Earth Day
Toddlers (Ages 1-3)
Right Where You Are Now by Lisa Montierth
Two young children take an imaginative journey around the world and into the past, visiting flowing rivers of lava and early American tribes.
Deep Sea Dive by Salina Yoon
Learn about deep-sea creatures while exploring the underwater world. By lifting the flaps, you’ll get a close-up glimpse of sharks, puffer fish, sea turtles, and more!
On My Leaf by Sara Gillingham
In this interactive board book with bright pictures and finger puppets, a ladybug watches over the garden from her leaf.
Picture Books (Pre K-K)
Ants in Your Pants, Worms in Your Plants! (Gilbert Goes Green) by Diane deGroat
Gilbert is worried: while his classmates are all coming up with great ideas to celebrate Earth Day, he seems to be the only one who can’t think of anything to do.
Pond Walk by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace
One summer day, Buddy and his mother take a walk around a pond and observe the animals and insects that live there.
We Planted a Tree by Diane Muldrow
Two young families in very different parts of the world each plant a tree. As the trees flourish, so do the families.
Early Readers (Grades 1-3)
Sandy’s Incredible Shrinking Footprint by Femida Handy and Carole Carpenter
Sandy loves visiting her grandpa’s house by the beach each summer, playing in the sand while her dog, Pepper, chases seagulls. One day, though, her walk on the beach is ruined by a pile of garbage. The arrival of the “Garbage Lady” inspires her to learn about the ecological footprint each person leaves on the world and how that footprint can be reduced.
Earth Day Every Day by Lisa Bullard
This engrossing book discusses how children can help the planet by planting trees, starting an environmental club at school, and learning how to reduce, reuse, and recycle.
A Meal of the Stars: Poems Up and Down by Dana Jensen
This fresh and unique collection of “up and down” poems shows us the magic of our world.
Children’s Fiction and Nonfiction (Grades 4-6)
Not Your Typical Book About the Environment by Elin Kelsey
Written to allay children’s fears about the environment, this book shows how smart technologies, innovative ideas, and a growing worldwide commitment to “green” lifestyles are helping to create a healthy future for our planet.
Earth, Sea, Sun and Sky: Art in Nature by Barbara Stieff
This beautifully illustrated book shows the ways human culture shapes, interacts with, and represents nature for artistic effect, examining gardens, labyrinths and mazes, outdoor art installations, and representations of nature in galleries.
Watch Out World, Rosy Cole is Going Green! by Sheila Greenwald
Rosy Cole is thrilled when Mrs. Oliphant selects her idea, “Nature’s Gifts,” as one of the themes for the school’s fall fair. Rosy’s team will gather rocks, shells, and sea-glass from the beach. Then, with a little bit of paint, they’ll turn natural history into works of art.
Teen Fiction and Nonfiction (Ages 12 & up)
The Crazy Things Girls Do For Love by Dyan Sheldon
When fashionista Sicilee, arty Maya, and antisocial Waneeda risk their reputations by joining Clifton Springs High School’s Environmental Club to be near gorgeous new student Cody Lightfoot, each finds a new way of looking at the world.
The Omnivore’s Dilemma (Young Reader’s Edition) by Michael Pollan, adapted by Richie Chevat
From fast food and big organic to small farms and old-fashioned hunting and gathering, this young readers’ adaptation of Pollan’s famous food-chain exploration encourages kids to consider the personal and global health implications of their food choices.
Siberia: A Novel by Ann Halam
Sloe was born in a time and place in which there are no more wild animals. When she was only a baby, her father disappeared, and she and her mother went to live in a prison camp in the snowy north. Her mother’s crimes: teaching science and believing that the lost animal species can be reborn. Years later, Sloe escapes, pursued by a mysterious man. With only hope to keep her going, and a special gift from her mother, Sloe sets out on a solitary thousand-mile journey to try to realize her mother’s dreams.
