5 Epic Earth Day Books for Kids!

The return of spring and natural beauty blossoming all around us marks the perfect time to instill in children an appreciation of Earth’s bountiful resources and an awareness of our role in preserving the delicate ecological balance required to sustain the very planet that sustains us. Earth Day, occurring on April 22nd annually since 1970, honors the achievements and goals of the environmental movement, including long-term ecological sustainability, conservation efforts, and expanded use of clean renewable energy sources. The following five picture books emphasize the significance of protecting our planet in entertaining ways that children simply love!

1. The Water Hole by Graeme Base

From Graeme Base, renowned illustrator and author of the international bestseller Animalia, The Water Hole transports readers to the majestic beauty of unique ecosystems around the world, from the African savanna to the Galapagos Islands. As local wildlife from each habitat come to drink from a metaphorical water hole with levels that rise and fall in response to environmental cues, children learn about not only geography and zoology but also the water cycle and the value of natural resources. Breathtaking illustrations on each page contain hidden pictures, foreshadowed by clues in artistic borders, that children can’t wait to discover. The book also teaches basic counting as visitors to the water hole grow from one rhino to ten kangaroos. Added fun comes from searching for the friendly frog happily sporting a Hawaiian shirt at every destination!

2. Listen to the Language of the Trees by Tera Kelley

A beautiful educational book sharing what science now shows about how trees communicate with one another, Listen to the Language of the Trees is eye-opening for young readers. Through aesthetic and easy-to-understand illustrations, this story demonstrates how trees develop a secret “wood wide web” through underground root systems with the help of mycorrhizal fungi. How do “mother trees” help seedlings thrive? How do changes to one part of a forest affect the ecosystem as a whole? The interconnectedness of all forest inhabitants highlighted throughout the book answers these questions and more as children learn vital lessons about cause and effect and compassion toward others. This lovely portrayal of ecological community dynamics makes a wonderful addition to any home or classroom!

3. The Lorax by Dr. Suess

A timeless classic, The Lorax by Dr. Seuss is a must-read for any Earth Day celebration. The tale of a tree guardian (“the Lorax”) who confronts a greedy entrepreneur (“the Once-ler”) about chopping down native truffula trees in order to make a profit, The Lorax warns readers of the perils of environmental exploitation. With all the hallmarks of any beloved Dr. Seuss story, including lovable characters, rhyming verse, imaginative words, and creative imagery, The Lorax keeps children engaged from beginning to end as the Once-ler outlives his success only to regret his selfish actions. Full of remorse, he looks to a young boy for help replanting the forgotten forest and spreading the lesson he learned the hard way: "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not." The essential storybook for eco-conscious readers, children will take away messages of kindness, conservation, and serving the greater good all while being expertly entertained!

4. Angela’s Glacier by Jordan Scott

Angela’s Glacier is the tale of a girl growing up in Iceland who forms a deep connection to a pristine glacier near her home. After spending much of her childhood hiking the magical landscape of Snæfellsjökull, Angela grows busy with life’s responsibilities and becomes distanced from her “happy place” until a friendly reminder prompts her to return there and get grounded. Diana Sudyka’s illustrations highlight the picturesque beauty of the tundra while Scott’s descriptive language creatively appeals to all of the reader’s senses. From “listening” to the colors of the glacier that sparkle in every shade of blue imaginable to crossing snowfields “thick like pancakes” to chasing “milky Arctic sunlight” and “fairy lichen,” readers get a special glimpse of this unique setting through Angela’s eyes. This wondrous tale also shares bits of Icelandic language and an afterword about climate change. Anyone who treasures the healing power of nature will cherish this book!

5. Caves by Nell Cross Beckerman

“In the shade of the woods is a hill with a hole. Beaconing black. Goosebump chills. Excitement and fear battle. What will win? You want to go in...do you dare?” From the very first page, the author of Caves sparks children’s curiosity in one of nature’s most mysterious ecosystems. As the book describes a variety of remarkable cave systems around the world, readers learn about their most intriguing features, from unusual inhabitants to otherworldly geological composition to the fascinating natural processes that led to their formation. With suspense-building illustrations and eye-catching text elements that mirror the meaning behind Beckerman’s poetic prose, Caves will captivate young minds!

For more great ways to honor Earth Day, try these fun activities recommended by PBS https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/15-ways-to-celebrate-earth-day-with-kids and these clever crafts from Crayola https://www.crayola.com/crafts/earth-day/.

Thanks for stopping by my blog! Happy reading, and Happy Earth Day!

Five Memorable Children’s Books for the Harvest Season

Autumn is a wonderful window for teaching children the significance of natural cycles and the deeper meaning of the harvest season. This time of year offers children’s book authors, teachers, and parents the opportunity to highlight themes of the rewards we reap through hard work and sustained effort, gratitude for the simple joys in life and the dreams of yesterday that have been realized today, and generosity of spirit in getting to share our abundance with others. Below are five memorable children’s stories that speak to these concepts in meaningful ways.

Noticing by Kobi Yamada

Recommended age level: 5 and up

From best-selling author Kobi Yomada, Noticing is a captivating tale of learning to see beyond what is and into the possibility of what may be. Through eye-opening dialogue and Elise Hurst’s intriguing illustrations brimming with hidden elements, an artist shows a young girl how to notice the everyday magic all around her by looking with not only her eyes but also her heart. Lessons of mindfulness abound in this wonder-provoking story: gratitude for the ordinary things that no longer seem so ordinary when taking time to fully appreciate them, kindness in noticing the best qualities in others, and the marvels waiting to be discovered when one commits to staying curious about life. 

Story extensions: 

~Take your child for a walk in nature, consciously seeking out details that may usually escape you. A tree trunk with a face, a rock shaped like a dragon, a woodpecker drumming in the distance…the possibilities are endless! 

~Find a serene spot outdoors for cloud-watching. Discuss the images noticed by each viewer, reflecting upon everyone’s unique perspective and how it contributes to what they see. Afterwards, recreate everyone’s favorite cloud shapes using oil pastels, watercolor paints, cotton balls, or shaving cream (follow the link here to a fun shaving cream marbling activity that would make a great medium for artsy clouds: https://artfulparent.com/diy-marbled-paper/)!

A Bold Pumpkin Plan by Katy Hudson

Recommended age level: 4–8 years

From another best-selling author, Katy Hudson, this beautifully illustrated story that takes place in an autumn setting follows a timid hedgehog who summons the courage to try something new—using the harvest to build a new home. Of course, this is easier said than done, as Hedgehog discovers when he sets out on his four-part journey and finds it full of unforeseen obstacles. Through the kindness of strangers and his own determination, Hedgehog finds solutions to each dilemma and winds up being a stronger, more confident version of himself with broadened horizons. Additional features readers will enjoy in this book are visually stimulating print and spots of repetitive language that encourage young minds to read along. 

Story Extensions:

~Help your child develop sequencing skills by trying to recall Hedgehog’s four-step plan for building his home—copying Hedgehog’s handwritten steps onto a few Post-it Notes for your child to arrange in the proper order will get you started nicely! Using story reenactment (through live acting or props) to rehearse the procession of new friends who come to Hedgehog’s aid— each with their own special gift to offer—will add even more sequencing fun to this adventurous tale. 

~Use playdough to simulate Hedgehog’s journey! Think of this as a clay version of the board game Mouse Trap, with props added to sculpted scenery that a small, squishy “pumpkin” can roll through. Pro tip: Cinnamon sticks make great tree trunks for a forest!

Nell Plants a Tree by Anne Wynter

Recommended age level: 4–8 years

A beautiful picture book portraying one little girl’s tender, loving care of a seed that grows into a pecan tree alongside her blossoming family, Nell Plants a Tree is a heartwarming story about honoring a family legacy. Throughout two separate timelines reflecting the intergenerational evolution of Nell and her family, Nell’s patience and perseverance pay off as her glorious pecan tree bears gifts both immediate and long-reaching.

Story Extensions:

~Work with your child to make their own family tree, starting with a patchwork tree made from collage materials in the style of illustrator Daniel Miyares. Ask—Which patterns, colors, and images did you choose for your patchwork tree, and why? Their answers may surprise you!

~Fill a large jar with pecans, and estimate the total number inside. Practice counting by 1s, 5s, or 10s as you unload the contents of the jar to find out whose guess was most accurate.

~For older children, discuss inferencing by asking what they learned from the book that the narrator never said aloud and which clues led them to their conclusions.

The Seasons of Arnold’s Apple Tree by Gail Gibbons

Recommended age level: 3–6 years

One of many classic STEM-related books from Gail Gibbons, author of nearly fifty distinguished nonfiction books for children, The Seasons of Arnold’s Apple Tree follows the life cycle of a beloved apple tree that belongs to Arnold’s family. Simple yet charming pictures show how an apple tree changes from one season to the next while Arnold anticipates the traditions each chapter brings. 

Story Extensions:

~Follow the instructions in the harvest phase of the book to make your own apple pie or apple cider!

~Have a taste-testing competition where everyone votes on their favorite variety of apple. Then determine the winner by drawing a bar graph.

~Have your child sketch or paint four identical trees on four separate sheets of paper. Next, provide strips of multicolored tissue paper for scrunching into seasonal adornments and gluing on the branches (think bright colors for spring flowers, green tissue for lush summer leaves, autumn colors—and tiny apples—for a fall tree, and white tissue or cottonballs for winter snow). Once their masterpieces are complete, practice placing their four trees in the proper sequence to reflect the cycle of seasons across the year.

From Seed to Pumpkin by Wendy Pfeffer

Recommended age level: 3–6 years

A Harper Collins Let’s-Read-And-Find-Out science book, this nonfiction picture book is both entertaining and educational. Young readers will learn basic science vocabulary as they observe the life cycle of a pumpkin, depicted through scenic illustrations of life on a pumpkin farm, and the stages of growth that take place from seed to harvested fruit.

Story Extensions:

~Follow instructions in the “Find Out More” section at the end of the book to conduct your own science experiment and see firsthand how plants drink water! You can also find a recipe for roasted pumpkin seeds here.

~Sketch and label each stage of growth in the pumpkin life cycle on a separate index card (or find a great template your child can cut and color, like the one here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/FREE-Pumpkin-Life-Cycle-Diagram-Coloring-Sheet-8487307?epik=dj0yJnU9WGdJOEtfQTRFdGtqYTg4RnUwUWJyWXVXVjh5Y2UtOUgmcD0wJm49VTB4YmFubXExMWtQZlNFS0xQTnMxdyZ0PUFBQUFBR2NwYXN3). Then punch a small hole in every card and help your child string them onto a piece of ribbon or yarn in the correct order—they now have their very own pumpkin banner! Don’t forget to save their best card for last, attaching their favorite jack-o-lantern design or pumpkin-flavored dessert to the end of the line! 

Thank you for reading this KidLit post! If you’d like more updates on children’s literature, make sure to create an account through my website and follow my blog. Happy Harvest!