2 . After months of deliberation, we can finally reveal the shortlist for our beloved 100-word-story competition. Now it’s up to you to vote for your winners in the under-12 category.

“The Shelf” by Li v Packer, 11, London

I have sat on this dusty shelf for decades—33 years to be exact. Everyday, people enter the library, hoping to find a book to occupy themselves with. No one seems to want me though. Young children walk across the aisles ignoring me and running to their favorites. Considering I haven’t been touched for at least 20 years, I’m shocked that I haven’t been moved to the back yet. That’s where the forgotten books go. Oh! I spoke too soon!

“Moon Land” by Amelia Jacobs-Moronta, 6, Kent

I wanted to get to the moon so I decided to jump, but that didn’t work so I used the tallest ladder but it reached even higher so I slid down the ladder and jumped onto the moon. The moon was bumpy and hard. I did space cartwheels and jumped around. The moon was made of every single food you can imagine so I ate a bit but I can’t eat too much because if I eat too much the moon will disappear.

“The Mysterious Duck with A Moustache” by Jana Ramsey, 9, Angus

There once was a duck who had a moustache. He had a secret that he was lonely. Days went by, the duck decided to explore. He went from California to Egypt to Columbia and Scotland. The duck made many friends. He was happy and that’s all that matters.

Voting will close on April 29 and the winning entries will be published in our May 2024 print issue. Good luck to all of our shortlisters, and thank you for your entries and votes!

4 . Besides getting out into nature yourself, the next best thing is to take it all in through the pages of a book. But where to start? Check out our natural history book recommendations.

Have you ever wanted to get down to the level of plants and see the world through their “eyes”? Living as a Naturalist invites you into this world. This book makes natural history accessible and attractive. It interprets ancient Chinese educational and philosophical ideas of knowing about nature from a natural history perspective. It also introduces key figures in the West’s approach to the subject. This is all done with a humorous and engaging writing style while featuring beautiful images of plants and animals.

In the summer of 1869, John Muir, a 31-year-old Scottish immigrant, joined a group of shepherds in the foothills of California’s Sierra Nevada mountain range for an adventure that proved life-changing for him. During those four months, he kept a diary while following a flock of sheep, painting a glorious picture of idyllic forests and majestic mountain peaks. This diary was titled My First Summer in the Sierra, which inspired thousands of Americans to visit the area. It later became the well-known Yosemite National Park.

In 1965, John A.Baker gave up his work and lived on his earnings, devoting all his time to observing the peregrine falcon(游隼). From autumn to spring, Baker tracked the comings and goings of a pair of peregrine falcons in eastern England by bicycle and on foot, documenting their lives and the environment they live in. Like the bird itself, Baker has a keen eye for detail. The bird’s most exciting moments, like fast flying and hunting prey, are brought to life by Baker. In his eyes, the most important aspects of natural history and its documentation are patience, passion and observation.

8 . The Most Beautiful Libraries in the World

Library of Strahov Monastery (Prague, Czech Republic)

The oldest part of the Library of Strahov Monastery, the Baroque Theological Hall, was established between 1671 and 1674, making the establishment one of the oldest and best preserved historical libraries in the world. Over 200,000 volumes are collected here, with many, of the texts printed between 1501 and 1800.

Old Library of Trinity College (Dublin, Ireland)

Old Library of Trinity College was founded in 1592. Appropriately named the Long Room, this space is located within the Old Library at Trinity College. Previously, the room’s ceiling was flat and only shelved books on the lower level. However, the college was granted a free copy of every book published in Britain and Ireland, requiring the expansion of the cavernous space.

Royal Portuguese Cabinet of Reading (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

In 1837, a group of 43 Portuguese immigrants and political refugees established the Royal Portuguese Cabinet of Reading to promote their culture in what was the Empire of Brazil. The library was designed by architect Rafael da Silva e Castro in a neo-Gothic style and was inspired by the Jerónimos Monastery in Lisbon.

Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine (Paris, France)

The library at the Cite de l’architecture et du patrimoine opened its doors in September 2007. It’s a must visit for any architecture lover. Not only because of the amazing location in a Romanesque (罗马式的) sistine, but also because its entire collection is dedicated to works about architecture, and landscaping. The library also houses the largest collection of preserved romanesque wall paintings in France.

10 . Developing a reading habit is an excellent way to improve your knowledge, expand your vocabulary and reduce stress.     1     Here are some tips on how to start a reading habit and stick to it.

One of the best ways to start a reading habit is to begin with short reading sessions. You can start by setting aside 10-15 minutes a day to read. Gradually increase the duration (持续时间) of your reading sessions.     2     Eventually, you might find it hard to put the book down and 15 minutes won't seem like enough time.

Setting a reading goal is an excellent way to motivate you to read more and make reading a habit. You can set a goal of reading a certain number of books per month or per year. Additionally, you can set a goal of reading for a specific amount of time each day.     3    

To make reading a habit, it is essential to choose books that interest you. If you don't enjoy the book you are reading, it will be difficult to stay motivated.     4    This will make reading more enjoyable and help you get into the habit.

    5    This means setting aside a specific period of the day to read. You can choose to read in the morning, during your lunch break or before going to bed. Find a time that works for you and make it a regular part of your daily routine.