GRAMMY'S BOOK CLUB: Nature-themed books for kids

Grammy’s Book Club. © Rebecca Bailey 2021

When our granddaughter turned five we gave her a membership into Grammy’s book club. Every month she gets a book from us delivered to her house. I try to choose books that are not only entertaining, but encourage values such as, honesty, respect, and kindness. But even more so, Grammy’s book club is grounded in my belief that all kids need a healthy, balanced world—full of natural places for them to discover and explore.

Our natural world is a giant learning place that sparks all of our senses, including what some call our sixth sense—intuition. When kids are exploring and interacting with our natural world, they are tapped into all of their senses, naturally curious, and feel connected to other living things. Just watch a child’s fearless fascination as they pick up a bug, study a flower, or chase a neighborhood family of crows. And questions…oh all of their wonderful, endless questions.

So with that in mind, many of my Grammy’s book club choices are nature-themed adventures or simple stories that teach important life lessons. Others are just plain fun!

Here are a few of our favorites.

Dirt + Water = Mud. By Katherine Hannigan. This delightful picture book taps a child’s imagination with a little math and nature thrown into a wonderful mix of pretend play escapades. Captivating illustrations by the author.

Owl Moon. By Jane Yolen. A simple story about a boy and his “Pa” who take a winter walk through the woods to find an owl. Water color pictures and descriptive language vividly illustrate the stark beauty and feeling of winter, drawing children deep into this mesmerizing winter adventure.

The hike. By Alison Farrell. This book has a fun cover under the book jacket showing lots of nature sketches. It’s a story of camaraderie and adventure as three kids undertake a hike to the top of a mountain. Challenges and surprises await. I especially love this book for the nature sketches that are interspersed throughout the story from Wren’s notebook. (I love her name and she is one of the story’s characters.)

Orangutangled. By Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen. A favorite of my granddaughters that I’ve read to them umpteen times. It’s a fun rhyming story that builds to a gooey mango mess of jungle animals that are “orangutangled.” It’s lllustrated with thrilling, brightly colored pictures. A tail, an ear, a paw of a scary stalking tiger who doesn’t quite show himself, keeps them turning the pages. And, of course, a pair of orangutans are the stars of this fun, light-hearted story that will make you smile in the end.

How Rocket Learned to Read. By Tad Hill. This New York best times bestseller is a sweet story about an adorable little yellow bird that teaches a lovable spotted dog named Rocket to read. It takes place outside with all kinds of references to nature. As Rocket learns to read he describes one story as “delicious as the earthy smells of fall” and “as exciting as chasing leaves.” Pretty cool for a little dog who normally just follows his nose. This endearing story is perfect for early readers.

Grammy’s Book club is one example of how to introduce kids to our natural world. A simple outdoor walk is also super easy and ten fun things for kids to do on a walk has great ideas on how to spark their interest. Seven things to do at home with kids offers more fun indoor and outdoor nature options.

However you introduce your kids to nature, just know that over time, their nature connection will eventually evolve into a sustainable love. And that’s where their life-long habits of promoting sustainability and conservation of our planet begin. As adults we can help grow and nurture this nature connection. A connection that is critical to the well-being of our children and planet. And in the end, isn’t that ultimately what we all want? All of our kids to grow and thrive on a healthy planet!