If I can only afford ONE book to get me started in nature study...

[mo2]

with my 6yo, what should it be?

[King Alfred Academy]

Handbook of Nature Study by Comstock AND Barb's Green Hour Challenges (http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/HarmonyArtMom/) (located on her website)!

[Chris in VA]

Cindi Rushton's Nature Study the Easy Way, then get some field guides from the library, and use internet sources for id of birds' songs, leaves, etc.

Nature study the Easy Way (scroll about 1/2 way down) (http://www.cindyrushton.com/onlineshopping.html)

Internet birds' songs (http://www.enature.com/birding/audio.asp)

[Trivium Academy]

I agree, there is not a more comprehensive book out there and Barb is an excellent tutor!

[Alana in Canada]

The Handbook is available for download:
http://www.archive.org/details/handbookofnature002506mbp

It may well be worth it to purchase it though as it would take an enourmous amount of ink and paper to print.

[Sue G in PA]

I just got my copy of Handbook of Nature Study and I must agree that it is a "must have". THICK book, full of great information and organized "lessons" to systematically do nature study. I also really like Clare Walker's Keeping a Nature Journal. I will be purchasing Nature Study the Easy Way b/c I need something, well, EASY!

[Mamabegood]

If you're on a budget, I bought these two books from Amazon and they were 80% off (4.99 each). They came today, and they're gorgeous. Hardback, with beautiful illustrations.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BTH4U4

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000IOEZTA

[Audrey]

I would go with Rushton's book, too. You can get the Handbook of Nature Study for free as a download (which someone else posted - thanks!).