The Wonder Book of Nature

Some damage to spine.  Book intact. About to have it's 100th birthday.

"There was a period around the turn of the last century, say circa 1890 to as late as 1920 or after, when books as physical objects became things of great beauty. The Arts and Crafts Movement was, I suppose, largely to thank for the care given to the design of covers, end-papers and clear, elegant typeface. Coincidental with this improvement in design came an outpouring of didactic publications which seem to reflect the scientific optimism of the times.

This book is an example of that spirit. It is one of a series of Wonder Books written with youngish children in mind, published around a century ago. In the form of a series of short essays on various aspects of the natural world, it flits from subject to subject with rather endearing distraction. Isnt Nature wonderful! Everything is fascinating! So the story of the salmons journey upstream is followed by a chapter on Wonders of the Microscope; Trees You Should Know tumbles on the heels of a piece about rattlesnakes and another called Tails And Their Uses. There are notes and essays on Mount Vesuvius, crocodile farms, grasses, The Cleverness of Insects, the seashore, spiders, dormice and The Romance of the Palm Tree. Plus all sorts of others. Its a delight to dip into, a book for the short attention span and wide enthusiasm of children and some adults." - Dancing Beastie 

Please check my other listings as I gladly combine items.

https://www.bobshop.co.za/seller/1431565/Human01