Learning Together Joyfully: Nearing the End

Welcome back parents, grandparents and educators. June is approaching along with summer holidays. This month we look at Teacher appreciation day on June 6th – a time to thank teachers for their support and encouragement over the year. On May 6th, as you celebrate teachers, we have included many funny books for teachers and parents to read to their child as summer approaches. We are also celebrating National Parents Day which is on June 1, 2025.  There are many songs, and activities included as you play, learn, and grow together throughout June.

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1. Read and Sing Together
2. Create Together: Puzzles, Crafts, Signing, Drawing and Constructing
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5. Reflect: Thoughts of the Day About Learning

1.  Read and Sing Together 📚

• Reading is important for children because: It stimulates the section of the brain that allows children to understand the meaning of language; It improves communication skills; It can forge a strong bond between the reader and the child; It supports a solid parent-child relationship; It helps children view literacy in a positive way.

TEACHER APPRECIATION DAY: Tuesday, May 6, 2025. Teacher Appreciation Day, sometimes also referred to as Teachers’ Day or National Teacher Day, is an event held annually in Canada to honor and appreciate teachers and recognize their lasting contributions to education and society and the lives of their students. It takes place on the Tuesday of the first full week in May. The following books can provide valuable insights, practical advice, and a bit of humor to celebrate the important role of parents. Funny Books Encourage Reading – For kids who don’t love reading yet, humorous books are a great gateway to literacy. There’s almost no greater motivation than a book that you know will stir up a good belly laugh! Whether your child is a proficient reader or just learning how books work, reading to and with your child helps to strengthen those literacy skills. Silly books with ridiculous characters and potty humor may seem like the farthest thing from educational reading. But it’s actually the opposite! Just having a fun book that your child enjoys reading is key to reading development. It keeps them coming back for more! Think about it – Do most adults reach for Wuthering Heights when they want to relax with a book? Not likely. We like to read books that are enjoyable, and kids love that escape too. Teacher Appreciation Day is celebrated in May to recognize the hard work, and passion of educators. It serves as an opportunity for students, parents, administrators and communities to express gratitude and appreciation for their role in shaping the minds and futures of students.  Teacher Appreciation Day is celebrated in May to recognize the hard work, and passion of educators. It serves as an opportunity for students, parents, administrators and communities to express gratitude and appreciation for their role in shaping the minds and futures of students. Teacher Appreciation Day is celebrated in May to recognize the heard work, dedication, and passion of educators. It serves an as opportunity for students, parents, administrators, and to express gratitude and appreciation for their role in shaping minds and futures and helping them grow into the people they will become. Teachers play an important role in our children’s lives. They spend their days molding and shaping young minds, teaching them about the world around them, and helping them grow into the people they will become. It’s a difficult task, but it’s one that is so important. If you’re looking for a children’s book about teachers that celebrates the importance of teaching and expresses gratitude to teachers for the work they do, look no further! We’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite books below. So stop by your favorite public or school library or bookstore to pick up or several of these great titles today!

• Parenting: Illustrated with Crappy Pictures by Amber Dusick. The drawings aren’t very good, Mama.” Of course you love being a parent. But sometimes, it just sucks. I know. I’m Amber Dusick and I started my blog Parenting: Illustrated with Crappy Pictures because I needed a place to vent about the funny (and frustrating) day-to-day things that happened to me as a parent. Turns out, poop is hilarious! At least when you’re not the one wiping it up.This book won’t make your frustrating moments any less crappy. But these stories about my Crappy Baby, Crappy Boy and my husband, Crappy Papa, will hopefully make you laugh. Because you’re not alone. And sometimes the crappiest moments make the best memories. Parenting is wonderful! And also, well, you know.

• Little Stuck by Oliver Jeffers. When Floyd’s kite gets stuck in a tree, he’s determined to get it out. But how? Well, by knocking it down with his shoe, of course. But strangely enough, it too gets stuck. And the only logical course of action . . . is to throw his other shoe. Only now it’s stuck! Surely there must be something he can use to get his kite unstuck. An orangutan? A boat? His front door? Yes, yes, and yes. And that’s only the beginning. Stuck is Oliver Jeffers’ most absurdly funny story since The Incredible Book-Eating Boy. Childlike in concept and vibrantly illustrated as only Oliver Jeffers could, here is a picture book worth rescuing from any tree

• Dinosaur vs. the Potty by Bob Shea. Fans of No, David! and Who Wet My Pants? will love this not-quite-a potty book in the popular Dinosaur vs. series by favorite funny man Bob Shea!Dinosaur is absolutely 100% certain he doesn’t need to use the potty. Even when he’s making lemonade, running through the sprinkler, having a three juice box lunch, and splashing in rain puddles. See? He’s doing his victory dance. Wait—that’s not a victory dance…that looks like a POTTY DANCE! Run, Dinosaur, run! It’s potty time! Will he make it?

• I Love You, Stinky Face by Lisa McCourt.This sweet bedtime story shows that a mother’s love is unconditional no matter how stinky or slimy her little one might get! The first installment of the beloved Stinky Face series!But Mama, but Mama, what if I were a super smelly skunk, and I smelled so bad that my name was Stinky Face?A little boy turns himself into a meat-eating dinosaur, a swamp creature, and much, much more before being satisfied with the fact that no matter how stinky he is or how slimy of a creature he could possibly be, he is loved unconditionally and nothing will change that. An imaginative bedtime story that is sure to reassure little ones that they are always loved no matter what.

• Moo, Baa, La La La! by Sandra Boynton. This raucous story about animals and the sounds they make, including three pigs who say “LA LA LA!” is a read-aloud favorite.Sandra Boynton’s wildly popular, Moo, Baa, La La La!, features her lively and spirited text that introduces readers to animals and the noises they make. A quiet final spread begs the little ones and their caregivers to OINK!, SNORT!, QUACK!, and MEOW! in a noisy animal ending.A cow says MOO.A sheep says BAA.Three singing pigs say LA LA LA!

• Toot by Leslie Patricelli. A subject dear to children’s hearts is in the spotlight as Leslie Patricelli’s beloved baby character returns. Everybody does it: Kitty, Doggie, Daddy — even Mommy! And when Leslie Patricelli’s beloved bald baby does it while running, it sounds like a train. This frank and very funny look at a certain noisy body function is perfectly suited to the youngest of listeners, while their giggling older siblings will be happy to read it aloud.

• Vegetables in Underwear by Jared Chapman. A bunch of friendly vegetables wear colorful underwear of all varieties big, small, clean, dirty, serious, and funny demonstrating for young ones the silliness and necessity of this item of clothing. The unexpectedness of vegetables in their unmentionables is enough to draw giggles, but the pride with which the “big kid” attire is flaunted in front of the baby carrots in diapers will tickle readers of all ages. With rhyming text that begs to be chanted aloud and art that looks good enough to eat, this vibrant story will encourage preschoolers to celebrate having left those diapers behind!

• The Alphabet from A to Y With Bonus Letter Z! By Steve Martin & Roz Chast.  The acclaimed entertainer and bestselling author Steve Martin and the wildly clever New Yorker cartoonist Roz Chast team up in a weird, wonderful excursion through the alphabet. The ABCs have never had it so good. Created by two of today’s wittiest, most imaginative minds, The Alphabet from A to Y with Bonus Letter Z! is a sheer delight from A to Z. In twenty-six alliterative couplets, Steve Martin conjures up much more than mere apples and zebras. Instead we meet Horace the hare, whose hairdo hides hunchbacks, and Ollie the owl, who owed Owen an oboe. Roz Chast contributes the perfect visual settings for Martin’s zany two-liners. Her instantly recognizable drawings are packed with humorous touches both broad and subtle. Each rereading—and there will be many—delivers new delights and discoveries. There, hidden behind Bad Baby Bubbleducks, is a framed picture of a beatnik holding balloons; and the letter C finds clunky Clarissa all clingy and clueless adrift in a landscape cluttered with images ranging from a curiously comfortable clown to Chuck’s Chili stand. A smart, laugh-inducing introduction to the alphabet for young children, The Alphabet from A to Y with Bonus Letter Z! will also enchant adults with its matchless mix of the sophisticated and the silly.

• Bob Not Bob!: by Audrey Vernick & Liz Garton Scanlong. To be read as though you have the worst cold ever. From the Caldecott Award-winning and bestselling team of Audrey Vernick, Liz Garton Scanlon, and Matthew Cordell comes a hilarious sick-day read-aloud! Little Louie is stuck in bed with a bad cold. His nose is clogged, his ears are crackling, and his brain feels full. All he wants is his mom to take care of him, but whenever he calls out for her, his stuffed-up nose makes it sound like he’s summoning slobbery dog Bob instead! This silly but sweet picture book will make kids laugh out loud as Louie tries to make himself understood. They won’t be able to help joining Louie in crying out, “Bob, not Bob!”

• Chewy Louie by Howie Schneider. A family brings home a rambunctious puppy.”He’s not a puppy anymore,” father proudly explains, while a 13-man construction crew works to repair the damaged house. Humorous colored-pencil cartoons reveal the devastation caused by the wee pooch and the family’s reactions to the chaos left in his wake.

• The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt. The hilarious, colorful bestselling phenomenon that every kid wants! Gift a copy to someone you love today. Poor Duncan just wants to color. But when he opens his box of crayons, he finds only letters, all saying the same thing: His crayons have had enough! They quit! Blue crayon needs a break from coloring all those bodies of water. Black crayon wants to be used for more than just outlining.  And Orange and Yellow are no longer speaking—each believes he is the true color of the sun. What can Duncan possibly do to appease all of the crayons and get them back to doing what they do best?

• Dog Food (PLAY WITH YOUR FOOD, 5) by Joost Elffers & Saxton Freymann.  For dog lovers of all ages, a banquet of (pepper) puppy puns! Saxton Freymann and Joost Elffers have wowed readers with the funny food faces of several books. Now with DOG FOOD, the duo turns its talents to the canine realm, wittily reworking familiar doggy phrases for a whole new level of humor and meaning. These pepper pooches and mango mutts are guaranteed to charm dog owners, dog lovers, and even — dare we say it — cat fans. Chow down!

• Don’t Blink! By Amy Krouse Rosenthanal. This interactive book may seem to be on your side, reluctant sleeper — but it’s truly a bedtime book in disguise! New from New York Times bestselling author and illustrator Amy Krouse Rosenthal and David Roberts! Here’s how it works: if you can avoid getting to the end of this book, you can avoid bedtime, simple as that. (It’s a pretty sweet deal, actually.) But each time you blink, you have to turn a page. Those are just the rules. So whatever you do, DON’T BLINK! From bestselling author and illustrator Amy Krouse Rosenthal and David Roberts comes a playful, super-duper interactive bedtime story, narrated by a cheeky stuffed owl. Kids love a challenge, and you can bet they’ll do their darndest to rise to the one set out in Don’t Blink!…especially when bedtime is on the line!

• Don’t Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late! By Mo Willems. It’s getting dark, but the Pigeon won’t go to bed! Will YOU let him stay up late? As usual, the Pigeon has plenty of reasons he isn’t ready for bedtime. But as night falls, *yawn*, even the Pigeon can’t resist a little sleep.

 

• Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin. This bestselling phenomenon, this deliciously funny read-aloud is an unforgettable tale of new friends and the perfect snack that will make you laugh until spicy salsa comes out of your nose. Dragons love tacos. They love chicken tacos, beef tacos, great big tacos, and teeny tiny tacos. So if you want to lure a bunch of dragons to your party, you should definitely serve tacos. Buckets and buckets of tacos. Unfortunately, where there are tacos, there is also salsa. And if a dragon accidentally eats spicy salsa . . . oh, boy. You’re in red-hot trouble.

• Goodnight Goon: a Petrifying Parody by Micahel Rex. This bestselling picture book parody is the perfect Halloween read! Goodnight tomb. Goodnight goon. Goodnight Martians taking over the moon. It’s bedtime in the cold gray tomb with a black lagoon, and two slimy claws, and a couple of jaws, and a skull and a shoe and a pot full of goo. But as a little werewolf settles down, in comes the Goon determined at all costs to run amok and not let any monster have his rest.A beloved classic gets a kind-hearted send up in this utterly monsterized parody; energetic art and a hilarious text will have kids begging to read this again and again.

• Grumpy Monkey by Suzanne Lang. This hilarious best selling picture book about a chimpanzee in a very bad mood–perfect for young children learning how to deal with confusing feelings.Jim the chimpanzee is in a terrible mood for no good reason. His friends can’t understand it–how can he be in a bad mood when it’s SUCH a beautiful day? They have lots of suggestions for how to make him feel better. But Jim can’t take all the advice…and has a BIT of a meltdown. Could it be that he just needs a day to feel grumpy? Suzanne and Max Lang bring hilarity and levity to this very important lesson on emotional literacy, demonstrating to kids that they are allowed to feel their feelings.

• How I Became a Pirate by Melinda Long. In this bestseller illustrated by Caldecott Honor–winning illustrator David Shannon, a boy sets off on a pirate adventure—with surprising results! When Braid Beard’s pirate crew invites Jeremy Jacob to join their voyage, he jumps right on board. Buried treasure, sea chanteys, pirate curses—who wouldn’t go along? Soon Jeremy Jacob knows all about being a pirate. He throws his food across the table and his manners to the wind. He hollers like thunder and laughs off bedtime. It’s the heave-ho, blow-the-man-down, very best time of his life. But then Jeremy Jacob finds out what pirates don’t do. Caldecott Honor illustrator David Shannon teams up with Melinda Long for a hilarious look at the finer points of pirate life. Shiver me timbers—it’s a pirate adventure! This book is a swashbuckling adventure with fantastically silly illustrations.

• Pirates Love Underpants by Claire Freedman & Ben Cort. Grab your peg leg and your parrot—and don’t forget the underpants! This wacky picture book pairs pirates and underwear in an uproarious adventure.These pirates SO love underpants,They’re on a special questTo find the fabled Pants of Gold,For the Captain’s treasure chest. This laugh-out-loud Underpants adventure is full of pirates, sharks, and treasure. You’ll be yo-ho-ho-ing with hilarity until the pirates conclude their zany expedition!

• I Will Chomp You! By Jory John. STOP RIGHT THERE. Don’t move a muscle, buster. Stay out of this book or I WILL CHOMP YOU! So says the not-so-fierce inhabitant of I Will Chomp You!, a tale of deception, greed . . . and cake! In their funny read-aloud, Jory John and Bob Shea bring a fresh twist to a time-tested blueprint as their little monster threatens, reasons, and pleads with readers to go no further in the book because he will NOT share his beautiful, delicious cakes. Children will identify with the monster’s high valuation of his possessions, and (importantly) will laugh at the silly measures he takes to protect them. “A monster’s reign of terror begins even before the title page: “HEY. GO AWAY.” Turn to the title page and there the monster waits, blue-skinned and angry-eyed: “I WILL CHOMP YOU!” As the reader turns the pages, the monster’s direct-address threats increase: “If you turn any more pages…I WILL CHOMP YOU, BUSTER!” Another page turn and the monster is even angrier: “NOW QUIT IT!” Until finally, “HEY! I’m warning you! You’ve been officially WARNED! CHOMP!” Unfortunately for the monster, the reader is just too fast, and its chomp misses the mark. The monster proceeds to bite, yell, and barrel its way through the pages, repeatedly trying to halt-by-chomping the reader from reaching its secret hidden in the back pages of the book (psst, it’s cake). This book, written entirely as monster monologue, is all bright colors and sharp edges, creating a feeling of temper-tantrum immediacy that matches the silly-angry words. Shea’s illustrations are bold but not too busy, giving the impression of fast movement and strong emotions, and the striped shirt–wearing monster is lovable in an ankle-biting kind of way. The fast pace, funny faces, and silly secret make this a great read-aloud.” 

• If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff. If a hungry little mouse shows up on your doorstep, you might want to give him a cookie. And if you give him a cookie, he’ll ask for a glass of milk. He’ll want to look in a mirror to make sure he doesn’t have a milk mustache, and then he’ll ask for a pair of scissors to give himself a trim. This book is a great first introduction to Mouse, the star of the If You Give… series and a perennial favorite among children. With its spare, rhythmic text and circular tale, This book is perfect for beginning readers and story time. Sure to inspire giggles and requests to “read it again!”
• Complete If You Give a Mouse a Cookie
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• The Monster at the End of This Book by Jon Stone. Read along as Grover begs you not to turn the page — because there is a monster at the end of this book! Lovable, furry old Grover is distressed to learn that there’s a monster at the end of this book! He begs readers not to turn the pages, but of course kids feel they just have to see this monster for themselves. Grover is astonished–and toddlers will be delighted–to discover who is really the monster at the end of the book!

• Parts by Tedd Arnold. I just don’t know what’s going on Or why it has to be But everyday it’s something worse. What’s happening to me? So begins this funny new story from the best-selling creator of many popular books. The young narrator has discovered a disturbing trend: There’s fuzz in his belly button his toes are peeling and something just fell out of his nose. The last straw is a loose tooth, which convinces him of the awful truth his parts are coming unglued! Parts deals with a subject of deepest interest to every young child: the stuff our bodies shed. Parents will appreciate the reassuring message that it’s all quite normal, while Tedd Arnold’s comical illustrations and rhyming text are guaranteed to make young readers laugh their heads off.

• The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch. Over five million copies in print! When the fiercest dragon in the whole world smashes Princess Elizabeth’s castle, burns all her clothes, and captures her fiancé, Prince Ronald, Elizabeth takes matters into her own hands. With her wits alone and nothing but a paper bag to wear, the princess challenges the dragon to show his strength in the hopes of saving the prince. But is it worth all that trouble? Readers the world-over have fallen in love with this classic story of girl power. Now a newly designed Classic Munsch edition will introduce the tale to a new generation of young feminists.

• The Book with No Pictures by B.J. Novak. This bestseller, this innovative and wildly funny read-aloud by award-winning humorist/actor B.J. Novak will turn any reader into a comedian—a perfect gift for any special occasion! You might think a book with no pictures seems boring and serious. Except . . . here’s how books work. Everything written on the page has to be said by the person reading it aloud. Even if the words say. BLORK. Or BLUURF .Even if the words are a preposterous song about eating ants for breakfast, or just a list of astonishingly goofy sounds like BLAGGITY BLAGGITY and GLIBBITY GLOBBITY. Cleverly irreverent and irresistibly silly, The Book with No Pictures is one that kids will beg to hear again and again. (And parents will be happy to oblige.)

• Click, Clack, Moo/Ready-to-Read by Doreen Cronin. This bestselling duo Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin’s Caldecott Honor–winning book is now available as a Level 2 Ready-to-Read! Farmer Brown has a problem. His cows like to type. All day long he hears:Click, clack, moo.Click, clack, moo.Click, clack, moo.But Farmer Brown’s problems REALLY begin when his cows start leaving him notes! Come join the fun as a bunch of literate cows turn Farmer Brown’s farm upside-down!

• Do Unto Otters: A Book About Manners by Laurie Keller. “Do not do to others what would anger you if others did it to you.”―Socrates (the Greek philosopher), circa 470-399 B.C. Mr. Rabbit’s new neighbors are Otters.OTTERS! But he doesn’t know anything about otters. Will they get along? Will they be friends? Just treat otters the same way you’d like them to treat you, advises Mr. Owl. In her smart, playful style Laurie Keller highlights how to be a good friend and neighbor―simply follow the Golden Rule! This title has Common Core connections.

• Giraffe Problems (Animal Problems) by Jory John. Penguins aren’t the only animals with problems. . . . A second hilarious collaboration from picture-book superstars Lane Smith and Jory John! Can you guess what’s making this giraffe self-conscious? Could it be . . . HIS ENORMOUS NECK?? Yes, it’s exactly that–how on earth did you figure it out?Edward the giraffe can’t understand why his neck is as long and bendy and, well, ridiculous as it is. No other animal has a neck this absurd. He’s tried disguising it, dressing it up, strategically hiding it behind bushes–honestly, anything you can think of, he’s tried. Just when Edward has exhausted his neck-hiding options and is about to throw in the towel, a turtle swoops in (well, ambles in, very slowly) and helps him understand that his neck has a purpose, and looks excellent in a bow tie.

• I Need a New Butt! By Dawn McMillan. “A silly story that will cause boys and girls to giggle from beginning to end! A young boy suddenly notices a big problem — his butt has a huge crack! So he sets off to find a new one. Will he choose an armor-plated butt? A rocket butt? A robot butt? Find out in this quirky tale of a tail, which features hilarious rhymes and delightful illustrations. Children and parents will love this book — no ifs, ands, or butts about it! I can assure you right now that your kids will love this book. They will giggle, they will laugh, and they will want this book to be read over and over again because it is just plain silly and funny.

• I say Ooh You say Aah by John Kane. There’s something very important that I need you to remember. When I say Ooh, you say Aah. Let’s try it.’Ooh the donkey has lost his pants. Readers must help him find them! In this picture book, young readers help to sell the story by responding to simple verbal or visual cues. This hilarious book is perfect for reading aloud and is fun for the whole family.

• I’m Not Bobby! By Jules Feiffer. “Someone’s calling Bobby. I’m not Bobby. I’m a lion.” Bobby’s parents are trying to get his attention, but Bobby is something else. For example, he’s a monster, an airplane, a dinosaur. Anything but Bobby. It’s not long before Bobby turns himself into an eagle soaring away with Mom, Dad, and every other grown-up in his life chasing after him. But after a daring escape into outer space, Bobby gets hungry and returns to Earth to claim his dinner” This hilarious escape story rings true to every child’s struggle for independence–not to mention a full tummy.

• Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein. The delivery is Catskill perfect; readers will fall hard for the antics of this hapless pair.” It’s time for the little red chicken’s bedtime story — and a reminder from Papa to try not to interrupt. But the chicken can’t help herself! Whether the tale is Hansel and Gretel or Little Red Riding Hood or even Chicken Little, she jumps into the story to save its hapless characters. Now it’s the little red chicken’s turn to tell a story, but will her yawning papa make it to the end without his own kind of interrupting? The charming 2011 Caldecott Honor Book is available in paperback for the first time.

• Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast by Josh Funk. A thoroughly delicious rhyming story about the funniest food fight ever—perfect for fans of The Food Group series.Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast have a beautiful friendship—until they discover that there’s only one drop of maple syrup left! The race is ON! Off they go, racing past the Orange Juice Fountain, skiing through Sauerkraut Peak, and reeling down the linguini. But who will enjoy the sweet taste of victory? And could working together be better than tearing each other apart? Praise for the Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast Series:“A must purchase. Readers will giggle their way through this refrigerated fantasyland.

• P Is for Pterodactyl: The Worst Alphabet Book Ever by Raj Haldar & Chris Carpenter.  This is a best seller! A “raucous trip through the odd corners of our alphabet.” Let’s get real—the English language is bizarre. A might be for apple, but it’s also for aisle and aeons. Why does the word “gnat” start with a G but the word “knot” doesn’t start with an N? It doesn’t always make sense, but don’t let these rule-breaking silent letters defeat you! This whimsical, funky book from Raj Haldar (aka rapper Lushlife) turns the traditional idea of an alphabet book on its head, poking fun at the most mischievous words in the English language and demonstrating how to pronounce them. Fun and informative for word nerds of all ages!

• Sam and Dave Dig a Hole by Mac Barnett. A 2015 Caldecott Honor Book with perfect pacing, the multi-award-winning, this best-selling team of Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen dig down for a deadpan tale full of visual humor. Sam and Dave are on a mission. A mission to find something spectacular. So they dig a hole. And they keep digging. And they find . . . nothing. Yet the day turns out to be pretty spectacular after all. Attentive readers will be rewarded with a rare treasure in this witty story of looking for the extraordinary — and finding it in a manner you’d never expect.

• Scaredy Squirrel at Night by Melanie Watt. Scaredy never sleeps — sleep might mean bad dreams about dragons, ghosts, vampire bats and polka-dot monsters. Our wide-eyed hero has a plan: stay awake all night, every night. Between counting stars, playing cymbals and making scrapbooks, he does a good job of avoiding dreamland. With exhaustion taking its toll, Scaredy comes face-to-face with an alarming horoscope prediction: All his dreams are about to come true! He must prepare for the worst and his Bad Dream Action Plan includes a fire extinguisher to snuff out dragons and a fan to blast away ghosts. But when disaster strikes, will Scaredy survive this ordeal? Will he thank his lucky stars? Will he find sweet dreams? This book tackles a fear everyone — and especially the young — can relate to. It’s a bedtime story to make light of kids’ fear of the dark and a fable for our sleep-deprived society.

• Skippyjon Jones in the Doghouse by Judy Schachner. For another loco adventure. In his room for a time-out, Skippyjon Jones lets his imagination take him to a shack where his Chihuahua friends are yipping and yapping and hiding out from the bad Bobble-ito, who has taken over their doghouse. How El Skippito chills the Chihuahuas and banishes the Bobble-ito will make more amigos for this endearing and irresistible rascal, who made his first appearance in the favorite Skippyjon Jones.

• The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales by Jon Scieszka. A Caldecott Honor Book and Best Illustrated Book. This award-winning picture book is a wild, irreverent collection of reimagined fairy tales from the author and illustrator of The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs!. Makes for an extremely fun and funny read-aloud for the whole family. A long time ago, people used to tell magical stories of wonder and enchantment. Those stories were called Fairy Tales. Those stories are not in this book. The stories in this book are Fairly Stupid Tales. In this fourth wall-breaking picture book, young readers will delight in the strange twists on familiar tales. From “The Stinky Cheese Man” to “Cinderummpelstiltskin” these unique, hilarious retellings poke fun at classic stories and characters. The wonderfully offbeat and bizarre illustrations, as well as innovative play with typography and book design, make for a one-of-kind masterpiece from two powerhouse children’s book creators.

• Warning: Do Not Open This Book! By Adam Lehrhaupt. CAUTION! This book contains monkeys, toucans, and a whole lot of silliness. You really shouldn’t be opening this book. I’m serious. Just put it back on the shelf. Right…now. You’re still reading this? Well, don’t say I didn’t warn you. It looks like a book, it feels like a book, and it even smells like a book. But watch out…madness and mayhem lie within! Debut author Adam Lehrhaupt urges you NOT to take a walk on the wild side in this humorous, interactive romp with inventive and engaging illustrations from Eisner Award-winning comic artist and rising star children’s book illustrator Matthew Forsythe. This quirky, subversive creation begs to be enjoyed again and again and again.

• We Are in a Book!-Elephant and Piggie Story by Mo Willems.  Mo Willems, award-winning, best-selling creator of The Pigeon, Knuffle Bunny, and Unlimited Squirrels, presents best friends Elephant Gerald and Piggie. Gerald is careful. Piggie is not. Piggie cannot help smiling. Gerald can. Gerald worries so that Piggie does not have to. Gerald and Piggie are best friends. In We Are in a Book! Gerald and Piggie discover the joy of being read. But what will happen when the book ends?

• We Don’t Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins. It’s the first day of school for Penelope Rex, and she can’t wait to meet her classmates. But it’s hard to make human friends when they’re so darn delicious! That is, until Penelope gets a taste of her own medicine and finds she may not be at the top of the food chain after all. . . . Readers will gobble up this hilarious new story from award-winning author-illustrator Ryan T. Higgins.

• Who Swallowed Harold? And Other Poems About Pets by Susan Pearson. From puppies to iguanas and goldfish to guinea pigs, here are eighteen poems, some funny, some touching, about the pets we love. With expertly crafted poems and hilarious illustrations, this adorable companion to Squeal and Squawk: Barnyard Talk has something to offer every pet owner—and even those wistful readers who are only dreaming of having a pet.

• Monsters Eat Whiny Children by Bruce Eric Kaplan. This cautionary tale about whiny children being eaten by monsters is upended when the monsters cannot decide how best to prepare their meal. A whiny child salad doesn’t work because there’s paprika in the dressing. A whiny child cake won’t do because the flour spills all over the floor. Whiny child burgers are out of the question because the grill is too hard to light. When the persnickety monsters finally decide that whiny child cucumber sandwiches are the perfect solution, their whiny children have escaped. At least the children have learned their lesson…for now.

• BOOKS TO CELEBRATE OUR NATURAL HABITAT: This day is celebrated on May 1, 2025. 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. Studying our natural habitat is important for kids because:  It allows us to appreciate the diversity of life and understand the interdependence of organisms within their ecosystems; It cultivates a deeper connection with the natural world and develops a sense of responsibility towards habitat preservation and restoration; It helps students understand the importance of both living and nonliving things in a habitat; It positively influences physical and mental health and well-being; It creates a calmer, socially safe, and fun learning environment.

• The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed by Jessica Lahey. “Gripping…how can teachers snatch back their critical role and give children the necessary space to fail? They could start by making parents read Lahey. In the tradition of Paul Tough’s How Children Succeed and Wendy Mogel’s The Blessing of a Skinned Knee, this groundbreaking manifesto focuses on the critical school years when parents must learn to allow their children to experience the disappointment and frustration that occur from life’s inevitable problems so that they can grow up to be successful, resilient, and self-reliant adults. Modern parenting is defined by an unprecedented level of overprotectiveness: parents who rush to school at the whim of a phone call to deliver forgotten assignments, who challenge teachers on report card disappointments, mastermind children’s friendships, and interfere on the playing field. As teacher and writer Jessica Lahey explains, even though these parents see themselves as being highly responsive to their children’s well being, they aren’t giving them the chance to experience failure—or the opportunity to learn to solve their own problems. Overparenting has the potential to ruin a child’s confidence and undermine their education, Lahey reminds us. Teachers don’t just teach reading, writing, and arithmetic. They teach responsibility, organization, manners, restraint, and foresight—important life skills children carry with them long after they leave the classroom. Providing a path toward solutions, Lahey lays out a blueprint with targeted advice for handling homework, report cards, social dynamics, and sports. Most importantly, she sets forth a plan to help parents learn to step back and embrace their children’s failures. Hard-hitting yet warm and wise, The Gift of Failure is essential reading for parents, educators, and psychologists nationwide who want to help children succeed.
• Jessica Lahey – The Gift of Failure
• Jessica Lahey – The Gift of Failure
• Jessica Lahey SXSW EDU Keynote | Teaching the Gift of Failure

• Parenting Teens with Love and Logic: Preparing Adolescents for Responsible Adulthood By Jim Fay and Foster Cline. Parents need effective teaching strategies to teach their teens how to make decisions responsibly―and do so while showing empathy toward their teen.Parenting Teens with Love and Logic, from the duo who wrote Parenting with Love and Logic, (and the iconic PBS program) empowers parents of teens with the skills necessary to set limits, teach important skills, and encourage effective decision-making for teens. Covering a wide range of real-life issues teens face―including divorce of their parents, ADHD, addiction, and sex―you’ll receive everything you need to raise responsible teens who will find their identity and grow in maturity. Indexed for easy reference. Now updated with new material on implementing love and logic in conversations about teens and technology, managing screen time, teens and social media, and teens and cyber-bullying.

• Jim Fay shares some ideas for parents and educators
• Dr. Charles Fay shares some sound bites for success.

For Fun and Relaxation:

• The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read (and Your Children Will Be Glad That You Did) by Philippa Perry. So clear and true. Helpful for all relationships in life.A fascinating read on the emotional baggage we all carry. How can we have better relationships? In this bestseller, leading psychotherapist Philippa Perry reveals the vital do’s and don’ts of relationships. This is a book for us all. Whether you are interested in understanding how your upbringing has shaped you, looking to handle your child’s feelings or wishing to support your partner, you will find indispensable information and realistic tips in these pages. Philippa Perry’s sane, sage and judgement-free advice is an essential resource on how to have the best possible relationships with the people who matter to you most. Featuring an exclusive new chapter on sibling relationships.

• The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read | Read by Philippa Perry | Penguin Audiobooks
• The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read
• How to Be a Parent | Philippa Perry | RSA Replay
• Parenting Tips with Philippa Perry

For Personal Growth:

• Bringing Up Bébé: One American Mother Discovers the Wisdom of French Parenting by Pamela Druckerman. The runaway bestseller that shows American parents the secrets behind France’s amazingly well-behaved children.When American journalist Pamela Druckerman had a baby in Paris, she didn’t aspire to become a “French parent.” But she noticed that French children slept through the night by two or three months old. They ate braised leeks. They played by themselves while their parents sipped coffee. And yet French kids were still boisterous, curious, and creative. Why? How? With a notebook stashed in her diaper bag, Druckerman set out to investigate—and wound up sparking a national debate on parenting. Researched over three years and written in her warm, funny voice, Bringing Up Bébé is deeply wise, charmingly told, and destined to become a classic resource for American parents.

• Bringing Up Bébé: One American Mother Discovers the Wisdom of French Parenting | Audiobook Sample
• Book Talk: Bringing Up Bebe by Pamela Druckerman

• The Danish Way of Parenting: What the Happiest People in the World Know About Raising Confident, Capable Kids by Jessica Joelle Alexander and Iben Sandahl. Discover the parenting secrets of the happiest people in the world. What makes Denmark the happiest country in the world–and how do Danish parents raise happy, confident, successful kids, year after year? This upbeat and practical guide reveals the habits of the happiest families on earth. With illuminating examples and simple yet powerful advice, the authors present six essential principles, which spell out P-A-R-E-N-T: Play is essential for development and well-being. Authenticity fosters trust and an “inner compass. Reframing helps kids cope with setbacks and look on the bright side. Empathy allows us to act with kindness towards others. No ultimatums means no power struggles, lines in the sand, or resentment. Togetherness is a way to celebrate family time, on special occasions and every day. The Danes call this hygge–and it’s a simple yet meaningful way to foster a close bond. A revealing and fresh take on cross-cultural parenting advice, The Danish Way of Parenting will help parents from all walks of life raise the happiest, most well-adjusted kids in the world.

• The Danish Way of Parenting – Book Review
• Danish Way of Parenting | How to Raise Smart and Happy Children by Jessica Joelle Alexander
• Danish Way of Parenting. How to Raise Smart and Happy Children – By Jessica Joelle Alexander
• Interview on BBC World News Part 2: The Danish Way of Parenting
• Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead by Brene Brown. Don’t miss the hour long Netflix special Brené Brown: The Call to Courage! From thought leader Brené Brown, a transformative new vision for the way we lead, love, work, parent, and educate that teaches us the power of vulnerability. “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; . . . who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly.”—Theodore Roosevelt. Every day we experience the uncertainty, risks, and emotional exposure that define what it means to be vulnerable or to dare greatly. Based on twelve years of pioneering research, Brené Brown PhD, LMSW, dispels the cultural myth that vulnerability is weakness and argues that it is, in truth, our most accurate measure of courage. Brown explains how vulnerability is both the core of difficult emotions like fear, grief, and disappointment, and the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, empathy, innovation, and creativity. She writes: “When we shut ourselves off from vulnerability, we distance ourselves from the experiences that bring purpose and meaning to our lives.” This book is not about winning or losing. It’s about courage. In a world where “never enough” dominates and feeling afraid has become second nature, vulnerability is subversive. Uncomfortable. It’s even a little dangerous at times. And, without question, putting ourselves out there means there’s a far greater risk of getting criticized or feeling hurt. But when we step back and examine our lives, we will find that nothing is as uncomfortable, dangerous, and hurtful as standing on the outside of our lives looking in and wondering what it would be like if we had the courage to step into the arena—whether it’s a new relationship, an important meeting, the creative process, or a difficult family conversation. Daring Greatly is a practice and a powerful new vision for letting ourselves be seen.
• Daring Greatly (detailed summary) by Brene Brown – The power of vulnerability and courage
• Dr. Brené Brown on Faking It, Perfectionism and Living Wholeheartedly | SuperSoul Sunday | OWN
• Brené Brown: 3 Things You Can Do to Stop a Shame Spiral | Oprah’s Lifeclass | Oprah Winfrey Network

• The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind by Daniel J. Siegel & Tina Payne Bryson. 
  “Simple, smart, and effective solutions to your child’s struggles.”—Harvey Karp, M.D. “Daniel Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson have created a masterly, reader-friendly guide to helping children grow their emotional intelligence. This brilliant method transforms everyday interactions into valuable brain-shaping moments. Anyone who cares for children—or who loves a child—should read The Whole-Brain Child.”—Daniel Goleman, author of Emotional Intelligence. In this pioneering, practical book, Daniel J. Siegel, neuropsychiatrist and author of the bestselling Mindsight, and parenting expert Tina Payne Bryson offer a revolutionary approach to child rearing with twelve key strategies that foster healthy brain development, leading to calmer, happier children. The authors explain—and make accessible—the new science of how a child’s brain is wired and how it matures. The “upstairs brain,” which makes decisions and balances emotions, is under construction until the mid-twenties. And especially in young children, the right brain and its emotions tend to rule over the logic of the left brain. No wonder kids throw tantrums, fight, or sulk in silence. By applying these discoveries to everyday parenting, you can turn any outburst, argument, or fear into a chance to integrate your child’s brain and foster vital growth.       Complete with age-appropriate strategies for dealing with day-to-day struggles and illustrations that will help you explain these concepts to your child, The Whole-Brain Child shows you how to cultivate healthy emotional and intellectual development so that your children can lead balanced, meaningful, and connected lives. A useful child-rearing resource for the entire family . . . The authors include a fair amount of brain science, but they present it for both adult and child audiences. Gives parents and teachers ideas to get all parts of a healthy child’s brain working together.
• The Whole Brain Child, by Daniel J Siegel & Tina Payne Bryson Summary (Part 1 of 2)
• The Whole Brain Child, by Daniel J Siegel & Tina Payne Bryson Summary (Part 2 of 2)

CHILDREN’S BOOKS TO CELEBRATE OUR NATURAL HABITAT: That’s when, over time, studies began to be conducted to find a solution to this concerning issue. Since private residential property took almost one-third of the urban landscape in many developed nations, one way to revive the wildlife was to plan urban gardens that would be completely wildlife-friendly. People who’ve had their homes and backyards turned into wildlife gardens witness this phenomenon first-hand. They’ve recounted tales of seeing local species of animals along with many migratory birds and butterflies, many of whom return to this safe haven year after year. For now, wildlife gardens are seldom-seen backyard designs for many homes across Canada. This month is aimed at getting people to realize that any garden can be transformed into a wildlife-friendly place. While endangered animals — think otters and ospreys — might not find a home in your garden, you can be directly responsible for helping swallows, butterflies, frogs, and even local plants thrive in a world where they don’t find many suitable places to live. 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. Studying our natural habitat is important for kids because:  It allows us to appreciate the diversity of life and understand the interdependence of organisms within their ecosystems; It cultivates a deeper connection with the natural world and develops a sense of responsibility towards habitat preservation and restoration; It helps students understand the importance of both living and nonliving things in a habitat; It positively influences physical and mental health and well-being; It creates a calmer, socially safe, and fun learning environment. Find these books at your public or school library or consider purchasing them.

• 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…? The new Rey Center at the Margret & H.A. Rey Center in Waterville, New Hampshire will be 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.
• Complete – Curious George Plants a Tree

• The Giving Tree by Shel Siverstein. From this bestselling author comes a poignant picture book about love and acceptance, cherished for over fifty years. This classic is perfect for both young readers and lifelong fans.”Once there was a tree…and she loved a little boy.”So begins a story of unforgettable perception, beautifully written and illustrated by the gifted and versatile Shel Silverstein. This moving parable for all ages offers a touching interpretation of the gift of giving and a serene acceptance of another’s capacity to love in return.Every day the boy would come to the tree to eat her apples, swing from her branches, or slide down her trunk…and the tree was happy. But as the boy grew older he began to want more from the tree, and the tree gave and gave and gave. This is a tender story, touched with sadness, aglow with consolation.Shel Silverstein has had an incomparable career as a bestselling children’s book author and illustrator. 

• The EARTH Book by Todd Parr. I take care of the earth because I know I can do little things every day to make a BIG difference…”With his signature blend of playfulness and sensitivity, Todd Parr explores the important, timely subject of environmental protection and conservation in this eco-friendly picture book. Featuring a circular die-cut Earth on the cover, and printed entirely with recycled materials and nontoxic soy inks, this book includes lots of easy, smart ideas on how we can all work together to make the Earth feel good – from planting a tree and using both sides of the paper, to saving energy and reusing old things in new ways. Best of all, the book includes an interior gatefold with a poster with tips/reminders on how kids can “go green” everyday. Equally whimsical and heartfelt, this sweet homage to our beautiful planet is sure to inspire readers of all ages to do their part in keeping the Earth happy and healthy.

• Don’t Throw That Away!: A Lift-the-Flap Book about Recycling and Reusing by Lara Bergen.You can keep that trash and reuse it in all kinds of wonderful ways!Do you see that old jar?Don’t throw that away!You can turn it into…a new vase! Follow an eco-conscious super hero as he teaches kids how to recycle and reuse common household items! The six large flaps throughout show that ordinary trash is really a treasure. From turning old clothes into fun costumes or an old box into a brand new car, kids will learn that saving the environment is super cool!

• Rainforest by Helen Cowcher.  In the deep, green world of the rainforest, many creatures dwell and there is plenty of food for all. But one day, the forest stirs and the animals hear a terrible tale of trees falling down: machines cutting the forest! The animals look around and wonder their fate. 

• Pippa Pig – recycling. This resource, created in partnership with Peppa Pig, is designed to encourage young children to understand how they can recycle their own waste and help the planet. It includes lots of recyclable cut out objects along with recycling bins for children to cut out and sort.

• 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.

• 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! Hello, Hello! 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 events 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.

 

• The Promise by Nicola Davies. This tale is a sturdy one that is made even more emphatic by Davies’s terse writing style. The text is heightened in every way by Carlin’s outstanding mixed-media artwork. On a mean street in a mean, broken city, a young girl tries to snatch an old woman’s bag. But the frail old woman says the thief can’t have it without giving something in return: the promise. It is the beginning of a journey that will change the girl’s life — and a chance to change the world, for good.

• The Rainforest Book (Conservation for Kids) 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 world. Step 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. Let’s Explore! Venture into the depths of the tropical rainforest and uncover riveting facts about these marvels of nature. Did you know that the air in a rainforest feels wet because trees and plants release water that they don’t need into the air? And that over half of our planet’s wildlife live in the rainforest? 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 encyclopedia. Perfect for kids aged 5-9 years, 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. A natural for classroom use, with eye-catching art that will lure little ones in.

• Animals by the Numbers: A Book of Infographics 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 by Cindy Trumbore. 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. 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 Eagle by Deborah Lee Rose & Jane Veltkamp. This book 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.Beauty and the Beak 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 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.

• 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, they explored 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.

• 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.

• Astro Girl by Ken Wilson-Max. The stars are the limit for a little girl who acts out her wish to be an astronaut — inspired by a very special person. 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.

• 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, Zee Grows a Tree 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.

• Seeds by Carme Lemniscates. 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.

• A Seed is the Start by Melissa 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.
  • Complete Parts of a Seed

• 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.
  
• 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. The Girl Who Heard the Music: How One Pianist and 85,000 Bottles and Cans Brought New Hope to an Island  – Book Trailer by Marni Fogelson. The true story of award-winning pianist and environmental activist Mahani Teave and the beloved island she is helping to save. This upbeat and fascinating story will leave readers feeling as though they, too, can make a difference when it comes to helping the planet. 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. The perfect choice for parents looking for: Inspiring nonfiction about women making a difference.
  
• Thank You, Earth: A Love Letter to Our Planet by April Pulley Sayre. Winner of the Green Prize for Sustainable Literature. A 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. April Pulley Sayre, 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 Thank You, Earth is a great choice for Earth Month celebrations, as well as family and group read-alouds. Includes backmatter with kid-friendly ideas for conservation projects, information about the photographs, and additional resources.

• 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. Here and now. 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. Winner of the Green Prize for Sustainable Literature.A 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.April Pulley Sayre, 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. Thank You, Earth is a great choice for Earth Month celebrations, as well as family and group read-alouds.Includes backmatter with kid-friendly ideas for conservation projects, information about the photographs, and additional resources.

• Thank You, Earth: A Love Letter to Our Planet by April Pulley Sayre. Winner of the Green Prize for Sustainable Literature. A 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. April Pulley Sayre, 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. Thank You, Earth is a great choice for Earth Month celebrations, as well as family and group read-alouds.Includes backmatter with kid-friendly ideas for conservation projects, information about the photographs, and additional resources.
  
• 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. Here and now. 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.
   
• A Stone Sat Still: Environmental and Nature Picture Book for Kids by Brendan Wenzel.The brilliant follow-up to the Caldecott Honor-winning and bestselling book. 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.• 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. A wonderful gift for teachers, librarians, and educators who are looking to teach difficult concepts like perspective and perception and perfect for parents and caregivers wanting to educate their kids about the environment, nature, and animals.
  
  

• We Are Water Protectors: (Caldecott Medal Winner) by Carole Linstrom. From author Carole Lindstrom and illustrator Michaela Goade comes a bestselling and Caldecott Medal winning picture book that honors Indigenous-led movements across the world. Powerfully written and gorgeously illustrated, We Are Water Protectors, issues an urgent rallying cry to safeguard the Earth’s water from harm and corruption―inviting young readers everywhere to join the fight. Water is the first medicine. It affects and connects us all. When a black snake threatens to destroy the Earth And poison her people’s water, one young water protector takes a stand to defend Earth’s most sacred resource. The fight continues with Autumn Peltier, Water Warrior, the must-read companion book to We Are Water Protectors. Written by Carole Lindstrom and illustrated by Bridget George, it tells the story of real-life water protectors, Autumn Peltier and her great-aunt Josephine Mandamin, two Indigenous Rights Activists who have inspired a tidal wave of change.

• Penguins Don’t Wear Sweaters! By Markka 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.

• Mario and the Hole in the Sky: How a Chemist Saved Our Planet by Elizabeth Rusch. The true story of how a scientist saved the planet from environmental disaster.Mexican American Mario Molina is a modern-day hero who helped solve the ozone crisis of the 1980s. Growing up in Mexico City, Mario was a curious boy who studied hidden worlds through a microscope. As a young man in California, he discovered that CFCs, used in millions of refrigerators and spray cans, were tearing a hole in the earth’s protective ozone layer. Mario knew the world had to be warned–and quickly. Today Mario is a Nobel laureate and a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. His inspiring story gives hope in the fight against global warming.

• Old Enough to Save the Planet by Loll Kirby. Author Loll Kirby and illustrator Adelina Lirius’s picture book Old Enough to Save the Planet is an inspiring look at young climate change activists who are changing the world. The world is facing a climate crisis like we’ve never seen before. And kids around the world are stepping up to raise awareness and try to save the planet. As people saw in the youth climate strike in September 2019, kids will not stay silent about this subject—they’re going to make a change. Meet 12 young activists from around the world who are speaking out and taking action against climate change. Learn about the work they do and the challenges they face, and discover how the future of our planet starts with each and every one of us.Inspiring fare for the next generation of world savers. Vibrant, expressive pen and ink illustrations supplement the text.

• Drawn from Nature by Helen Ahpornsiri. The Art of Helen Ahpronsiri.  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.

• Adventures with Finn and Skip: Fish: A tale about ridding the ocean of plastic pollution by DK & Brendan Kearney. Introduce children to the importance of recycling with this illustrated story book about plastic in the oceans. Meet Finn the fisherman and his dog, Skip, in this illustrated story book for young children that teaches them about plastic pollution and recycling. All Finn wants is to catch a nice, tasty fish for his dinner, but no matter how hard he tries all he seems to catch at the end of his fishing line is the rubbish that is polluting the sea . At the end of the day, Finn and his dog Skip go home with a boat full of rubbish, but their tummies are empty tummies. However, they soon find a way to put the rubbish they have found to good use. This book is the ideal introduction for children to the environmental concerns facing our oceans, featuring colourful illustrations and an engaging, light-hearted storyline, drawn and written by Brendan Kearney. Grown-ups and children will enjoy reading together and following the story of Finn and Skip with its ups and downs, and pointing out all the different pieces of rubbish that Finn catches in the ocean in the detailed illustrations. Young readers will love this picture book with a timely and ultimately uplifting message about protecting the world around us.

• Be Plastic Clever by DK, Amy & Ella Meek. Introducing Amy & Ella Meek from the UK. Learn about the dangers of single-use plastics and pick up tips on what you can do to help through teenage activists Amy and Ella. Join teenage activists Amy and Ella Meek on their mission to rid the world of single-use plastics in this practical book, perfect for budding eco-warriors.Be Plastic Clever will teach young activists about the dangers of plastic pollution and climate change, but also to help them find their voice. Amy and Ella want their book to help young readers shout about the issues they are passionate about and inspire them to become young activists in their own right.Amy and Ella founded Kids Against Plastic with the goal of ridding UK supermarkets of single-use plastic bottles. Their campaign has grown and grown – together they’ve picked up more than 60,000 pieces of single-use plastic litter, performed their own TedX talk, and gathered together a crack team of kids across the UK to help them tackle the problem. They’ve spoken at the Houses of Parliament and the UN, and created the #BePlasticClever campaign to encourage schools, businesses, and festivals to be mindful of their plastic use. Oh, and they also juggle this with going to school!With an incredible foreword by wildlife presenter Steve Backshall, diary entries from Amy and Ella detailing their journey, and plenty of tips on what you can do to help, it’s the ultimate guide to ridding the world of single-use plastics.

• Recycle and Remake: Creative Projects for Eco Kids by DK. Book Trailer.  An incredible creative project book about the importance – and fun! – of recycling. Kids are on a mission to save the Earth! Recycle and Remake is the hands-on, practical guide you need to get started.This gentle, but empowering book is full of creative making activities, information, and ideas that give young eco-warriors (like you!) the know-how to really help the environment.With Recycle and Remake, you will soon be saving trees by making your own seeded recycled paper from junk mail, cleaning up the oceans by turning old carrier bags into kites, friendship bracelets, and colourful weaved baskets, and repurposing a cardboard box into a periscope. You’ll also learn about sustainable energies by creating a simple solar oven, cutting down on cling-film by making a food wrap from scrap cotton and beeswax, and turning an old tshirt into a reusable tote bag so you never need to buy a plastic carrier bag again. You can even grow new plants to clean the air in your own upcycled milk bottle planters and using homemade compost.Each of the activities directly relates to an environmental hot topic, such as plastic pollution, food waste, or deforestation. Budding environmentalists all over the world are feeling inspired to do their bit for our unique planet.

•  RHS Under Your Feet: Soil, Sand and other stuff by Royal Horticultural Society.  How to work with your soil type | Grow at Home.  Down where worms wriggle and microbes squirm, there’s a whole world waiting to be discovered. Down where worms wriggle and microbes squirm, there’s a whole world waiting to be discovered. Under Your Feet delves beneath the Earth’s surface and explores the diverse wonders hidden there. Encounter creatures of the deep and marvel at the mind-boggling size of the humongous fungus – the biggest organism in the world. Learn how one handful of ordinary soil contains more organisms than there are people on Earth, and carry out experiments using dirt from your own back garden. Under Your Feet offers you the opportunity to expand your knowledge of the natural world and soil-dwelling creatures big and small. Bursting with colourful illustrations and photography, this is the perfect book for budding young plant experts, animal fanatics, and geologists, and anyone who is curious about the ground we walk on.

• What A Waste: Rubbish, Recycling, and Protecting our Planet by Jess French. Help save our planet by learning more about a rubbish subject – our litter and pollution. Everything you need to know about what we’re doing to our environment, good and bad, from pollution and litter to renewable energy and plastic recycling. This environmental book will teach keen young ecologists about our actions affect planet Earth. Discover shocking facts about the waste we produce and where it goes. Did you know that every single plastic toothbrush ever made still exists? Or that there’s a floating mass of rubbish larger than the USA drifting around the Pacific Ocean. It’s not all bad news though. As well as explaining where we’re going wrong, What a Waste shows what we’re doing right! Discover plans already in motion to save our seas, how countries are implementing schemes that are having a positive impact, and how your waste can be turned into something useful. Every small change helps our planet!

• How to Make a Better World: For Every Kid Who Wants to Make a Difference by Keilly Swift. A fun and inspiring practical guide on how young people can make a real difference.If you are a kid with big dreams and a passion for what is right, you’re a world-changer in the making.There’s a lot that can be changed by just one person, if you know what to do. Start by making yourself into the awesome person you want to be by learning all about self-care and kindness. Using those skills, work your way up to creating activist campaigns to tackle climate change or social injustice.This fun and inspiring guide to making the world a better place and becoming a good citizen is packed with ideas and tips for kids who want to know how to make a difference. Through ideas as small as creating a neighbourhood lending library to as important as public speaking and how to talk about politics, How to Make a Better World is a practical guide to activism for awesome kids.

• Climate Change by DK & Maryam Sarif-Draper. A detailed look at climate change – why it is happening and the actions we can take to deal with it. Understand the facts about climate change and discover what we can do to improve the human impact on our environment. In 2019, kids around the world are going on strike for the future of the planet, and for their own futures. The British and Irish governments have become the first in the world to declare a climate emergency. Climate change is now one of the biggest issues we face as a society. This book lays out the science behind a natural process that has been massively sped up by humans. It explains the different ways in which we have caused the climate to heat up, from traffic pollution to animal farming, and the widespread effects of this change. The book covers what we can do to help prevent further, damaging changes to the climate, both in our everyday lives and as potential activists. This timely entry into the award-winning DKfindout! series explores the past, present, and future of our climate. It covers key developments such as the industrial revolution, the advent of plane travel, and climate activism, from the People’s Climate March to Greta Thunberg and Extinction Rebellion.

• Climate Change for Kids | A fun engaging introduction to climate change for kids
• What is climate change? – The Climate Question, BBC World Service

• Climate Emergency Atlas: What’s Happening – What We Can Do by DK.The book that puts the climate crisis on the map. Our house is on fire – it’s time to wake up to the climate crisis facing planet Earth before it’s too late.hich countries generate the highest CO2 emissions? Which coastal cities are most vulnerable to rising sea levels? What will the polar ice caps look like in 10 years’ time? Which countries have successfully harnessed renewable energy sources? This unique graphic altas tells you everything you need to know about the current climate emergency, and what we can do to turn things around.acked with facts and figures and more than 30 dynamic maps, Climate Emergency Atlas is clear and easy to understand, making it the perfect reference guide for all young climate activists.

• The Renegades Arctic Meltdown: Defenders of the Planet by Jeremy Brown. This action-packed graphic novel follows the adventures of three inspirational superheroes to explore the issues of the climate emergency, for the individual and the planet.Beneath the Arctic ice, the Methanaur is awakening. If this deadly methane monster breaks free, it spells the end of civilization as we know it. Meet Professor Katelyn, Leon, and Mo – also known as The Renegades. Professor Kateyln is a whip-smart scientist who uses her scientific knowledge to develop spectacles that can catch glimpses of the future. Wrestling with his anger at the naysayers who don’t seem to care about the environment, Leon has the ability to become invisible – the perfect spy! And then there’s Mo who, in the wake of his brother’s death in a cyclone, manages to wield a solar shield strong enough to fight the deadliest of foes. Our superheroes grapple with multiple environmental threats, most deadly of all a monster that lurks beneath the melting Arctic ice. If it escapes, this creature of chaos will release huge plumes of methane gas into the atmosphere, changing the balance of our planet’s climate forever.

MUSIC: Reasons why Music is important for children: Music Encourages creativity and exploration for children; Music has a powerful impact on Emotional intelligence and social skills for children; Music can improve cognitive development and Academic performance; Music is a fun and engaging way for children to stay active and healthy; Music helps children develop a strong self of self and confidence; Music offers opportunities for social interaction and bonding; Music promotes Neural connections in Key Brain Areas; Music helps to develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

• Enjoy downloading Musical Instrument Cards

VIDEOS ABOUT PARENTING:

• 5 Parenting Styles and Their Effects on Life
• Parenting Styles and their effects on children. 
• What’s Your Parenting Style | Parents
• Parenting Style Quiz

VIDEOS FOR EDUCATORS ABOUT EFFECTIVE PRACTICES:

• Teacher tips- How I use Skills from the Love and Logic Institute in my classroom
• Creating a Positive Learning Classroom Environment
• Inclusive Practices in Your Classroom
• What Makes A Great Learning Environment?
• Student Grouping: Learning Group Strategies & Tips
• How to Create An Inclusive Classroom
• Inclusive Education – Education Equity Now

VIDEOS FOR KIDS CELEBRATING EARTH:

• Happy Earth Day
• Mother Earth Song with lyrics 
• Planet Earth: Story 1 “Mother Earth” by Alyssa Liang
•  I Love My Planet 🌎 The Earth Song for children
• Save the Planet song for kids

SONGS ABOUT EARTH:

• I Love My Planet 
• We care for the earth
• Pollution | Types of Pollution
• Air Pollution for Kids
• Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
• Earth Day Songs for Children – Protect Our Planet
• HOW CAN KIDS HELP TO SAVE OUR EARTH

SONGS ABOUT TEACHER APPRECIATION:

• Thank You Teacher Song with lyrics
• Teacher Appreciation/Teachers’ Day Tribute Song – In Your Hands (Song for my Teacher)
• Teacher’s Day Song with Lyrics
• Best Teachers Song
• Tribute Song for Teachers|YOU ARE THE REASON with lyrics

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

• Make a Papier-Mache Apple for Teacher! Directions.

• Teacher Appreciation: Design an Eco-Friendly Thank-You Card- Directions. Turn an empty cereal box into a teacher appreciation card in this eco-friendly craft project! In this easy DIY activity, children will use upcycled materials and everyday art supplies to design and personalize a thank you card for a beloved teacher. These instructions can be followed on repeat for each teacher in your child’s life. These cards make wonderful gifts during Teacher Appreciation Week, at the end of the school year, or for any time you want to send a personalized thank you card to a teacher.

• Poster Directions

• Earth Day Poster Lesson Plan with Directions.

• Litter Bug Directions

TEACHER ACTIVITIES:

• Download:
  • Teacher Appreciation Thank-You Letter; Teacher Appreciation Reflective Writing Prompt #1; Teacher Appreciation A Meaningful Assignment Prompt #2;Teacher Appreciation A unique technique Writing Prompt #3; Write a Letter of Appreciation to yourself; Male Teacher Paper Doll; Female Teacher Paper Doll;
  • Happy Teacher Appreciation Day; Teacher Appreciation Package for 3rd – 5th Grade; Teacher for a Day; Teacher Door Hangers; Through the Eyes of a Teacher;
  • Dear Teacher: Opinion Letters Lesson Plan with Handout #1

• ACTIVITIES TO CELEBRATE EARTH’S NATURAL HABITAT: MONTH OF MAY- Natural Habitat – A devastating byproduct of human growth has been the loss of natural habitats everywhere around the world. Wild animals and plants can no longer rely on woodlands, marshes, and ponds — these places have been slowly disappearing to make way for roads, homes, factories, etc. As a result, wildlife that was once thriving is now facing multiple threats, and their populations are dwindling. That’s when, over time, studies began to be conducted to find a solution to this concerning issue. Since private residential property took almost one-third of the urban landscape in many developed nations, one way to revive the wildlife was to plan urban gardens that would be completely wildlife-friendly. People who’ve had their homes and backyards turned into wildlife gardens witness this phenomenon first-hand. They’ve recounted tales of seeing local species of animals along with many migratory birds and butterflies, many of whom return to this safe haven year after year. For now, wildlife gardens are seldom-seen backyard designs for many homes across Canada. This month is aimed at getting people to realize that any garden can be transformed into a wildlife-friendly place. While endangered animals — think otters and ospreys — might not find a home in your garden, you can be directly responsible for helping swallows, butterflies, frogs, and even local plants thrive in a world where they don’t find many suitable places to live.

• Download:
  • Coloring: The Earth; Happy Earth; Earth; Solar System including Earth; Earth’s Layers; Science; Soaring Space Craft; Astronaut; Amazon Leaf Forest;
  • Earth Colours Lesson Plan; Read Planting a Rainbow by Lois Ehlert.
  • Speak up for the Earth Lesson Plan; with Writing Prompt #1; with Writing Prompt #2; Writing Prompt #3; Writing Prompt #4;  Pledge to Save the Earth; 
  • PlayDough Earth- Layers of the Earth; with Handout #1; Handout #2; Handout #3; Love Letter to the Earth; Crazy Craters Around the World; The Water Cycle;
  • We Love the Earth Lesson Plan; with Handout #1; and Handout #2; and Handout #3; Read the Earth Book by Todd Parr. Listen to Sesame Street song:  We Are All Earthlings;
  • Caring for the Planet and Our Global Community Lesson Plan; with Handout #1; Listen to Earth 101 by National Geographic.
  • Earth Connections Lesson Plan; Read Rainforest by Helen Cowcher
  • The Giving Earth Lesson Plan; with Handout #1; Read The Giving Tree by Shel SIlverstein.
  • My Favorite Place on Earth Mini-book; Identifying the Moon’s Phases; Weathering and Erosion; What is Wind; Phases of the Moon; Lunar Eclipses; Comet Versus Asteroid; Continents Match-Up; What is Air Pressure; Heat Waves; What is Energy; Volcano Graph; Volcano Labeling;  Landform Unscramble; Soil Layers; What is temperature; What is Geothermal Energy; Explore Tornadoes; Planet Earth Word Search; What does the Earth Look Like; All About Trees; Explore the Outdoors Mini-booklet; Scavenger Hunt;
  • Call to Action Family Lesson Plan; with Handout #1; with Handout #2; Access to a computer to conduct research (Website suggestions: Climate Kids, Ducksters, and Footprints).

3. Explore, Engage & Interact Together 🌍

• Download:
  • Earth Maze; Earth Science Vocabulary;  Four Layers of the Earth;  Layers of the Earth; Inside the Earth Word Search; The Earth Gives Me – Writing; Helping the Earth Fill-in-the Blanks; Word Search; Resilient Earth; Save the Earth-Recycle Lesson Plan; 
  • What is the Earth Word Search; Earth Spelling Word Search#1; Earth Spelling Word Search #2; Life on Earth; Earth Game; Earth Word Ladder; Earth Crossword; Earth Word Search; The Giving Earth; Earth Quiz; Where are the Planets; Where is the Earth; Know your Planets; Planet Earth Word Search; Care for the Earth; Fascinating Facts About Earth Science booklet; Landforms Crossword; Earth Club’s Science Recycling Roundup; Earth Addition & Subtraction; 
  • Why Does the Earth Spin; Earth’s Rotation & Revolution; Earth Bingo; Science Word Search; Science Experiment Vocabulary; Read to Learn: Natural Science mini-book; Science Picture Puzzle; The Sun & the Moon; Evidence of Plate Tectonics; Fossil Fuels; A Diagram of the Sun;
  • Earth Day Trees Lesson Plan; Read Curious George Plants a Tree by Margaret and H.A. Rey.

• Download:
  • Celebrating the Earth Lesson Plan; Read the Earth & I by Frank Asch with Handout #1 & Handout #2.
  • Acrostics for the Earth Lesson Plan; with Handout #1 Read The Lorax by Dr. Seuss; 
  • Measuring Food;
  • Play Dough Earth: Layers Of the Earth Lesson Plan; with Handout #1; Handout #2; & Handout #3.
  • Make Peace Rocks Lesson Plan with Handout#1;
  • Remember to Recycle Lesson Plan; Handout #1; View the video How Trash is Recycled; Read Don’t Throw That Away by Lara Bergen and Peppa Pig; Recycling.  
  • Life at the Pond Scavenger Hunt
  • Beach Scavenger Hunt
  • Beach Animals
  • Pond Life
  • Earth Activities
  • Earth Writing Prompts
  • Pollution
  • Curious George Plants a Tree
  • Spring Observations
  • Stem Activities
  • Thumbprint Ocean Animals
  • Shark Craft
  • Ocean Animals Activities
  • The Listening Walk
  • Pond Activity Pages
  • Moon Activities
  • Things to do on a Nature Walk
  • Pond Activities
  • At the Pond Finger Puppets

TEACHER ACTIVITIES:

• Download:
  • Apple Bookmarks; Teacher Bookmarks; Teacher Quotes Bookmarks; Learn to Draw a Female Teacher; Learn to Draw a Male Teacher; My Teacher is Special Writing Prompt; Recipe for a Great Teacher; Teacher Appreciation Gift Tags; Teacher Acrostic Poem; World’s Best Teacher Diploma; My Day as a Teacher Diary; Tips & Tools for Teachers Booklet; Teacher Appreciation Package for younger children;  World’s Best Teacher Newspaper Writing Prompt; Special Teacher Card.
  • My Teacher is special booklet – This little booklet folds up quickly and is the perfect place for your child to write some nice things about his or her teacher! Include it with a present at the end of the school year, perhaps? You will need our origami booklet instructions.
  • Teacher Appreciation Rosettes – Make sure your child’s teacher knows how much you appreciate him or her with this fun printable craft! Instructions for our teacher appreciation rosettes here – or just colour in the printables and string them to a ribbon for a medal.
  • POSTERS – Thank-you for everything you do; Thank-you Writing Prompt;
  • COLOURING – Best Teacher; Flowers and Card; Teacher Appreciation; Teacher Reading.

GLOBAL PARENT ACTIVITIES:

• Download:
  • What Does It Mean to Live in a Global Community Lesson Plan; with Handout #1;   and watch the following youtube videos:
    • If The World Were a Village of 100 People: A Story About the World’s People. 
    • Learning to Live Together in Pace Through Global Citizenship
    • Teaching Global Citizenship at Home; Explore the website teaching global citizenship at home. 
  • Global Traveler Activity booklet; Math Crossword Fun;
  • Activities that Foster Learning at Home; 10 Activities to Foster Learning at Home
  • Peace Corner Activities
  • Peace Corner & Creating Peace Activities Lesson Plan; with Handout #1; and Handout #2;  and Handout #3; and Handout #4.
  • Are You a Producer or a Consumer? Lesson Plan; with Handout #1; 
  • Missing Numbers Puzzle; Math Grid Puzzles; What is Air Pressure; Photosynthesis; Water and Photosynthesis; The Sun & the Moon; Water Cycle;
  • Diving into Earth’s Oceans Lesson Plan; with Handout #1; & Handout #2; & Handout #3 & Handout #4. Read the book Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – What can kids do? 
  • Give the Planet a Hand! Lesson Plan; Play the kids for saving earth promise song
  • A Diagram of the sun; Solar System Mobile;
  • The Earth’s Water Cycle Lesson Plan; Handout #1; Handout #2 Handout #3; and Handout #4; What’s recyclable; 

4. Healthy Living: Movement & Nutrition 👭

MOVEMENT: Value of Yoga for Kids: As you know, it’s all about best practices in the classroom. Here is the research on the benefits of yoga for kids. If you are wondering what benefits yoga could have for the children in your class. Kid’s Yoga can: improve attention and focus; help the memory; boost academic performance; alleviate stress and anxiety; build resilience; provide a healthy coping mechanism; improve core strength; develop motor skills; assist with self-regulation; promote mindfulness; and enhance well-being.

• Download:
  • Get Active
  • Lunchbox Notes #1; Lunchbox Notes #2; Lunchbox Notes #3.
• VIDEOS OF YOGA:
• 10 min Morning Yoga to Wake Up 🌿 EARTH ELEMENT
• 10min Yoga Flow Sequence
• Kids Yoga For Earth 
• The Cosmic Kids Yoga Pose Universe! | Kids Workout
• Mother Earth asks kids for their help by showing them how they can become 3Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) magicians
• Planet Earth by Little Smart Planet
• Mother Earth, Mother Earth with Lyrics POSITIVE Earth & Environment Song

NUTRITION: Healthy Lunches for children: These healthy lunches for kids aim to please even the pickiest palates. No lunch trades here! Pack a healthier lunchbox for school with these healthy lunch and snack ideas kids will actually want to eat.

• DIY Taco Lunchbox (eatingwell.com) – Who doesn’t love a taco? While the tortillas most likely won’t be warm when you eat it, warming them first keeps them pliable for filling. If you’re missing the crunch of a hard taco, sub tortilla chips for the soft tortillas.

• Pizza Roll-up Bento Box – This easy pizza-inspired roll-up is a kid-pleaser. Make crunchy vegetables more appealing by selecting colorful varieties like orange and purple cauliflower–and don’t forget the dip! Keep ’em smiling with watermelon cut into fun shapes with cookie cutters.

• Turkey Meatball & Feta Lunchbox –  This easy lunchbox lunch is inspired by the flavors of the Mediterranean, including feta, hummus and cucumber. Turkey meatballs are dipped in a homemade creamy yogurt-dill sauce, but ranch dressing would also work well in its place.

• Taco Salad Bento Lunch – No more half-eaten lunches–this taco-inspired bento box lunch is a healthy and portable meal your kid will love.

• Pasta Salad with Vinaigrette Lunchbox – Pasta salad is a great take-along lunch with tons of opportunity to make it your own. Want to make it vegetarian? Pack olives in place of salami. Don’t love peppers? Try tomatoes instead! Be sure that you pack at least one container big enough to hold everything together once it’s mixed.

• Cucumber Sandwich – This creamy, crunchy cucumber sandwich recipe strikes a lovely balance between decadent and light. The cream cheese-yogurt spread complements the crisp refreshing cucumber while the hearty flavor and texture of the whole-wheat bread holds everything together. Removing the crusts makes it more delicate than your average sandwich.

• Turkey Meatball Wrap – Wraps are quick to make in the morning, especially if you have leftover meatballs on hand! A layer of whipped cream cheese creates a barrier that prevents the wrap from getting soggy—even if you make it the night before.

• Egg Salad Lunchbox – Enjoy hard-boiled eggs on their own or chopped up and mixed with creamy dressing and some veggies thrown in for good measure. Dip a whole-wheat cracker into the mix or assemble an egg salad sandwich when you’re ready to eat (last-minute assembly keeps the bread from getting soggy). If you’re making lunch the night before, sprinkling the apple slices with a little cinnamon will add flavor and help mask any unsightly browning.

• Turkey & Cheese Pinwheels – Bite-size pinwheels of turkey, cheese and lettuce make an appealing centerpiece of this bento box. Crisp celery sticks and juicy blueberries are a tasty accompaniment, while popcorn, mixed with chocolate chips, makes a satisfying snack or dessert. Plus, this healthy lunch is so easy to pack and can even be made the night before.

• Rainbow Veggie Wraps – There’s definitely a sushi vibe to these kid-friendly wraps, which are stuffed with vegetables, cheese and hummus and then rolled and sliced. Serve them with store-bought green goddess, a creamy herb-filled dressing, to take it up a notch with ease. They look impressive but they’re easy enough for kids to assemble themselves for an easy lunch or dinner.

• Buffalo Style Bistro Box – These tailgate-inspired lunch bowls can be assembled in about 15 minutes using just a handful of ingredients from your local specialty grocery store, like pre grilled chicken and spicy Buffalo-flavored hummus.

• S’Mores Energy Balls – These two-bite, protein-packed snacks have all the flavors of a campfire favorite rolled right in. Mini chocolate chips and graham cracker pieces are blended into the base mixture, while a mini marshmallow is tucked into the center. Even better, they’re no-bake and you can make a big batch in about 30 minutes.

• Breakfast for Lunch – This bento box idea is full of your kid’s breakfast favorites, even waffles. This lunch is packed with healthy foods you will feel good about serving and kids will actually be excited to eat–no more half-eaten lunches!

• Strawberry & Cream Cheese Sandwich – Sliced strawberries and cream cheese come together in a sandwich for this quick and healthy lunchbox treat.

• Bacon-Wrapped Brussel Sprouts – Roasted brussels sprouts become irresistible finger food when decked out with bacon and served alongside a zingy mustard dipping sauce.

• 15 Meatless Lunch Sandwiches That Kids Will Love

• Goat Cheese and Honey Sandwich – You can make this sandwich in less than five minutes.

• Roasted Red Pepper Hummus, Avocado & Feta Sandwich –  The key to this easy recipe is using Jarred or canned roasted red peppers.

• Tomato Sandwich – The star of this sandwich is an excellent tomato, so if it’s the wrong season, don’t bother.

• Vit-A-Man Sandwich – Don’t get caught up in the specifics here. Whatever raw vegetables you have on hand will do the trick.

• Peanut Butter & Banana Sandwich – Give this old classic a new twist by drizzling honey on top of the banana layer.

• Cheesy Sandwiches Video – Feel free to sub in microwaved frozen broccoli instead of boiling your own, or to just substitute with extra carrots or peppers to make it easier.

• Cheddar & Apple & Mustard Sandwich – Your kid will never look at an apple the same way again. This recipe calls for grilling and uses walnut bread. Feel free to use whatever bread you have on hand, and sub mustard for making it grilled.

• Green Goddess Sandwich – This green goddess sandwich is fresh and satisfying. The dressing packs a flavorful punch with capers and lemon juice. The cucumber and sprouts add a nice crunch, and the seasoned avocado brings in the creaminess.

• Chickpea Salad Sandwich – This vegan chickpea salad sandwich is lemony, bright and surprisingly delicious. It’s got all the flavors of a classic tuna salad sandwich—dill, lemon and a bit of garlic—but with chickpeas instead to add a vegan source of protein and a healthy boost of fiber. Celery brings a nice crunch.

• Vegetarian Antipasto Sliders – These vegetarian sliders are a delicious twist on the classic Italian app. Look for soft, pull-apart dinner rolls in the bakery section of your grocery store. If you can’t find them, swap in 6 whole-wheat burger buns and make larger sandwiches.

• Caprese Sandwich – This caprese sandwich is fresh from the basil and hearty from thick, crusty ciabatta. The sun-dried tomatoes deepen the flavor. Topping the bread with a layer of basil leaves and using toasted bread helps to keep the sandwich from getting soggy if you need to make it a few hours ahead.

• Egg Salad English-Muffin Sandwich – When you boil eggs ahead of time, it’s easy to create a lickety-split and delightful lunchtime egg salad. And using the flavorful leafy carrot tops in it is like getting herbs for free.

• Mushroom Melts – This mushroom melt has both Gruyère and Swiss cheeses that work together with earthy mushrooms to create a delicious ooey-gooey vegetarian grilled cheese. Balsamic vinegar helps lighten the sandwich, and the thin slices of rye bread help keep the sodium in check.

• Avocado Egg Salad Sandwiches – Lighten up classic egg salad by swapping in creamy avocado instead of using mayonnaise. Sandwich it between toasted whole-wheat bread and you’ve got an easy, packable lunch ready for work or school.

5. Reflect: Thoughts of the Day About Learning 💭

JUNE:

HAPPY EARTH DAY:

TEACHER APPRECIATION:

GLOBAL PARENT DAY: