Staff Picks
Earthworms for Bookworms: Earth Day for Kids
Collection
Happy Earth Day! Learn all about Mother Nature and tree-t yourself to these eco-friendly reads.
No World Too Big
Young People Fighting Global Climate Change
Published in 2023
"David Bowles, Traci Sorell, and others present poems about young activists who speak up to fight global climate change"-- Provided by publisher.
The Ocean Gardener
Published in 2024
"Ayla lives on a beautiful tropical island surrounded by a coral reef. Her mom is a marine biologist, and every day, the two go exploring together. One day, Ayla notices that many of the fish have disappeared, and the once-vibrant corals have turned pale. She and her mom set out to save the corals--but is it too late?"-- Provided by publisher.
Where's Rodney?
Published in 2017
Rodney was inside, but always wanted to be outside. His class takes a field trip to the park.
One Day This Tree Will Fall
Published in 2024
A tree's life story is told from its beginnings as a seed to its survival in the wilderness until it finally falls, but continues its life as a log, an animal habitat, and finally decomposes to provide nutrition for future trees. "When a tree falls, is its story over? There are many ways a tree's story could end: Gobbled up by a bird as a tiny seed. Damaged by wind or ice or fire. Chopped down and hauled away. But some trees--this tree--survives. And grows old. Riddled with scars, cracks, and crevices, it becomes a place creatures large and small call home. One day, after standing tall for centuries, this tree will fall. But even then, is its story over? Or will it continue to nurture the forest and its creatures for many years to come? Complete with additional information about the role trees play in a forest ecosystem, this sweeping story invites readers of all ages to celebrate the incredible life cycle and afterlife of trees."-- Publisher's website, viewed on July 25, 2025.
Miguel's Community Garden
Published in 2022
"Miguel has many plants in his community garden, and today he must find his sunflowers. Let's help Miguel look for them!"--Back cover.
Life After Whale
The Amazing Ecosystem of a Whale Fall
Published in 2024
"A book about the rich ecosystem that springs up around the death of a whale in the deep sea"-- Provided by publisher.
Something About the Sky
Published in 2024
Cut-paper wizard Nikki McClure is a brilliant steward for the words of a pioneering environmentalist in this wondrous ode to clouds-and the scientific "language of the sky." Rachel Carson once wrote, "It is not half so important to know as to feel." What do we know about clouds? There are three basic types: stratus, cumulus, and cirrus. Some are fleecy and fair-weathered while others portend storms. But clouds are more than pretty or ominous backdrops. They're the vehicle of water between sea and land, land and sea, in a cycle without end or beginning. They are the writing of the wind on the sky, a language all their own. An illustrator note explains the origins of Rachel Carson's shimmering essay-previously unpublished in its entirety-and the process of adapting it to picture book format, as well as how the author of Silent Spring forever changed the way we think about science and progress.
Grand Canyon
Published in 2017
A river winds through the landscape, eroding the rock for millions of years, shaping a cavity in the ground 277 miles long, as much as 18 miles wide, and more than a mile deep known as ... Grand Canyon. Home to an astonishing variety of plants and animals that live within its walls, Grand Canyon is much more than just a hole in the ground. Follow a father and daughter as they make their way through this wondrous place, discovering life both present and past. Weave in and out of time as perfectly placed die cuts show how a fossil today was a living creature millions of years ago, often in a completely different environment.
To See an Owl
Published in 2025
Inspired by her teacher, Mr. Koji, a girl begins bird watching in the hopes of seeing an owl.
Dear Earth ... from Your Friends in Room 5
Published in 2020
"When the kids in room 5 write to Earth asking what they can do to help save our planet, they are delighted to get a letter back."-- Publisher.
Water Day
Published in 2023
A girl and her community celebrate the arrival of the water man when he comes on his weekly visit to distribute water to a Cuban village.
Honeybee
The Busy Life of Apis Mellifera
Published in 2020
Describes the life cycle of the hard-working honeybee.
Polar Bear
Published in 2022
"A book exploring the life and habitat of a mother polar bear and her cubs"-- Provided by publisher
The Tide Pool Waits
Published in 2022
"A lyrical tour of the ecology of tide pools"-- Provided by publisher.
Cicada Symphony
Published in 2023
"There are about three thousand different kinds of cicadas but only the males make the sound we know. Some cicadas appear every year but other kinds only show up every seventeen years, but no one knows why. And there can be trillions of them! Interesting facts and a rhythmic, rhyming verse combine with colorful illustrations to portray one of the most fascinating insects in the world"-- Provided by publisher.
No More Plastic
Published in 2021
"When she sees a beached whale that has starved to death after ingesting plastic, a young girl named Isley is inspired to adopt a plastic-free lifestyle, encouraging her family to join her. When people start falling back into old habits, Isley builds a plastic sculpture of a whale that inspires lasting change."-- Provided by publisher.
Berry Song
Published in 2022
Caldecott Medalist Michaela Goade's first self-authored picture book is a gorgeous celebration of the land she knows well and the powerful wisdom of elders. On an island at the edge of a wide, wild sea, a girl and her grandmother gather gifts from the earth. Salmon from the stream, herring eggs from the ocean, and in the forest, a world of berries. Salmonberry, Cloudberry, Blueberry, Nagoonberry. Huckleberry, Snowberry, Strawberry, Crowberry. Through the seasons, they sing to the land as the land sings to them. Brimming with joy and gratitude, in every step of their journey, they forge a deeper kinship with both the earth and the generations that came before, joining in the song that connects us all. Michaela Goade's luminous rendering of water and forest, berries and jams glows with her love of the land and offers an invitation to readers to deepen their own relationship with the earth. - Publisher.
Southwest Sunrise
Published in 2020
Jayden expects to see nothing but brown his first morning in New Mexico, but after being surprised by colorful rocks, flowers, birds, and animals, he wonders if this place could become home.
The Last Straw
Kids Vs. Plastics
Published in 2021
"Hood's poems highlight the threat of plastic and shows how it is hurting the health of our planet. You'll discover how scientists are using jellyfish snot and other methods to break down plastic pollution faster. Hood then introduces readers to young activists who are standing up and speaking out for change-- and inspires you to change the way you think about plastic!"--Provided by publisher.
Stand Up! Speak Up!
A Story Inspired by the Climate Change Revolution
Published in 2020
Celebrate young climate change activists in this charming story about an empowered girl who shows up, listens up, and ultimately, speaks up to inspire her community to take action against climate change. After attending a climate march, a young activist is motivated to make an effort and do her part to help the planet ... by organizing volunteers to work to make green changes in their community, from cleaning a lake, to planting trees, to making composting bins, to hosting a clothing swap and more! Here is an uplifting picture book that is an important reminder that no change is too small--and no person is too young--to make a difference.
Old Enough to Save the Planet
Published in 2020
"I'm big enough to read this book, I'm smart enough to hear the news, I care enough to make a change, I'm old enough to save the planet. The world is facing a climate crisis like we've never seen before. And kids around the world are stepping up to raise awareness and try to save the planet. As people saw in the youth climate strike in September 2019, kids will not stay silent about this subject-they're going to make a change. Meet 13 young activists from around the world who are speaking out and taking action against climate change. Learn about the work they do and the challenges they face, and discover how the future of our planet starts with each and every one of us"-- Provided by publisher.
Our Green City
Published in 2022
"Welcome to our green city! You'll find flowers, trees, animals... and wind turbines, electric cars, and solar panels, too. In this city, a utopian imagination of what a sustainable community could look like, neighbours from diverse backgrounds come together to care for their surroundings and one another. As readers are invited on a journey through the city, they learn about what makes it environmentally friendly, from electric transportation to green classrooms to community gardens. With an encouraging tone that's never didactic, the text asks questions to encourage readers to find small details: butterflies fluttering by, birds sipping nectar from flowers, and all the ways people work together to take care of the community. The uniquely positive depiction of how city life could look in the future is complemented by backmatter that shares some common environmentally friendly ideas kids can try out at home. This uplifting picture book celebrates sustainability and community and encourages kids to think about what their ideal green city might look like."-- Provided by publisher.
Change is in the Air
Carbon, Climate, Earth, and Us
Published in 2024
"The Earth is facing a climate crisis that it can't fight on its own. Luckily, the Earth has another important power: the power of people! And people have the power to change, protect, innovate, and invent. Thanks to the power of nature and the ingenuity of people, change is in the air!"-- Provided by publisher.
We Are Water Protectors
Published in 2020
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. -- Publisher.
Not a Monster
Published in 2023
"An axolotl egg hatches and matures in the Xochimilco canals in Mexico City, the only natural habitat of these unique salamanders that spend their lives in water."-- Provided by publisher
Simone
Published in 2024
When a wildfire threatens Simone's home, she and Má must rush to take shelter. Guided by her own creativity, and buoyed by Má's memories of her childhood in Việt Nam, Simone navigates her way through an all-too-common crisis. This powerful story, straddling two generations and two countries, shows how communities come together in tough times, and how the youngest can imagine the path to a better future.--Book jacket.
Goldfinches
Published in 2026
Have you heard them singing in the wind, above the final fields? Have you ever been so happy in your life? Mary Oliver, winner of the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize, is one of America's most beloved poets. Introducing her unforgettable words to children for the very first time, her poem "Goldfinches" joyfully observes the power of the natural world as only Mary Oliver can.
When a Tree Falls
Nurse Logs and Their Incredible Forest Power
Published in 2025
"A tree suns and sways in the forest. She is a place to grow, to rest, and to shelter. But what happens after a tree falls? The answer will surprise you, and it will make your heart soar. This lyrical picture book explores the life of a tree from its days lifting up toward the light housing wildlife in its boughs, to doing much of the same thing from a very different vantage point: this time, after having fallen, either due to wildfire or drought or from just living out its long life. A tree's second act is often as a nurse log, which is key to a forest's survival. Nurse logs provide a nutrient-rich space for new seedlings to thrive, and with better access to light and nourishment from the decaying trunk. They shelter small animals and host different species of fungi, lichens, mosses and ferns. And, over time, a new tree's roots wrap around the log, beginning the cycle anew"-- Provided by publisher.
How to Say Hello to a Worm
A First Guide to Outside
Published in 2022
"The beautiful simplicity of a garden is depicted through digital woodcut illustrations and engaging nonfiction text presented as a series of sweet questions and gentle replies. Less of a traditional how-to and more of a how-to-appreciate, this soothingly sparse text paints an inviting and accessible picture of what a garden offers. And with an all-child cast, the absence of an adult presence empowers readers to view the garden and its creatures through their own eyes, driven by curiosity and wonder"-- Provided by publisher.
Safe Crossing
Published in 2025
"Every spring, frogs and salamanders must travel from wooded uplands to vernal pools where they were born, now to mate. Unfortunately, roads constructed through their habitats have made the journey dangerous for these slow-moving animals. Many never reach their destinations. But with the help of the Amphibian Migration Team, there is hope for a safe crossing! Playful and informative, Safe Crossing offers an empowering example of how even the youngest individuals can raise awareness about a meaningful cause, drive change, and unite people in a community, as well as globally"-- Provided by publisher.
One Tiny Treefrog
A Countdown to Survival
Published in 2023
"Deep in the tropical forest of Costa Rica, ten sticky frog eggs cling to a leaf. Only nine eggs hatch. Only eight tadpoles wind up in the water below. What will it take to survive the countdown to adulthood and begin the cycle again? This beautifully designed, color-drenched introduction to frog metamorphosis peeks at this animal's habitats and predators as it illustrates competition and natural selection." -- Amazon.com.
A Seed Grows
Published in 2022
"An educational picture book about the life cycle of a sunflower"-- Provided by publisher.
The Great Lakes
Our Freshwater Treasure
Published in 2024
"A picture book about the five largest lakes in North America - how they formed, the importance of these waters, and how they've become a national treasure"-- Provided by publisher.
Butterfly for a King
Saving Hawaiʻi's Kamehameha Butterflies
Published in 2020
"A combined history of the Hawaiian islands and the native Kamehameha butterfly up to and including current-day efforts of Hawaiʻi's Pulelehua Project, a group of professional and citizen scientists working to restore the butterfly's declining habitats and population. An Afterword with additional information, photographs, and source list is included"-- Provided by publisher.
The Search for the Giant Arctic Jellyfish
Published in 2023
Dr. Morley and her team arrive in the Arctic Circle, where they encounter such wonders as playful orcas, the glowing aurora borealis, and formidable ice shelves while searching for the giant Arctic jellyfish, a legendary creature no one has ever seen.
You're Snug with Me
Published in 2018
A mother polar bear answers the questions of her two curious cubs about what lies beyond their cozy winter den as they wait for spring to arrive.
Nibi's Water Song
Published in 2021
"Nibi, a Native American girl, cannot get clean water from her tap or the river, so she goes on a journey to connect with fellow water protectors and get clean water for all"-- Provided by publisher.
Moth
Published in 2019
A newly-emerged peppered moth blends in with other speckled-winged moths on lichen-covered branches, but over time the moths with black wings increase as trees are blackened by soot from man-made machines.
Frog
A Story of Life on Earth
Published in 2026
If frogs come from eggs, and eggs come from frogs, where did the first frog come from? A frog can tell the story of the universe. Because before there were frogs, before there were people and plants, and before there was the Earth itself, the universe started with a tiny speck and a bang. And from this single speck, the universe and all life came to be. Isabel Thomas's lyrical text and Daniel Egneus's breathtaking illustrations transport readers through time and space to the very moment the universe was created. A story is still being told--in every garden, every pond, and every corner of our extraordinary planet. Frog: A Story of Life on Earth is an imaginative and educational introduction to the history of our universe, our planet, evolution, and the vast diversity of our planet.
Joy Takes Root
Published in 2023
Food for the Future
Sustainable Farms Around the World
Published in 2023
"Go on a tour of eco-friendly farms around the globe! From urban gardens to farms under the sea, discover the many different sustainable ways people have been growing food for centuries, and new innovations that are battling the effects of climate change on farming. Rhyming text and inset boxes with definitions for new vocabulary words make the topic accessible to young learners. End matter includes detailed information about each country's farming practice, sustainable farming and more"-- Provided by publisher.
Eco Girl
Published in 2023
Emulating her favorite baobab trees, Eve contributes to the beauty of the forest by nurturing her very own baobab seedling, becoming an environmental steward to express her love for all things leafy and green.
Oil
Published in 2020
The story of an oil spill and its devastating effects on animals and the environment.--description provided by publisher.