This summer I enjoyed spending lots of time with my grandkids. While we had lots of fun adventures and discoveries during the day, I found myself tired by the end of the day and ready for bedtime reading. I was delighted to find so many wonderful books about nature, plants, and the environment. I am happy to share my list in hope that you find it useful for holiday shopping.
In addition to the books listed below, there are so many worthwhile subscriptions available, so even if your family is spread all over the country, you can give a gift that keeps giving. National Geographic has magazines for several ages and so does the Ranger Rick Series. My grandchildren love these. I gave my daughter’s kids the age-appropriate National Geographic and my son’s son the parallel Ranger Rick series, and they trade off. It’s a wonderful reminder that grandmom’s always thinking of you and hoping you are getting outside to enjoy the wonders of nature.
Sharon Richardson, Ulster
The Wild Robot by Peter Brown
This NYT Best Seller won a Caldecott Medal Award and is the first book in a 3-book series about a robot who finds herself on an island inhabited by wildlife who teach her how to survive. Both my 7-year-old and 9-year-old loved the first book and can’t wait to read the second one!
We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom
This NYT best seller and Caldecott Medal winner was endorsed by NEA (National Educators Assoc). It is a true story about a Sioux Tribe that advocated for protecting their water source. It is beautifully illustrated and packs important environmental and advocacy messages.
Nature’s Best Hope: How you can save the world in your own yard
This children’s version of Doug Tallamy’s classic convinced my 7-year-old grandson that he wanted to create his own version of ‘Homegrown National Park.”
Big Life Lessons from Nature’s Little Secrets by Pamela Baxter
“This engaging, interactive book calls attention to some of the most common elements of nature and shows how they can provide insight and inspiration to a child. With dozens of examples, naturalist Pamela Baxter invites you to use all your senses to notice little details of ordinary things—like trees, birds, insects, and clouds—that can be seen right outside your home, no matter where you live. Pam takes these observations one step further and reveals big life lessons that can be found in nature’s little secrets”. Review by GoodReads
Stellaluna by Janell Cannon, recommended by Terry Miller
“Stellaluna is the tender story of a lost young bat who finally finds her way safely home to her mother and friends.” Review by GoodReads