Celebrate forests through science, art, and wonderful storytelling. Explore amazing animal bodies, dive into the oceans’ depths, and learn how plants and fungi solve some of our biggest problems. Looking for challenges and problems that you can solve? Dive in and help solve the greatest puzzle of all—the balance of our natural world!
If you want a great book for the Festive season or to welcome the New Year, here are some of our favourites – and some on our wishlist!
We the Forest by Sai Pathmanathan, illustrated by Sofia Iva
This stunning book arrived a couple of days ago and has certainly lived up to our expectations. It is a beautiful book filled with facts and interesting artwork. This book gives you a glimpse of the natural magic of forests but, at least for me, more interestingly, invites you to see forests through the eyes of artists.
It is a great book that you can use to introduce science concepts such as tree defences, friendly fungi, and the underground network. Then, you can use the artwork to see the forests through video artwork, paintings, and photos. Your child will love to explore the mysteries of the forests further through art prompts, such as drawing a unique pattern you find on a tree.
Love, love, love this book!
The Animal Body Book: An Insider’s Guide to the World of Animal Anatomy by Jess French
This book has been on the wishlist since it was published in June 2024. It looks great, and it is probably an extremely great book for developing a greater understanding of how amazing animal bodies are. Hopefully, Father Christmas will add it to our stockings!
Blue Heart by Nicola Davies
“An educational and entertaining series of poems providing readers an insight into the various species of whale living across the world. Each species is described through Nicola’s poetic responses to encountering them for the first time, accompanied by her own illustrations. Also included are factual notes detailed from Nicola’s years of experience working in the natural world.”
University of Cambridge: Beasts from the Deep by Matt Ralphs, illustrated by Kaley McKean
For all lovers of sea creatures, this book is absolutely fascinating, filled with mind-boggling insights into the weirdest and most interesting sea creatures that we have only recently been able to study!
“Dive down if you dare and discover the world’s strangest, scariest and most magnificent sea creatures in this breathtaking gift book from the University of Cambridge and Nosy Crow!”
Plants to the Rescue!: The Plants, Trees, and Fungi That Are Solving Some of the World’s Biggest Problems by Vikram Baliga & Neon Squid, illustrated by Brian Lambert
This is a great book for the Biomimicry Classroom!
“In the ongoing fight against climate change, plastic pollution, and diseases, scientists are turning to an unlikely ally – Plants to the Rescue!
Everyone knows plants are pretty cool. They create oxygen for us to breathe (fairly essential), provide us with trees to climb, and give us pretty flowers to put in vases. But it turns out that plants can do a whole lot more than that too! In this brilliant botany book by podcaster, TikToker, and plant professor Dr Vikram Baliga, get ready to drop your jaw on the floor when you find out about:
The spinach that can send emails
The trees used to create living bridges
The glow-in-the-dark plants that might one day light your home
You’ll also learn about the prickly cactus that can be turned into an eco-friendly bag and the fungi that like to feed on oil spills!
Perfect for anyone who loves nature and wildlife, as well as the scientists of the future – you won’t look at plants and trees in the same way again!”
The Forest of the Thousand Eyes by Frances Hardinge, Illustrated by Emily Gravett
Fiction at its very best. Warmly recommend books by Frances Hardinge. This is the perfect Boxing Day reading!
“The hungry Forest is moving forward like an army, a green and constant threat to the humans living in and on an increasingly crumbling Wall. Feather, accompanied only by her scaled ferret, Sleek, must avoid the Forest’s tentacles, and the many dangerous creatures it shelters, to return the community’s precious spyglass to its rightful place. Along the way, she develops her resilience, and meets other people living on the Wall, whose stories and experiences open her mind, and those of her community, to new horizons.”
Opportunities for Everyone: Lessons from Keystone Species with STEAM & Biomimicry Activities by Åsa Jomård & TheBeezyTeacher
Unlock the mystery of nature’s Keystone Species with this puzzle-themed adventure!
Just like a giant puzzle made of countless pieces, ecosystems rely on these special species to complete the big picture. In this fun and educational resource, students will discover how creatures like sea otters, jaguars, and humpback whales are the vital puzzle pieces that hold entire ecosystems together. With engaging biomimicry challenges and hands-on activities, students will piece together knowledge while creating their own masterpieces inspired by nature. Dive in and help your students solve the greatest puzzle of all—the balance of our natural world.
Text and images from Amazon.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is biomimicry?
Biomimicry is the practice of looking to nature for solutions, then applying what we learn to design and problem-solving. Instead of inventing from scratch, it means studying how plants, animals, and ecosystems have already solved a challenge — like staying cool, collecting water, or absorbing carbon — and adapting that strategy for human use.
How does biomimicry help address climate change?
Nature has been adapting to extreme conditions for billions of years, so many organisms already hold working solutions to problems we now face at a larger scale — cooling buildings without electricity (termite mounds), collecting water in drought (the Namib beetle), protecting coastlines from storms (mangrove roots), and capturing carbon (corals, forests, kelp). Biomimicry means studying those solutions and applying the same principles to human design.
How can children get involved in biomimicry?
Children don’t need special training to think like a biomimicrist — just curiosity and a habit of asking “how does nature solve this?” Simple ways to start include a backyard scavenger hunt for nature’s patterns, a “design-an-animal” challenge for a changing climate, or building a small model (like a passive-cooling structure or a water collector) inspired by something they’ve observed outdoors.
Is biomimicry only for scientists and engineers?
No — biomimicry is as much a mindset as a profession. Anyone can practice it by observing nature closely and asking design questions. Professional biomimicry practitioners apply it in architecture, materials science, and engineering, but the same core skill — careful observation followed by “what if we built it that way?” — is exactly what this post’s classroom and family activities are designed to build in children.
Åsa Jomård
In 2015, Åsa completed a course in Biomimicry: A Sustainable Design Methodology at Minneapolis College of Art and Design. With over 10 years of experience exploring nature for inspiration and as a former member of Ben, Biomimicry Education Network, she brings both academic background and creative teaching experience to her work. Her materials seamlessly integrate stories, nature observations, and design challenges, making them perfect for inquiry-led learning in early primary contexts.
AI was used as a Thinking Partner.