Earth Day Reading | Board Books and Picture Books

The Children’s Book Review | April 22, 2014

Earth Day Books

“Education is at the heart of  Earth Day.” — Earth Day Network

I just love that Earth Day is in spring! It makes perfect sense to capture everyone’s attention when they are ready to get back into the great outdoors after winter. Below you’ll discover just a couple of the books that have caught my attention because of their appreciation of gardens, plants, and even weeds.

Board Books

Baby Unplugged: Water

By John Hutton

Publisher’s Synopsis:

Drop from clouds.

Drip from sink.

Water to play.

Water to drink!

Water and its life-sustaining magic are joyfully presented in this book for babies and toddlers: from puddles to pools, rivers to tubs, inspiration for the next generation of swimmers, sailors, and biologists. From the award-winning Baby Unplugged series, dedicated to simple yet developmentally stimulating childhood icons and experiences, healthy alternatives to screen-based media. Such experiences are increasingly viewed as essential for healthy development, yet at risk with the encroachment of “educational” screen-based media, linked to epidemic child health and behavior problems.

Ages 0-3 | Publisher: blue manatee press | Apr. 1, 2014 | ISBN 978-1936669202

You Are My Baby: Garden

By Lorena Siminovich

Publisher’s Synopsis: In a new title in this series of charming and inventive board books, readers will find a little book nestled inside a bigger one: Turn the pages to match the baby animals to their parents, and learn some early concepts along the way.

Ages 0-2 | Publisher: Chronicle Books | Mar. 25, 2014 | ISBN 9781452133379

Picture Books

How Does a Seed Sprout?: And Other Questions About … Plants 

By Melissa Stewart

Publisher’s Synopsis: What is a seed—and will all of them eventually become plants? What happens to plants in winter? Why do leaves come in so many sizes and shapes? Do insects help plants, or harm them? A virtual garden of information grows here for young readers to enjoy.

Ages 7 and up | Publisher: Sterling Children’s Books | Jan. 7, 2014 | ISBN 978-1454906711

Weeds Find a Way

By Cindy Jenson-Elliott

Publisher’s Synopsis: Weeds are wonderful! Persistent, exuberant…these plants have personalities, and this nonfiction picture book puts them on colorful display!

From bright yellow dandelions popping through cracks in sidewalks to purple loosestrife growing rampant along roadways, weeds offer unexpected splashes of color and life to the least likely of places. With lovely language and a sly sense of humor, this beautiful picture book celebrates the tenacious temperaments of these pesky plants and is sure to have little ones chanting, “Way to go, weeds!”

Ages 4-8 | Publisher: Beach Lane Books | Feb. 4, 2014 | ISBN 978-1442412606

For even more wonderful Earth Day reading, check out our Earth Day Books tag and our entire Environment & Ecology category.