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Nature Lovers

Nature or nurture ... get both with camping or hiking!

A Walk in the Forest
Nature Lovers
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A charming, illustrated picture book that invites young readers to discover the woods as a place for both imaginative play and contemplation. The forest comes alive in all its mysterious glory with Maria Dek's charming watercolor images and poetic text in A Walkin the Forest. With the turn of each serenely illustrated page, young readers will follow along to collect pinecones, feathers, or stones; follow the tracks of a deer; or listen to the chirping of birds and the whisper of trees. Build a shelter and play hide-and-seek. Pretend the woods are a jungle or shout out loud to stir up the birds. This nature-themed picture book for kids will invite them on an armchair walk of discovery through the woods, showing them that in the forest, wonders await.
average rating is 4.7 out of 5, based on 173 votes, reviews
All the World
Caldecott Medal, Nature Lovers, Gratitude
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All the world is here. It is there. It is everywhere. All the world is right where you are. Now. Following a circle of family and friends through the course of a day from morning until night, this book affirms the importance of all things great and small in our world, from the tiniest shell on the beach, to the warmth of family connections, to the widest sunset sky. Now available as a Classic Board Book, this Caldecott Honor picture book written by Liz Garton Scanlon and illustrated by Marla Frazee is perfect for the youngest of readers.
average rating is 4.8 out of 5, based on 2418 votes, reviews
Good Night Campsite
Camping
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rab your tent and sleeping bags! We’re heading to the campsite! Get your little camper ready for your next camping trip. Your toddler will explore their favorite campsite and all the fun outdoor activities that come with it, like hiking and swimming. They’ll even find chipmunks, frogs, and fireflies! Roasted marshmallows by the campfire included! This book is the perfect gift for little campers everywhere, for birthdays, baby showers, housewarming and going away parties. With the Good Night Our World series, toddlers and preschool-age kids can build listening and memory skills by identifying famous landmarks and the distinct character of real places. Perfect for bedtime or naptime, reading simple, soothing phrases to your infant, toddler or preschooler will help them fall gently to sleep. Our readers love that their child will pick a favorite portion of the story to read along with you, and on top of that, these classic board books were built to last! Made from thick paperboard construction, it was designed with your kids in mind.
average rating is 4.8 out of 5, based on 715 votes, reviews
Have You Ever Seen a Flower?
Caldecott Medal, Nature
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This enchanting picture book explores the relationship between childhood and nature. In this simple yet profound story, one child experiences a flower with all five senses—from its color to its fragrance to the entire universe it evokes—revealing how a single flower can expand one's perspective in incredible ways. CELEBRATION OF NATURE: Full of bright, stunning illustrations, Have You Ever Seen a Flower? reminds readers of all ages to appreciate the beauty of the world. INCREDIBLE TALENT: Have You Ever Seen a Flower? is the authorial debut of award-winning illustrator Shawn Harris. His previous illustrated books have garnered multiple awards and starred reviews, including Her Right Foot and What Can a Citizen Do (both by Dave Eggers), Everyone’s Awake by Colin Meloy, and A Polar Bear in the Snow by Mac Barnett. CRITICS LOVE IT: This award-winning book has received praise from numerous esteemed publications. Highlights include: "[A] stunning tour de force."—The New York Times "The pictures have a rich visual texture, vibrant color, and a naive style, which together imply a child as ostensible artist. This effect is well aligned with the playfully inquisitive text, with rhythm and repetition akin to books by Margaret Wise Brown and Ruth Krauss. . . . Have you ever seen a book quite like this? Not likely."—The Horn Book Magazine
average rating is 4.4 out of 5, based on 174 votes, reviews
Hello Honeybees
Nature Lovers
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Unique board book transforms into a stand-up beehive! Fly the bees through the story and play along in the hive: The youngest nature lovers will adore this ingenious board book that transforms into a stand-up beehive! Simply "fly" the two bee characters–attached to board book with ribbons–through the beautifully illustrated pages to visit a garden, tour the beehive, and see how honey is made. Full of playful and informative touches, this book is a sweet introduction to the hardworking honeybee that will have young readers buzzing to learn more. "A great educational book that explains what honeybees do." –Book Riot Fun and interactive book families can enjoy together Author Hannah Rogge has written many craft titles and journals, and illustrator Emily Dove is a certified naturalist. Fans of We Are the Gardeners by Joanna Gaines with love moving the bees through the stand-up hive in Hello Honeybees. Fun, interactive and educational introduction to the hardworking honeybee. Interactive, fun, and engaging Great family time book Books for kids ages 3-5 Children's books for grades Preschool and up
average rating is 4.8 out of 5, based on 377 votes, reviews
I Love the Mountains
Nature Lovers, Pacific Northwest
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Boom-dee-ah-da, Boom-dee-ah-da, Boom boom boom! I love the mountains, I love the rolling hills, I love the flowers, I love the daffodils, I love the fireside, when all the lights are low, Boom-dee-ah-da, Boom-dee-ah-da, Boom-dee-ah-da, Boom-dee-ah-da… Take a walk in the mountains and sing this rollicking song, whether for you it’s a beloved campfire tradition or a brand new rhyme. Little ones will love the bouncing melody and the Meyers’ adorable illustrations, and parents will love the nostalgia of simpler times and summer camp songs.
average rating is 4.9 out of 5, based on 246 votes, reviews
Just Me and My Dad
Camping, Fathers
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Little Critter is exploring the great outdoors with his dad in this heartwarming and funny classic. The perfect gift to celebrate dad this Father's Day--this sweet story makes a great read aloud storytime with toddlers. Whether he and his dad are canoeing, fishing, or building a campfire, parents and children alike will relate to this beloved story. A perfect gift for Father’s Day . . . or any day!
average rating is 4.8 out of 5, based on 13101 votes, reviews
Little Owl's Day
Nature Lovers
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Chikit-chikit-chik! A squirrel is chittering. Bees are buzzing. The sun is high in the sky. And Little Owl is supposed to be asleep, but when he wakes up early, he’s just too curious to close his eyes again. The forest he knows so well at nighttime is completely different – and exciting – in the day! After watching butterflies dance, wolf pups play, and then his very first rainbow, Little Owl returns to his tree. He has many new stories for his mama. A blue sky companion to Little Owl’s Night, Little Owl’s Day is just right for young children and the perfect introduction to the joy and wonder of the natural world.
average rating is 4.9 out of 5, based on 878 votes, reviews
Little Owl's Night
Nature Lovers, Bedtime
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It's evening in the forest and Little Owl wakes up from his day-long sleep to watch his friends enjoying the night. Hedgehog sniffs for mushrooms, Skunk nibbles at berries, Frog croaks, and Cricket sings. A full moon rises and Little Owl can't understand why anyone would want to miss it. Could the daytime be nearly as wonderful? Mama Owl begins to describe it to him, but as the sun comes up, Little Owl falls fast asleep. Putting a twist on the bedtime book, Little Owl's Night is sure to comfort any child with a curiosity about the night.
average rating is 4.8 out of 5, based on 2226 votes, reviews
Llama Llama Loves Camping
Camping
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Look out, world--Llama Llama is a TV star! The beloved character, made famous by Anna Dewdney's best-selling picture books, is the star of his own original series, now airing on Netflix. In this episode-based 8x8, Llama Llama goes camping for the very first time and learns a valuable lesson: what seems scary can actually be super-duper FUN! Your little llamas will love relating to their favorite picture book character as he faces new and challenging situations.
average rating is 4.7 out of 5, based on 17997 votes, reviews
Mrs. Peanuckle's Hiking Alphabet
Camping, Alphabet
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With playful text, bright illustrations, and sturdy pages, Mrs. Peanuckle's alphabet books will engage toddlers, and take them on an alphabet adventure through the natural world! Explore the wondrous world of hiking while learning the ABCs with Mrs. Peanuckle! Mrs. Peanuckle takes on the outdoors and shares all her favorite animals, plants, and more in her latest tour of the ABCs! From A to Z, Mrs. Peanuckle introduces toddlers to 26 different natural-world experiences. With bold, colorful pages, strong graphic art, and exciting design, these simple nature words are sure to be a hit with budding hikers and curious young scientists.
average rating is 4.8 out of 5, based on 239 votes, reviews
National Parks: A Wildlife Primer
Camping
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This new board book series written by the husband and wife team of Haily and Kevin Meyers and illustrated by Haily, celebrates the unique qualities of each city while employing a fun primer element to tell the story. These books will have you and baby seeing the world by train and will turn story time into a globetrotting event. Perfect as a souvenir or as part of a geography collection for brilliant babies, the All Aboard! series will be pulling into your station next!
average rating is 4.7 out of 5, based on 1696 votes, reviews
Outside In
Caldecott Medal, Nature Lovers, Thinking Big
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From the New York Times best-selling author behind The Quiet Book comes a mindful contemplation on the many ways nature affects our everyday lives, even when we're stuck inside. Five starred reviews! Perfect for fans of Joyce Sidman and Julie Fogliano, Outside In reminds emerging readers of the ways nature creates and touches our lives in homes, apartments, and cars, and is the perfect homeschooling tool to reflect on the world's connectedness. Outside is waiting, the most patient playmate of all. The most generous friend. The most miraculous inventor. This thought-provoking picture book poetically underscores our powerful and enduring connection with nature, not so easily obscured by lives spent indoors. Rhythmic, powerful language shows us how our world is made and the many ways Outside comes in to help and heal us, and reminds us that we are all part of a much greater universe. Emotive illustrations evoke the beauty, simplicity, and wonder that await us all . . . outside.
average rating is 4.7 out of 5, based on 407 votes, reviews
Tiny, Perfect Things
Nature Lovers, Grandparents
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The whole world is a treasure waiting to be found. Open your eyes and see the wonderful things all around. This is the story of a child and a grandfather whose walk around the neighborhood leads to a day of shared wonder as they discover all sorts of tiny, perfect things together. With rhythmic storytelling and detailed and intricate illustrations, this is a book about how childlike curiosity can transform ordinary days into extraordinary adventures.
average rating is 4.8 out of 5, based on 769 votes, reviews

meaningful additions

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

Amazing, highly curated books organized by topics, including strong female leads, LGBTQ family, Black Lives Matter, grandparents and more.

Balanced Rocks
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