The Observologist

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

A highly illustrated, playful field guide for budding natural scientists and curious observers of the world right under our noses.

Observology is the study of looking. An observologist makes scientific expeditions, albeit very small ones, every day. They notice interesting details in the world around them. They are expert at finding tiny creatures, plants, and fungi. They know that water snails glide upside down on the undersurface of the water; not all flies have wings; earthworms have bristles; butterflies taste with their feet. An observologist knows that there are extraordinary things to be found in even the most ordinary places.

The Observologist puts more than 100 small creatures and features of the natural world under the microscope, piquing our curiosity with only the most interesting facts. Subjects range from slugs, ants, and seeds to fungi, flies, bees, and bird poop.

But this is no everyday catalog of creatures. It is an antidote to boredom, an invitation out of the digital world and screentime, an encouragement to observe our environment, with care and curiosity, wherever we are.

Facts combine with comics, detailed illustrations, science, and funny stories in this unique, warm, and fascinating account of the small things all around us. Graphic and comic illustrations with funny talking insects make this a playful and informative book one to be treasured in the classroom.

Giselle Clarkson has a comics and conservation background. Through her unique sensibility, you'll find that once you start thinking small, there's no limit to what you can notice--right under your nose.

Praise for The Observologist:

"A charming work sure to spark a lifelong habit of looking closely at the natural world."--starred, Kirkus Reviews

"With lots of useful pieces of information, you can dip in and out and learn something new each time."--National Library of New Zealand, Best Children's Books of 2023

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Observology
• Observology: The Study of Looking
• Principles of Observology (8)
• Preparing for Observology (11)
• Keeping Things Orderly (Taxonomy) (12)
• Scientific Names (14)
• Observological Instruments (16)
• An Observologist's Introduction to Invertebrates (Anatomy) (18)
• Four perfect places to mount an observological expedition …
• A Damp Corner
• Slugs and Snails (26)
• Fungi (32)
• Wood Lice (36)
• Centipedes vs Millipedes (38)
• Ponds and Long-Standing Puddles (40)
• Things to Spot at Night (42)
• Patience (44)
• How to Get a Fly to go Outside (45)
• Hiding in Plain Sight (46)
• Pavement
• Ants (50)
• Birdwatching Without Birds (55)
• Collections (56)
• Lichen (58)
• Phenology (60)
• Droppings and Eggs (62)
• Worms (64)
• How to Save a Worm (68)
• How to Sneak Up On a Bug (69)
• A Weedy Patch
• Bees (73)
• How to Help an Exhausted Bee (75)
• Common Wasp vs Honey Bee (77)
• Wasps (78)
• Things to Fiddle With (80)
• Wet Days (83)
• Growing Up As An Insect (84)
• Caterpillars (86)
• Seeds (88)
• Notable Leaves (90)
• Behind the Curtains
• Cockroaches (94)
• Flies (99)
• Avral Observology (102)
• Spiders (104)
• How to Relocate A Spider (110)
• How to Save A Moth From Drowning (111)
• Moths (112)
• Moths vs Butterflies (115)
• Final Exam (116)
• Index (118)

Reviews provided by Syndetics

Publishers Weekly Review

Weedy gardens, leaf-strewn backyards, and "the shady side of a building where the sun barely touches" become spaces for discovery in this affectionate solo debut by New Zealand cartoonist Clarkson (The Tiny Woman's Coat). Styled as a naturalist's sketchbook, earth-toned comics of larger-than-life bugs and their damp, shadowy habitats, accompanied by hand-lettered descriptions, encourage inquisitive readers to "spend a lot of time gazing at the ground." Clarkson distills complex topics--such as how to tell a carnivorous centipede from a vegetarian millipede or a cocoon from a chrysalis--using text that emanates amazement. A diagram of an earthworm that "breathes through its skin" includes subjective, nonscientific appreciation of its "lovely, pretty shade of pink like a rose or an iced bun," and various fauna interject their own humorous remarks, keeping the mood playful, as when a cockroach inquires, "Would you think I was yucky if I lived in your cupboard?" Clarkson's fond factoids and mindful sketches express joy in learning while promoting empathy for tiny creatures, with step-by-step instructions on moving worms out of harm's way and saving moths from water "without accidentally making the situation worse." Nature nerds will rejoice in this compendium of creepy-crawlies. Ages 7--12. (Feb.)

School Library Journal Review

Gr 3--7--What do a damp corner, wet pavement, and a weedy patch have in common? They are perfectly ordinary places for an observologist to hang out. An observologist is someone who is keen to notice the tiniest and most extraordinary scientific details specific to slugs, earthworms, flies, bees, ants, fungi, and other living organisms known to populate in small, often overlooked natural locations. Award-winning author/illustrator Clarkson's unique visual representations of over 100 small creatures and their habitats will have readers thinking in miniature while realizing there is no limit to what can be noticed in the world around them. Her technically impressive renderings of earth's small-to-microscopic creatures are vibrant, lively, and imaginative, while intricate text wraps around an environmental conservation approach that encourages us to observe with our undivided attention. VERDICT An amusing approach to a traditional field guide, displaying intricate illustrations. Clarkson's environmental book is well suited for developing naturalists as well as curious observers. It deserves a place of honor on every library shelf and will be a valuable asset in classrooms.--Lyn Smith

Kirkus Book Review

What can you see right under your nose? In this engaging guide, Clarkson invites young readers to pay attention to the small things around them. Drawing her audience of potential naturalists in with wonderfully humorous cartoon drawings and carefully chosen examples, she addresses them directly. Her handbook has the appearance of a journal, interspersed with sketches and text in a font that resembles handwriting. After an overview on "observology" (the study of looking) and suggestions on honing the powers of observation, she organizes her remaining four chapters by easily accessible locations ("a damp corner," "pavement," "a weedy patch," and "behind the curtains"). She describes what might be seen and suggests some methodology. Most of her discoveries, from slugs to butterflies, will be familiar to North Americans, although this book was first published in New Zealand. She provides instructions for convincing a fly to go outside, sneaking up on a bug, relocating a spider, and even collecting one's finds (suitably discarded or dead). Clarkson notes that drawing helps one notice small details--indeed, this title was inspired by her own experiences, and several illustrations are based on her photos. The text is full of information and the presentation immensely appealing; this book will have readers sharpening their senses in no time. A charming work sure to spark a lifelong habit of looking closely at the natural world. (index) (Nonfiction. 8-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.