ECO GIRL
ECO GIRL by Ken-Wilson-Max is such a. wonderful story that celebrates growth and tradition.
Eve lived with her family in the forest surrounded by trees and loved the animals and birds that lived in the trees.
While visiting her grandmother, Eve received a special gift from her grandmother for her birthday.
It was a baobab seed that Eve planted alongside a tree that her father, grandmother, and great-grandmother planted when they were her age.
Eve was super excited because she loved trees and couldn’t wait to love and care for her very own tree.
With bold and vibrant illustrations, this book is truly remarkable and encourages us all to start of own tree-planting tradition. AGE 2-6, PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press.
CARING FOR EARTH
CARING FOR EARTH by Sandra Laboucarie and Sarah Reynard is an interactive lift-and-flap book that encourages little readers to care for the earth.
From creating a garden and building compost and practicing permaculture, this book highlights the many ways to care for the earth.
The bold and vibrant illustrations by Julie Mercier are absolutely captivating, and children will love how fun and engaging this book is. AGE 5-10, PUBLISHER: Twirl Books.
ENDANGERED ANIMALS
My first pop-up ENDANGERED ANIMALS by Owen Davey introduced children to endangered animals around the world.
Every page highlights an animal and its characteristics, along with the continent they inhabit.
From the Harlequin poison frog of Colombia to the Kakapo of New Zealand, this book is guaranteed to be a favorite for little readers. AGE 2-4, PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press.
COOL GREEN
COOL GREEN by Lulu Delacre is another wonderful book that celebrates the amazing value of trees.
As a girl walks through a park with her abuelo, she notices his awe of trees and asks why he loves them so much.
His reply leaves her astonished and intrigued. He tells of many trees around the world and the unique characteristics that make them special.
From the scale-like leaves of the monkey puzzle tree to the majestic transformations of the baobab tree, this book encourages us to care for trees and teaches us about the value of trees.
The bold and earthy hues capture the essence of the message in this book. AGE 2-4, PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press.
WHAT DO YOU SEE WHEN YOU LOOK AT A TREE
WHAT DO YOU SEE WHEN YOU LOOK AT A TREE by Emma Carlisle celebrates trees everywhere.
Trees come in all sizes and shapes and are home to many animals, on and under them. They are all connected through their roots, and they provide so much to the environment.
With bold and earthy illustrations, this book highlights the interconnectedness and value of trees. Listening to them can help make us feel better.
We all need trees and they need us. AGE 2-4, PUBLISHER: Templar Books.
HOW TO MAKE A MOUNTIAN
HOW TO MAKE A MOUNTAIN by Amy Huntington is a step-by-step guide to how mountains are created.
Some mountains are created when continents shift and eventually glaciers and ravines form from the cold.
Mountains contain trees and flowers like ferns and are also homes for many animals.
With bold illustrations by Nancy Lemon, it’s interactive and encourages children to learn about how amazing mountains are. AGE 2-8, PUBLISHER: Chronicle Books.
MY FRIEND EARTH
Every page in Patricia MacLachlan’s MY FRIEND EARTH flows into the next.
It begins with Mother Earth being awoken from a winter’s nap by a bird welcoming the start of spring. As she pierces through the vines, she hears the sounds of springtime and wakes the other animals on the prairie and in the ocean.
She brings summer rain to fill streams and blows the land dry, welcoming autumn leaves. As winter approaches, she sprinkles the snow and tucks the animals in, as they drift off to sleep awaiting spring again.
This book is amazing, the illustrations by Francesca Sanna are majestic and take you through every season with a wondrous delight.
The peek-through pages make it fun and interactive for toddlers and teach them to appreciate and cherish nature. Mother Nature works hard to make this world beautiful, and we should appreciate that. AGE 2-8, PUBLISHER: Chronicle Books.
My Big Book of Outdoors
This pandemic has really made us appreciate the outdoors and, just in case you’re wondering what’s out there, Tim Hopgood’s MY BIG BOOK OF OUTDOORS will help.
Whether it’s Spring, Summer, Autumn or, Winter, there is always a world of adventure to explore outside.
There are a variety of organisms that are featured in this book, both on land and in the ocean. From different fruits, leaves, and flowers to insects, seashells, and clouds.
Children learn about nature and science, along with unique animals and their characteristics.
The illustrations are absolutely remarkable, making this book a definite favorite in classrooms and homes. PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press. Age: 4-10
Behold Our Magical Garden
BEHOLD OUR MAGICAL GARDEN by Allan Wolf is one of the most magnificent books of the year.
Each page features a beautiful poem that celebrates friendship and community support while allowing children to explore and learn about everything in their school garden.
Whether the children were planting seeds, composting or recording data, they each had an important role in maintaining their garden, so it can flourish into something magical and magnificent.
Beautifully and vibrantly illustrated by Daniel Duncan, this book teaches responsibility, explores imagination, boosts creativity, and encourages children to unite with one common goal. PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press. Age: 4-8
IF YOU COME TO EARTH
IF YOU COME TO EARTH by Sophie Blackall is one of the best books of the year and should be in every home and classroom. It features a child writing a letter to a visitor from outer space, preparing them for the adventures awaiting them on earth.
The letter is full of vivid descriptions of homes and the different families that abide in it, the clothes we wear, the foods we eat, and our different modes of transportation.
From the differing climates and cultures to different animals and their characteristics, this book will entice anyone who reads it.
Not only is it diverse and inclusive, but the illustrations are also absolutely magnificent.
With all that’s happening in the world, this book is a reminder of how wonderful the world is and how we can do our part to make it greater.
Marshmallow Clouds
MARSHMALLOW CLOUDS by Ted Kooser and Connie Wanek is filled with poems that pay homage to the elements of nature and celebrate the seasons and life.
It brings awareness to the simple yet intricate details of how certain things function and their importance to the world.
Ladened with metaphors, each page portrays a reflection of us and makes this book totally relatable.
With bold and colorful illustrations by Richard Jones, this book peaks imagination and encourages new perspectives on life and what’s around us. PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press. Age: 4-8
WHERE THE WEE ONES GO
WHERE THE WEE ONES GO by Karen Jameson is perfect for bedtime and features endangered animals from around the world.
From swinging Orangutans through the treetops of Sumatra to snoozing Hippo calves in Zambia, these beautiful endangered animals snuggle up t sleep with their mommies and daddies just as our little ones do.
With vivid illustrations by Zosienka, Where The Wee Ones Go became an instant favorite at our house. Publisher: Chronicle Book. Age: 2-4
ONLY A TREE KNOWS HOW TO BE A TREE
ZONIA'S RAIN FOREST
When the rainforest speaks to you…you answer. In Juana Martinez-Neal’s ZONIA’S RAIN FOREST, a girl named Zonia lives in the Amazon rainforest of Peru with her family.
Every morning she roams through the forest that’s always full of life, saying hello to her animal friends.From sleepy sloths to chatty birds, she greets old and new friends and welcomes the day with a full heart.
That’s until she sees they cut the trees down in the forest. Feeling dismayed, she runs to her mom who urges her to help the forest. Armed with courage and strength, she is determined to answer the call.
The Amazon is home to many families and animals and should be protected at all costs.It’s rich in culture there are over 330 languages spoken. Zonia is Asháninka and Juana pays homage to this beautiful language by telling the story in Asháninka at the back of the book.
The vibrant illustrations capture the entire essence of this remarkable story that inspires the youngest mind to create change. We also love how sustainable this book is because it’s made from banana bark paper. How awesome is that? This book is also written in Spanish.PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press. Age: 6-10
OVER AND UNDER THE RAINFOREST
Kate Messner and Christopher Silas Neal are back with another amazing book. OVER AND UNDER THE RAINFOREST is my favorite book of the year so far.
As Tito and his dad enter the rainforest, they are greeted with a symphony of sounds from the animals in the trees above them. The gurgling of oropendolas and the croaks of toucans signaling breakfast time.
Animals are everywhere. Agouti’s search the ground for fallen fruits, crocodiles bask in the sun and emerald basilisk run on the surface of the water.
The rainforest is amazing and full of unique creatures that children will be excited about. The vivid illustrations by Christopher Silas Neil always capture the essence of his books.
As you turn the pages, it submerges you into the rain forest with Tito and his dad, learning and experiencing what this wonderful habitat has to offer. AGE 4-8, PUBLISHER: Chronicle Books.
HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A FLOWER?
HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A FLOWER by Shawn Harris is one of the most anticipated books of the year. We know him for his remarkable illustrations, so his debut as an author did not disappoint.
It features a girl leaving her apartment complex for a road trip and experiencing the wonder of nature.
As she runs through a field of flowers, she embraces it with all her senses. She sees every color, smells, and tastes the sweet aroma of raindrops made of honey with every breath.
She shouts hello and listens for an echo while embracing the petals that are like veins on her skin. She becomes one with the flower and blossoms towards the sun.
A flower isn’t just a flower, there is so much more to it, and this book explores all that it offers. So when you look at a flower, don’t just look. Become one and embrace it.
This book is absolutely magnificent with bold, vibrant springlike illustrations and full of similes that are sure to tantalize little nature lovers. PUBLISHER: Chronicle Books. Age: 2-6
CHIRP
Mary Murphy writes and illustrates the best books and this new release CHIRP did not disappoint.
As morning approaches, the birds wake up and they each start chirping.
From the warble of the Thrush to the clacks of the Magpies, each winged friend begins their morning by lifting their voice.
As a little bluebird awaits a chance to sing, it realizes it has to speak up to be heard. The noise soon comes to a haunt, and it bellows out a glorious zippy tune as they all welcome the sun and the start of a new day.
The illustrations are illuminating and grow more vivid as the sun transitions through the pages.
This book is perfect for little bird lovers. It encourages children to speak up no matter how small they may be or feel. A definite must-have. PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press. Age: 2-4
FIRSTS & LASTS
Leda Schubert’s FIRSTS AND LASTS celebrates the changing seasons.
Throughout every season, there is a beginning and an end, and this book beautifully illustrates these changes.
The leaves falling signal the start of Autumn and as snow begins, so does Winter. When leaves reappear, we welcome Spring and as the grass grows, the heat of the sun welcomes Summer.
From picnics and bike rides to snowbirds and flannel pajamas and ladened with vibrant illustrations by Clover Robin, this book is relatable and a perfect addition to our home library. PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press. Age: 4-8
GROW
GROW: Secrets of our DNA is a fascinating book by Nicola Davies, that’s loaded with important information about our DNA.
It features detailed info about organisms on earth and the components that make them what they are. These components determine how we grow.
From the time you were the size of a tiny dot, your body has been following a set of instructions written in a code made of deoxyribonucleic acid or DNA.
Children will be extremely excited to learn about the genetic code and their similarities and differences. Teachers, educators, and aspiring Biologists will revel in the details of this book It’s a total must-have.
This book is so beautiful, and the illustrations by Emily Sutton are beyond captivating. AGE 5-10, PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press.
THE BEST PLACE IN THE WORLD
THE BEST PLACE IN THE WORLD by Petr Horáček it’s a gentle story of friendship and community.
Hare lives with his friends in the meadow where they run and play. Bear loves honey from the bees, the duck loves swimming in the stream, and the birds love to sing up high. But was it the best place in the world, he asked his friends.
After some wise counsel from the owl, he answers his question by journeying around the world to see for himself.
Through orchards and up mountains, he discovered his friends would enjoy these places. Everything he saw on his journey was beautiful, but he missed his friends.
It was then he realized the best place in the world was where his friends were. A home isn’t just a place, it’s the people who live there.
Coupled with magnificent, vibrant, yellow-green hues, this wonderful book celebrates friendship and encourages everyone to explore new things but never forgetting the things that mean the most. We love this book and the wonderful message. PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press. Age: 4-8
WELCOME FLOWER CHILD
Have you ever wondered what your birth flower is? There are so many wonderful spring books this year, but so far WELCOME FLOWER CHILD by Brigette Barrager is our favorite. Spring is my favorite season because I love flowers and that’s when most flowers bloom.
From water lilies to marigolds, this beautifully illustrated book portrays all the flowers for each month of the year. I was so excited for May because that’s my birth month.
Apart from the bold, vibrant, spring-like illustrations, the rhyming verses are sure to enlighten little readers, and it’s guaranteed to be a household favorite. PUBLISHER: Random House Books for Young Readers. Age: 4-8
CHASE THE MOON TINY TURTLE
CHASE THE MOON, TINY TURTLE by Kelly Jordan takes us on a loggerhead hatchling’s journey from land to sea.
When hatched, they begin their crawl to the ocean, guided by the moonlight. But the moon isn’t the only thing that’s out at night. Land and sea predators are waiting to grab these cute little turtles.
Page As they dodge, piercing eyes of owls, snapping jaws of dogs, and clawing paws of crabs, they shuttle their way diligently to the water.
With vivid, oceanic illustrations by Sally Walker, this beautiful book brings awareness to the importance of their survival and includes ways in which we can assist at the back of the book. PUBLISHER: Page Street Kids. Age: 4-8
ALBA AND THE OCEAN CLEANUP
OUT OF THE BLUE
Do you know how life began?
OUT OF THE BLUE, how animals evolved from prehistoric seas by Elizabeth Shreeve is absolutely magnificent.
From microbes in the sea to mammals on land, this book portrays the periods in which evolution of species occur.
Each page is loaded with information about each era and organisms and feature bold and vibrant oceanic illustrations by Frann Preston-Gannon.
It also includes chronological time stamp of all the eras and the creatures that inhabited it.
This book is perfect for nature lovers and little scientist who are obsessed with evolution.
So as you stroll along the beach this summer, think about these organisms who were there from the beginning
Publisher: Chronicle Book. Age: 2-4
SEASHELLS
Have you ever looked at a seashell and wonder where they came from or how they work? SEASHELLS MORE THAN A HOME by Melissa Stewart features these wonderful specimens and their role in protecting the creatures that inhabit them.
Armed with a pencil and notepad, a group of children searches for seashells during a day of exploration at the ocean.
This book outlines their similar operational mechanisms to certain objects. For instance, a nautilus floats up and down like a submarine because most of its shell is filled with a lightweight gas.
Some seashells even camouflage to protect themselves against predators. They are strong and provide great homes to mollusks all over the world.
This book contains tons of information about seashells and even features a glossary at the end. The beautiful oceanic hues by Sarah S. Brannon are amazing.
If you’re heading to the beach this summer, be sure to get this book and see how many similar shells you can find. It’s the perfect sea exploration book for the summer. AGE 4-8, PUBLISHER: Charlesbridge Publishing.
TREE OF WONDER
TREE OF WONDER: The Many Marvelous Lives Of A Rainforest Tree by Kate Messner is absolutely one of our favorite books.
The rainforest is home to thousands of creatures and thousands of trees. Many creatures live in trees, and the ALMENDRO TREE is home to many of them.
It produces millions of flowers when it blooms, which attracts animals from all over the forest. From great green macaws to agoutis and hundreds of poisonous dart frogs, it provides food and shelter.
Not only is the Almendro tree the source of support and protection to animals, but the tree also benefits from some of its tenants. Howler monkeys take fruit from the Almendro tree and drop the seeds on the ground, which produces more trees.
This symbiotic relationship allows each creature to thrive in their habitat.
Children will love learning about animals and this wonderful tree. It’s perfect for little biologist and great for teachers and educators.
The vibrant and vivid acrylic illustrations by Simona Mulazzani capture the entire essence of this book.
Publisher: Chronicle Book. Age: 2-4
THE BIG BOOK OF BLOOMS
If you’re a collector of Yuval Zommer’s Big Book series, then you will love his new release, THE BIG BOOK OF BLOOMS.
All his books are extremely informative and bursting with vibrant artwork and this one did not disappoint.
From flower anatomy to Pollination, this book allows children to learn about flowers and their characteristics and their value to the earth. They make powerful medicine that fight diseases, and flowers like Hibiscus and Echinacea are brewed to help people grow strong and healthy.
Once you begin reading you won’t stop and what’s even more fun is finding the golden bulbs that are hidden throughout the book.
This wonderfully illustrated book is a total must-have for both parents, budding botanists, and educators. AGE 8+, PUBLISHER: Thames &Hudson.
THE WISDOM OF TREES
Everyone loves trees. They help and protect animals and provide food and shelter.
THE WISDOM OF TREES by Lita Judge pays homage to these wonderful organisms and how beneficial they are to the world.
Trees have been around for centuries, and they hold secrets they share. They may seem dormant, but trees are fighters, and some release chemicals that protect their leaves.
From telling the time to creating their own climate, the interconnectivity of trees is remarkable and children can learn how their inner mechanisms work.
With luscious and vivid illustrations, each poem celebrates their excellence and the value they have on this earth. PUBLISHER: Roaring Brook Press. Age: 6-10
TRILLIONS OF TREES
When a misunderstood phone call goes wrong, an order for trillium trees results in an order for a trillion trees.
In TRILLIONS OF TREES by Kurt Cyrus, a boy and his sister are in a bit of a predicament when 100 of the trillion trees arrive at their house.
With so many trees arriving, they started planting them all over the backyard and soon throughout the neighborhood.
From alder to sequoia, willow to poplar, they plant seeds along the trails at the park, near streams and mountains which brought the community together.
Trillions of Trees is one of our favorites for spring 2021. It’s extremely inspirational and encourages a love for trees and the environment. It’s important for children to understand the value trees have on this earth and how much of a necessity they are to us all. PUBLISHER: Henry Holt and Co. Age: 4-8
MASTERS OF DISGUISE
MASTERS OF DISGUISE by Marc Martin is the ultimate animal seek-and-find adventure.
From the jungle to the Arctic or immersed in the ocean, animals such as Panther Chameleon, Gaboon Viper, or Polar Bear are masters of camouflaging themselves in their habitat.
Whether they’re predators or prey, children can learn about these magnificent creatures and how their characteristics help them adapt to their environment.
With bright and vivid illustrations, this book creates a fun and interactive activity for little nature lovers. PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press. Age: 6-10
OVER AND UNDER THE CANYON
Kate Messner and Christopher Silas Neal are back with another Over and Under series.
OVER AND UNDER THE CANYON features a boy and his mother as they explore a canyon. Did you know that there’s an entire habitat down there?
From bighorn sheep to kangaroo rats, they observe the animals as they venture deeper into the canyon. Gecko skitter and tarantula creep and Jackrabbits hide from eagles above, searching for food below.
As they explore higher out of the canyon and into the desert plains, they reach beautiful wildflowers of every color and the animals that inhabit there.
At night, they settle into camp and observe the nocturnal animals like coyotes and scorpions.
The wonderful and vibrant, arid-like illustrations by one of our favorite illustrators, Christopher Silas Neal are absolutely magnificent and bring this story to life. Publisher: Chronicle Book. Age: 2-4
THE FOX AND THE FOREST FIRE
THE FOX AND THE FOREST FIRE by Danny Popovici is a beautiful story of friendship and hope.
When a boy moves into the forest with his mother, he misses the city because the forest is too quiet. After a while, he becomes friends with a fox and finally feels at home roaming and exploring the forest.
One morning, a fire started in the forest and, along with scurrying animals, the boy’s family had to leave their new home. When the smoke cleared, they returned to rebuild and so did the animals in the forest.
This book brings awareness to wild forest fires and encourages people to protect the animals and people that live there.
The illustrations are absolutely magnificent.
There is information at the back of the book about wildfires and how to protect the forest. Publisher: Chronicle Book. Age: 2-4
BUTTERFLIES BELONG HERE
I am obsessed with three things, books, butterflies, and wind-chimes so when I received BUTTERFLIES BELONG HERE by Deborah Hopkinson, I could not be any happier.
This delightful and informative story portrays the life cycles of monarch butterflies as they migrate from Mexico to the north of America during the seasons.
It features an immigrant girl who learned English by reading about butterflies. Her love of monarch butterflies inspired her to make changes so that these butterflies can thrive.
Female monarch butterflies only lay eggs on one kind of plant called Milkweed. Milkweed is slowly becoming scarce because of human pollution and developmental buildings being built where they grew.
With the help of her school’s librarian, teachers, and other students, they created a Monarch Way Station for planting milkweed to attract more butterflies.
This book is absolutely inspirational and relates to the girl as she also migrated to a new place, navigating and transforming through life’s changes. Children can learn about these magnificent creatures and their life cycles. They help pollinate plants and they should be cherished and be allowed to thrive.
BUTTERFLIES BELONG HERE is perfect for educators and little aspiring naturist. It encourages children to make changes that help the environment. Allowing them to be brave and make a difference.
The beautiful and vibrant illustrations by Meilo So are breathtaking and perfectly transcends the message in the book.
