Five great green books for kids

Raising children who love the earth requires first-hand experience with the relationships found outdoors. Literature can intensify that love.  Reading a great book adds resonance to the experience of being human. An ecologic consciousness begins as soon as a child has awareness of the world around them. These green books for kids are rooted in a love for the environment. Take kids outside; read to them.

by Robert Frost , Susan Jeffers (Illustrator)

This book, like those that follow, is recommended for young grade-school children. While a toddler shouldn’t handle this book, the beauties of the words are suitable for any age. A classic poem, frosty vellum cover, and striking artwork make this book feel sacred. Even more than the sum of its parts, Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening does not try to be a book to promote environmentalism. It is an extension of the artist’s nature-loving soul.  Frost’s poem brings to life the mysticism of being outdoors.  Children should learn the rhythm of beautiful words.  The clean frosty images may evoke thoughts of Santa Claus for youngsters. Adults may consider what it means to grow old. This is a book to read over and over so that when a child has grown they will recall these words some winter night when they look into a dark white world and recite aloud “Whose woods these are I think I know.”

 

      

by Carole Martignacco

 

This is a wonderful book to read aloud to little ones. Where do we come from? Where does the universe come from? Illusions to the seed that exploded and became the universe and the seed that became you (the reader, or the child being read to) represent unity between everything. Reading this book to a child could be an act of love.  

 

by Dr. Seuss

 

The language of Dr. Seuss is a joy to read. Children with their black and white sense of morality easily see the villainous behavior in destroying the Lorax. This is a book that can help explain why it is not good to buy (even if you could afford it) more than you need. The relationship between losses in nature and conspicuous consumption is not too popular in the consumer culture of the US. Yet somehow, no one argues with Seuss, because he always gets the lesson and the fun just right.

 

 

 

by Lynne Cherry

 

Share this story with a child so they will never see any puzzlement in the humancentric question, If a tree falls in the forest and there is no one there to hear it, does it make a sound? Everything that falls and everything we take has an impact. The forest is full and busy with life, without a human in sight. Every child and adult should have these concepts straight. The message to save the rain forest, and more, comes through clearly. 

 

by Steve Jenkins

 

Lots of facts and stunning pictures will busy the mind of youngsters. Especially fine for kids who love facts. Everyone loves an underdog. And the animals here are all underdogs.  In every case, human intervention has been the most significant factor in the decline of the species.  There are some stories of hopeful recovery. This is a good starting point to discuss how we share the world with these rare animals. Children are likely to become champions of animals as they read.  

 

 

 

Missed your favorite eco-themed childrens book?  Add your comments below.