Earth Day should be every day
Earth Day celebrations bring awareness to the incredible importance of taking good care of our planet. These new picture books bring nature, love and appreciation to the forefront; they are smart reading for every day.
Coral reefs are in trouble. They’re bleaching and disappearing quickly in many oceans. This brilliant book tells the true story of Ken Nedimyer, a coral-restoration pioneer who proves that all it takes is one person to make a difference. The ocean advocate and volunteers grow coral out of live rocks and, with hammer and safe glue, attach the new coral to dying areas to flourish. His Coral Restoration Foundation, out of Key Largo, Fla., is proving that when a handful of humans put their minds to nature restoration, miracles can happen.
Matthew Forsythe’s lovely vintage-looking scenes are cool and intriguing, and Kate Messner’s depiction of one man’s high-reaching idea of saving coral reefs is motivating and positive. Kids learn how they can help at the end of the book.
Part story, part reference guide is Chris Butterworth’s ode to trees told from the point of view of a little girl who ventures outside with her cat to tell readers about the trees she loves. She begins in springtime, saying, “There are buds, like beads getting bigger on the branches ...,” and explains how a plum tree’s flower buds open into blossoms to buzz with bees. Smaller text explains a little more about why and how pollination happens, while Charlotte Voake’s flowy, whimsical illustrations evoke outdoorsy fun.
The girl, her friends and her cat venture to summertime. The “trees are shady and so full of leaves that when the wind blows, they swish like the sea.” Fall brings seeds and nuts for the squirrels, while in winter, a bare tree’s bark feels hard and rough. All the while, sidebar text offers more tree facts.
The end page spread features tree-related games and activities, resulting in a two-fold picture book sure to promote tree love.
Speaking of trees, this ode to the chestnut tree, aimed at middle-grade readers, explains how plentiful and helpful this tree once was until an unstoppable blight wiped out many of them. Finally, the American chestnut is making a comeback in a hopeful tale of loss and restoration that lets readers know nothing has to be gone forever. A triumph of persistence and human ingenuity, the return of the chestnut tree is nothing short of miraculous and inspiring.
Sally M. Walker’s fascinating true tale of the natural world is peppered with clear photographs, images and incredible writing. Trees are our best friends here on Earth. If “Champion” helps any young readers realize this, nature wins.