wildthings.jpg
Books set in nature like "Where The Wild Things Are" are becoming far less common, according to new research.

Does it matter? Natural world disappearing from kids books

BY Josh Kerns  on February 29, 2012 @ 9:25 am (Updated: 5:10 pm - 2/29/12 )

From wild animals to jungles and forests, a new study says kids books about nature are becoming a threatened species.

Researchers from several universities reviewed nearly 300 award winning children's titles written between 1938 to 2008. Study co-author, Prof. Chris Podeschi of Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, told 97.3 KIRO FM they found a troubling trend when comparing books written in the past to the near present.

"Earlier, the books were really sort of more nature centered, the settings chosen, the animals present were just more prominent," Podeschi said.

Books like "Where the Wild Things Are, "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" and "Little Red Riding Hood" have given way more and more to urban settings with fewer animals.

"We're just worried that along with grownups, now kids are increasingly isolated from the natural world in their actual experience."

And he said while there are plenty of great books still being written about the natural world, they worry people will ultimately stop caring about nature and animals as they turn increasingly to a technology centered world.

"We urbanize substantially, park visitation is down as a society, we turn to electronic gadgets that are more and more prominent in our lives," he said.

Not exposing kids to nature through books sparked plenty of conversation and disagreement among the Seattle's Morning News crew. Co-host Linda Thomas argues kids get a bum rap, and any reading is good reading.

"I just thought as long kids were reading or parents were reading to kids, you're ahead of the game there. I really think as long as kids are reading, it doesn't matter what they're reading," Thomas said.

Co-host Tom Tangney argues kids get plenty of exposure to nature from other places. He says his nephew's favorite show is "Dinosaur Train," a weekly exploration of natural environments and animals.

"I think there's a real push in all sorts of different platforms. Nature is more popular than ever," Tangney says.

"That's not nature, that's the nature channel...a screen is not the real world," replies co-host Bill Radke.

Josh Kerns, MyNorthwest.com Reporter
Josh Kerns is co-host of KIRO Radio's Seattle Sounds (Saturday nights 7-8) and a digital content producer for MyNorthwest.com.
More Local News
Top Stories

  • Sopranos Star Dies at 51
    James Gandolfini, the actor famous for "The Sopranos", died suddenly in Italy

  • More to the Story
    Liberace's ex-lover says the world will hear more of his story, and Michael Jackson's in there

  • A Skeptic's Doubts
    An ESPN columnist doubts Russell Wilson will ever be elite
MyNorthwest.com - Purpose of Comments statement
Bonneville Media encourages site users to express their opinions by posting comments. Our goal is to maintain a civil dialogue in which readers feel comfortable. At times, the comments can descend to personal attacks. Please do not engage in such behavior. We encourage your thoughtful comments which: have a positive and constructive tone, are on topic, are respectful toward others and their opinions. Bonneville reserves the right to remove comments which do not conform to these criteria.

Comments (6)


  • Add A Comment

  • 62moons62 wrote...
    good book for kids future
    February 29, 2012 2:56 pm
    is called 'Republicans Get Their Own Water'. It has nature in it and self-reliance.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Broyld wrote...
    interesting
    February 29, 2012 7:36 pm
    it's just a reflection on how society has changed over the decades i guess.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Jorgy57 wrote...
    animals in children's lit
    March 1, 2012 6:45 am
    I would tend to agree that the enw books coming out may lack nature, but I hope that parents, teachers, librarians, and anyone else purchasing childrens books will look beyond the new. My favorite book to read to my fisherman son was "A Hole in the Ocean" - maybe not a national best seller, but a delightful part of his childhood. He is graduating this year with a degree in Fisheries. Hmmm
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • trainer jon wrote...
    My Favorite Book
    March 1, 2012 7:42 am
    Growing up was "summer of the Monkeys". It was ready to me countless times. No picures either, just my imagination.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • saylean wrote...
    Kumar Joe the dancing crow
    March 1, 2012 8:50 am
    How can mynorthwest forget one of their own radio personalities books...Kumar Joe the dancing crow by David Boze (ktth the truth)? A classic tale with plenty of nature in it.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • cocos wrote...
    think outside the box
    March 2, 2012 2:04 pm
    "Co-host Linda Thomas argues kids get a bum rap, and any reading is good reading." So, if they're reading about violence, it's still considered "good reading"?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }