complete Series
Nests and Eggs of Birds of the United States by Thomas G. Gentry provides a unique look at nests and eggs of birds in their natural setting. We have created a complete 50-week series of lessons using this book to learn about 50 birds, covering one bird each week.

Free Nature Studies: Our Wonderful World
Our Wonderful World by Emery Lewis Howe is a rich nature study book available for free download covering backyard neighbors, feathered friends, garden life, four-footed comrades, and the earth and its neighbors. By covering one chapter a week, there are 32 weeks worth of lessons.