The book, entitled “Natural History Collector: Hunt, Discover, Learn!” is full of expert tips on how to start, catalogue, care for and display your collections. Sections focus on: rocks and minerals; animal and bird tracks; seashells, fossils, insects, and plants. The book targets elementary through mid-school students. Each segment of Natural History Collector offers guidance on where to look for objects and what to look for. Each section includes a specific project like growing your own crystals, collecting rocks and minerals by region, making casts of animal tracks, pinning insects, drying, pressing and mounting plants.
A Book Signing and celebration is planned for Tuesday, December 19th from 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm. Meet the author, purchase a book for signing and try activities from the book.
Young Explorers Winter Day Camp on Thursday, December 21st from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm will allow young collectors to learn more about collecting and displays, get their complimentary book signed and see behind the scenes collections at the museum.
“This book is how-to guide to creating your own collections for young people who are curious about nature, and who have probably gathered a few treasures, either from the woods, beach, mesa, mountain or backyard and have them displayed on a shelf,” said author Sanchez, “Natural History collections usually start with one object that catches the eye, sparking curiosity about its origins. This book will help the young collector learn how to clean, store and display specimens about whatever magnificent objects that speak to life on Earth.”
In the book’s introduction, Sanchez writes, “In the years that I’ve worked at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, I’ve had the opportunity to talk to many children who maintain a collection. What I love best about discussing their collections with them is discovering how each one has learned to speak with authority and become an expert on his or her chosen subject. The same will be true for you.”
Full of beautiful graphics, and clear instructions, Natural History Collector: Hunt, Discover, Learn!” is published by Quarto Knows. The book is available for purchase in the NatureWorks Discovery Store located inside the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science. Book sale proceeds to benefit the Education Department.
