Since we at Seattle's Child can't think of enough reasons to discover a new book or two, we asked our friends at the University Book Store to come up with a list of suggestions for Earth Day – and beyond. Special thanks to Lauren Mayer, children's book buyer, for sending us this list.
Board Books
Growing Vegetable Soup by Lois Ehlert – Lois Elhert's signature colorful, graphic illustrations are coupled with a simple text about how vegetables are planted and grown in this book.
The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle – This tale of a tiny seed includes a seed embedded piece of paper and planting instructions.
Picture Books
All the Water in the World by George Ella Lyon, illustrated by Katherine Tillotson – A new picture book about the water cycle, this is a great read-aloud.
The Curious Garden by Peter Brown – Inspired by the abandoned elevated train tracks in New York City that were converted into a park, this book offers the story of a little boy who tends a garden that grows and spreads to bring life to a city.
Living Sunlight: How Plants Bring the Earth to Life by Molly Bang – With lush illustrations, this book explains photosynthesis and its importance to children.
Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney – In this book, Miss Rumphius sets out to make the world a more beautiful place.
Planting the Trees of Kenya: The Story of Wangari Maathai by Claire A. Nivola – This book is a lovely portrayal of Wangari Maathai, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize for inspiring a generation of women to bring trees back to Kenya and starting the Greenbelt Movement.
A Tree is Nice by Janice May Udry, illustrated by Marc Simont – This book won the Caldecott Medal back in 1957, and it has aged as well as a majestic oak or towering fir.
We are Extremely Very Good Recyclers: Charlie and Lola, characters created by Lauren Child – Here you'll find recycling tips and tricks from the inimitable Charlie and Lola
Me … Jane by Patrick McDonnell – This picture book about the young Jane Goodall includes drawings Goodall made as a girl amongst the lovely illustrations created by McDonnell.
Chapter Books
Hoot by Carl Hiaasen – This Newbery Honor book is a quirky, funny tale of the quest to save some miniature burrowing owls discovered at a construction site.
Just Grace Goes Green by Cherise Mericle Harper – In this installment in the Just Grace series, Grace and her fellow third graders assigned the project of coming up with ways to go green.
Poetry
Poetrees by Douglas Florian – Did we mention that April is also National Poetry Month? This book does a delightful job of combining two of April's pleasures: poetry and the Earth.
You can support the University Book Store and other local, independent book stores by shopping online at www.indiebound.org. Or, of course, you can shop in their stores.
