Today I would like to share great books about nature: trees, animals, water and also a book for children on taking action for causes like animal rights.
When Nature Calls is a nonfiction picture book about the ‘Unusual Bathroom Habits of the World’s Creatures’, written by Maria Birmingham and illustrated by Dave Whamond. The illustrations are hilarious while the facts are fascinating, as well as nice and gross for kids. Did you know that some critters use their poop as shields to ward off enemies? And which is the only animal in the world to make square poops? A sloth only goes once a week while a housefly poops hundreds of times a day. This book is full of interesting facts that help us realize that poop is helpful, even necessary, to the planet. ISBN 978-0889957244, Red Deer Press
Mother Aspen, A Story of How Forests Cooperate and Communicate, written by Annette LeBox and illustrated by Crystal Smith, is based on the popular research by Suzanne Simard in her book Finding The Mother Tree. This beautiful picture book for young nature lovers shows an aspen tree through her lifetime and her relationships with saplings. Not only does the story show a tree’s interaction with other species, it also tells how a mother tree supports other trees around her by sending nutrients nad messages. And as the tree grows old, a new tree takes over the important role of nurturing the forest. ISBN 978-1-77306-935-7, Groundwood Books
Water Day by Margarita Engle, with art by Olivia Sua, is the story of how important water is to people who don’t have easy access. In a young girl’s town in Cuba, water days are a highlight. It is when the water truck comes and supplies people with just enough clean water that they will need for a week – to cook, to clean, to drink. The girl’s grandmother recalls how rain used to come but how things have changed. This gentle story sheds light on both the importance of water and on global warming, by sharing a specific event in Cuba – a picturebook that can open doors for many valuable classroom discussions. ISBN 978-1-6659-1871-8, Atheneum Books for Young Readers
A Strange Place to Call Home, the world’s most dangerous habitats & the animals that call them home – is not a new book but it’s so gorgeous that I do want to share it with you. Written by Marilyn Singer with art by Ed Young, this book will appeal to kids as well as adults. It features unusual creatures that dwell in unusual, often harsh habitats. Have you ever heard of petroleum flies? In this pages you will meet monkeys who live in snow, penguins who live in warm places and fishes that walk. Each animals is described in a skillfully crafted poem. The back of the book explains not only the animals and their habitats but also the various forms of poetry used. A must read for classroom everywhere. ISBN 978-1-4521-0120-0, Chronicle Kids
Tizzy & Me: Fifteen Ways to Love a Mink, is written by N.M.L. Hazard and illustrated by Alice Priestley. This is a chapter book in a new series aimed at independent readers aged 7-9. It’s an engaging read that shows us Georgia and her best friend Winona. Georgia is very excitable and readers will relate to her problems and interests. She cares deeply about animals and is thrilled when her teacher helps her to set up a club for animal lovers at school. They take action by writing letters and making posters. This book is entertaining but it does more than that: it shows kids that it’s OK to care, how they can learn more about their interestes and how to make a difference. Highly recommended for elementary classrooms and libraries. ISBN 978-088995-7503, Red Deer Press
Margriet Ruurs is the author of many books for children. She conducts author presentations at international schools. To book contact her at: www.margrietruurs.com
