Nature Themed Books
FATIMA'S GREAT OUTDOORS
Written & Illustrated by Ambreen Tariq
Not in Allegheny County? Find your PA county library here.
Reviewed by Stella Barrett:
A young Indian girl is struggling with her family’s move to America and feeling very different at school. On a camping trip with her family, she is able to regain her self-confidence and have fun with her family. She finds that she has “super powers” when she is in the woods because she was able to start a fire, pitch a tent, and was not afraid of a spider. This story is roughly based on the author’s life, who founded @brownpeoplecamping, a social media initiative that advocates for greater diversity, equity, access, and social justice in the outdoors.
Nature Boost: Ambreen Tariq with Fatima Colindres
Stella Barrett, SCA School Greening Fellow
Stella Barrett assists with the creation and execution of learning activities at WPC's School Grounds Greening sites. Her degree in environmental education and experience in early childhood education makes her a great fit for our School Grounds Greening crew. During her time here she has helped host Pumpkin Patch events in local early childhood centers, planted many trees and plants, and aided in connection building between WPC and schools and teachers. She brings her school grounds greening work to early education centers as well as elementary school and middle school learners across Western Pennsylvania.
Other Connections
The Allegheny County Nature Explorers program is a collaboration among Allegheny County Library Association (ACLA), Allegheny Land Trust and Allegheny County Parks. Available in many different themes, Nature Backpacks includes kid-friendly tools that support observation, such as hand lenses and binoculars, as well as a guide with activity suggestions and literacy connections, such as journaling prompts and book list. Nature backpacks are available through the Allegheny County Library system and searchable through the online Library Catalog– search for “nature backpack” to see all of the available themes.
Time-sensitive connections:
Brown people camping website: @BrownPeopleCamping
Interview with the author and an NPS ranger: Ambreen Tariq interview
Read-aloud: Fatima’s Great Outdoors