Golden Guide facts for kids
Early Golden Guides, published from 1949 to 1955.
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| Edited by | Herbert Zim, Vera Webster |
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| Original title | Golden Nature Guides |
| Illustrator | James Gordon Irving |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Western Publishing Golden Press St. Martin's Press (2001–present) |
| Published | 1949–2002 |
| Media type | Pocket book |
| No. of books | 84 |
| Followed by | Golden Field Guide |
The Golden Guides, originally known as Golden Nature Guides, are a popular series of small books. They are easy to carry in your pocket. These books were first created by a company called Western Publishing and started being published in 1949. They were part of their "Golden Press" collection, which mostly made books for kids.
The books were put together by Herbert S. Zim and Vera Webster. Experts wrote the information for each book. The pictures were drawn in a clear and simple way.
Contents
Discovering Golden Guides: Nature and Beyond
The first Golden Guides were made for students in elementary and middle school. They were like special guides to help you identify things in nature. James Gordon Irving drew the pictures for these early books.
Early Nature Guides
Some of the first books helped you learn about animals. For example, there were books like Birds (published in 1949), Insects (1951), and Mammals (1955). These were great for learning about the natural world around you.
Expanding Topics and Subjects
Over time, the Golden Guides covered many more subjects. They weren't just about identifying plants and animals anymore. You could find books on topics like Geology (1972), which is the study of Earth's rocks and land. There was also Scuba Diving (1968) and Indian Arts (1970). This meant there was a Golden Guide for almost any interest!
More Advanced Guides for Older Students
In 1966, Herbert Zim started another series of books. These were called the Golden Field Guides. They were made for older students, like those in high school or college. These guides offered even more detailed information.
Golden Guides Today: A New Look
The Golden Guides were updated and brought back in 2001. The new versions are published by St. Martin's Press. Many of the pictures in these newer books are photographs. However, they still include some of the original drawings from the 1950s. This mix of old and new makes them special.
A Glimpse at Golden Guide Titles
Here are some examples of the many interesting Golden Guide books that have been published:
- Birds (1949) – Learn about different types of birds.
- Flowers (1950) – Discover various kinds of flowers.
- Stars (1951) – Explore the constellations and planets.
- Trees (1952) – Identify different trees.
- Reptiles and Amphibians (1953) – Learn about snakes, frogs, and more.
- Fishes (1955) – Explore the world of fish.
- Mammals (1955) – Discover different mammals.
- Rocks And Minerals (1957) – Learn about Earth's treasures.
- Fossils (1962) – Find out about ancient life forms.
- Butterflies And Moths (1962) – Identify these beautiful insects.
- Camping (1965) – Tips for outdoor adventures.
- Scuba Diving (1968) – Learn about exploring underwater.
- Dinosaurs (1990) – Discover prehistoric creatures.
- Whales And Other Marine Mammals (1990) – Learn about ocean giants.
- Endangered Animals (1995) – Find out about animals needing protection.
