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Learning Together Joyfully: Fresh Starts 

Welcome back educators, parents and grandparents. April is associated with new growth, fresh starts, and springtime fun. The cold grayness of winter has given way to the bright colors of spring, and humans and wildlife alike are ready to take advantage. April brings Easter on April 20 – 21, and April Fools’ Day on April 1, as well as Earth Day on April 22. Enjoy the many songs and activities as you play, learn and grow together throughout April. 

Quick Links

Use these links to quickly navigate to specific sections within this blog!

  1. Read and Sing Together
  2. Create Together: Puzzles, Crafts, Drawing and Constructing
  3. Explore, Engage & Interact Together
  4. Healthy Living: Movement & Nutrition
  5. Reflect: Thoughts of the Day About Learning

1.  Read and Sing Together 📚

There are many benefits of reading for kids including: Supported cognitive development; Improved language skills; Preparation for academic success; Developing a special bond with your child; Increased concentration and discipline.

EASTER BOOKS: Explain that Easter is a celebration that came from Christianity. It marks the celebration of the day that Christians believe Jesus was resurrected. Most kids don’t know that word, so you may share the story of how he was left for dead in a cave, but when they rolled away the stone that was blocking the door, he was not inside! People believe he was brought back to life and returned to heaven. Easter can be a great opportunity to teach kids about other people’s faiths.Whether parents are religious or not, we have an important role in educating our children about world religions and cultural customs.

  • Llama Llama Easter Egg by Anna Dewdney. Anna Dewdney’s New York Times bestselling series continues with a Llama Llama Easter book, a perfect gift and great addition to any Easter basket! With short and simple rhyming text, the Llama Llama board books introduce Llama Llama to babies and toddlers before they’re ready for longer full-length stories. And their small size and durable pages are perfect for little hands. In this book, the Easter Bunny brings lots of treats for Llama Llama: jelly beans, colorful eggs, and a fluffy surprise!
  • Happy Easter, Mouse! An Easter Book For Kids by Laura Numeroff.  Join Mouse from If You Give a Mouse a Cookie as he goes on an Easter egg hunt! Who is hiding eggs in Mouse’s house? This adorable board book combines an engaging Easter theme with a story about colors!This book with sturdy pages is perfect for toddlers, who will enjoy the simple introduction to colors and counting. Each page has one or two sentences and points out a different color and number of eggs. Starring the ever-popular Mouse, this is a colorful and fun addition to a little one’s Easter basket.

  • The Itsy Bitsy Bunny by Jeffrey Burton.  A fun and playful holiday twist on “The Itsy Bitsy Spider” makes this favorite nursery rhyme perfect for Easter!The itsy bitsy bunny was hopping up the trail;Down fell the baskets past his tiny tail.Out came his friends to help him on his way. For the itsy bitsy bunny was planning Easter day. This Itsy Bitsy Bunny must hop at top speed so he can get all of his eggs hidden in time for the big holiday! Little ones will love this fresh springtime spin on a classic nursery rhyme.
  • Small Bunny’s Blue Blanket by Tatyana Feeney. Small Bunny does everything with his Blue Blanket. Blue Blanket helps him paint the best pictures, go the highest on the swings, and read the hardest words. They need each other. But one day, Small Bunny’s mother insists Blue Blanket needs to be washed. She says Blue Blanket will be as good as new after. But Bunny isn’t sure he likes his new blanket. Will his friend ever be the same?
  • Here Comes Easter! By Caroline Jayne Church. It’s a touch-and-feel Easter from bestselling Caroline Jayne Church! With Caroline Jayne Church’s characteristic flair, Easter has never been so much fun! This little girl is going on an Easter egg hunt-help her find the five colorful eggs hidden in, above, below…everywhere! Glitter, flocking, and appealing touch-and-feels on every spread will keep children enthralled.
  • We’re Going on an Egg Hunt: A Lift-the-Flap Adventure by Martha Mumford. We’re going on an egg hunt.We’re going to find them all.We’re REALLY excited.Hooray for Easter Day! Join a family of bunnies as they set off on an exciting lift-the-flap Easter egg hunt. There are ten eggs to find and count–but watch out for the obstacles along the way . . . Lambs, chicks, bees, and ducks await, and there’s even a wolfish surprise, so be careful!This delightful, interactive read-aloud is the perfect springtime story to share.
  • Here Comes the Easter Cat by Deborah Underwood. This New York Times bestseller brings a cat with flair to spare, an Easter Bunny with a job to do, and a hilarious break from sticky-sweet Easter fare—for fans of Patrick McDonnell,  Mo Willems’s Elephant and Piggie, and Ben Clanton’s Narwhal and Jelly.Why should the Easter Bunny get all the love? That’s what Cat would like to know. So he decides to take over: He dons his sparkly suit, jumps on his Harley, and roars off into the night. But it turns out delivering Easter eggs is hard work. And it doesn’t leave much time for naps (of which Cat has taken five–no, seven). So when a pooped-out Easter Bunny shows up, and with a treat for Cat, what will Cat do? His surprise solution will be stylish, smart, and even—yes—kind.
  • The Berenstain Bears and the Real Easter Eggs by Stan & Jan Berenstain. Join the Berenstain Bears as they celebrate Easter and teach children about the beauty of nature and all the wonders it holds! Makes a perfect gift for your Easter basket with over 50 bonus colorful springtime stickers and a fun maze inside!Come for a visit in Bear Country with this classic First Time Book® from Stan and Jan Berenstain. Join Brother and Sister as they go on the Giant Beartown Easter Egg Hunt. The cubs are trying to collect the most Easter eggs, but when they discover a mama bird’s nest about to hatch, it’s the true meaning of the holiday that they find.
  • The Easter Egg by Jan Brett. Jan Brett’s lovable bunny hero, Hoppi, and the surprising outcome of his quest to impress the Easter Rabbit with the best Easter egg of all will enchant readers.  If Hoppi can make the best Easter egg, he will get to help the Easter Rabbit with his deliveries on Easter morning. But it is not so easy. Discouraged, he goes for a walk in the woods and sees a blue robin egg tumble out of its nest.Hoppi keeps it safe and warm until the baby bird hatches. And when the Easter Rabbit arrives, he has a very special way to reward Hoppi for his kindness. Spring is everywhere in gorgeous illustrations framed with pussy willows, flowering vines and flowers. Side borders feature busy rabbits making their unusual eggs and, in a border above, the robin’s family drama unfolds.A gatefold surprise reveals the Easter Rabbit in dramatic fashion.
  • The Best Easter Egg Ever! By Jerry Smath. The Easter Bunny has always painted all the Easter Eggs himself, but this year his eyes are tired! So he holds an Easter Egg Painting Contest among his helpers to find the best new design. Inspired by a lighthouse at the seashore, Willa Bunny paints bold red stripes on her egg. Jellybean Bunny paints pretty spring flowers on his egg in the country. But Bella Bunny gets lost in the woods, trying to follow drifting clouds. When night arrives, stars appear–giving Bella the idea to paint golden stars on her egg. And who’s the winner of the contest? All three little bunnies!
  • Splat the Cat: Where’s the Easter Bunny? By Rob Scotton. Hop down the bunny trail with Splat the Cat in a funny tale by New York Times bestselling author-artist Rob Scotton in Where’s the Easter Bunny?, a lift-the-flap Easter adventure.It’s almost Easter, and Splat knows exactly what he wants from the Easter Bunny—a really big Easter egg. But where is the Easter Bunny? Lift the flaps and help Splat search for him at the park, in the den, and all around town!Read all about Splat’s Easter misadventures, another sure-to-be-a-classic story by Rob Scotton.
  • The Story of the Easter Bunny: An Easter Story For Kids by Katherine Tegen. A New York Times bestseller!Everyone knows who the Easter Bunny is. Each year, he comes with a basket of painted eggs and chocolates for children. But not everybody knows where he comes from. On a snow-cold day in a snug little house… So begins the true story of the Easter Bunny!With gorgeous and peaceful art, this fresh, innovative story describes how one little rabbit became a legend. The perfect addition to Easter baskets!
  • Here Comes T. Rex Cottontail: An Easter Book For Kids by Lois G. Grambling. T. Rex dresses up as the Easter Bunny, and it’s hilarious! Kirkus calls this picture book “a happy, hoppy holiday celebration.”Peter Cottontail is out sick, and there’s only one dinosaur who’s up to the task of delivering his eggs on Easter: T. Rex! All T. Rex has to do is work on hopping—without the wiggle. He keeps breaking all the eggs!Join T. Rex and his friends as the big goof saves the day in a very special way. Will practice make perfect?This fun Easter-theme story will bring giggles at circle time and in the home and will be especially fun for the dinosaur fan in your life.
  • Bunny’s Easter Egg: An Easter Book For Kids by Anne Mortimer. Bunny has spent a long night hiding Easter eggs, and now it’s time to get some rest. But when she burrows down to sleep, something disturbs her, and everywhere else she tries to nap just isn’t right. She tries the old oak tree—too noisy! She tries a little boat on the lily pond—too wet!She tries the greenhouse—oh no!Where will Bunny go?Anne Mortimer’s charming story is just right for Easter-time sharing.
  • How to Catch the Easter Bunny by Adam Wallace.You’ve been waiting all year long.Now Easter’s here at last! You can try your best to catch me, but you know that I’m too fast!
  • The Best Easter Egg Hunt by Dawn Casey. It’s a cute story about helping others and how it’s not always the things you’re hoping for that will give you the most happiness.
  • The Biggest Easter Basket Ever by Steven Kroll. Lovable Clayton and Desmond are back in this Easter companion to the bestselling book THE BIGGEST PUMPKIN EVER!As Mouseville prepares for a gala Easter celebration on the village green, complete with a biggest Easter Basket contest, two lovable mice learn a lesson in cooperation — and fun!Town mouse Clayton and country mouse Desmond continue to teach the benefits of collaboration and friendship in another sweet story centered around this joyful holiday.
  • The Easter Egg Farm by Mary Jane Auch. Mrs. Pennywort’s hen, Pauline, can’t seem to lay eggs like the others. . . . Until she finds some inspiration, and a strange talent.When she nests outside to get away from the noise and teasing of the others, Pauline manages to lay a beautiful sky-blue egg. Watching a ladybug in the grass, she lays a bright red spotted egg. The hen is confused, but Mrs. Pennywort is thrilled—and she takes Pauline on an adventure!Soon Pauline is laying eggs of all colors and patterns, to the delight of everyone who sees them. It seems like the perfect way to celebrate Easter. . . . even when the eggs start hatching into brightly colored chicks.Mary Jane Auch’s funny text and vibrant illustrations will make this an Easter favorite. . . . and a year-round reminder of the importance of being true to yourself.
  • Easter by Gail Gibbons. A joyful, fun, and delicious holiday has a very interesting history! Is your child celebrating Easter for the first time? Guide them through the basics of the sweet holiday with this simple board book. Colorful, detailed illustrations accompany an easy-to-read description of Easter’s history and traditions. Maybe the Easter Bunny will even make an appearance! Award-winning science author Gail Gibbons shows that it is never too early to learn with a book that is perfect for any Easter basket. 
  • The Good Egg: An Easter Book For Kids by Jory John. A #1 New York Times bestseller!This book is a timely story about not having to be Grade A perfect! Meet the good egg. He’s a verrrrrry good egg indeed. But trying to be so good is hard when everyone else is plain ol’ rotten.As the other eggs in the dozen behave badly, the good egg starts to crack from all the pressure of feeling like he has to be perfect.So, he decides enough is enough! It’s time for him to make a change.Dynamic duo Jory John and Pete Oswald hatch a funny and charming story that reminds us of the importance of balance, self-care, and accepting those we love (even if they are sometimes a bit rotten).Perfect for reading aloud and shared story time!
  • The Runaway Bunny: An Easter book for Kids by Margaret Wise Brown.  This book by Margaret Wise Brown, beloved children’s book author of Goodnight Moon.“If you run away,” said his mother, “I will run after you. For you are my little bunny.”A little bunny keeps running away from his mother in this imaginary game of hide-and-seek. Children will be profoundly comforted by this lovingly steadfast mother who finds her child every time.This book, first published in 1942 and never out of print, has indeed become a classic. Generations of readers have fallen in love with the gentle magic of its reassuring words and loving pictures.
  • It’s Not Easy Being a Bunny: An Early Reader Book for Kids  by Marilyn Sadler. P.J. Funnybunny doesn’t want to be a bunny anymore! In this hilarious Beginner Book, a young bunny explores life with different animal friends. And don’t miss the charming follow-up, It’s Better Being a Bunny, available now! This is a perfect gift for Easter or celebrating bunnies all year round.P.J. Funnybunny is tired of cooked carrots and his big ears. It would be way more fun to be a bear, a bird, or a pig…right? Read along as P.J. leaves home and tries to determine who he is—and where he belongs. But this bunny might just learn that all he wants to be is…himself!Beginner Books are fun, funny, and easy to read! Launched by Dr. Seuss in 1957 with the publication of The Cat in the Hat, this beloved early reader series motivates children to read on their own by using simple words with illustrations that give clues to their meaning. Featuring a combination of kid appeal, supportive vocabulary, and bright, cheerful art, Beginner Books will encourage a love of reading in children of all ages.
  • Where Do Diggers Hunt for Easter Eggs?: by Brianna Caplan Saures. Celebrate Easter with your favorite Diggers! For fans of the bestselling Where Do Diggers Sleep at Night? and its companion truck books. How do you celebrate Easter? Do you dress up in your Easter best? Dye eggs bold and bright? How about going to a parade? For sure! Follow diggers, cranes, cement mixers—and more—for a fun and festive day full of surprises! Children who can’t get enough of trucks will love all the books in this series. 

APRIL FOOL’S DAY BOOKS: When you think of April Fools’ Day, what comes to mind? Hand buzzers? Frozen cereal? Brown Es (brownies)? Kids love opportunities to feel silly and some grown-ups do, too. Whether you love or loathe this holiday, here are some great April Fools’ Day books for kids. This includes books about the holiday as well as some great joke books for kids.

  • April Fool, Phyllis! By Susanna Leonard Hill. It might be April Fools’ Day, but Punxsutawney Phyllis knows that winter isn’t over yet.Her infallible instincts tell her that a blizzard is brewing. Too bad no one will believe her. Luckily Phyllis uses a combination of common sense and uncommon abilities to lead the April Fools’ Day treasure hunters back to safety when the storm comes on quickly. Once again Phylis gets the last laugh in this buoyant holiday tale.
  • The Earth and I by Frank Asch.  This story celebrates the friendship that one child has with the Earth. They play together, listen to each other, and nourish each other. But when the Earth is sad, the child is sad–so he finds a way to make his friend, the Earth, happy.
  • Judy Moody and Friends: April Fools, Mr. Todd! By Megan McDonald. It’s April Fools’ Day — and Judy’s birthday — and Mr. Todd has a trick or two of his own planned in the latest Judy Moody tale for newly independent readers.April Fools’ Day just happens to be one of Judy Moody’s favorite days of the year. And this year she’s got one thing on her mind: the perfect prank she’s going to play on Mr. Todd, thanks to an awesome present from her brother, Stink. Gotcha, Mr. Todd! But in all the excitement over spaghetti trees, April fish, and fools’ errands, Judy worries that something else will be forgotten by Mr. Todd and Class 3T altogether: April 1 also happens to be Judy’s birthday! Gulp! Will her friends remember in time, or will Judy be the fool this year? And just what might Mr. Todd have up his sleeve?
  • One Funny Day by Kate McMullan. Wagner has been fooled by just about everyone this April Fools’ Day–his best friend Pearl, his teacher, and even the librarian. Tired of being on the receiving end of all the pranks, Wagner is determined to have the last laugh. This easy-to-read installment of the Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor-winning Pearl and Wagner series promises a whole lot of giggles for young readers!

  • A to Z Mysteries: The School Skeleton by Ron Roy. Chapter 1-2; Chapter 3-4; Chapter 5-6. Help Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose solve mysteries from A to Z! Kids love collecting the entire alphabet and super editions! With over 8 million copies in print, the A to Z Mysteries® have been hooking chapter book readers on mysteries and reading for years. Now this classic kid favorite is back with a bright new look! S is for Skeleton . . . It’s a bona fide mystery at Dink’s school! Someone has stolen Mr. Bones,the skeleton from the nurse’s office. Soon mysterious clues start showing up all over the school. Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose must follow the clues and put those old bones to rest.
  • April Fool! Watch Out at School! By Diane DeGroat. Gilbert is back—no fooling! Diane deGroat’s delightful story and fun-filled illustrations will enchant readers, especially when they discover the surprises in many of the illustrations… This sweet and funny April Fools’ Day book is a good choice to share at home or in the classroom. It’s April Fools’ Day, and Gilbert is looking forward to playing tricks on his friends. Unfortunately he’s the one getting tricked by everyone else, including Mrs. Byrd! But the worst prankster is Lewis the bully. Can Gilbert finally outwit Lewis with the best trick of all? 
  • Arthur’s April Fool by Marc Brown. Arthur worries about remembering his magic tricks for the April Fool’s Day assembly and Binky’s threat to pulverize him.
  • April Foolishness by Teresa Bateman. Zany and inventive, the artwork amplifies the story’s humor. A great story hour choice for April Fool’s Day or just about any other day.It’s a spring morning on the farm. Grandma is happy the grandkids are visiting―they’ve picked just the right day!―and Grandpa is fixing breakfast. Suddenly his grandson reports that the cows have got loose! He thinks Big Brown Bessie just stepped on a goose! “Good gracious,” Grandpa says as he pours himself a glass of milk. When his granddaughter shouts the chickens are out, Grandpa cooks up some eggs. Pigs broke the gate” Grandpa fries bacon. Why is Grandpa so cool? Because he knows the kids are trying to play an April Fool’s trick!
  • Ellie May on April Fools’ Day by Hillary Homzie. How far will Ellie May go for a laugh–and a little revenge–when her class is allowed to celebrate April Fools’ Day? Quirky and funny second grader Ellie May can’t believe her class is allowed to celebrate April Fools’ Day–so long as it’s done in good fun. She absolutely loves the idea of targeting a certain someone–the practically perfect Ava. Practicing on her parents and sisters, Ellie May begins to brainstorm harmless pranks. Soon enough, good intentions turn the classroom and her home upside-down when fake ants, trick tape, and hidden surprises don’t go as planned. Ellie May may not be perfect like Miss-Know-it-All Ava, or calm and rational like her best friend Lizzy, but she’s good-hearted and eventually realizes that the best trick is to make friends genuinely laugh–at no one’s expense.
  • April Fools’ Day from the Black Lagoon by Mike Thaler. These fun-filled chapter books mix school, monsters, and common kid problems with hilarious results. You’ll scream with laughter!It’s the end of March, and Hubie is struggling to prepare his pranks for the big day. The whoopee cushion, the rubber tarantula, and the fly in the ice cube just aren’t good enough anymore–not when the worst joke comes from the place he least expects it. Will Hubie play the fool on this day?
  • Barnyard Fun by Maureen Wright. When Sheep found out it was April One, he said, “It’s time to have some fun!” Sheep set his alarm an hour ahead. It woke up Rooster in his bed. Sheep plays April Fool’s jokes on Rooster, Dog, Pig and Cow. Then Horse decides to play a trick on Sheep-and the farm animals have the biggest laugh of all!
  • Best Prank Ever (Ready, Freddy! By Abby Klein. Chapters 1 – 3; Chapters 4 – 7;Freddy is ready — for second grade! April Fool’s Day is nearly here, and Freddy is sure Max will play a trick on him again. Maybe this year, Freddy can trick him back — but how? Then Freddy remembers his twin cousins, Kelly and Kasey. They always have great ideas! With their help, Freddy is sure to come up with the perfect April Fool’s Day pranks!
  • My Weird School Special: No More School, April Fools!  By Dan Gutman. Chapter 1 – 3; Chapter 4 – 6.With more than 34 million books sold, the My Weird School series really gets kids reading! Ella Mentry School has been taken over by a prank-palooza in this holiday-themed My Weird School Special from New York Times bestselling author Dan Gutman and veteran illustrator Jim Paillot.A.J. and the gang are tired of Miss Banks and her constant pranks. They decide to get her back and, afterward, the principal, Mrs. Stoker, suggests a weeklong prank competition between the students and the teachers. If the kids manage to pull off a win, they’ll get a candy party!And so begins the most epic prank war that Ella Mentry School has ever seen! But can the kids outprank their teachers before the week is up?With Dan Gutman’s signature kid-friendly sense of humor and Jim Paillot’s fun illustrations, this is one weird April Fools’ Day special you won’t want to miss—featuring bonus trivia, games, puzzles, and more!
  • Whoppsy-Whiffling Joke Book by Roald Dahl. Roald Dahl is known for his humor! This joke book is an ideal companion to his beloved novels.This Joke book is a collection of hundreds of great jokes that would make even the Trunchbull laugh! Inspired by Roald Dahl’s wonderful world, these gigglesome gags are guaranteed to raise a chuckle from human beans young and old. READER BEWARE: The jokes in this book may cause you to become the embodiment of the crying-laughing emoji. Side effects include, but are not limited to, stomach pain, tears of joy, falling off chairs, and flailing.
  • Lunchbox Jokes: Animals by Deana Gunn & Wona Miniati. Add a joke and make lunch fun! Lunchbox notes are a great way to say I love you when your child is at school. Each tear-out page contains a joke that will add a smile to the lunch menu. Whether your kid relishes the fun alone or takes center stage and reads to the rest of the table, Lunchbox Jokes makes it easy, fun, and funny.
  • Laugh-Out-Loud Jokes for Kids by Rob Elliott.What happens to race car drivers when they eat too much? They get indy-gestion. Laugh-Out-Loud Jokes for Kids provides children ages 7-10 many hours of fun and laughter. Young readers will have a blast sharing this collection of hundreds of one-liners, knock knock jokes, tongue twisters, and more with their friends and family! This mega-bestselling book will have children rolling on the floor with laughter and is sure to be a great gift idea for any child.
  • Curious George Plants a Tree by H.A. Rey. When George finds out that the science museum is planning a “Green Day” dedicated to recycling and planting trees, he is curious and wants to help out! But then George begins to recycle things around town that aren’t quite ready for the recycling bin, and he gets into a jam. Thankfully, George isn’t the only one who wants to help—the whole community can’t wait to lend a hand! Features include the following:• A plantable bookmark with wildflower seeds• Twenty kid-friendly tips for a greener world• Printed on chlorine-free and acid-free paper from responsibly managed sources, certified by the Forestry Stewardship Council• Printed with environmentally friendly soy inks. Did you know there is a new Rey Center at the Margret & H.A. Rey Center in Waterville, New Hampshire. There is a model for energy conservation, using solar panels and wind generators for its electricity. It will reuse and slow-release stormwater, and treat its “gray water” (from sinks/showers) in a constructed wetland.

 

EARTH DAY BOOKS: Sharing books with kids about our natural world—and especially about what we can do to take care of it—is important all year long. But Earth Day, on April 22, is a good chance to pull out a nice big stack of books. Check out our favorite recent Earth Day books for kids to share with young environmentalists.

  • This Is the Nest That Robin Built by Denise Fleming. A robin’s animal friends help build her nest in this cumulative collage picture book from Caldecott Honor recipient Denise Fleming.Robin is building a nest, and her friends are ready to help! The squirrel trims the twigs. The dog brings the string. The horse shares his straw. And then a surprise gatefold spread reveals how Robin knits them all together to make a safe and cozy home for her babies.
  • A Mammal is an Animal by Lizzy Rockwell.  What makes an animal a mammal? And what is not a mammal? Mammals have skeletons as deer have, breathe air in lungs as whales do, and are born alive as are calves. What is not a mammal? A ladybug has no skeleton, a fish breathes through gills and a bird hatches from an egg. Monkeys, dolphins, and elephants are mammals—and so are you and I! With clear, simple language, beautiful paintings, a chart, diagrams, and a cutaway, acclaimed author-illustrator Lizzy Rockwell has created a beautiful and informative book that introduces young children to animal classification and dichotomous inquiry.
  • Good Enough to Eat by Lizzy Rockwell. Good Enough to Eat is one of a kind: the only guide to kids’ nutrition written especially for kids. This book includes kid-friendly recipes such as Alphabread and Full o’ Beans Soup, and even shows kids how to test their food for fat. Perfect for parents, educators, librarians, and doctors trying to explain healthy eating to kids!A practical, hands-on tool for families who want to eat a healthy diet, this book explains nutrition from carrots to cookies.In this book, kids will learn:
    • all about the nutrient groups—carbohydrates, protein, fat, water, vitamins, and minerals
    • each nutrient’s function
    • which foods contain which nutrients
    • how much of each nutrient a kid needs each day
    • how the body digests food
    • all about calories
  • Hello Hello by Brendan Wenzel. Named a Best Children’s Book of the Year by The Washington Post, Amazon, Working Mother and more: A new picture book from Brendan Wenzel, the New York Times bestselling and Caldecott Honor winning author of They All Saw a Cat! This  is an interactive book for kids. Beginning with two cats, one black and one white, a chain of animals appears before the reader, linked together by at least one common trait. From simple colors and shapes to more complex and abstract associations, each unexpected encounter celebrates the magnificent diversity of our world and ultimately paints a story of connection.Brendan Wenzel’s joyous, rhythmic text and exuberant art encourage readers to delight in nature’s infinite differences and to look for and marvel at its gorgeous similarities in this children’s nature book. It all starts with a simple “Hello.”
  • Chase the Moon, Tiny Turtle: A Hatchling’s Daring Race to the Sea by Kelly Jordan. Young readers will witness rare and extraordinary natural event as a baby loggerhead hatches from its shell. With nothing but the light of the moon to act as a guide, readers will follow the newborn turtles’ harrowing attempts to outpace a series of predators on their march toward the glistening shore. After only narrowly avoiding hungry crabs, owls, and foxes, the turtle rides ocean waves to a calm clearing. Following a moment of peace in the still ocean water, the turtle joins the rest of its pack on a dive into the moonlit sea to continue the voyage home. Told with a beautiful, lyrical rhyming sequence, this book introduces readers to the birth cycle of a loggerhead sea turtle. Through the newborn turtle’s eyes, both kids and adults will marvel at the majestic, and sometimes dangerous seaside landscape from a perspective rarely seen before.
  • Song of the Wild: A First Book of Animals by Nicola Davies. Video from the Author. Renowned picture book creators Nicola Davies and Petr Horácek team up for a captivating first look at animals around the world. Polar bears playing on the ice, tigers hunting in the jungle, and nightingales singing in the heart of the woods — animals are everywhere. In a remarkable collection of poems, children’s author Nicola Davies shares keen observations on wildlife around the world. Sometimes lyrical and sometimes humorous, the poems reveal fascinating facts about animals of every color, shape, size, and origin, from giant blue whales to bats as tiny as bumblebees. Lively, colorful illustrations by Petr Horácek reveal the vast beauty and variety of the animal world in this essential introduction, perfect for even the youngest amateur zoologists. For older readers.
  • The Rainforest Book by Charlotte Milner. Embark on a journey through the magical world of the rainforest and introduce little nature-lovers to an enchanting, yet threatened, tropical worldStep inside the fascinating world of tropical rainforests where you’ll encounter an enormous variety of flora and fauna! This gorgeously illustrated picture book is a wonderful way to introduce kids to the world of nature and conservation.The rainforests are bursting with life! Sweep aside the liana vines, hop over the giant roots of the kapok tree, and discover magnificent tigers roaming the jungle. In this enchanting children’s book, you’ll discover amazing rainforest animals, learn about the diverse range of life-giving plants, and find out why the Amazon rainforest is known as the “lungs” of our Earth. This colorful children’s book captures the spirit of the rainforest through its beautifully detailed illustrations by Charlotte Milner. It has simple, clear text that is accessible to less confident readers but a strong message about deforestation and climate change will captivate older readers too.The world’s rainforests are packed with amazing creatures! From the nocturnal kinkajou to the stinky rafflesia flower – there is plenty to discover in this plant and animal encyclopaedia. Perfect for older kids, it also includes a fun gardening activity section with instructions on how to grow your own miniature rainforest at home.
  • A Place to Start a Family: Poems About Creatures That Build by David L. Harrison.  A poetry collection introducing animal architects that build remarkable structures in order to attract a mate and have babies.Many animals build something–a nest, tunnel, or web–in order to pair up, lay eggs, give birth, and otherwise perpetuate their species. Organized based on where creatures live–underground, in the water, on land, or in the air–twelve poems bring fish, insects, reptiles, mammals, and birds to life. Back matter includes more information about each animal.A fine synthesis of poetry and science An inviting introduction to a dozen industrious creatures.
  • Animals by the Numbers: A Book of Infographics – Overview by Steve Jenkins. How many species are there across the globe?  How much do all of the insects in the world collectively weigh? How far can animals travel?  Steve Jenkins answers these questions and many more with numbers, images, innovation, and authoritative science in his latest work of illustrated nonfiction. Jenkins layers his signature cut-paper illustrations alongside computer graphics and a text that is teeming with fresh, unexpected, and accurate zoological information ready for readers to easily devour. The level of scientific research paired with Jenkins’ creativity and accessible infographics is unmatched and sure to wow fans old and new.
  • Butterfly for a King: Saving Hawaiʻi’s Kamehameha Butterflies Overview by Cindy Trumbore & Susan L. Roth.The fascinating true story of a beautiful native Hawaiian butterfly, a great Hawaiian warrior king, and current-day efforts by scientists and citizens to restore the butterfly’s declining population.The beautiful Kamehameha butterfly lives in Hawaii and nowhere else on Earth. Named to honor the great king who united the Hawaiian Islands, the butterfly is one of only two species native to Hawaii. After the Kamehameha butterfly became the state insect–thanks to a group of fifth graders–people noticed that the butterflies were disappearing. So a team of dedicated professional and citizen scientists began working together to restore the butterfly’s natural habitat and reintroduce butterflies in places where they were once found.From the Sibert Medal-winning team that created Parrots Over Puerto Rico comes another nature adventure. Discover the captivating story of the Kamehameha butterfly and the people all around Hawaii who are helping it survive.
  • Beauty and the Beak: How Science, Technology, and a 3D-Printed Beak Rescued a Bald Overview Eagle by Deborah Lee Rose & Jane Veltkamp. Awarded the AAAS/SUBARU SB&F PRIZE for EXCELLENCE in SCIENCE BOOKS and 5 other children’s book awards!”Three words. 3D. Printed beak. Oh come on, you aren’t impressed? Well, check out the back matter on this book and you will be. It’s insane!” ―School Library Journal. This is the incredible true story about an injured wild bald eagle who received a pioneering, 3D-printed beak―and made world news! Follow Beauty close up and in photographs, from the moment she uses her baby beak to emerge from her egg, through her hunt when she uses her powerful adult beak to feed herself, to the day her beak is illegally shot off, leaving her helpless. This brave and uplifting story continues through her rescue, into the months of engineering her 3D-printed prosthetic beak and intense hours of her beak surgery, to the moment she takes the first drink of water by herself with her new beak.This book captures the spirit and courage of this amazing bird and America’s national symbol―whose species was nearly wiped out by human activity, only to be restored and thriving because of environmental conservation and human compassion. This book will resonate with those who have their own stories of other animals endangered or in need, and humans, from young children to military veterans, in need of prosthetic limbs, who are being given new lives with state-of-the-art devices.The book includes expanded information about bald eagles as a top predator species, their near extinction in most of the U.S., their successful reintroduction back into the wild, and efforts to conserve this critical raptor species today.
  • Follow Those Zebras: Solving a Migration Mystery read by Sandra Markle. Every year in Namibia, about two thousand zebras suddenly disappear from their grazing area along the Chobe River. Months later, the herd returns. Where do they go? And why? Thanks to satellite-tracking collars, scientists were able to solve the mystery, but several questions remain. Award-winning science author Sandra Markle reveals the process scientists used to study the zebras, and she also delves into the science of migration, exploring how animals know where to go, how to get there, and when to leave. In this book go on a tour of eco-friendly farms around the globe! From urban gardens to farms under the sea, discover the many different sustainable ways people have been growing food for centuries, and new innovations that are battling the effects of climate change on farming. Rhyming text and inset boxes with definitions for new vocabulary words make the topic accessible to young learners. End matter includes detailed information about each country’s farming practice, sustainable farming and more.
  • Nell Plants a Tree by Anne Wynter. This gorgeous picture book shows how one little girl’s careful tending of a pecan tree creates the living center of a loving, intergenerational Black family. For Earth Day and every day! Perfect for fans of Matt de la Peña and Oge Mora.Before her grandchildren climbed the towering tree,This book explores its secret nests,raced to its sturdy trunk, read in its cool shade, or made pies with its pecans.Nell buried a seed.And just as Nell’s tree grows and thrives with her love and care, so do generations of her close-knit family. Inspired by the pecan trees of the creators’ own childhoods, Anne Wynter’s lyrical picture book, brought to life with breathtaking illustrations by Daniel Miyares, brims with wonder and love.
  • Eco Girl by Ken Qilaon-Max. In a tender celebration of family tradition, a little girl becomes an environmental steward to express her love for all things leafy and green. Eve loves living next to a forest because it means being close to her favorite baobab trees. Doing her best to imitate them, Eve practices patience. She feeds and shelters birds, just as her beloved trees do, stretching toward the sky as if her arms were branches. Eve longs to communicate with the leafy giants she admires, and while she can’t become a tree, she can contribute to the beauty of the forest—just like her dad and grandma before her—by nurturing her very own baobab seedling. Thoughtful text, intimate illustrations, and abundant back matter gently introduce the concept of land stewardship and the joys of giving back. Ken Wilson-Max’s picture book companion to Astro Girl celebrates reciprocity while honoring our connection to our own branching family trees.
  • Astro-Girl read by Ken Wilson. Astrid has loved the stars and space for as long as she can remember. “I want to be an astronaut!” she says to everyone who will listen. While her mama is away, Astrid and her papa have fun acting out the challenges an astronaut faces on a space mission — like being in zero gravity (“I can do that all day long!” she says), eating food from a kind of tube, and doing science experiments with the help of cookie sheets. When at last it’s time to meet Mama at the air base, Astrid wears her favorite space T-shirt to greet her. But where exactly has Mama been? Channeling a sense of childlike delight, Ken Wilson-Max brings space travel up close for young readers and offers an inspiring ending.
  • Gorilla Gardener: How To Help Nature Take Over the World by John Seven. Can we work for peaceful change and beautify our surroundings at the same time?In these colorful pages, happy little Gorilla Gardener shows us how by secretly dropping seeds in sidewalk cracks to sprout flowers and green the city. Gorilla Gardener goes even farther, building a delightful world where nature rules and humans of all ages enjoy life outdoors, while having creative fun and adventure! With instructions for making your own seed-burst, with a glossary of gardening terms.Both author and illustrator are avid gardeners living together in Western Massachusetts.
  • Zee Grows a Tree by Elizabeth Rusch. A fact-filled story about a little girl and an evergreen tree that grow up side by side. Perfect for anyone who loves the natural world—or wonders about the origins of their holiday tree.On the morning little Zee Cooper is born, a Douglas-fir seedling emerges from the nursery bed at her family’s Christmas tree farm. As Zee and the tree grow up together, they experience many of the same milestones. When Zee starts preschool, her tree is ready to start life outside the nursery. As Zee outgrows all her clothes, her tree grows taller, too. When Zee gets a whole new look for kindergarten, her tree gets a spiffy transformation as well. And as the years go on, Zee takes loving care of her tree, watering it through heat waves and protecting it from winter winds. Combining interesting details about how trees are grown and cared for on a farm with the sweet story of a friendship between a girl and her special tree, This book offers a blend of fiction and nonfiction that will draw the interest of young nature lovers everywhere. In the back of the book, readers will find an index, bibliography, and an author’s note suggesting some ways to enjoy a holiday tree without cutting one down.
  • Seeds by Carme Lemniscates. Striking illustrations and a simple narrative celebrate the potential of seeds, literal and metaphorical. Some seeds are whisked away by the wind, while others are carried by creatures to their destinations. Once seeds find their spot, they go through breathtaking transformations, multiplying in number and size and thriving in even the most unseemly places. We humans plant seeds, too, and with care we can cultivate and nurture something wonderful, whether by sowing a seed in the earth or by choosing our own seeds of kindness to spread around. With gorgeous, welcoming illustrations, the creator of Trees and Birds presents another ode to the beauty around and within us.
  • The Things That I LOVE about TREES by Chris Butterworth. In an exuberant text accompanied by gorgeous, windswept illustrations, two esteemed picture-book creators celebrate the mighty tree. Journey through the seasons and discover how much there is to love about trees! From brand-new buds in spring to the sound of the wind whooshing through the leaves in summer, from the fall colors to the feel of winter’s rough bark and the promise of spring returning again — no matter what time of year, there’s always something extraordinary to notice about the trees around your neighborhood. Chris Butterworth’s text, gently sprinkled with facts, captures the wonder of a child as Charlotte Voake’s busy, buoyant artwork conveys how something as simple and common as a tree can feel like magic taking root around you.
  • Book Trailer – Drawn from Nature by Helen Ahpornsiri. An intricately crafted journey through four seasons of flora and fauna. Helen Ahpornsiri’s intricate artwork transforms leaves, petals, and seeds into bounding hares, swooping swallows, and blossoming trees. Using nothing but pressed plants, this journey through the seasons captures the wonder and magic of the natural world between the pages of a book. This standout title with beautiful nonfiction text will take readers through an extraordinary year in the wild.
  • A Seed is the Start by Mellissa Stewart. Beautiful photography and lyrical text pair with comprehensive picture captions in award-winning author Melissa Stewart’s story about the surprisingly diverse world of seeds. Learn all about the plant cycle, from how seeds grow, the fascinating ways they travel, and what it takes for a seed to become a plant. Meet seeds that pop, hop, creep, and explode in this vividly illustrated introduction to the simplest concepts of botany. The story, which is perfect for elementary school Common Core learning, carefully highlights the many ways that seeds get from here to there, engaging children’s curiosity with strong action verbs. Stunning photographs with fact-packed captions provide supporting details, explaining the role of seed features and functions in creating new generations of plants. Complete with an illustrated glossary and back matter featuring more resources, this book inspires wonder as it encourages budding botanists of all ages to look with new eyes at plants and their seeds.
  • Berry Song (Caldecott Honor Book) by Michaela Goade.A Caldecott Honor Book! Caldecott Medalist Michaela Goade’s first self-authored picture book is a gorgeous celebration of the land she knows well and the powerful wisdom of elders. On an island at the edge of a wide, wild sea, a girl and her grandmother gather gifts from the earth. Salmon from the stream, herring eggs from the ocean, and in the forest, a world of berries.Salmonberry, Cloudberry, Blueberry, Nagoonberry. Huckleberry, Snowberry, Strawberry, Crowberry.Through the seasons, they sing to the land as the land sings to them. Brimming with joy and gratitude, in every step of their journey, they forge a deeper kinship with both the earth and the generations that came before, joining in the song that connects us all. Michaela Goade’s luminous rendering of water and forest, berries and jams glows with her love of the land and offers an invitation to readers to deepen their own relationship with the earth.
  • Dear Earth by Isabel Otter.When Tessa writes a love letter to the Earth, it’s the beginning of a glorious adventure. She blows bubbles with whales, soars with birds and joins in with the noisy rainforest hullabaloo!Tessa wants everyone to know how special our planet is. She believes that there is a chance to save the Earth if enough of us share the message.
  • Our Planet! There’s No Place Like Earth by Stacy McAnulty. From writer Stacy McAnulty and illustrator David Litchfield, Our Planet! There’s No Place Like Earth is a nonfiction picture book about the Earth, told from the perspective of Earth herself. Meet Earth. Planet Awesome! And your awesome home! Actually, Earth is home to all the plants and all the animals in the solar system, including nearly eight billion people. Humans have accidentally moved Earth’s climate change into the fast lane, and she need your help to put on the brakes. Earthlings need Earth, and Earth needs Earthlings, so let’s save Earth together! With characteristic humor and charm, Stacy McAnulty channels the voice of Earth in this next celestial “autobiography” in the Our Universe series. Rich with kid-friendly facts and beautifully brought to life by David Litchfield, this is an equally charming and irresistible picture book.
  • What a Waste: Trash, Recycling, and Protecting our Planet by Marni Fogelson. Best Nonfiction for Kids. In this informative book on recycling for children, you will find everything you need to know about our environment. The good, the bad and the incredibly innovative. From pollution and litter to renewable energy and plastic recycling. This educational book will teach young budding ecologists about how our actions affect planet Earth and the big impact we can make by the little things we do. Did you know that every single plastic toothbrush ever made still exists? Or that there is a floating mass of trash larger than the USA drifting around the Pacific Ocean? It is not all bad news though. While this is a knowledge book that explains where we are going wrong, What a Waste also shows what we are getting right! Discover plans to save our seas. How countries are implementing green projects worldwide, and how to turn waste into something useful. The tiniest everyday changes can make all the difference to ensure our beautiful planet stays lush and teeming with life. It is a lively kid’s educational book with fabulous illustrations and fun facts about the world broken into easy to digest bite-sized bits. Each page can be looked at in short bursts or longer reads for more detail, making it a great children’s book for a range of age groups.Almost everything we do creates waste, from litter and leftovers to factory gases and old gadgets. Find out where it goes, how it affects our planet and what we can do to reduce the problem.From how to make your home more energy and water efficient, to which items can be recycled and tips for grocery shopping, this book is packed full of ideas on how you can get involved to make our planet a better place to live. This book is one of several nature books for kids written by Jess French, a passionate conservationist and veterinarian committed to protecting the beautiful world we live in.This book is about how one Pianist and 85,000 bottles and cans brought new hope to an island. Imagine living on a tiny island more than a thousand miles from any other inhabited place! That’s where a girl named Mahani lived―on Rapa Nui, also known as Easter Island. Mahani grew up taking music lessons on the island’s only piano. She had the talent to become a great pianist, but pursuing that dream meant leaving the home she loved. As Mahani toured the world as an acclaimed concert pianist, Rapa Nui stayed close to her heart. She knew the island struggled with problems like ocean trash and wondered how she could help. So she returned to Rapa Nui with a new dream―to build a music school! The unique building is constructed with recycled trash and has solar panels and a food garden. Now Mahani is helping build a more sustainable future for her island home―where the music continues.
  • Rocket Says Clean Up! By Nathan Bryon. Plucky science-lover Rocket returns in another inspiring picture book about getting a community to notice the world around them, and, in this book, to CLEAN UP! their shoreline.Rocket, is off to the islands to visit her grandparents. Her family loves nothing better than to beach comb and surf together…but the beach is clogged with trash! When she finds a turtle tangled in a net, Rocket decides that something must be done! Like a mini Greta Thunberg, our young activist’s enthusiasm brings everyone together…to clean up the beach and prevent plastics from spoiling nature. Perfect for fans of Rocket Says Look Up! and Ada Twist, Scientist, this book is for any youngster concerned about our environment. Rocket Says Clean Up! will inspire readers of all ages to dream big and tackle problems head-on.
  • This Class Can Save the Planet by Stacy Tornio. This Class Can Save the Planet: How Kids Can Help the Planet. This book equips students and educators with simple, effective ways to make a positive environmental impact. Ideal for any time of the year, it turns classrooms into eco-friendly action zones, offering actionable steps for a greener future. Dive in and discover how to make sustainability a daily practice and inspire real change in your school and community. 
  • Key Features:
    • Actionable Solutions: Easy, immediate steps for students to enhance sustainability in schools and communities.
    • Educator-Focused: Streamlines the integration of eco-friendly practices into classroom life.
    • Versatile Use: Perfect for Earth Day, Earth Month, and fostering year-round environmental stewardship.
    • Practical Impact: Demonstrates how small, collective actions can significantly benefit the planet.
    • Empowers Change: Translates environmental awareness into meaningful, student-led initiatives.
  • My Friend Earth: (Earth Day Books with Environmentalism Message for Kids, Saving Planet Earth, Our Planet Book) by Patricia MacLachlan. Perfect for Earth Day—and every day!—this spectacular picture book is a valentine to our wonderful planet from the Newbery Award–winning author of Sarah, Plain and Tall. Our friend Earth does so many wonderful things! She tends to animals large and small. She pours down summer rain and autumn leaves. She sprinkles whisper-white snow and protects the tiny seeds waiting for spring.Readers of all ages will pore over the pages of this children’s book that is bursting with color and texture. Its enticing pages feature clever cut-outs, flaps, and curved contours that encourage exploration as its poetic text celebrates everything Earth does for us, all the while reminding us to be a good friend in return. Touch and Learn: An interactive format and kid-friendly art will engage young readers as they explore our unique home in the universe.
  • A Stone Sat Still by Brendan Wenzel. The brilliant follow-up to the Caldecott Honor-winning and New York Times bestselling picture book They All Saw a Cat by Brendan Wenzel! This book tells the story of a seemingly ordinary rock—but to the animals that use it, it is a resting place, a kitchen, a safe haven…even an entire world.This is a gorgeous exploration of perspective, perception, and the passage of time, with an underlying environmental message that is timely and poignant. This book is: Filled with stunning illustrations in cut paper, pencil, collage, and paint; Soothing rhythms invite reading aloud and bedtime snuggles; Introduces concepts like color, size, function, and time in a way that is easily understandable and teachable for children. With a rhythmic, calming narrative about the stone and its place in the world—and the changing environment—A Stone Sat Still proves Brendan Wenzel’s mastery of the picture book form.This modern children’s classic will enchant early learning readers,as well as the adults that read with them.
  • Penguins Don’t Wear Sweaters! By Marikka Tamura. This uplifting, charmingly told story, tells what happens when well-meaning humans knit sweaters for penguins who’ve encountered an oil spill. You may have seen the cute pictures of penguins wearing sweaters–but did you know why they were wearing them? Debut author Marikka Tamura answers this question in this colorful, kid-friendly book that is told simply and charmingly. Penguins love the sea. Happy in the dark blue water. But what is this? One day something is floating in the water. Dark. Gooey. Oily . . . When the penguins become coated in an oil spill, many Big Boots arrive. The humans want to help the cold, greasy penguins, so they knit sweaters to keep them warm. The Big Boots mean well, but . . . penguins don’t wear sweaters! So after a good, soapy scrub, the penguins dive back into the deep blue sea, happily dressed only in their own penguin feathers.
  • Here and Now by Julia Denos. From the team behind Ezra Jack Keats Honor winner Windows comes Here and Now. At turns wise and playful, this accessible, beautifully illustrated read soothes like a modern Goodnight Moon. You may be reading a book. But somewhere, a phone is ringing, a baby is growing, and the earth is spinning in space. Even you are changing and growing in remarkable ways.Explore the joy of mindfulness, the wonder of our existence, and the marvel of our ever-connected world with this stunning book.
  • Thank You, Earth: A Love Letter to Our Planet by April Pulley Sayre (author & Illustrator. Winner of the Green Prize for Sustainable LiteratureA splendid marriage of poetry and photography. Acclaimed children’s book author and photographer April Pulley Sayre’s love letter to Earth is a stunning exploration of the beauty and complexity of the world around us. Remarkable photographs and a rich, layered text introduce concepts of science, nature, geography, biology, poetry, and community, perfect for classrooms and homeschooling. This nonfiction picture book is ideal for Earth Day and for celebrating the planet all year long.This award-winning photographer and acclaimed author of more than sixty-five books, introduces concepts of science, nature, and language arts through stunning photographs and a poetic text structured as a simple thank-you note.Touching on subjects from life cycles to weather, colors, shapes, and patterns, this is an ideal resource for science and language art curriculums and a terrific book for bedtime sharing. This book is a great choice for Earth Day celebrations, as well as family and group read-alouds.

CANADIAN SPRING BOOKS FOR KIDS:

  • Super Friends! by Cale Atkinson. Welcome to the world of Simon and Chester, ghost and boy duo extraordinaire. Chester lives with his Grandma, his cat Mr. Pickles and Simon the ghost. Simon and Chester are best friends. Their attic is the location for some of the best activities known to humankind: making up songs about passersby, acting out scenes from Simon’s exciting Dr. Darington novels and creating the incredible Treat-A-Matic snack dispenser. But Chester has also befriended a non-ghost named Amie, and she is coming over to work on their science fair project. Amie has a surprising idea for this project, and Simon and Chester’s friendship will be put to the test as a result. Will Simon behave? Will Amie come between the two friends? Will an invisible Simon make fart noises that Chester has to explain? All will be revealed.

  • Still My Tessa by Sylv Chiang. This is about practising with pronouns and accepting people for who they are. Evelyn is worried about Tessa — they don’t want to play the same games they used to play together anymore. Determined to find new ways to connect with her older sibling, she learns to see Tessa as a non-binary person by practising using new pronouns for them.
  • The War of the Witches by Zetta Elliot. In the fifth and final book in the middle-grade series, Dragons in a Bag, Jax is finding a balance between regular life in Brooklyn and the magical world of Palmara where dragons roam. When an ancient monster called the Scourge wishes to make all magic vanish, a war begins to brew. In this book Jax must fight alongside his mystic friends to save both worlds. For older students.
  • A Garden Called Home by Jessica Chen & Elaine Chen. a young girl travels alongside her mother to visit family in the country she emigrated from. When they arrive, she notices her mother is happy exploring the beautiful landscape she grew up in. She learns about the ài hāo, or mugwort, that is used to make dumplings, the mountains and all the plants and animals that inhabit them.After their visit ends, the young girl is determined to show her mother that there is wonder to be found in the nature of their home too.
  • Khadija and the Elephant Toothpaste Experiment by Farah Quaiser & Hajer Nakua. When Khadija goes to a science fair she sees many scientists walking around in lab coats and safety goggles, but none wearing hijab like she does. Inspired by a fun and messy experiment she witnessed, Khadija wants to try it for herself at home. This book centres a young Muslim girl exploring her love for science as her family as they celebrate Eid.
  • Swimming Into Trouble by Angela Ahn. Julia Nam is the youngest Vipers Swim Team member at the Mountainview Community Centre and is almost always in the pool. As Julia trains for Personal Best Day, a swimming qualifier to determine if each swimmer is quick enough to enter regionals, she’s hit with a major setback: an ear infection that sidelines her from the pool for 10 days. In the first early chapter book in the series Julia on the Go!In this book, Julia lands herself in choppy waters as she goes against her parents and her earache to get back to the sport she loves most. For older children.
  • Professor Goose Debunks the Three Little Pigs by Paulette Bourgeois & Alex Griffins. As the great niece of the infamous Mother Goose, Professor Goose is set on fact-checking all of the classic fairy tales. In the second STEM-focused tale, this book reveals the flaws in the story of the three little pigs and shares how to build a strong house (even though it’s not scientifically possible for a wolf to blow a house down anyways).
  • I Do Not Eat Children by Marcus Cutler. This book is about a looming orange monstrosity that appears in a busy playground. With each page of this picture book, the creature insists he loves kids as slowly but surely there are fewer on the playground than the page before. Where did they go and what is this funny monster really up to?
  • All That Grows by Jack Wong. This book follows a young boy and his older sister as they take notice of all the plants they come across on their walks in the neighbourhood. His sister shares all the fun facts she knows about plants, from what could be edible, to why some might smell and how to care for them. As he learns more he is amazed at all that there is out there to learn and lets his love for learning flourish alongside nature. 
  • The Only Lonely Fairy by Lana Button. Leah’s only wish is to find a friend to play fairies with her, but when none of her classmates say yes she is left all alone. In this story, Leah is in turmoil as she realizes she is the only one reading fairy tales and becomes overwhelmed with sadness when suddenly she catches the faint voice of someone, or something, who might want to be her friend after all. 
  • Butterfly on the Wind by Adam Pottle. This book is about Aurora who is nervous about using sign language at the talent show and cannot seem to steady her hands until she spots a butterfly. Magically, as she signs the word “butterfly”, Aurora creates one of her own who then travels across the globe and is joined by a flock of butterflies made by the international Deaf community.
  • Circle of Love by Monique Gray Smith. In this book, young Molly spends the day at the intertribal community centre where they’re preparing for a feast. She introduces readers to the people she knows and loves, including her grandmother and her grandmother’s wife, her uncles and their baby, her cousins and her cherished friends. Throughout, Molly explains how at the centre, everyone is welcome and “love is love.”
  • So Loud! By Shara Golshan. In this charming book about owning your voice, Rudābeh, or Rudy, is known for being lively and joyful which makes many of the adults around her often say she’s being too loud. Māmān Bozorg, comes to visit from Iran and Rudy decides to try to be quieter for her grandmother but realizes she might be so loud too. This book is about Rudy’s journey of embracing the noise and knowing when to take up space.
  • Oma’s Bag by Michelle Wang. This book is a bittersweet picture book about a family navigating the reality of a grandparent living with Alzheimer’s. All five of the Lim children are excited when Oma and Opa come to visit them, but something feels different to their past visits. As Oma begins repeating questions and items from around the house go missing, they all realize she’s in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. As Opa and the Lim family are filled with sadness, they find joy in the day to day reminders that Oma is still herself.
  • Club Microbe by Elise Gravel. This book is an introductory book for young kids into the realm of microorganisms. Through colourful illustrations and science, Elise Gravel shares how and why certain microbes help our bodies and our planet function.
  • The Walk of the Field Mouse by Nadine Robert. Met with a classic Sisyphean problem, this book follows a field mouse who finds a blue robin’s egg fallen far away from its nest at the top of a hill. When the surrounding animals laugh at the field mouse for daring to roll the egg back up to its home, it becomes determined to prove them wrong.
  • I Am A Rock by Ashley Quilacaq-Savard. At bedtime, Pauloosie asks his Anaana, or mother, what rocks would say to us if they could. In this book Pauloosie’s pet rock, Miki Rock describes all that it can see, feel and hear as part of the land in the Arctic from the winds to the animals, the Northern lights and more. 
  • Rumie Goes Rafting by Meghan Marentette. Told through photographs of handmade critters against a real woodland backdrop, This book is a picture book about an adventurous creature, Rumie, who is curious about where the nearby stream leads. With their Uncle Hawthorne’s help, they build a raft for their journey and set out together, encountering many hiccups and wonders along the way.
  • A Coop, Some Goop, and a Sandwich by Mark David Smith. In the third chapter book of The Weird Sisters series, this book, Hildegurp, Glubbifer and Yuckmina are in charge of a Flying Broom ride at the yearly fall fair. When a prized show chicken disappears from the fair, the sisters must solve another mystery, learning more about their magic and the power of apologizing.
  • Let’s Go! By Julie Flett. In this book a mother surprises her son with an old skateboard so he can be like the other kids who always skate by. After practicing anywhere and anytime he can, he still feels nervous about joining other kids at the skatepark. Told through a mix of English and Cree words, this picture book is about building confidence through the support of one’s family.
  • Birdsong by Julie Flett. When Katherena and her mother move to a small town, Katherena feels lonely and out of place. But when she meets an elderly woman artist who lives next door, named Agnes—her world starts to change.Katherena and Agnes share the same passions for arts and crafts, birds, and nature. But as the seasons change, can Katherna navigate the failing health of her new friend?Award-winning author and artist Julie Flett’s textured images of birds, flowers, art, and landscapes bring vibrancy and warmth to this powerful story, which highlights the fulfillment of intergenerational relationships, shared passions, and spending time outdoors with the ones we love. The book Includes a glossary and pronunciation guide to Cree words that appear in the text.Cree-Métis author/illustrator Julie Flett’s smooth and lyrical words and gorgeous… images truly capture the warmth and solidarity of the female protagonists in this tender intergenerational friendship story.Cycling from spring to spring, [Julie Flett’s] subtle, sensitive story delicately traces filaments of growth and loss through intergenerational friendship, art making, and changing moons and seasons.
  • Oddbird’s Chosen Family by Derek Desierto. This book is a colourful picture book about Oddbird, who has always been by himself. As he longs for a family, his friends organize a fun-filled surprise for him and Oddbird takes note of those already in his life that make him happy.
  • The Green Baby Swing by Thomas King. In this book Xavier, his mom and his kitten named Comet are tasked with cleaning up Nana’s attic after she passes away. Although uneasy at first, Xavier ends up finding old treasures like a rocking horse, scrapbooks and a piece of fabric that brings back memories for his mother. Together, Xavier and his mom learn about the power of intergenerational love.
  • The Sun Never Hurries by Roxane Turcotte. This book tells the tale of Papa Jo and his granddaughter Charlie learning the value of patience and appreciating the small details of life. Charlie doesn’t understand why her grandfather uses an hourglass to mark time and so he takes her on a calming walk through nature, taking note of all the wondrous things around them. 
  • The New Girl by Cassandra Calin. Inspired by artist Cassandra Calin’s own immigration story. This book is a middle-grade graphic novel about Lia and her family’s move to Canada from Romania. Alongside all the complicated feelings Lia has about moving to somewhere completely different from home, when she arrives she experiences her first period. Now, as Lia navigates a new school with new classmates and new languages she is also faced with the daunting task of puberty. For older students.
  • Willa and Wade and the Way-Up-There by Judith Henderson. In the early reader graphic novel this book is about two best friends who have dreams of flying. The only problem is that Willa’s an ostrich and Wade’s a penguin, which happen to be two of the kinds of birds that don’t often fly. Trying everything from big leaps to pogo-sticks, Willa and Wade give it their all and learn that having a friend by your side makes adventures all the better.
  • Lobster’s Vacation by Michelle Robinson. After escaping the ocean and fleeing the cooking pot, this Lobster sets his sights on the Nova Scotian shore! In this book Lobster tries everything the summer has to offer from ice cream to camping to kite-flying. Will he ever want to go home again?
  • Ocean Meets Sky by Eric and Terry Fan. This book tells the story of a young boy named Finn who sets out on an adventure to find the mythical place where the ocean meets the sky. 
  • Sweetest Kulu by Celina Kalluk. Written by Inuit throat singer Celina Kalluk. This book is a beautiful bedtime poem where a mother speaks to her Kulu — an Inuktitut​ word for babies and young children — about the gifts bestowed upon a newborn by all of the animals of the Arctic. 
  • Go Show the World by Wab Kinew. This rap-song-turned-picture-book by a politician celebrates Indigenous leaders in the U.S. and Canada. Some of the figures mentioned include Crazy Horse, Net-no-kwa, former NASA astronaut John Herrington and Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price. 
  • Once Upon a Memory by Nina Laden. This picture book is told through the eyes of a curious little boy who wonders about the origins of everyday things. She asks questions like, “Does a feather remember it once was a bird?” and, “Does a book remember it once was a word?”
  • Wallpaper by Thao Lam. In this wordless picture book, a shy young girl and her family move into a new house in a new neighbourhood. She wants to go outside and make friends, but she is too shy. Instead, she picks at the old wallpaper in her new house, which reveals a magical imaginary world for her to explore. 
  • The Fog by Kyo Maclear and illustrated by Kenard Pak. This book is a beautiful fable with an environmental twist. Warble, a yellow warbler who is a human-watcher, realises that a mysterious fog is moving onto his island home of Icyland. After trying to warn the other birds — to no avail — he meets a red-hooded little girl, and the pair set out to get to the bottom of the mystery.
  •  Picture the Sky by Barbara Reid. In this book, celebrated plasticine artist Barbara Reid imagines the sky above us in all its varied beauty. From sunrise to sunset, to the theatrics of northern lights and brewing storms, this book will inspire young readers to think differently about the sky above them — a sight they share with other kids all over the globe. 
  • Town is the Sea by Joanne Schwartz. This book is a day in the humble life of a young maritime boy as he visits his grandfather’s grave and eats dinner with his family, all the while daydreaming about his absent coal-mining father. Inspired by the real history of maritime mining culture, this book is a visual and literary love letter to an important part of East Coast history.
  • They Say Blue by Jillian Tamaki. This book is a vibrant exploration of colour told from the perspective of a curious and inquisitive little girl. The beautiful book explores questions like, how can water be blue and black and clear at the same time? 
  • At the Pond by Werner Zimmermann. This book explores the natural wonders of a pond in this picture book. Goldfish swim, water lilies blossom, a heron flies and frogs and water striders make their way across the water in Zimmermann’s stunningly painted illustrations. 
  • I’m Glad That You’re Happy by Nahid Kazemi. A florist puts two plants in a pot together and asks the larger one to take care of the smaller one. An artist takes the two plants home and they become part of the family. When the plants grow too big to be in the same pot, the larger plant is sad to be separated but happy to see the small one grow and flourish on its own.

MUSIC: Music has many benefits for children including: Enhancing memory; Boosting brain development; Nurturing creativity; Sharpening social interactions; and Instilling confidence.

EASTER:

SONGS:

APRIL FOOL’S DAY SONGS:

EARTH DAY SONGS:

2. Create Together: Puzzles, Crafts, Drawing and Constructing 🧩

EASTER CRAFTS to make:

  • Easter Bunny in Colour – Print out this cute little Easter bunny, cut him out carefully, fold him and stand him up on display in the home or classroom! Available pre-coloured for an extra quick activity, or in black and white for the kids to colour in themselves.


SPRING CRAFTS to make:

EARTH DAY CRAFTS:

  • Make wildflower seed bombs – Give back to Mother Earth with these easy-to-make seed bombs. Blend together used scraps of construction paper, water, and wildflower seeds in a food processor, then form them into tiny muffins. Let them dry, then toss them in the ground. As the seed bombs receive sun and rain, the paper will eventually compost and the seeds will germinate.
  • Put together nature wreaths – Take your kids on a nature walk to gather interesting leaves, flowers, berries, and the like. To make the wreath forms, braid together strips of old T-shirts and form them into a circle. Then attach natural items into the crevices and secure them with clear fishing line or hot glue. Attach a ribbon at the top to hang the wreath.
  • Construct a bug hotel – Create a cozy place for all the creepy-crawlies to hang out. Cut a two-liter plastic bottle into two cylinders, then stuff it with sticks, pine cones, bark, or any other natural material. Make sure to pack the organic material tightly. Then loop a piece of twine or yarn around the two cylinders and hang your bug hotel from a tree branch or fence.
  • Make a classroom quilt – Textiles make up a huge portion of municipal solid waste—over 16 million tons per year. Teach your kids to repurpose old material that would otherwise end up in the landfill by putting together a cozy quilt.
  • Use magazines to create a bowl – We love Earth Day crafts that result in a practical object you can use around the house. This project is best for older students who have the patience and dexterity necessary to carefully roll their magazine strips and glue them together.
  • Create a planet Earth craft – Pay tribute to our lovely planet on Earth Day with these fuzzy moss balls. Kids who love getting their hands dirty will particularly love this craft. All you do is squish pre-soaked sphagnum moss into a tight ball, wrap it tightly with blue yarn or strips of discarded T-shirts, layer more moss and more yarn, etc., until you’ve created an Earth-shaped orb. Finish with a loop of yarn and hang it in a sunny window. To keep your moss ball healthy, simply spray it with water every couple of days.
  •  Plant a hanging garden – Large plastic bottles become beautiful hanging planters in this green-living, green-thumb project. A great way to make a gorgeous hanging garden.
  • Upcycle trash into flower art – Scraps of paper are the only supplies you need for this recycled-flower-garden activity and lesson. The measurement and math element is an added bonus.
  • Repurpose paper towel rolls into binoculars – Save those paper rolls so your class can customize their own binoculars! Have a variety of paints, stickers, and the like on hand so your students can really personalize their bird-watchers.
  • Fashion a pop-top bracelet – Aluminium beverage pop-tops become wearable jewellery thanks to some ninja ribbon work. Show this video on your interactive whiteboard to give your students the full 411, and then get crafting!
  • Create colorful suncatchers / wind chimes – Go outside for a nature walk and gather sticks, weeds, and pickable blooms, then bring the treasures inside to be showcased in recycled jar lids. With some wax paper and string, your students can craft this surprisingly beautiful recycled wind chime.
  • Make recycled crafts from paper bags – Brown paper bags become eco-canvases for artwork and a perfect way to adorn fridges for Earth Day. Bonus points if you can source handled bags because the handles serve as built-in artwork hangers.
  • Build a recycled city – Create an adorable village using little more than paper rolls, paper, scissors, paint, glue or tape, and your imagination!
  • Create pebble art – Take students outside to collect small rocks and pebbles. Have them arrange the rocks into a pattern of their choice. Get creative, and try as many different designs as you can!
  • Use old crayons to make Earth Day crayons – This isn’t just any recycled crayon—it’s a gorgeous Earth crayon! You can make these with your kids using a muffin tin. You just need to sort out the right colors.
  • Feed the birds – Herald spring with this easy crowd-pleaser: the large plastic bottle bird feeder. This short video will teach kids how to get started constructing their feeders.
  • Get organized with old cans – Tin cans are easy to get your hands on, and they can go a long way in organizing supplies. Get your kids involved by having them help decorate the cans. They’ll really take ownership of this, which will hopefully inspire them to keep supplies more organized.
  • Build tin can robots – Recycling projects like these are the best since kids love robots. Be sure to have an extra pair of adult hands around to help with the hot glue for these Earth Day crafts.
  • Fashion fairy house night-lights – Are these the sweetest Earth Day crafts ever? Plastic bottles from home become homes for fairies, thanks to paint, scissors, glue, and real or faux greenery.
  • Turn old magazines into art – We love how this upcycled magazine cut-paper art project can be modified for primary students or used to inspire sophisticated art by high school students.
  • Build a beautiful DIY terrarium – A bottle gets a second life as a museum-worthy terrarium as well as a home for an environmental science project. Be sure to add the activated charcoal and moss for plastic bottle terrariums that flourish.
  • Paint with corks – This is the perfect kind of Earth Day art since you use recycled material (corks) to paint your favorite scene from nature.
  • Fashion lady bugs from bottle caps – These little ladybugs are so cute and yet so, so simple. Grab some bottle caps, paint, googly eyes, and glue and get ready to make some adorable friends!
  • Craft a pair of egg carton glasses – How creative is this egg carton craft for Earth Day? All you need is egg carton sections, pipe cleaners, scissors, and craft paint, and voilà! Superhero goggles

EARTH DAY ACTIVITIES: April 22. Earth Day is approaching, though there really is never a bad time to celebrate Mother Earth. It’s important to teach students the environmental benefits of recycling, like conserving energy and natural resources and reducing air and water pollution, all year long. While recycling breaks down old items in order to create something new, upcycling makes something new from an existing object in its current state. Challenge your students to create something unique and wonderful from preexisting items like magazines, plastic water bottles, tin cans, egg cartons, and more. Check out our list of the best recycled crafts for Earth Day or any day, and give some of them a try!

SPRING ACTIVITIES:

APRIL FOOL’S DAY ACTIVITIES:

3. Explore, Engage & Interact Together 🌍

EASTER ACTIVITIES:

APRIL FOOL’S DAY ACTIVITIES: There are many holidays to be celebrated in the classroom and April Fool’s Day is probably one that you can’t escape. Children naturally love to play jokes on one another and this holiday gives them the perfect excuse. Why not embrace the holiday in your classroom and have a bit of fun with the students and teach them at the same time! April Fool’s Day is also known as All Fool’s Day. It is a holiday that is celebrated around the world. They even celebrate it in Japan, Russia, and South Africa. This means that while you and your students play jokes on each other, you can also teach them about other cultures and traditions.

4. Healthy Living: Movement & Nutrition 👭

MOVEMENT:

  • Yoga is important for kids because:
    • It helps them manage their anxiety;
    • The breathing exercises and relaxation techniques learned from practicing yoga can help children with stress management;
    • Teaching children how to reduce stress in a healthy way is an important life skill that will help them as children and as adults;
    • Yoga improves children’s emotional regulation;
    • Yoga is a wonderful way to teach children how to be calm while gaining an awareness of their body, self-control and discipline; 
    • Yoga brings that marvelous inner light that all children have to the surface.

APRIL FOOLS YOGA:

EASTER YOGA:

NUTRITION:

APRIL FOOL’S DAY RECIPES: Show your kids you have a healthy sense of humor with these April Fool’s Day and treats. Whether it’s a cake that’s actually meatloaf or taco casserole with googly eyes, your family will dig in with lots of giggles.

EASTER RECIPES: Easter is important for kids because: It is the most significant holy day celebrated by Christians, marking the resurrection of Jesus; It offers hope, renewal, and new beginnings; It is associated with spring, and symbols like eggs, chicks, flowers, and rabbits evoke thoughts of new life.

BRUNCH IDEAS: Brunch is important for kids because: It improves academic performance, memory, and attention; It helps with vocabulary, math, and mental tasks; It supports growth and development; It reduces hunger and behavior problems; It helps kids maintain a healthy weight and meet nutritional requirements.

5. Reflect: Thoughts of the Day About Learning 💭

APRIL:

APRIL FOOL’S DAY:

SPRINGTIME:

EASTER: