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Environment

Respecting the earth and learning how to protect it

The Lorax

Seussian Favorites, Environment

Long before saving the earth became a global concern, Dr. Seuss, speaking through his character the Lorax, warned against mindless progress and the danger it posed to the earth's natural beauty.
average rating is 4.9 out of 5, based on 9277 votes, reviews

Dr. Seuss

What if Everybody Did That?

Environment, Manners

If you drop just one soda can out the window, it’s no big deal ... right? But what if everybody did that? What if everybody broke the rules ... and spoke during story time, didn’t wash up, or splashed too much at the pool? Then the world would be a mess. But what if everybody obeyed the rules so that the world would become a better place? Using humorous illustrations rendered in mixed media, these questions are answered in a child-friendly way and show the consequences of thoughtless behavior.
average rating is 4.7 out of 5, based on 6638 votes, reviews

Ellen Javernick

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

Classics, Gratitude, Environment

If food dropped like rain from the sky, wouldn't it be marvelous! Or would it? It could, after all, be messy. And you'd have no choice. What if you didn't like what fell? Or what if too much came? Have you ever thought of what it might be like to be squashed flat by a pancake?
average rating is 4.8 out of 5, based on 4398 votes, reviews

Judi Barrett

We Are Water Protectors

Indigenous Culture, Environment, Caldecott Medal

Inspired by the many Indigenous-led movements across North America, We Are Water Protectors issues an urgent rallying cry to safeguard the Earth’s water from harm and corruption―a bold and lyrical picture book written by Carole Lindstrom and vibrantly illustrated by Michaela Goade. Water is the first medicine. It affects and connects us all . . . When a black snake threatens to destroy the Earth And poison her people’s water, one young water protector Takes a stand to defend Earth’s most sacred resource.
average rating is 4.8 out of 5, based on 3763 votes, reviews

Carole Lindstrom

The Tiny Seed

Environment, Gardening

Eric Carle’s classic story of the life cycle of a flower is told through the adventures of a tiny seed. This mini-book includes a piece of detachable seed-embedded paper housed on the inside front cover. Readers can plant the entire piece of paper and watch as their very own tiny seeds grow into beautiful wildflowers.
average rating is 4.7 out of 5, based on 2617 votes, reviews

Eric Carle

Planting a Rainbow

Environment, Gardening

This educational and enjoyable book helps children understand how to plant bulbs, seeds, and seedlings, and nurture their growth. Lois Ehlert's bold collage illustrations include six pages of staggered width, presenting all the flowers of each color of the rainbow.
average rating is 4.8 out of 5, based on 2033 votes, reviews

Lois Ehlert

Jane Goodall (Big Dreams)

Environment, Strong Female Leads

This board book version of Jane Goodall—from the critically acclaimed Little People, BIG DREAMS series—introduces the youngest dreamers to the world's foremost expert on chimpanzees. When Jane was little, her father gave her a toy chimpanzee named Jubilee. This inspired her lifelong love of animals, and she went to study them in the wild as soon as she could. Jane lived with chimpanzees in their natural habitat and became famous for her pioneering approach to research. She now educates the public on animal rights. Babies and toddlers will love to snuggle as you read to them the engaging story of this fascinating woman, and will also enjoy exploring the stylish and quirky illustrations of this sturdy board book on their own. Little People, BIG DREAMS is a best-selling series of books and educational games that explore the lives of outstanding people, from designers and artists to scientists and activists. All of them achieved incredible things, yet each began life as a child with a dream. This empowering series offers inspiring messages to children of all ages, in a range of formats. The board books are told in simple sentences, perfect for reading aloud to babies and toddlers. The hardcover versions present expanded stories for beginning readers. Boxed gift sets allow you to collect a selection of the books by theme. Paper dolls, learning cards, matching games, and other fun learning tools provide even more ways to make the lives of these role models accessible to children. Inspire the next generation of outstanding people who will change the world with Little People, BIG DREAMS!
average rating is 4.9 out of 5, based on 1275 votes, reviews

Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara

The Honeybee

Environment

Buzz from flower to flower with a sweet honeybee in this gorgeous Classic Board Book from critically acclaimed author Kirsten Hall and award-winning illustrator Isabelle Arsenault! Bzzz… What’s that? Do you hear it? You’re near it. It’s closer, it’s coming, it’s buzzing, it’s humming… A BEE! With zooming, vibrant verse and buzzy, beautiful illustrations, this celebration of the critically important honeybee is now available as a honey-sweet Classic Board Book.
average rating is 4.8 out of 5, based on 1015 votes, reviews

Kirsten Hall

The Wondrous Workings of Planet Earth

Environment, Science

An illustrated tour of the planet exploring ecosystems large and small, from reefs, deserts, and rainforests to a single drop of water—from the New York Times bestselling author of Women in Science. Making earth science accessible and entertaining through art, maps, and infographics, The Wondrous Workings of Planet Earth explains how our planet works—and how we can protect it—from its diverse ecosystems and their inhabitants, to the levels of ecology, the importance of biodiversity, the cycles of nature, and more. Science- and nature-loving readers of all ages will delight in this utterly charming guide to our amazing home.
average rating is 4.8 out of 5, based on 942 votes, reviews

Rachel Ignotofsky

I am Jane Goodall

Environment, Strong Female Leads

We can all be heroes. That’s the inspiring message of this New York Times bestselling picture book biography series from historian and author Brad Meltzer. Learn all about Jane Goodall, the chimpanzee scientist. Each picture book in this series is a biography of a significant historical figure, told in a simple, conversational, vivacious way, and always focusing on a character trait that makes the person a role model for kids. The heroes are depicted as children throughout, telling their life stories in first-person present tense, which keeps the books playful and accessible to young children. And each book ends with a line of encouragement, a direct quote, photos, a timeline, and a source list. This tenth book in the series features Jane Goodall, the scientist and conservationist who is famous for her work with chimpanzees.
average rating is 4.9 out of 5, based on 938 votes, reviews

Brad Meltzer

The Earth Book

Environment

With his signature blend of playfulness and sensitiviy, Todd Parr explores the important, timely subject of environmental protection and conservation in this eco-friendly picture book. Featuing a circular die-cut Earth on the cover, and printed entirely with recycled materials and nontoxic soy inks, this book includes lots of easy, smart ideas on how we can all work together to make the Earth feel good - from planting a tree and using both sides of the paper, to saving energy and reusing old things in new ways. Best of all, the book includes an interior gatefold with a poster with tips/reminders on how kids can "go green" everyday. Equally whimsical and heartfelt, this sweet homage to our beautiful planet is sure to inspire readers of all ages to do their part in keeping the Earth happy and healthy.
average rating is 4.8 out of 5, based on 722 votes, reviews

Todd Parr

Wild

Nature Lovers, Environment

"You cannot tame something so happily wild." In this beautiful picture book by Emily Hughes, we meet a little girl who has known nothing but nature from birth—she was taught to talk by birds, to eat by bears, and to play by foxes. She is unashamedly, irrefutably, irrepressibly wild. That is, until she is snared by some very strange animals that look oddly like her, but they don't talk right, eat right, or play correctly. She's puzzled by their behavior and their insistence on living in these strange concrete structures: there's no green here, no animals, no trees, no rivers. Now she lives in the comfort of civilization. But will civilization get comfortable with her? In her debut picture book, Hughes brings an uncanny humor to her painterly illustrations. Her work is awash with color, atmosphere, and a stunning visual splendor that will enchant children while indulging their wilder tendencies. Wild is a twenty-first-century answer to Maurice Sendak's children's classic—it has the same inventiveness, groundbreaking art, and unmissable quirkiness.
average rating is 4.7 out of 5, based on 710 votes, reviews

Emily Hughes

Manfish

Environment

Once upon a time in France, a baby was born under the summer sun. His parents named him Jacques. As he grew, Jacques fell in love with the sea. He dreamed of breathing beneath the waves and swimming as gracefully as a fish. In fact, he longed to become a manfish. Jacques Cousteau grew up to become a champion of the seas and one of the best-known oceanographers in the world. In this lovely biography, now in paperback, poetic text and gorgeous paintings come together to create a portrait of Cousteau that is as magical as it is inspiring.
average rating is 4.7 out of 5, based on 702 votes, reviews

Jennifer Berne

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If You Come to Earth

Environment, Travel

From two-time Caldecott Winner author-illustrator Sophie Blackall!If You Come to Earth is a glorious guide to our home planet, and a call for us to take care of both Earth and each other. This beautiful book is inspired by the thousands of children Sophie Blackall has met during her travels around the world in support of UNICEF and Save the Children. If you come to Earth, there are a few things you need to know . . . We live in all kinds of places. In all kinds of homes. In all kinds of families. Each of us is different. But all of us are amazing. And, together, we share one beautiful planet. ​ This masterful and moving picture book is a visually comprehensive guide to the earth, imbued with warmth and humor, that celebrates the magic of ordinary days on our beloved home planet. An engaging storybook about a single curious and imaginative child Simultaneously funny and touching Carries a clear message about the need to care for the earth and each other
average rating is 4.8 out of 5, based on 623 votes, reviews

Sophie Blackall

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The Curious Garden

Environment, Gardening

This New York Times bestselling modern classic explores the perennial topic of environmentalism in an urban world, from the creator of The Wild Robot and Mr. Tiger Goes Wild One boy's quest for a greener world... one garden at a time. While out exploring one day, a little boy named Liam discovers a struggling garden and decides to take care of it. As time passes, the garden spreads throughout the dark, gray city, transforming it into a lush, green world. This is an enchanting tale with environmental themes and breathtaking illustrations that become more vibrant as the garden blooms. Red-headed Liam can also be spotted on every page, adding a clever seek-and-find element to this captivating picture book.
average rating is 4.9 out of 5, based on 515 votes, reviews

Peter Brown

The Pout-Pout Fish Cleans Up the Ocean

Environment

This board book edition in the New York Times–bestselling Pout-Pout Fish series from Deborah Diesen and illustrator Dan Hanna, The Pout-Pout Fish Cleans Up the Ocean, will teach little guppies how to take responsibility for their actions and for the environment. Mr. Fish and his friends have noticed something strange in their ocean―a big, big MESS! How did it get there? What can they do about it? The closer they look, the more they see where the mess came from . . . and they'll have to work together to get rid of it.
average rating is 4.8 out of 5, based on 472 votes, reviews

Deborah Diesen

Touch the Earth

Environment, Celebrity Authors

Jump aboard the White Feather Flier, a magical plane that can go wherever you want. Just press a button printed on the page, and point the plane up in the air to fly, or down to land it. The Flier's mission is to transport readers around the world, to engage them in helping to save the environment, and to teach one and all to love our planet. Fly to the top of a mountain. Send clean water to thirsty people. Dive deep into the ocean (the Flier turns into a submarine!) to pick up pollution and bring back the fish. Explore the planet, meet new people, and help make the world a better place.
average rating is 4.7 out of 5, based on 468 votes, reviews

Julian Lennon

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Compost Stew

Environment, Gardening

Teach kids to compost and help them develop life-long habits to protect the Earth. From apple cores to zinnia heads, readers will discover the best ingredients for a successful compost pile in this fun picture book perfect for Earth Day! Kids everywhere are seeking knowledge about the environment and climate change. Not only is composting becoming more common in households and residential gardens, but many school gardens feature compost piles, too. But how do you start a compost pile? What’s safe to include? Perfect for an Earth Day focus or year-round reference, this inviting book provides all the answers for kids and families looking for simple, child-friendly ways to help the planet.
average rating is 4.8 out of 5, based on 455 votes, reviews

Mary McKenna Siddals

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Climate Change for Babies

Environment

Teach toddlers about current events with this colorfully simple explanation of the science behind climate change. The perfect gift for environmentally conscious kids and families! Climate Change for Babies is an engaging, basic introduction for youngsters (and grownups!) to the complex questions of what climate change is and what we can do about it. Full of scientific information and written by experts, this timely installment of the Baby University board book series is perfect for enlightening the next generation of geniuses. After all, it's never too early to become a scientist!
average rating is 4.8 out of 5, based on 440 votes, reviews

Chris Ferrie

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The Boy Who Grew a Forest

Environment, Indian Culture

As a boy, Jadav Payeng was distressed by the destruction deforestation and erosion was causing on his island home in India's Brahmaputra River. So he began planting trees. What began as a small thicket of bamboo, grew over the years into 1,300 acre forest filled with native plants and animals. The Boy Who Grew a Forest tells the inspiring true story of Payeng--and reminds us all of the difference a single person with a big idea can make.
average rating is 4.8 out of 5, based on 340 votes, reviews

Sophia Gholz

Thank You, Earth

Environment

Acclaimed children’s book author and photographer April Pulley Sayre’s love letter to Earth is a stunning exploration of the beauty and complexity of the world around us. Remarkable photographs and a rich, layered text introduce concepts of science, nature, geography, biology, poetry, and community, perfect for classrooms and homeschooling. This nonfiction picture book is ideal for Earth Day and for celebrating the planet all year long. April Pulley Sayre, award-winning photographer and acclaimed author of more than sixty-five books, introduces concepts of science, nature, and language arts through stunning photographs and a poetic text structured as a simple thank-you note. Touching on subjects from life cycles to weather, colors, shapes, and patterns, this is an ideal resource for science and language art curriculums and a terrific book for bedtime sharing. Thank You, Earth is a great choice for Earth Day celebrations, as well as family and group read-alouds.
average rating is 4.8 out of 5, based on 251 votes, reviews

April Pulley Sayre

Harlem Grown

Gardening, Thinking Big, Diverse Leads

Discover the incredible true story of Harlem Grown, a lush garden in New York City that grew out of an abandoned lot and now feeds a neighborhood. Once In a big city called New York In a bustling neighborhood There was an empty lot. Nevaeh called it the haunted garden. Harlem Grown tells the inspiring true story of how one man made a big difference in a neighborhood. After seeing how restless they were and their lack of healthy food options, Tony Hillery invited students from an underfunded school to turn a vacant lot into a beautiful and functional farm. By getting their hands dirty, these kids turned an abandoned space into something beautiful and useful while learning about healthy, sustainable eating and collaboration. Five years later, the kids and their parents, with the support of the Harlem Grown staff, grow thousands of pounds of fruits and vegetables a year. All of it is given to the kids and their families. The incredible story is vividly brought to life with Jessie Hartland’s “charmingly busy art” (Booklist) that readers will pore over in search of new details as they revisit this poignant and uplifting tale over and over again. Harlem Grown is an independent, not-for-profit organization. The author’s share of the proceeds from the sale of this book go directly to Harlem Grown.
average rating is 4.9 out of 5, based on 242 votes, reviews

Tony Hillery

Bee & Me

Environment

A beautiful wordless picture book brings a personal note to the plight of the honeybee and offers a message of hope. A little girl befriends a bee that takes her on a journey of discovery, revealing an action that every child can take to aid in conservation. In a wordless story told through enchanting illustrations, Bee & Me tells a tale of friendship and offers an introduction to the ecology of the natural world. Alison Jay's original artwork brings the story gently to life, pointing out the sadness of a world without bees. An afterword makes clear to readers the important role these endangered insects play.
average rating is 4.6 out of 5, based on 183 votes, reviews

Alison Jay

Change Starts with Us

Environment

This vibrant board book by the creator of Love Makes a Family and Kindness Makes Us Strong celebrates small acts of green living that make a big impact on the environment. Change starts with planting trees. It starts with turning off faucets, and reusing and recycling. Most importantly, change starts with us! This encouraging preschool read-aloud demonstrates simple yet mighty examples of environmental activism and ways in which young readers can take care of the earth. Whether it's biking places with family or picking up litter with friends, Change Starts with Us proves that everyone has the power to build a better world.
average rating is 4.8 out of 5, based on 158 votes, reviews

Sophie Beer

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The People Shall Continue

Environment, Indigenous Leads

Told in the rhythms of traditional oral narrative, this powerful telling of the history of the Native/Indigenous peoples of North America recounts their story from Creation to the invasion and usurpation of Native lands. As more and more people arrived, The People saw that the new men did not respect the land. The People witnessed the destruction of their Nations and the enslavement of their people. The People fought hard, but eventually agreed to stop fighting and signed treaties. Many things changed and became more difficult, but The People continued to farm and create crafts. They remembered and told their children, "You are Shawnee. You are Lakota. You are Pima. You Acoma. . . . You are all these Nations of the People." The People held onto their beliefs and customs and found solidarity with other oppressed people. And despite struggles against greed, destruction of their lands, and oppression, The People persisted. "The times call on all of us to share The People Shall Continue. Ortiz reminds us that we must come together to save our planet." --Debbie Reese (Nambe Pueblo), PhD and publisher, American Indians in Children's Literature
average rating is 4.8 out of 5, based on 130 votes, reviews

Simon J Ortiz

Dear Earth

Environment

This inspiring picture book celebrates the wonders of our world and reminds us that if we all work together to spread the message that Earth is special and worth saving, we can keep our planet beautiful for many years to come. The message that Earth is special and worth saving is an important one, especially now, when climate issues are so prevalent. Dear Earth is an inspiring story of a young girl named Tessa, who writes a love letter to the Earth in celebration of its many wonderful components. Tessa has the opportunity to blow bubbles with majestic whales, soar with the birds, and join in the noise and excitement of the rain forest. She believes that if we all work together to spread the message that Earth is special and worth saving, we will be able to keep our planet beautiful for many years to come. Includes back matter with ways to help save the Earth, as well as a letter template for children to write their own letter to Earth.
average rating is 4.8 out of 5, based on 123 votes, reviews

Isabel Otter

Our Universe: Our Planet

Space, Environment

From writer Stacy McAnulty and illustrator David Litchfield, Our Planet! There's No Place Like Earth is a nonfiction picture book about the Earth, told from the perspective of Earth herself. Meet Earth. Planet Awesome! And your awesome home! Actually, Earth is home to all the plants and all the animals in the solar system, including nearly eight billion people. Humans have accidentally moved Earth's climate change into the fast lane, and she need your help to put on the brakes. Earthlings need Earth, and Earth needs Earthlings, so let’s save Earth together! With characteristic humor and charm, Stacy McAnulty channels the voice of Earth in this next celestial "autobiography" in the Our Universe series. Rich with kid-friendly facts and beautifully brought to life by David Litchfield, this is an equally charming and irresistible picture book.
average rating is 4.7 out of 5, based on 111 votes, reviews

Stacy McAnulty

The Planet We Call Home

Environment

A lyrical and loving ode to Planet Earth and the ways in which its many features are interconnected--to each other and to us--told in the cumulative style of "This Is the House that Jack Built." This is our Earth, the planet we call home. These are the mountains, stretching from Earth, the planet we call home. This is the sun, that warms up the mountains, stretching from Earth, the planet we call home. And on the story goes: The planet we call home has mountains that stretch from the earth, and those mountains have streams that swell in the sun, and those streams lead to rivers that meander by towns, and on and on—all interconnected and all dependent on one another. And throughout it all is us, the people who call this planet home, and who care for its many wonders and help keep it beautiful and vibrant for generations to come. With a warm, cumulative text by debut author Aimee Isaac, gorgeous, sweeping art by award-winning and bestselling illustrator Jaime Kim, this is a perfect read for budding environmentalists—and for anyone who loves the planet we all call home.
average rating is 4.9 out of 5, based on 31 votes, reviews

Aimee Isaac

The Last Polar Bear

Environment

Bestselling duo Jean Craighead George and Wendell Minor team up to show young readers the natural world. The Last Polar Bear is a poignant tale about a boy desperate to save one of the last polar bears in the rapidly changing Arctic environment. Can Tigluk and his grandmother help the young cub who lost his mother? Frequent collaborators Jean Craighead George and Wendell Minor present another beautiful and moving picture book to join their well-received books Everglades and Galapagos George.
average rating is 4.8 out of 5, based on 25 votes, reviews

Jean Craighead George

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The Bee Without Wings

Environment, Friendships, Gardening

An unexpected friendship between a girl and a wingless bee warmly teaches young readers about friendship and loss in this heartfelt tale for fans of Charlotte's Web and The Honeybee. Finding a bumble bee without wings in her garden, Sasha is determined to help it survive, leading to an unexpected friendship. Sasha, Molly the cat, and Bea the bee share a joyful summer together and discover that you don't need wings to fly. When the time comes to say goodbye to Bea, Sasha finds a meaningful way to honor the life of her tiny friend. The Bee Without Wings is a timeless story of friendship and loss for young readers, beautifully illustrated by author Amberlea Williams. This warm tale includes an activity for creating a bee pollinator garden, along with information on how to care for early spring bees.
average rating is 5 out of 5, based on 7 votes, reviews

Amberlea Williams

Bees Are Our Friends

Environment, Gardening

Bees Are Our Friends invites readers into a stunning garden to admire the hard work of one little bee. As the bee pollinates the garden, vibrant flowers and ripe fruit and vegetables burst to life around her. Down in the garden, up high in a tree, is a busy beehive … and one little bee. Written in irresistible rhyme by Toni D’Alia, and lavishly illustrated by Alice Lindstrom, young readers will pore over this perfect introduction to these essential insects.
average rating is 5 out of 5, based on 3 votes, reviews

Toni D'Alia

Environment

meaningful additions

Children learn and hear more than we think.  Books provide context for new and potentially confusing topics, and give caregivers a way to approach complex topics.

Balanced Rocks
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