For years now, political and social commentators have bemoaned the TV and computer game culture that has seen children playing in the park replaced with playing the playstation or X-box. Fears of neighborhood predators, increasing “cotton wool” parenting, and child obesity appear to have gone hand in hand with the ever-present and increasing availability of technological-based entertainment, be it the iPad or 3D television. But could this diet of indoor entertainment take an even more crucial toll: a toll on our native wildlife?

Steve Parish, award-winning photographer and natural history publisher, certainly believes so. “Australia has one of the worst extinction records in the world,” says Parish, “and unless our kids are out there interacting with nature and connecting with it, I don’t think they’ll realise just what they’re potentially missing … in some cases, for good. I think its great that they’re now able to watch documentaries and get involved online or read on the iPad, but nothing compares being outdoors and actually seeing an animal, endangered or otherwise, in the wild. It’s the best way to identify with our fauna, and we all know that when we identify with things, we want to protect them.”

Steve is no slouch at protecting animals. A long time conservationist and an OAM-winning publisher, his new Nature Watch range is aimed at exciting kids about nature and conservation while providing them with an adventure in learning.

“This range is designed to encourage children aged five to seven years not just to read about it or watch it, but to get out and do it,” Steve enthuses. The five new titles in the range include Baby Animals, Animal Homes, Fish, Outdoor Activities, and Things to Make and Do, and exciting, nature-based, scientific and artistic activities aim to entice kids out into the backyard, to the beach or to the local creek or bushland.

“Children will learn all about animal bodies, senses, food, behaviour and homes, as well as why we need to protect these wonderful creatures. I wanted to create books about our mammals, birds, reptiles and insects because there is a lot more to them than you think. Some are so small or misunderstood that we hardly ever pay attention to them. And we really need to start paying attention,” Mr Parish said, “particularly to those that are endangered or critically endangered. My father’s generation lost the Tassie Tiger, and I’d hate to see the next generation lose the Tassie Devil, for instance. No amount of TV footage could compare.”

“I hope that as children watch and study our native animals in the wild, they will also want to help their friends and family learn more about them, and do all they can to protect these fascinating creatures,” he enthuses.

The Nature Watch books are available from leading bookstores and the Steve Parish Publishing website www.steveparish.com.au for only $12.95.