Heading away this summer to enjoy the great outdoors? Or perhaps a staycation is on the cards. Whatever your plans we hope you take the time to unwind and enjoy yourself. In case you need some inspiration, the team at CSIRO Publishing has put together this list of our best summer reads. They'll keep you, your friends and family all entertained.
Coastal treasures
If you are lucky enough to spend your holidays by the sea, why not take the time to go Beachcombing. Discover the delight of poring over pretty shells, peering in to rockpools, and admiring the alien objects that wash ashore.
Spread your wings
From the city streets to the remote outback, wherever you are in Australia you’re never too far from a bird! Discover who your feathered neighbours are, with the aid of The Australian Bird Guide.
Rain, hail, or shine
Whether you’re a weather nerd, or a photography fanatic, flash a smile because the Royal Meteorological Society has selected some of the most breathtaking images from around the world in Weather: A Force of Nature.
Feast your eyes on this
Interest in foraging for wild food is on the rise, and magnificent mushrooms are very much on the menu! But if you’re gathering your own, you’ve got to get it right. Wild Mushrooming delivers expert advice on the best ways to find, identify and collect the right mushrooms. But if you are simply more interested in eating them, the book also includes 29 delectable recipes so you can prepare, preserve, and cook different sorts of delicious fungi.
What sort of ologist are you?
Australian wildlife is certainly something to get excited about, so to encourage your inner entomologist, herpetologist, or ornithologist we've published a range of handy field guides to help get you started.
Eye spy – detective work can be a buzz
Summer holidays can be a great time for kids to become explorers in their own backyard, so ‘bee’ inspired by the Bee Detectives. Join Olivia and Hamish and their pet guinea pig Ignatius as they discover the wonders of Australia’s native bees. A guaranteed buzz for kids aged 6-9.
Ta daaa – prepare to be amazed!
Need more fun facts in your life? Of course you do. AmAZed! takes you on an A-to-Z tour of CSIRO’s National Research Collections. From antibiotics to zombie worms this book will amaze! Eye-opening for kids aged 6-12.
Cultivate a passion for plants
Plantastic! will help kids (and possibly their parents too) discover and identify native plants found in their local park, bushland, or even their very own backyard. Filled with fun facts, activities, and adventurous ideas, Plantastic! will show you just how fantastic Australia’s native plants really are! Suitable for budding botanists aged 6-12.
Put an end to “I’m bored” this school holidays
Puzzles and Projects is packed full of brainteasers, hands-on projects, comics, and fun facts. It offers hours of entertainment, sparked by the wonders of science, technology, engineering, and maths, perfect for ages 7-10. Also, from the Double Helix team we have collected 100 fun experiments and activities in our Hands-on Science Set great for ages 8-14. Or if your curious kids are more into food why not get a taste of our Curious World of Kitchen Science series. Perfect snack for kids aged 10-16.
We hope this great list of summer reads has got you in the holiday mood.