Celebrate Earth Day with your kids by reading these six picture books! These stories are engaging and educational, with important lessons about protecting the environment, from reducing waste and planting trees to conserving water and using green energy.
The EARTH Book by Todd Parr
I love Todd Parr’s books! His style incorporates vibrant, playful colors, funny pictures, and concise language, making his books an instant must-buy for me. The EARTH Book is a beautiful introduction to toddlers and preschoolers on caring for the Earth. Ages 2+.
We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom and Illustrated by Michaela Goade
Water is sacred, the source of most life on Earth. In the Ojibwe culture, women are water protectors, advocating to reduce water waste and pollution. The 2021 winner of the Caldecott Award, We Are Water Protectors is a beautiful ode to water and its vital importance to all life on Earth. Inspired by the Standing Rock Water Protector movement, We Are Water Protectors introduces the impending dangers to this life source and implores readers to take the initiative in protecting our water sources.
The water-colored illustrations are filled with culturally significant symbols. Take note of the floral designs throughout the book. The illustrator, Michaela Goade, is the first Indigenous artist to win the Caldecott Medal. Goade paid homage to Lindstrom and her heritage in motifs throughout the book.
One Plastic Bag: Isatou Cessay and the Recycling Women of Gambia by Miranda Paul and Illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon
Learn about Isatou Cessay, a Gambian activist who started the One Plastic Bag Movement. This fascinating nonfiction is filled with exquisite illustrations. The multimedia collages that adorn the pages bring the story of Isatou Cessa to life, utilizing recycled materials embodies the values the words represent. A must-have book for all libraries! Ages 5+.
The Water Princess by Susan Verde and Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
Join Gie Gie and her mother as they embark on foot on their daily trek to collect water. Based on the experience of celebrated supermodel Georgie Badiel, read about how girls and women in Burkina Faso, Africa, walk miles to secure water for their families to drink and bathe. Water Princess is such a moving, beautiful story that informs and reminds us that clean water is a vital resource that is not to be taken for granted. Ages 4+.
A Tree Is Nice by Janice May Udry and Illustrated by Marc Simont
The excellent book choice for Earth Day! This Caldecott-winning picture book identifies many beautiful gifts trees give all creatures daily. I LOVE the watercolor illustrations and simple poetic text.
This book would make an excellent mentor text! Invite learners to fill in the end of the sentence: “A Tree is nice_____.” Afterward, the learners can illustrate the text with their beautiful watercolors. If you incorporate this into your lesson, I would love to see your students’ work; please share it with me on Instagram @playgroundlibrarian.
Hey, Water! Antoinette Portis
Join a young girl as she notices water all around her! Water is everywhere, from the faucet to the sprinkler, to our bathtubs! In the back of the book, Ms. Portis introduces readers to the different forms of water, the water cycle, and why it is necessary to conserve water. Readers will be engaged with the lively painting illustrations and understandable language. Ages 3+.
Classroom Activity
The books listed above are excellent conversation starters to discuss the tremendous gifts we receive daily from the Earth. Encourage the conversation and invite your children to think about how they can help our planet.
Visit my Teachers Pay Teachers Store to purchase a no-prep Earth Day printable book. This fun activity informs about the history of Earth Day, what natural resources are, and ways we can help our beautiful planet.
I love to hear YOUR thoughts!
I am always on the lookout for a great book! Please DM me on Instagram @playgroundlibrarian or Facebook at Playground Librarian with recommendations!
Happy Reading!
XO, Sheryl
The Holocaust is difficult to explain to young children, but it is vital to provide them with a basic understanding of this dark historical period. Fortunately, there are several books available that offer age-appropriate introductions to the Holocaust. Here is a list of 6 Holocaust books for kids that can help you teach your children about this tragic event.
The Tower of Life: How Yaffa Eliach Rebuilt Her Town in Stories and Photographs by Chana Stiefel and Illustrated by Susan Gal
This book was marvelous, the text was well-researched, and the illustrations were rich and poignant. Yaffa Eliach was born in Eishyshok, in what was once Poland. Yaffa’s family had lived in that town for over 900 years until the Nazi regime came to power. Forced to flee, Yaffa carried photographs, taken by her grandmother, hidden in her shoe. Long after the war, Yaffa would build a memorial to Holocaust victims at the US Holocaust Museum. The Tower of Life documents this journey. The Tower of Life is an excellent book to gently introduce this history to elementary-age children. Ages 6+.
Hana’s Suitcase: The Quest to Solve a Holocaust Mystery by Karen Levine
A small Holocaust education center in Japan seeking artifacts to teach children about the Holocaust received a suitcase marked “Hana Brady, May 16, 1931.” Curious to discover more about the suitcase owner, the center educator, and her students embark on a quest to discover Hana’s fate. I appreciated how the content is told in alternating chapters with an account of how the curator of a Japanese Holocaust center learns about the suitcase and Hana’s story. Ages 9+.
The Tattooed Torah: A True Story of the Rescue and Restoration by Marvell Ginsburg and Illustrated by Lemelman Martin
Learn the true story of a small beloved Torah stolen at the beginning of World War II and how it found its way to a new home in Chicago decades later. The Tattooed Torah is a gentle introduction to young children to how the Nazis attempted to destroy Jewish communities. There is no mention of human violence in this book. Ages 5+.
White Bird by R. J. Palacio
Winner of the Sydney Taylor Award for outstanding books for children that portray a Jewish experience, White Bird by R. J. Palacio is a powerful graphic novel about a young girl’s experience hiding from the Nazis during World War II. White Bird is a spinoff of Palacio’s bestselling middle-grade novel Wonder (a must-read for all) and provides a backstory of Julian’s grandmother.
White Bird is an excellent introduction to the atrocities of the Holocaust and World War II for children in grades five and above. I recommend reading this book with your child and stopping when necessary to explain concepts and discuss themes in the book, such as bravery and kindness.
Martin & Anne: The Kindred Spirits of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Anne Frank by Nancy Churnin and Illustrated by Yevgenia Nayberg
Born the same year and an ocean apart, Anne Frank and Martin Luther King Jr. lived very different lives. Never meeting, both individuals faced prejudice and injustice yet preached kindness and hope. Read this book and learn about the similarities between these two icons. Ages 8+.
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
Are you looking for an outstanding novel for upper elementary learners or middle school? Check out this powerful fictional account of the Danish resistance against the Nazis. Number the Stars is told from a child’s perspective and is a Newbery award-winning classic. I found this novel to be well-researched and very moving. Ages 9+.
Why should we teach kids about the Holocaust?
One way to combat this evil is through education. Incorporating inclusiveness and teaching the history of the Holocaust and respect for all into conversations with our children at home and in the classroom will help us raise kind children. These compassionate upstanders will create a better world.
May we know a day when bigotry and prejudice are a thing of the past and peace and justice prevails.
XO, Sheryl
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Explore the beauty of rhymes and language with these five engaging poetry books. Perfect for a cozy story time or lesson on poetry, these books will surely spark your children’s interest in poetry.
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Fancy Nancy: Poet Extraordinaire! by Jane O’Connor Illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser
Fancy Nancy introduces readers to a fancy use of language—poetry! Jane O’Connor crafted an engaging resource that informs readers about different styles of poetry. Readers, young and old, will be enchanted by Robin Preiss Glasser’s delightful art. Fancy Nancy: Poet Extraordinaire! is the perfect book to start a poetry unit! Ages 4+.
The Pelican Chorus: and Other Nonsense by Edward Lear Illustrated by Fred Marcellino
Enjoy this wonderfully silly picture book featuring the classic poems of Edward Lear, a nineteenth-century British poet famous for popularizing limericks and nonsense poems. The Pelican Chorus makes an excellent read-aloud in the classroom. The illustrations are full of whimsy and will surely elicit giggles. Many of these poems have been set to music; check it out to add more enjoyment to storytime. Ages 5+.
Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein
Shel Silverstein’s poems are enjoyable, funny, and classic. Please read my review of Where the Sidewalk Ends here.
The Real Dada Mother Goose: A Treasury of Complete Nonsense by Jon Scieszka, Illustrated by Julia Rothman
On a recent trip to a local bookstore, I found this treasure! Jon Scieszka, the brilliant mind behind the True Story of the Three Little Pigs and The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales, crafted this entertaining mashup of classic nursery rhymes. I enjoyed seeing the familiar poems from my childhood turn topsy-turvy. What I liked most was the explanation at the back of the book that identifies the anagrams, morse code, and other methods used to transform poems like “Humpty Dumpty” into something brand new. Fun to read for everyone, and this book would make an excellent mentor text for third-grade through high school!
Good Sports: Rhymes about Running, Jumping, Throwing, and More by by Jack Prelutsky and Illustrated by Chris Raschka
Do you know any sports lovers? This picture book contains poems about sports, including ice skating, baseball, soccer, frisbee, and more! The poems encapsulate many feelings we feel when playing sports–hope, exhilaration, and disappointment. Readers will enjoy making connections between the texts and their experiences. In addition, the illustrations are adorable and inviting, making this book a pleasure to read.
Enjoy!
I found these poetry books delightful, and I hope you do too!
XO, Sheryl
Discover the best dance books for children that will encourage their imagination and help them express themselves creatively!
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Ballerina! By Peter Sís
A beautifully illustrated board book, Ballerina! introduces the beauty of ballet to the tiniest of dancers. Baby +.
Giraffes Can’t Dance Written by Giles Andreae and Illustrated by Guy Parker-Rees
A modern-day classic for readers of all ages. The story follows Gerald, a tall but awkward giraffe who is self-conscious about his ability to dance. With gorgeous bright colored illustrations and rhythmic verse, Giraffes Can’t Dance helps young readers recognize beauty in their individuality. Baby +.
Sandra Boynton Books
I am a big fan of many of Sandra Boynton’s books! Dinosaur Dance and Barnyard Dance are delightful! I always dance along with the characters when I read these beloved board books (they are well-loved in my home!), as they shimmy-shimmy-shake, quivery-quake, or even square dance across the pages. Sandra Boynton’s books make lovely baby gifts, as they bringing joy to both kids and adults for years to come!
How Do You Dance by Thyra Heder
This entertaining book encourages readers to break out their moves and do what makes them comfortable. The humorous illustrations show people of all ages and ethnicities getting their groove on! From ballet to the “robot,” this book inspires all to move their bodies how they feel. Ages 2+.
Angelina Ballerina by Katharine Holabird and Illustrated by Helen Craig
Angelina loves to dance more than anything. She is constantly dancing everywhere she goes. Sometimes, Angelina is so busy dancing (or thinking about dancing) that she needs to remember what she is supposed to do! Unfortunately, her parents do not know what to do. Read Angelina Ballerina and discover if Angelina can make her dreams come true.
Angelina Ballerina was one of my favorite books to read as a child (I had a stuffed Angelina doll on my dresser for years). I love Helen Craig’s whimsical illustrations. The details in the ink drawings are charming, and I enjoy the soft color palette throughout the book. Angelina Ballerina is a unique book (the first in a long series) about a little determined mouse who makes her dreams come true through hard work and dedication. Ages 2+.
Flora and the Flamingo by Molly Idle
This wordless Caldecott honor picture book is adorable! In the book, a young girl emulates the bends of a flamingo! How fun!! This sweet book would be fun to read for a story time and copy their moves. Ages 2+.
I Got the Rhythm by Connie Schofield-Morrison and Illustrated by Frank Morrison
On a walk in the park with her mom, a small girl observes the rhythm around her. From a butterfly’s flutters to a drummer’s beat, there is rhythm everywhere! I Got the Rhythm is a charming reminder that music is all around us if we only pay attention. I love the illustrations! The colors are bright, vibrant, and attractive. The characters represent a diverse community that readers can identify with. Ages 3+.
John’s Turn by by Mac Barnett Illustrated by Kate Berube
Every Friday at school, there is Sharing Gifts time, when friends in the class share their special talents. Today is John’s turn and he is nervous. With courage and grace, John dazzles on stage. I love the vulnerability and bravery John exhibits as he meets the assignments expectation, persevering over his stage fright. This book encourages readers to take pride in doing what they love and encouraging sharing their gift with others. Ages 4+.
Firebird by Misty Copleand and Illustrated by Christopher Myers
I truly enjoyed reading Misty Copeland’s Firebird. Misty Copeland made history as the first African American Female Principal Dancer with the American Ballet Theatre. Firebird is an exceptional picture book describing Ms. Copeland’s encouragement of a young girl to follow her ambition to be a dancer. My favorite page features a dancer (presumably Ms. Copeland) performing a jeté across the New York City skyline! Firebird is the winner of the 2015 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award and recipient of an Ezra Jack Keats Book Award New Writer Honor, and is truly a work of art. If you enjoy Firebird, be sure to check out her second picture book, Bunheads. Ages 5+.
Ballerina Dreams: From Orphan to Dancer written by Michaela DePrince and Elaine Deprince, Illustrated by Frank Morrison
An inspiring autobiography of Michaela DePrince chronicling her journey from an orphan in Sierra Leone to becoming a premier ballerina. Readers will delight in following Ms. DePrince as she identifies her dream and makes her dream come true through hard work and perseverance. This book is an excellent choice for an early grade biography project. Ages 7+.
Maria Tallchief: Prima Ballerina by Kate Moening
An excellent resource for kids interested in learning about a trailblazing ballerina, Maria Tallchief: Prima Ballerina is full of biographical information and excellent photographs. This helps to introduce budding historians how Ms. Tallchief broke barriers becoming America’s first prima ballerina who was a member of the Osage Nation. This book includes nonfiction text features such as a glossary, index, map, captions that will be fruitful for potential research projects. Ages 7+.
Love to hear YOUR thoughts!
I am always on the lookout for a great book! Please DM me on Instagram @playgroundlibrarian or Facebook at Playground Librarian with recommendations!
Happy Reading!
XO, Sheryl