Books by Edith M Patch

Edith Marion Patch was an American entomologist and writer. Born in Worcester, Massachusetts, she received a degree from the University of Minnesota in 1901 and originally embarked on a career as an English teacher before receiving the opportunity to organize the entomology department at the University of Maine.

An engaging introduction to a variety of natural phenomena that occur throughout the year. The seven stories for each season cover a range of topics from animal and plant life to geology and physics. Each chapter concludes with a list of activities to pursue and stories to read to excite further interest.

A delightful introduction to a variety of plants and animals, made especially interesting by the categories into which they are grouped. Readers will discover what plants provide sugar, which ones furnish fiber, and seven different ways plants have of dispersing their seeds. They will also meet many animals that vary widely in looks and behavior. Some have fins, others fur or feathers. Some are footless, while others have as many as one hundred feet. They will encounter animals that spin and animals that make their homes in a variety of places including caves, earth, and wood. Each chapter has questions to ponder and activities to do indoors and out.

The life stories of twelve birds presented in a lively conversational style, with lots of detailed information about the habits of each. The birds included introduce the reader to a dozen different bird families and a variety of habitats. Notes give scientific and common names, as well as references for further reading.

Follow along with Don and Nan as they encounter one marvel after another in their visits out-of-doors through all seasons of the year. With adults to answer their questions and inspire them to further discovery, they learn an amazing amount of information about a handful of birds, insects, plants, and trees. Numerous illustrations, with accompanying large-print text in simple sentences, make this an ideal nature book for beginning readers.

Imaginative stories of fourteen insects, their complex life cycles, and their environs, told in a way that captures children's interest. The insects described range from the familiar butterfly, moth, grasshopper, cricket, bumble bee, firefly, dragonfly, and beetle to the less well known tree hopper, walking stick and gall dweller. Notes include lots of suggestions for further reading. The author, a widely-respected entomologist, made it one of her life goals to produce engaging stories for children that were scientifically accurate in all respects.