Picture Books that Celebrate Nature

 School may be out for a while, but at least we can go outside and observe nature! Or... bring the outside in, with these beautiful new picture books. Learn facts about all kinds of animals, or take a virtual tour of a working farm. Contemplate the poetry of the trees, or the magic of the intertidal zone. Discover  how species come back from near-extinction... and so much more. 

Click on each book jacket to learn more about it and order a copy of your own. Each of these titles is either brand new or coming out in the next couple of months (publication dates are noted on each listing) -- we can't wait for you to read them! 

We encourage you to support your local independent bookstore wherever possible; each of these titles can be ordered or pre-ordered at your retailer of choice. 

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IF WE WERE GONE 
by John Coy & Leslie Capannelli - Millbrook 3/3/20

Water, air, sunlight, plants . . . we need these elements to live in this world. But does the world need us? And what would happen to the world if humans were gone? 

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TALES OF THE DAIRY GODMOTHER by Viola Butler & Ward Jenkins
FeedingMinds-3/17/20

With the help of his Dairy Godmother, Chuck is taken—poof!—on a memorable and delicious adventure to a dairy farm. He finds out exactly where ice cream comes from and gains an even deeper love and appreciation for his favorite food.

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OUTSIDE IN by Deborah Underwood & Cindy Derby - HMH - 4/14/20

Outside is waiting, the most patient playmate of all. The most generous friend. The most miraculous inventor. This thought-provoking picture book poetically underscores our powerful and enduring connection with nature, not so easily obscured by lives spent indoors.

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THE FARM THAT FEEDS US by Nancy Castaldo & Ginnie Hsu
Quarto - 5/19/20

Where does our food come from? What role do farms play? What’s it like to be a farmer? In this charmingly illustrated book, follow a farm throughout the year to discover how the farmer grows fresh and tasty food for us to eat in a sustainable and natural way.

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BRINGING BACK THE WOLVES by Jude Isabella & Kim Smith 
KidsCan Press- 3/3/20

An unintended experiment in Yellowstone National Park, in which an ecosystem is devastated and then remarkably rehabilitated, provides crucial lessons about nature's intricate balancing act.

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DOWN UNDER THE PIER by Nell Cross Beckerman & Rachell Sumpter - CameronKids - 4/7/20

There’s lots of fun to be had up on the pier—the Ferris wheel, the rollercoaster, Skee-Ball and Whac-A-Mole, cotton candy, copper coins, the carousel. But it’s down under the pier, at low tide, where the real magic can be found. The best part? It’s free. 

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EAT YOUR ROCKS, CROC by Jess Keating & Pete Oswald - Orchard - 5/5/ 20

Dr. Sugar Glider travels around the world to help animals (and, on occasion, plants!) with all sorts o​f problems. Whether it's a crocodile with a sick stomach, a creeped-out krill, a stressed meerkat, or a male praying mantis trying to date, Dr. Glider is ready to offer advice!

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GREEN ON GREEN by Dianne White & Felicita Sala - Beach Lane - 3/17/20

A child is on a colorful journey through the seasons, filled with yellow flowers and blue coral in spring and summer and orange pumpkins and green pine forests in fall and winter. All the while, there is another colorful change on the horizon—the birth of a new sibling.

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IN THE WOODS by David Elliott & Rob Dunlavey - Candlewick - 4/7/20

The animals in the dark woods are secretive, their inner lives a mystery. The stealthy bobcat, the inquisitive raccoon, and the dignified bear waking up from his winter nap are just a few of the glorious animals featured in this clever collection of poems and woodland scenes.

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WHEN THE STORM COMES by Linda Ashman & Taeeun Yoo - Paulsen - 5/26/20

When stormy skies threaten, people stock up on supplies, bring in their outside toys, and check the news for updates. And during the storm, if the power goes out, they can play games and tell stories by candlelight. But what do animals do? They watch and listen, look for a cozy den or some other sheltered spot, and hunker down to wait. After the storm, while the people are cleaning up their yards, making repairs, and checking on the neighbors, the animals emerge from their hiding places and shake off the rain. And everyone is happy to be out in the sunshine again, grateful for better weather and the company of friends.

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