Earth Day Book List: 7 Books that Help Kid Develop an Appreciation for Our Planet
Are you searching for incredible books that will ignite the imaginations of young dreamers and foster a love for the environment?
Look no further! Our carefully curated collection features captivating storylines that are sure to invoke children's curiosity about the world around them. The books range from biographies of environmentalist to fictional adventures. Always, thank you for dreaming with us!
Mama Miti by Donna Jo Napoli is an engaging biography about the STEM hero and environmentalist Dr. Wangari Maathi. The story begins with Dr. Maathi learning about the power and utility of trees from her community. Using this indigenous knowledge from her elders, she solved pressing environmental problems facing people in Kenya. When women from neighboring communities asked for help, she provided each woman with tree seeds, which solved their problems and provided them with a sense of hope.
The illustrations by Kadir Nelson capture the power and presence of Dr. Maathi. I love how Nelson place haloes behind the heads of women in the story.
For parents and educators, this book provides an example of a change agent who combined indigenous knowledge and academic training to create societal change. The rich storyline, science themes, and civic action make this book great to use in English, Science, and Social Studies classes.
This is a must have book in your home or school library. It also serves as a great gift for a budding scientist who needs a real life STEM hero to admire.
by Tony Hillery (Author), Jessie Hartland (Illustrator)
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.
by Loll Kirby (Author), Adelina Lirius (Illustrator)
Author Loll Kirby and illustrator Adelina Lirius’s picture book Old Enough to Save the Planet is an inspiring look at young climate change activists who are changing the world.
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 12 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.
by Micha Archer (Author, Illustrator)
Caldecott Honor winner Micha Archer’s gloriously detailed collages invite readers into Daniel’s blossoming world, encouraging them to appreciate all the wonderful new things in their own lives, big and small.
"What’s new?" We casually say this to each other all the time, but when Daniel’s grandpa asks him this question, Daniel’s curiosity is sparked and he’s determined to really find out! And there is so much new stuff to report on, since their local park is brimming with spring life. Birds have reappeared from their winter journeys, ducklings are hatching, and polliwogs are growing long legs—just like Daniel!
Chapter Books
by Kelly Starling Lyons (Author), Nneka Myers (Illustrator), Vanessa Brantley-Newton (Illustrator)
Jada Jones is back for the sixth book of this popular, celebrated series perfect for STEM fans!
Jada is thrilled when she gets to go on an outdoor class field trip with her Pop Pop, a nature lover, as a chaperone. She can't wait to show him off to her friends--and show him what she knows. But the trip has some twists along the way, including a soaring zip line she's not sure she wants to try. What happens when Jada's shining moment starts to lose its luster?
The Magnificent Makers: How to Test a Friendship by Theanne Griffith is a must-read chapter book. The author begins the story with two friends excited to see each other at the start of the new academic year. When they find out they are sitting next to each other in a tripod desk arrangement, it adds to their excitement. However, things change when a new student named Deepak sits with the two best friends. What the three classmates do not know is that they will enter an alternative reality with a silly scientist.
Entering in this reality allows the trio to apply their science knowledge, work as a team, understand the true meaning of friendship, and how to include new people in groups.
This book teaches the practical application of science and shows kids how fun it is to be a scientist! I love reading this book with my sons because it seamlessly integrated science knowledge into the storyline, it addressed how to treat people, and took all of us on an amazing adventure. I also loved how the author intentionally wrote a book that displayed characters of color with a high level of agency and love of science. This must read chapter book is the first in a three part series.
by Theanne Griffith (Author), Leo Trinidad (Illustrator)
Boom! Snap! Whiz! Zap! The Magnificent Makers is a fiction chapter book series filled with real science, adventure, and characters kids will love! Every book includes two science activities kids can do at home.
A modern-day Magic School Bus for today's kids!
Pablo, Violet, and their classmate Garry are on a field trip to the Environmental Science Center when they are transported to the Maker Maze! In the maze, they’ll work with wacky scientist Dr. Crisp to complete three challenges all about wind, solar, and tidal energy. But then Violet begins to feel bad about how much energy she’s been using. Can she, Pablo, and Garry learn how to use energy in a way that doesn't hurt the earth?
In Go, Go, Green Energy!, the kids learn the importance of being mindful and never giving up. Don’t miss the other books in the series!
