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Books for Nature Journaling & Noticing Nature
Books can be a quiet companion to nature journaling.
They can offer ideas, encouragement, and new ways of seeing - or simply deepen that sense of connection with the natural world.
Some help with the practical side of keeping a nature
journal…
- what to notice
- how to begin
- how to continue
Others are less about journaling itself, and more about observation - about paying attention, understanding the landscape, seasonal wildlife, and finding meaning in small, everyday encounters with nature.
And if you're new to nature journaling, books can be a gentle way to begin - offering guidance, ideas, and reassurance as you develop your own practice.
This is a small collection of books I’ve found helpful and inspiring along the way.
You don’t need to read them all (or any) - just follow what draws you in...
Book ideas for nature journalers
Books to Help You Start Nature Journaling
(Beginner-friendly, practical)
If you’re just beginning, these books offer simple guidance, ideas, and encouragement to help you start your first pages...
The Laws Guide to Nature Drawing and Journaling - by John Muir Laws
- Large and comprehensive book about nature journaling and nature drawing
- I started with this book and went on to train to teach nature journaling with John Muir Laws' Wild Wonder Foundation
- Suitable for beginners - jam packed with exercises and information
- Lots of information about drawing techniques, which can be quite advanced - I think about 3/4 of the book is about drawing techniques
- Very practical
Keeping a Nature Journal: Deepen Your Connection with the Natural World All Around You - by Clare Leslie Walker
- A lovely introduction to nature journaling, perfect for beginners
- Clare Leslie Walker was the inspiration for John Muir Laws (see above)
- Very inspirational with lots of examples of her students' work which gives you encouragement that all different styles and standards are okay
- Seasonal inspirations
- Brief drawing guides
Nature book suggestionsBooks for Deepening Your Practice
(More reflective / observational)
These books explore nature journaling and observation more deeply - helping you notice more, reflect, and develop your own rhythm.
The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady and The Nature Notes of an Edwardian Lady - both by Edith Holden
These are some of my favourite nature journaling books - a real vision of loveliness for the eyes and very inspirational.
These are two of Edith Holden's own nature journals, reproducing her beautiful watercolours and even her handwritten notes to give a wonderfully authentic journal from Edwardian times.
Gentle inspiration and a visual treat - read my full review and look into Edith Holden's unique life here...
A Trail Through Leaves: The Journal as a Path to Place - by Hannah Hinchman
For a deeper dive, take a look at Hannah Hinchman's book - part personal nature journal and part nature journal instruction - it combines her beautiful observations of the nature that surrounds her, her real journal drawings, sketches and notes, and directions to help you develop your own nature journal that feels personal to you.
Lovely to read her personal journey through nature.
The Blackbird's Song & Other Wonders of Nature - by Miles Richardson
This is a lovely little book that takes you month by month through the year with ideas to inspire you to feel more connected with nature along the way and filled with research that reminds you of the benefit of immersing yourself more in nature.
I'm enjoying dipping into this one month at a time.
Nature Writing & Seasonal Nature Observation
Some books don’t focus on journaling directly, but offer a way of seeing - through seasonal writing, observation, and reflection on the natural world, or focus on a particular theme or species.
'What the Robin Knows', by Jon Young, is a wonderful book to help you learn 'bird language' and inspire you to notice more about what's going on in the natural world, and what it means...
If you love British robins, you'll love both of these books which take you deeper into the life of the robin, looking at their life cycle, habits and seasonal behaviours...
- The Life of the Robin - by David Lack
- The Robin: A Biography - by Stephen Moss
The Oak Papers by James Canton
The personal story of one man's relationship with an oak tree - also encompassing his journeys of discovery into the science and natural history of the oak tree.
If you love trees, I think you'll really enjoy reading this.
The Almanac: A Seasonal Guide to (Year) - by Lia Leendertz
A seasonal guide to British wildlife in nature - a new almanac is published each year, each with a theme (the theme for 2026 is forests and trees).
Each almanac contains moon phases, sunrise & sunset times, tide times, significant dates, alongside seasonal observations, activities and prompts including songs, gardening and recipes, along with folklore stories or snippets.
It's worth getting the new one each year as with the different themes, they're quite different and build up a nice collection to refer back to over time.
Perfect for monthly inspiration.
RSPB Birding Year: Seasonal Tips & Activities to Learn About Bird Behaviour - by Sian Duncan & Dominic Couzens
If you love birds, this is a great book to get - go through month by month and find out what birds are doing at this time of year and who to spot. There's also lots of interesting snippets of information about the birds focused on each month, too.
I love dipping into this at the start of each month (and regularly inbetween) to remind myself what to look out for. Lots of useful and seasonal information in an accessible format.
The Tree Almanac: A Seasonal Guide to the Woodland World - by Dr Gabriel Hemery
Created with the same idea as Lia Leendertz's almanac (above) but this one concentrates solely on trees (along with the usual sunrise/sunset times etc.). If you're interested in trees (like I am), you will find this a lovely read, including folklore, wildlife, craft activities, recipes and more.
Currently only published for 2024 and 2025.
Vickery's Folk Flora: An A-Z of the Folklore and Uses of British and Irish Plants - by Roy Vickery
If you love plants, flowers and folklore, this comprehensive book is a compendium (over 800 pages) of folklore information of common plants and flowers. Encyclopedic but so interesting.
The Lost Words & The Lost Spells - books by Robert MacFarlane and Jackie Morris
Perfect for lovers of art and/or poetry - these beautiful books are love letters to the natural world - one born out of the loss of nature-words from modern vocabulary and dictionaries and one a collection of poetry 'spells' to sing the natural world back to life.
These are two of my favourite-ever books and are just gorgeous - with delicate watercolours (Jackie Morris) and haunting words (Robert MacFarlane).
P.S. These are perfect gift ideas for nature lovers who also love art.
I'll be adding more books to these lists all the time - let me know if there's a nature book you love and would like to see here...
My Own Guides
Nature journaling courses & guidesIf you’d prefer to begin more simply, you might like to start with my gentle introduction to nature journaling
Or go deeper with my full course helping you to find your nature journaling style
Sometimes, it’s not about learning more - it's just about noticing what’s already there...
For more help getting started with nature journaling:
- Start here - Nature Journaling for Beginners
- Free 'Getting Started Guide'
- Nature Journal Prompts
- Seasonal Nature Journaling
- Nature Journaling Archive
- Main Nature Journaling Hub
Deepen Your Nature Journaling Practice
Deepen your nature journaling practice with me...If you’ve enjoyed my nature journaling reflections, you might also like my 20-lesson course, Imperfect Nature Journaling.
It’s a gently structured, self-paced journey designed to help you:
• Slow down and notice more deeply
• Build confidence in drawing and observing
• Create a calming journaling ritual you can return to
• Feel more connected to the seasons and the natural world
No perfection required. Just curiosity and a notebook.
You can explore the course here whenever you’re ready...
P.S. If you’re just beginning - or would like something quieter and more simple to start with - you might first like to get started with my free 'Getting Started' guide or gain momentum with my 'Gentle Introduction' guide to help you through your first few pages - here...
Shall we stay in touch..?
Each month, I share stories from my own nature journal, new art from my studio, and simple seasonal inspiration to help you feel more connected with the turning year - if you'd like to stay updated, please sign up with your email address below...
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