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Ecological Books for Children

Books about nature, the environment and social issues for children

Books for 4-6 Year Olds

A Handful of Dirt, by Bial, Raymond
Walker & Company, 2000, Hardcover, $16.95

Discusses the nature and importance of soil and the many forms of life it supports.

A Log's Life, by Pfeffer, Wendy , Brickman, Robin, Illustrator
Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, 1997, Hardcover, $17.95

After an oak tree falls in the forest, it has another life as home to a variety of creatures. As it decays over time, it provides food and shelter to porcupines, ants, mushrooms, salamanders, and many others, until it eventually turns into a mound of rich black earth. Very young children love spotting the animals as they learn about the life cycle of a tree. Full color.

Bambi, by Salten, Felix , Johnson, Steve, Illustrator Fancher, Lou, Illustrator
Atheneum Books, 1999, Hardcover, $18.00

In oil paintings and a beguiling text that are at once realistic and remarkably expressive, this adaptation is unerringly faithful to Salten's story about the young fawn who matures into a magnificent stag. Full color.

Blueberries for Sal, by McCloskey, Robert , McCloskey, Robert, Illustrator
Rebound by Sagebrush, 1976, Prebound, $15.50

The adventures of a little girl and a baby bear while hunting for blueberries with their mothers one bright summer day. All the color and flavor of the sea and pine-covered Maine countryside.—"School Library Journal, " starred review. Caldecott Honor Book. Full-color illustrations.

Blueberries for Sal, by McCloskey, Robert , McCloskey, Robert, Illustrator
Puffin Books, 1976, Paperback, $6.99

The adventures of a little girl and a baby bear while hunting for blueberries with their mothers one bright summer day. All the color and flavor of the sea and pine-covered Maine countryside.—"School Library Journal, " starred review. Caldecott Honor Book. Full-color illustrations.

Chirping Insects, by Johnson, Sylvia A , Sato, Yuko, Photographer
Lerner Publishing Group, 1990, Paperback, $5.95

Describes how chirping insects such as crickets, katydids, and grasshoppers produce their songs and use them to send messages to other members of their species.

Compost Critters, by Lavies, Bianca
Dutton Books, 1993, Hardcover, $15.99

A writer/photographer explores her compost heap, revealing a host of inhabitants in fantastic close-ups, all busily transforming organic garbage into rich humus. An accurate text explains the fascinating process.

El Cuento de Ferdinando, by Leaf, Munro , Belpre, Pura, Translator Lawson, Robert, Illustrator
Puffin Books, 1990, Paperback, $6.99

In Spain lives a big and strong bull whose name is Ferdinand. Unlike the other bulls, Ferdinand does not like to fight. He would rather sit in the shade of his favorite cork tree and smell the flowers.

From Seed to Pumpkin, by Kottke, Jan
Children's Press, CT , 2000, Paperback, $4.95

Illustrations and simple text describe how a pumpkin seed grows into a plant that produces pumpkins for making pies and jack-o-lanterns.

From Seed to Sunflower, by Legg, Gerald , Scrace, Carolyn, Illustrator
Franklin Watts, 1998, Paperback, $6.95

This series traces the growth process of a particular plant or animal, using simple, clear texts and detailed, full-color artwork.

Goggles, by Keats, Ezra Jack
Puffin Books, 1998, Paperback, $6.99

When Peter and his friend Archie find motorcycle goggles, some bigger boys try to take them away. Full color.

How a Plant Grows, by Kalman, Bobbie
Crabtree Publishing Company, 1996, Paperback, $5.95

Beautiful plants grow all around us, but we seldom appreciate their magic! This beautiful book introduces children to the amazing lives of plants—from their beginnings, through their growth, to reproduction and death. Along the way, an exciting array of pods, spores, stalks, leaves, fruits and flowers are explained, accompanied by full-color illustrations and photographs.

How a Seed Grows, by Jordan, Helene J , Krupinski, Loretta, Illustrator
HarperTrophy, 1992, Paperback, $4.99

Jordan explains how a seed gets water, nutrients, and sunlight, while Krupinski's detailed pictures dramatize how a little seed may become a flower, a vegetable, or even a huge oak tree. First published in 1960, this newly revised edition tells young readers how to plant a seed and care for it through the very earliest stages of its growth. Full-color illus.

I Am a Leaf, by Marzollo, Jean , Moffatt, Judith, Illustrator
Cartwheel Books, 1999, Paperback, $3.99

Easy-to-read text and bright cut-paper illustrations bring the cycle of a leaf to life and explores its many functions.

In a Nutshell, by Anthony, Joseph , Arbo, Cris, Illustrator
Rebound by Sagebrush, 1999, Prebound, $16.60

An acorn grows into a mighty oak, helps sustain other life, and eventually dies and continues to give life to others.

In a Nutshell, by Anthony, Joseph , Arbo, Cris, Illustrator
Dawn Publications, CA , 1999, Paperback, $7.95

An acorn grows into a mighty oak, helps sustain other life, and eventually dies and continues to give life to others.

In the Small, Small Pond, by Fleming, Denise , Fleming, Denise, Illustrator
Henry Holt & Company, 1998, Paperback, $6.95

Denise Fleming's Caldecott Honor book gives young readers a frog's-eye view of life in a pond throughout the seasons. Full-color illustrations.

In the Tall, Tall Grass, by Fleming, Denise
Henry Holt & Company, 1995, Paperback, $6.95

If you were a caterpillar crawling through the tall, tall grass, what would you see? Beginning in the morning and ending as the moon rises above, this full-color backyard tour is one no child will want to miss. An ALA Notable Book, School Library Journal Best Book, American Bookseller Pick of the Lists, and Booklist Editors' Choice.

In the Tall, Tall Grass, by Fleming, Denise
Henry Holt & Company, 1993, Giant Paperback, $22.95

A terrific story-hour book. As day turns to night, a caterpillar crunches and munches his way through the tall, tall grass. . . . Besides a treat for eyes and ears, this can be used as an introductory nature lesson.—Booklist. Redbook Top Ten Picture Book; Boston Globe/Horn Book Honor Book. Full color.

Inside an Egg, by Johnson, Sylvia A , Shimizu, Kiyoshi, Photographer
Lerner Publications, 1982, Paperback, $5.95

Text and photographs trace the development of a chicken egg from the time it is laid until the chick is born.

Make Way for Ducklings, by McCloskey, Robert
Puffin Books, 1999, Paperback, $7.99

Awarded the Caldecott Medal in 1941, "Make Way for Ducklings" has been described as "one of the merriest books ever", "The New York Times" . Sepia illustrations.

Make Way for Ducklings, Anniversary , by McCloskey, Robert
Viking Press, 2001, Library Binding, $16.99

Caldecott-winning illustrations make this story about Mr. and Mrs. Mallard looking for a safe place to bring up their ducklings come to life. During a rest stop in Boston's Public Garden, they think they may have found the perfect spot. First published in 1941. Illustrations.

One Morning in Maine, by McCloskey, Robert
Puffin Books, 1976, Paperback, $6.99

As we follow the story of Sal and his lost tooth we feel as refreshed as though we had spent a day with his family on their island.—Saturday Review. Caldecott Honor Book. Full-color illustrations.

Pumpkin Eye, by Fleming, Denise
Henry Holt & Company, 2001, Hardcover, $15.95

Award-winning author/artist Fleming offers a Halloween story with just the right amount of spookiness for preschoolers. Full color.

Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf, by Ehlert, Lois
Harcourt Children's Books, 1991, Hardcover, $16.00

This is the story of a sugar maple tree and the child who planted it. As they grow up together, the child watches the tree through all the seasons. Ehlert uses watercolor collage, leaf-shaped die cuts and pieces of actual seeds, fabric, wire, and roots in this rich introduction to the life of a tree. American Bookseller Pick of the List. Full color.

Silkworms, by Johnson, Sylvia A , Kishida, Isao, Photographer
Lerner Publications, 1989, Paperback, $5.95

Supports the national science education standards Unifying Concepts and Processes: Systems, Order, and Organization; Unifying Concepts and Processes: Form and Function; and Life Science as outlined by the National Academics of Science and endorsed by the National Science Teachers Association.

Sleep Out, by Carrick, Carol , Carrick, Donald
Clarion Books, 1982, Paperback, $6.95

Anxious to try out his new camping gear, Christopher sleeps out alone on his first night in the country and almost regrets that he didn't wait for his father to come along.

The Dandelion Seed, by Anthony, Joseph A , Arbo, Cris, Illustrator
Dawn Publications, CA , 1997, Paperback, $7.95

By roadside or mountainside, the humble dandelion flowers every month of the year throughout the world, a fitting symbol of life. Its journey is our journey, filled with challenge, wonder, and beauty. Joseph Anthony's story of mystery and truth, and illustrator Cris Arbo's stunningly detailed illustrations make this book a joy for all.

The Missing Piece, by Silverstein, Shel
HarperCollins Publishers, 1976, Library Binding, $16.89

"It was missing a piece.
And it was not happy.
So it set off in search
of its missing piece.
And as it rolled
it sang this song -Oh I'm lookin' for my missin' piece
I'm lookin' for my missin' piece
Hi-dee-ho, here I go,
Lookin' for my missin' piece."
What it finds on its search for the missing piece is simply and touchingly told in this fable that gently probes the nature of quest and fulfillment.

The Missing Piece Meets the Big O, by Silverstein, Shel
HarperCollins Publishers, 1981, Hardcover, $15.99

The wedge-shaped hero of The Missing Piece waits in vain for the right someone to appear, until a complete circle, the Big O shows it how to gather its own momentum.

The Story of Ferdinand, by Leaf, Munro, Lawson, Robert, Illustrator
Puffin Books, 1977, Paperback, $6.99

Published over 50 years ago, The Story of Ferdinand is one of the bestselling children's books of all time, and the bull who preferred sitting under the cork tree and smelling flowers to fighting has become a hero to generations of children.

Time of Wonder, by McCloskey, Robert
Puffin Books, 1989, Paperback, $6.99

The spell of rain, gulls, a foggy morning, the excitement of sailing, the quiet of the night, the sudden terror of a hurricane, and the peace of a Maine island as a family packs up to leave are shown in poetic language and vibrant, evocative pictures.

Where Once There Was a Wood, by Fleming, Denise
Henry Holt & Company, 2000, Paperback, $6.95

Inspired by events in her own backyard, award-winning author and illustrator Denise Fleming creates a poignant yet hopeful portrait of our disappearing natural environment. Includes an informative bibliography for budding environmentalists and suggests various projects that families can do together. Full color.

Where the Wild Things Are, by Sendak, Maurice
Rebound by Sagebrush, 1988, Prebound, $16.65

Max, a wild and naughty boy, is sent to bed without his supper by his exhausted mother. In his room, he imagines sailing far away to a land of Wild Things. Instead of eating him, the Wild Things make Max their king. Soon Max tires of this and sails home, only to find his supper, still hot, waiting for him. Caldecott Medal winner; ALA Notable Children's Book; New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book; Reading Rainbow Selection; The Horn Book Fanfare Honor List.

Where the Wild Things Are, by Sendak, Maurice
HarperTrophy, 1988, Paperback, $7.99

Max, a wild and naughty boy, is sent to bed without his supper by his exhausted mother. In his room, he imagines sailing far away to a land of Wild Things. Instead of eating him, the Wild Things make Max their king. Soon Max tires of this and sails home, only to find his supper, still hot, waiting for him. Caldecott Medal winner; ALA Notable Children's Book; New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book; Reading Rainbow Selection; The Horn Book Fanfare Honor List.

Wonderful Worms, by Glaser, Linda
Millbrook Press, 1994, Paperback, $8.95

Award-winning author Linda Glaser looks at the life sciences like no one else. Kids will delight in and learn from these fantastic books focused on various creatures that share our world.

Books for 6-8 Year Olds

Amazing Pop-Up Geography Book, by Petty, Kate, Maizels, Jennie, Illustrator
Dutton Books, 2000, Hardcover, $24.99

With this pop-up and lift-the-flap book, children can journey to some of the Earth's most extraordinary spots such as volcanoes and continents. Full-color illustrations.

Beaver at Long Pond, by George, William T , George, Lindsay Barrett, Illustrator
HarperTrophy, 2000, Paperback, $5.95

It's getting dark and most of the animals have settled down for the night. But hidden in a lodge in the middle of the pond, the beaver's eyes are just opening, his adventure just beginning. "Luminous. . . . As the beaver's tail hits the water, the spray seems real enough for readers to reach for a towel."—ALA "Booklist." Full color.

Box Turtle at Long Pond, by George, William T , George, Lindsay Barrett, Illustrator
Greenwillow Books, 1989, Hardcover, $15.99

The Georges follow one animal's odyssey from the beginning of his day until the end. Accurate, lyrical, and superbly detailed, this book ensures Long Pond as a favorite spot on every child's itinerary. Beautiful, lifelike illustrations will capture young readers.

Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain, by Aardema, Verna
Rebound by Sagebrush, 1992, Prebound, $15.50

The story of how Ki-pat ingeniously brings rain to the arid Kapiti Plain. "Cumulative rhyming tale with the rhythm and repetition of The House That Jack Built . . . Illustrations are stylized, simple, and dramatic".—School Library Journal.

Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain, by Aardema, Verna
Puffin Books, 1992, Paperback, $6.99

The story of how Ki-pat ingeniously brings rain to the arid Kapiti Plain. "Cumulative rhyming tale with the rhythm and repetition of The House That Jack Built . . . Illustrations are stylized, simple, and dramatic".—School Library Journal.

Hattie and the Wild Waves, by Cooney, Barbara
Viking Books, 1990, Hardcover, $16.99

From two-time Caldecott winner Barbara Cooney comes a masterwork of elegance and simplicity. A young girl listens to the waves crashing on the shore to determine her future. Barbara Cooney has illustrated more than 100 books for children, including the award-winning Ox-Cart Man. Full-color throughout.

Honeybees, by Heiligman, Deborah , Golembe, Carla, Illustrator
National Geographic Society, 2002, Hardcover, $16.95

Readers can follow the life of a busy worker bee as it moves from job to job in the hive, helping the community in various ways, acting as a nurse bee, a forager bee, and as a guard bee. Full color.

Horton Hears a Who!, by Dr Seuss
Random House Books for Young Readers, 1954, Hardcover, $14.95

Horton, the lovable elephant, tries to protect tiny creatures on a speck of dust. An easy reader with delightful verse and pictures. Full-color illustrations.

Houses of Bark, by Shemie, Bonnie
Tundra Books, NY , 1993, Paperback, $6.95

Describes the materials, construction, and uses of different kinds of shelters made by various Woodland Indians tribes in northeastern Canada and the United States.

Koko's Kitten, by Patterson, Francine
Scholastic Press, 1987, Paperback, $4.99

Koko was a famous sign-language-speaking gorilla. This is the true story of her friendship with a kitten. "Patterson and Cohn let readers see . . . the gentle mind that wanted something to love and be loved by".—School Library Journal, starred review. Full-color photos.

Learning about Bees from Mr. Krebs, by Flanagan, Alice K , Osinski, Christine, Photographer
Children's Press, 2000, Paperback, $6.95

Our Neighborhood introduces young, beginning readers to the many and varied individuals they may encounter in their communities.

Life in a Bucket of Soil, by Silverstein, Alvin , and Silverstein, Virginia
Dover Publications, 2000, Paperback, $5.95

Grade-schoolers learn how ants, snails, slugs, beetles, earthworms, spiders, and other subterranean creatures live, breed, interact, move about, defend themselves, and more.

Looking Down, by Jenkins, Steve
Houghton Mifflin Company, 1995, Hardcover, $14.95

In his remarkable and detailed cut-paper illustrations, Jenkins takes readerson an amazing journey from outer space to a young boy's front yard, gradually moving in to show the Earth closer and closer, until the smallest details are revealed.

Owl Moon, by Yolen, Jane , Schoenherr, John, Illustrator
Philomel Books, 1987, Hardcover, $16.99

As expansive as the broad sweep of the great owl's wings and as close and comforting as a small hand held on a wintry night . . . The visual images have a sense of depth and seem to invite readers into this special nighttime world.—"School Library Journal, " starred review. Full color. 1988 Caldecott Medal Book.

Paddle to the Sea, by Holling, Holling Clancy
Houghton Mifflin Company, 1980, Paperback, $11.95

A young Indian boy carves a canoe and travels through the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean. The text and pictures provide an excellent geographical and historical picture of the region. Caldecott Honor Book.

Pet Show! by Keats, Ezra Jack
Aladdin Paperbacks, 1987, Paperback, $5.99

When he can't find his cat to enter in the neighborhood pet show, Archie must do some fast thinking to win a prize.

Pumpkin Pumpkin, by Titherington, Jeanne
HarperTrophy, 1990, Paperback, $5.99

Jamie plants a pumpkin seed and, after watching it grow, carves it, and saves some seeds to plant in the spring.

Tar Beach, by Ringgold, Faith
Dragonfly Books, 1996, Paperback, $6.99

Ringgold has fashioned a poignant fictional story about eight-year-old Cassie, who dreams that she can claim the George Washington Bridge, and freedom and wealth by soaring above the city. A Caldecott Honor Book. A Coretta Scott King Award Book. An ALA Notable Book. "New York Times" Best Illustrated Book. Full color.

The Bat Boy and His Violin, by Curtis, Gavin , Lewis, E B, Illustrator
Aladdin Paperbacks, 2001, Paperback, $6.99

Reginald loves to play his violin, but his father needs his son to be the bat boy for his baseball team, the Dukes. Could Reginald do both? Little do father and son realize that Reginald's sweet music is just the inspiration needed to lead the Dukes to victory! Full-color illustrations.

The Empty Pot, by Demi
Henry Holt & Company, 1996, Paperback, $6.95

The Chinese Emperor announces an unusual test to choose an heir—the child who raises the best flowers from a seed given by the Emperor will be his successor. Ping, unaccountably, is unable to get his seed to sprout—but Ping's empty pot is best of all. Full-color illustrations.

The Gift of the Tree, by Tresselt, Alvin , Sorensen, Henri, Illustrator
HarperCollins Publishers, 1992, Hardcover, $16.99

Traces the life cycle of an oak tree and describes the animals that depend on it for shelter and food.

The Gift: A Magical Story about Caring for the Earth, by Osuchowska, Isia
Wisdom Publications, 1996, Hardcover, $14.95

Long ago in a kingdom far away, Ananda, the Buddha's principal disciple, taught a small-minded king the importance of sharing—not only one's personal wealth, but also the wealth of the earth's resources. Thirty vibrant watercolors illustrate this delightful children's tale about the importance of using nature's gifts wisely and altruistically, so that these precious resources will be available to share in the future.

The Giving Tree, by Silverstein, Shel
HarperCollins Publishers, 1964, Library Binding, $17.89

This story of a boy who grows to manhood, and of a tree that gives him her bounty through the years, is a moving parable about the gift of giving and the capacity to love.

The Giving Tree, by Silverstein, Shel
HarperCollins Publishers, 1964, Hardcover, $15.99

This story of a boy who grows to manhood, and of a tree that gives him her bounty through the years, is a moving parable about the gift of giving and the capacity to love.

The Honey Bee, by Gould, James L , Gould,
W.H. Freeman & Company, 1995, Paperback, $19.95

The Lorax, by Dr Seuss
Random House Children's Books, 1971, Hardcover, $14.95

In this cautionary tale of greed and environmental destruction, the lovable Lorax tries to save the Truffula Forest and its inhabitants from disaster at the hands of the cantankerous Once-ler. Full-color illustrations.

The Magic School Bus at the Waterworks, by Cole, Joanna , Degen, Bruce, Illustrator
Scholastic, 1988, Paperback, $5.99

Ms. Frizzle, an unflappable science teacher, drives the magical school bus into a cloud where the children shrink to the size of waterdroplets and follow the course of water through the city's waterworks system.

The Salamander Room, by Mazer, Anne , Johnson, Steve, Illustrator Fancher, Lou, Illustrator
Dragonfly Books, 1994, Paperback, $6.99

Where will he sleep? asks Brian's mother when he arrives home from the woods with an orange salamander. As Brian describes how he will transform his room into a salamander's paradise, "lush, shadowy paintings depict each addition to the cumulative scenario."—"School Library Journal." Full color.

The Seaweed Book: How to Find and Have Fun with Seaweed, by Treat, Rose , Duchaine, Randy, Photographer, Star Bright Books, 1995, Paperback, $6.25

Describes different types of seaweeds, how to collect and preserve them, and several ways to use them.

Tide Pools, by Bredeson, Carmen
Franklin Watts, 1999, Paperback, $6.95

The books in the highly praised First Books series provide basic facts on subjects in the social studies, the sciences, sports, and practical and fine arts.

When the Moon is Full, by Pollock, Penny , Azarian, Mary, Illustrator
Little Brown and Company, Sep-01, Hardcover, $15.95

Lyrical poems and elegant woodcuts showcase 12 folkloric names of the full moons according to Native American tradition. Full color.

Why the Sky Is Far Away: A Nigerian Folktale, by Gerson, Mary-Joan , Golembe, Carla, Illustrator
Little Brown and Company, 1995, Paperback, $5.95

The sky was once so close to the Earth that people cut parts of it to eat, but their waste and greed caused the sky to move far away.

A Moose for Jessica, by Wakefield, Pat A , Carrara, Larry, Photographer
Puffin Books, 1992, Paperback, $6.99

Here is the story that made headlines and captured hearts around the world—of the moose who came out of the Vermont woods and fell in love with a Hereford cow named Jessica. "Unique, fascinating, and delightful".—Kirkus Reviews. Full-color photos. An NSTA-CBC Outstanding Science Trade Book for Children.

A Weed Is a Flower: The Life of George Washington Carver, by Aliki
Aladdin Paperbacks, 1988, Paperback, $5.95

Brief text and pictures present the life of the man, born a slave, who became a scientist and devoted his entire life to helping the South improve its agriculture.

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