A Year Around The Great Oak

A Year Around The Great Oak

Anna and Benjamin live in the city but love to stay with their cousin Robin in the countryside. Robin takes the children to see his favourite tree in the nearby forest: a 300-year-old giant oak.

Each time the children visit, they are amazed at how the forest and the mighty oak changes with the seasons. In autumn, they build a cosy den in the tree's roots to watch the squirrels. In winter, they learn to ski in the shelter of the forest. In spring, they search the forest for animals. But some creatures can be dangerous, and one night, the old oak tree helps Benjamin when he discovers something he wasn't expecting.

Join Anna and Benjamin as they spend the seasons with the great oak tree, and discover the fascinating plants and animals that live around it.

This new, expanded edition of A Year Around the Great Oak is a compelling combination of engaging story and educational information to delight and teach readers. Discover new detailed and accurate illustrations and fascinating fact pages, alongside the wonderful seasonal story from Gerda Muller, creator of the beloved Seasons board books, A Year in Our New Garden and How Does My Garden Grow?

Author: Gerda Muller

Gerda is an acclaimed Dutch children’s author and illustrator. Born in 1926 in Naarden, Netherlands, Gerda studied at the Fine Arts School of Amsterdam and L'École Estienne of Paris and has lived in France for over 70 years. Gerda's greatest inspiration is her love of nature and her picture books are treasured for their vibrant and detailed illustrations of the natural world. Gerda has illustrated over 120 books for children many of which have been translated into multiple languages. She is the creator of The Wildwood Elves, The Town Musicians of Bremen, The Sorcerer's Apprentice, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, the wordless Seasons board books, Where Do They Go When It Rains? and A Year in Our New Garden, a USBBY Outstanding International Book.

Book Details:

  • Publisher: Floris Books
  • Format: Hardback
  • Print length: 40 pages
  • Dimensions: 23.88 x 1.52 x 30.48 cm
  • Reading age: 4-7 years old
  • Publication date: 12 Sep 2019
  • ISBN: 9781782506027

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How can "A Year Around The Great Oak" help in teaching this free Year 1 Science "Seasons" lesson?

Author: Gerda Muller

"A Year Around the Great Oak" by Gerda Muller can be an excellent resource for teaching the Year 1 Science lesson on seasons due to its engaging narrative and rich illustrations. Here’s how it can enhance the lesson:

Connection to Seasons

  • Seasonal Changes: The book vividly depicts the changes in nature throughout the four seasons, showcasing how plants and animals adapt. This aligns perfectly with the Year 1 curriculum, which focuses on understanding seasonal variations.
  • Visual Learning: The detailed illustrations help young learners visualize the differences between seasons, making abstract concepts more concrete.

Interactive Learning

  • Discussion Prompts: Teachers can use the story to prompt discussions about what students observe in their own environments during different seasons. Questions like "What changes do you notice in your backyard?" can encourage personal connections to the material.
  • Storytelling Elements: The narrative format of the book makes learning about seasons enjoyable and relatable, fostering a love for nature and storytelling.

Activities and Engagement

  • Art Projects: After reading, students can create their own seasonal art inspired by the illustrations, reinforcing their understanding of seasonal characteristics.
  • Nature Walks: The book can serve as a springboard for outdoor activities where students observe and document seasonal changes in real-time.

In summary, "A Year Around the Great Oak" not only provides a delightful story but also serves as a multifaceted educational tool that supports interactive learning about seasons in a Year 1 Science lesson.

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