Picture Books For Earth Day (giveaway)

Today I'm sharing some wonderful picture books that are perfect for celebrating Earth Day! Plus, you can enter to win one of the books...

FROM CANDLEWICK PRESS 

My Green Day: 10 green things I can do today 

By melanie Walsh 

2/1/20 

Walker Books Ltd. 

Goodreads 

Make every day a green day with ten simple things to do between breakfast and bedtime.Discover ten easy ways in which every child can make their day greener for the environment. With a helpful explanation to back up every activity, this is the perfect picture book for teaching young children the importance of looking after the world around them. 

Only A Tree Knows How To Be a Tree 

By Mary Murphy 

3/10/20 

Candlewick Press 

Goodreads 

All living creatures have a special place in the world in this extraordinary exploration of the concept of self for very young readers.  Only I know how to be me. Only you know how to be you.  Trees have leaves that turn sunshine into food. Amazing! Birds build nests, sing songs, hatch eggs, and fly. Dogs are our friends and can move their ears to tell us how they feel, while fish live in water, flashing like jewels. As for people, every person on Earth is different, each with their own thoughts and feelings. With a simple narrative and joyful, welcoming illustrations celebrating a world full of remarkable creatures, Mary Murphy reminds little ones that we are all unique, and that we are the only ones who know how to be us. 

The Nest That Wren Built 

By Randi Sonenshine 

Illustrated by Anne Hunter 

3/10/20 

Candlewick Press 

Goodreads 

Nature lovers and poetry fans alike will be drawn to this lyrical picture book depicting how Carolina wrens build a nest for their young.  This is the bark, snippets of twine, spidery rootlets, and needles of pine that shape the nest that Wren built.  In the rhyming style of "The House That Jack Built," this poem about the care and specificity that Carolina wrens put into building a nest is at once tender and true to life. Papa and Mama Wren gather treasures of the forest, from soft moss for a lining to snakeskin for warding off predators. Randi Sonenshine's lilting stanzas, woven with accurate and unexpected details about Carolina wrens, and Anne Hunter's gentle, inviting illustrations reveal the mysterious lives of these birds and impart an appreciation for the wonder of the life cycles around us. Back matter includes a glossary and additional interesting facts about wrens. 

Kaia and the Bees 

By Maribeth Boelts 

Illustrated by Angela Dominguez 

3/10/20 

Candlewick Press 

Goodreads 

The author of Those Shoes and an award-winning illustrator team up for the story of a girl who tries to overcome her fear of bees to see how amazing they are.  Kaia is the brave type. Like hottest-hot-pepper brave. But there is one thing that scares her: BEES! And right now, thousands of bees live on her roof because Kaia's dad is a beekeeper. Her dad says that the world needs bees and that's why they are beekeepers. But only he goes on the roof, not Kaia -- unless she can find a way to be the brave girl she always says she is. Against a sunny city setting, author Maribeth Boelts and illustrator Angela Dominguez depict Kaia's small courageous steps -- and her tiny insect neighbors -- with great empathy and charm. Buzzing with storytime potential, Kaia and the Bees is an honest and relatable tale about bravery and compassion, as well as the importance of bees to our world. 

Seeds 

By Carme Lemniscates 

3/17/20 

Candlewick Studio 

Goodreads 

Striking illustrations and a simple narrative celebrate the potential of seeds, literal and metaphorical.  Some seeds are whisked away by the wind, while others are carried by creatures to their destinations. Once seeds find their spot, they go through breathtaking transformations, multiplying in number and size and thriving in even the most unseemly places. We humans plant seeds, too, and with care we can cultivate and nurture something wonderful, whether by sowing a seed in the earth or by choosing our own seeds of kindness to spread around. With gorgeous, welcoming illustrations, the creator of Trees and Birds presents another ode to the beauty around and within us. 

The Stars Just Up The Street 

By Sue Soltis 

Illustrated by Christine Davenier 

3/17/20 

Candlewick Press 

Goodreads 

A grandpa's memories of brilliant night skies inspire a little girl to take action in a tale for budding community organizers and star lovers alike.  Mabel loves stars. She counts five from her window and thirty-seven from her backyard. But her grandfather tells her that, as a child, he could see thousands. Could it be true? Mabel climbs a hill looking for more stars -- only to discover that the glow from the nearby town makes them hard to see. What would it take for her neighbors to turn off their lights, just for one night, so that everyone could see the starlit sky? Sue Soltis's tale of a young activist and Christine Davenier's luminous illustrations will leave readers curious about the dark-sky movement -- and the wonder that is waiting for them just up the street. 

What’s that Noise? 

By Naomi Howarth 

3/24/20 

Candlewick Press 

Goodreads 

When Magnus the seal is awakened by a rumbling sound, it may be closer than he thinks in a funny, kid-friendly story that winds up with facts about Arctic creatures. 

 Rumble, rumble, rumble. . . . What's that noise?  Magnus the Arctic seal wakes up from a very deep sleep one morning, puzzled by a strange rumbling sound. What's that noise? Could it be the creaking of the trees? The whistling of the wind? The cracking of the ice? The roaring of the sea? Hare, Owl, and Polar Bear don't have any idea, but Walrus has a good suggestion: it could be Magnus's rumbling tummy! After a yummy feast of plump, pink shrimp, the friends all settle down to sleep -- but suddenly there's another rumbling sound. What's that noise? Readers curious about the creatures can learn more about them and their environment in an informative final spread. 

Hike 

By Pete Oswald 

3/17/20 

Candlewick Press 

Goodreads 

Take to the trails for a celebration of nature -- and a day spent with dad.  In the cool and quiet early light of morning, a father and child wake up. Today they're going on a hike. Follow the duo into the mountains as they witness the magic of the wilderness, overcome challenges, and play a small role in the survival of the forest. By the time they return home, they feel alive -- and closer than ever -- as they document their hike and take their place in family history. In detail-rich panels and textured panoramas, Pete Oswald perfectly paces this nearly wordless adventure, allowing readers to pause for subtle wonders and marvel at the views. A touching tribute to the bond between father and child, with resonant themes for Earth Day, Hike is a breath of fresh air. 

Alba and the Ocean Cleanup 

By Lara hawthorne 

3/17/20 

Big Picture Press 

Goodreads 

Alba the fish has spent her entire life collecting precious objects that drift down to the ocean floor. From delicate shells to brightly colored coral, each year on her birthday she gathers one more precious item. But over the years, Alba notices her collection is losing its sparkle and that the world is changing. There is trash everywhere! When, on her birthday hunt, something unthinkable happens, it seems like the plastic may have changed her ocean home forever. Is it too late?  Alba and the Ocean Cleanup is a beautifully illustrated picture book about what we can do to save this important ecosystem. 

Creature Features 

Illustrated by Natasha Durley 

3/10/20 

Big Picture Press 

Goodreads 

Vibrantly illustrated by new talent Natasha Durley, this is an animal book with a difference. Each page is bursting with unusual creatures united by a common characteristic. From enormous ears to humongous horns, from elephants to earwigs, this eclectic collection celebrates the diversity and the commonality of the animal kingdom. And with something to look for on every page, it's guaranteed to fascinate young animal lovers. 

FROM NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC KIDS

Extreme Ocean: Amazing Animals, High-Tech Gear, Record-Breaking Depths, And Much More! 

By Sylvia A. Earle 

3/3/20 

National Geographic Kids 

Goodreads 

Discover the most outrageous aspects of the deep blue---from record-breaking depths to towering tsunamis, underwater giants to tiny sea creatures--along with ocean conservation challenges and what you can do to help.  Dive into a world of aquatic mystery in this action-packed combination of science and adventure. Famed National Geographic Explorer Sylvia Earle leads readers on an in-depth tour of life beneath the waves. Come face-to-face with whales and sharks, learn about the newest and most hi-tech ocean gear and gadgets, experiment with hands-on activities, and join Earle as she recounts her most daring dives. Packed with fascinating tidbits, animal profiles, and up-to-date science, each chapter combines stunning photography with fun, accessible text. Perfect for curious kids, ocean lovers, young explorers, and the classroom. Extreme Ocean reveals the mystery, majesty, danger, and--above all--the importance of our ocean. 

Win a copy of Extreme Ocean!

Thanks to Nat Geo Kids and Media Masters Publicity, I have one copy of this book for one lucky winner.

-US only

-ends 4/20/20

-winner will be emailed and must claim prize within 48 hours

-Word Spelunking is not responsible for lost, damaged, or stolen prizes

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Disclaimer: I received copies of the titles above from Candlewick Press and National Geographic Kids for review/feature purposes. All thoughts, opinions, and reviews are my own.