Books for Earth Day

 

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

It is hard to believe Earth Day is next week! I feel like April is flying by and as a former teacher once April hits--well April vacation (next week)--I feel like the school year is basically over. Hazel's new school has a different vacation schedule so she had two weeks off in March, but I know the public schools are off next week so the feeling is still there. Today I am going to share an other set of books that are great for Earth Day. These books range for ages 4-7 and 7-12, so basically books perfect for elementary grades. We will start with Sunrise Summer by Matthew Swanson and illustrated by Robbi Behr. 

From the Publisher:

Sunrise Summer is a picture book by writer Matthew Swanson and illustrator Robbi Behr that celebrates self-confidence and empowerment, as a girl’s role changes in her family’s fishing expeditions.

When a girl and her family travel four thousand miles from home, it’s not your typical summer vacation. Everything is different on the Alaskan tundra—where the grizzly bears roam and the sockeye salmon swim—including the rules. A girl can do things she wouldn’t, and couldn’t, do at home.

She can wake up at midnight to work with her mom on a fishing crew. She can learn what it means to be an essential part of a team. She can become a braver, stronger, and ever-more capable version of herself. She can take her next big step.

She’s ready for her first real sunrise.

From Me:

This picture book shares a whole new world with young children. The world of the Alaskan tundra. And the narrator is a young girl who is excited for a summer of work there. At the end of the book Robbi (the illustrator) shares her own experiences going to Coffee Point, Alaska. This book is based on her family and her experiences. It goes into explaining how the culture is to help one another there and how they are fishing the same way the natives did/do. 

I love that this book introduces a place off the beaten path where there are no roads and the rules are different. The girl drives the fish to market alone. It is a story that will entertain kids and teach them about the salmon industry as well as a different lifestyle. This book is recommended for ages 4-7. The pictures are beautiful and the story itself is about a young girl being brave and gaining confidence as well as a family working together.

Our next book is a picture book recommended for ages 7-12. This beautiful picture book includes information as well as poetry about trees, so it is perfect for April--Earth Day and National Poetry Month. It is The Wisdom of Trees: How Trees Work Together to Form a Natural Kingdom by Lita Judge. 

From the Publisher:

With lush illustrations, poems, and accessible scientific information, The Wisdom of Trees by Lita Judge is a fascinating exploration of the hidden communities trees create to strengthen themselves and others.

We clean the air and seed the clouds, we drench the thirsty land with rain. We are like wizards.

The story of a tree is a story of community, communication, and cooperation. Although trees may seem like silent, independent organisms, they form a network buzzing with life: they talk, share food, raise their young, and offer protection. Trees thrive on diversity, learn from their ancestors, and give back to their communities. Trees not only sustain life on our planet—they can also teach us important lessons about patience, survival, and teamwork.

From Me:

This book is absolutely beautiful!! The illustrations and poetry are gorgeous. It is also fascinating. It shares the latest scientific information about how trees work together to help each other survive. It shares how they "talk" to one another and about the Wood Wide Web. It shares how trees behave through the seasons as well as shares trees from around the world.  I love how the book goes through the different stages of life for a tree.

The book goes into the science of trees. Photosynthesis is explained as well as other things like the above page explains how some trees tell time. This book is the perfect addition to any house, library and especially classroom that has a unit on trees and or seasons. The information is presented in such a fun manner and the illustrations and poems are beautiful. I hope you will check it out.

Our final book today is a graphic novel. It is recommended for ages 8-12. This book is definitely perfect for Earth Day. It is The Leak by Kate Reed Petty and illustrated by Andrea Bell. 

From the Publisher: 

In this compelling middle-grade graphic novel The Leak, Ruth, a young journalist, is determined to uncover a secret that threatens her town.

Ruth Keller is brash and precocious; she argues with her dentist, her parents, and her teachers. So, when she discovers a strange black slime in the man-made lake of her suburban neighborhood, she decides to investigate. Fortified by the encouragement of those around her, Ruth seeks the truth at all costs, even if it means taking on the rich local country club owner, who she believes is responsible for the pollution.

Between the teasing of former friends, and a sudden viral spotlight, Ruth discovers how difficult it is for a journalist to take a stand for what's right in the face of critique and controversy. From writer Kate Reed Petty and illustrator Andrea Bell, comes a story about corruption, pollution, and freedom of the press, and the young journalist at the center of it all.

From Me:

Ruth is a bit pushy but I would say she is a typical 12-year-old. She wants to be a journalist and has her own newsletter. She is balancing friends and relationships with boys and of course having issues with her friends. She wants to find the next great story and steps into it. She however has to learn some rules of journalism. She needs to learn to state the facts and not opinions. Throughout the book the Flint, Michigan case is mentioned so there is a historical piece going with pollution. Her science teacher is very helpful to Ruth and very supportive. Ruth discovers much about our adult world--corruption, cover up and pollution. 

The graphic novel shares quite a bit for a graphic novel. It is an easy read and I think kids will find it quite interesting. The story flows easily and has some different storylines as well. Overall I think it is a wonderful book and of course introduces kids to one of the reasons we need to celebrate Earth Day!