We are all in it together, all on the great adventure, sharing the precious gift of life. Donald Culross Peattie

{HISTORY}

Incredibly beautiful in presentation and story, The Rainbow Book of Nature is a 320-page coffee-table sized book that covers all the enchanting elements of the natural world. From the sea to the sky to the stirrings below dirt and within our own hearts, Donald Culross Peattie (1898-1964), one of America's most beloved naturalist writers, poetically explains the wonder of the natural world and how it works in harmony with all living creatures. Stunning illustrations by Rudolf Freund (1915-1969) depict all the wonder of the living world around us from plants to people and everything in between.

Donald published this book in 1957, just seven years before his death. It must have been and felt like some sort of culmination of his life-long study of the natural world - a journey that took him from the halls of Harvard to Paris and Venice and back to the prairie grass states of the U.S. He was a prolific writer, publishing over 40 books, almost all geared towards children and young minds, a fitting audience, because it was said he never lost his child-like wonder of the world himself.

Rudolf Freund had an equally successful career as a 20th-century illustrator. Following art school in Philadelphia, he gained notoriety working on projects for LIFE magazine as well as illustrating many books for various authors. In the Rainbow Book of Nature his work appears in both color and black and white illustrations - one on almost every page -  making it as much an art book as it is a written guide. 

{SPECIAL FEATURES} 

- Stated First Edition

- Original dust jacket (a rare component to this beloved children's book)

- Contains 320 pages including a highly detailed section for suggestions on further reading, nature film, and sound recordings

- 7 Chapters (The World Is So Full, Each a Realm, The Colors of Life, The Forms of Life, Hours and Seasons, Living Together, The Earthly Home)

- Fully illustrated throughout

{CONDITION}

In great vintage condition. There are some chippy spots, light stains and light foxing on the dust jacket and the previous owner's name written in marker on the inside cover. All pages are clean, bright and fully intact, and the spine is tight.

{SIZE}

Measures 8.5" inches (width) x 11.25" inches (length) x 1.5" inches (depth).

{STYLE IDEA}

When the winter weather sets in and the rain starts and the snow follows, you might start to get a little glum, but nothing will cheer you up more than curling up with a cozy blanket and diving into the world that Donald and Rudolf created. It is easy to get frustrated with nature when it doesn't cooperate with our own plans, but reading this book reminds you just how incredible our planet is and how lucky we are to be living among a gazillion interesting creatures.