I am making an EE book list that supplements your personal EE Curriculum. I am a strong believer in having short readings to help inspire the students and help out my lessons. I figured that some of you could tie some readings in to help amplify some of these EE Lessons.
There are a lot of websites that will list recommended EE themed books for children. Children books that focus on the following EE concepts are great choices; Habitats, Animals, Plants, Geography, Animal and/or Plant Sympathy, Caring for the Environment, Stories About Nature Explorers, Gardening, etc. There is a whole bunch out there.
If you can, please glance through the sites listed below and send back any book titles that you think would go well with your curriculum regarding EE. I'm sure that there are other sites out there with different list but this is worth the start at least.
-Ben Marchman
And Then It's Spring by
Following a snow-filled winter, a young boy and his dog decide that they've had enough of all that brown and resolve to plant a garden. They dig, they plant, they play, they wait . . . and wait . . . until at last, the brown becomes a more hopeful shade of brown, a sign that spring may finally be on its way. Julie Fogliano's tender story of anticipation is brought to life by the distinctive illustrations Erin E. Stead, recipient of the 2011 Caldecott Medal. This title has Common Core connections. And Then It's Springis oneThe Washington Post's Best Kids Books of 2012. One ofKirkus Reviews'Best Children's Books of 2012
Emeraldalicious by
When Pinkalicious and Peter decide to visit their favorite park, they find that it's no longer their favorite place--the park is now filled with stinky trash! So, Pinkalicious decides to make an extra-special wand out of a stick and some flowers. Now whenever Pinkalicious makes a wish, adds a little love, and recites a pinkatastic rhyme, something amazing happens: It's pinkerrific magic! Join Pinkalicious as she turns an ordinary place into an Emeraldalicious world.
The Humblebee Hunter by
On a beautiful day, the last thing Etty wants to do is sit inside baking honey cake. She€™d much rather be outside exploring with her father, Charles Darwin. Many are familiar with Darwin€™s theory of evolution, but few know Darwin the family man. In writing The Humblebee Hunter, Deborah Hopkinson relied on research to create a lyrical fictional account of Charles Darwin at home with his children, discovering the wonders of their own back yard. Told from the perspective of Darwin's daughter Etty, the story portrays a very human side of one of the most revered figures in the history of science.
The Imaginary Garden by
Theodora loved her grandfather's old garden. His new apartment's balcony is too windy and small for a garden. But what appears to be a drawback soon leads to a shared burst of creativity as Theo and her Poppa decide to paint a new garden. As they work side by side --- sowing seeds with brushes and paint --- a masterpiece begins to take shape that transforms the balcony into an abundant garden. When Poppa goes away on holiday, Theo helps nurture the garden and it begins to take on a life of its own. This garden grows not from soil but from love, imagination and creativity. Readers will marvel at each stage of this fertile garden as it grows from seed to full flower, revealing the power of art to enrich our lives.
In Mary's Garden by
While the rest of her classmates were making pastries in cooking classes, Mary Nohl was making art--anything she fancied out of anything she could find. Inspiration struck Mary even when she wasn't looking for it. Mary used common objects to make uncommon art. And one day, her garden was a gallery. Mary Nohl passed away in 2001 at the age of eighty-seven. Her famous garden gallery is located in the front yard of her Fox Point, Wisconsin, home to this day.
Isabella's Garden by
A lyrical, uplifting picture book explores the growth and continual change that goes on in a much-loved garden. This is the sun that kisses the clouds that cried the rain that soaks the seeds that sleep in the soil, all dark and deep, in Isabella’s garden. In Isabella’s garden, amazing things come from the tiniest of seeds as they bloom and flourish and make way for a whole new season of growth. Told with great warmth and echoing favorite nursery rhymes such as "The Green Grass Grows All Around" or "The House that Jack Built," Glenda Millard’s award-winning story bursts with life. Beautifully complemented by Rebecca Cool’s bright, peaceful illustrations, here is a tale that is sure to win the hearts of readers of all ages.
My Garden by
The girl in this book grows chocolate rabbits, tomatoes as big as beach balls, flowers that change color, and seashells in her garden. How does your garden grow?
Nibbles' Garden by
In this sequel to Nibbles, the adorable guinea pig and his new friend raise caterpillars
Once upon a Memory by
Does a feather remember it once was a bird? Does a book remember it once was a word? When a feather drifts through a child's window, a magical journey begins. As the boy follows the feather, he is swept away to a world filled with adorable animals, where fantasy and reality come together in surprising and playful ways. From the cake that once was grain to the ocean that once was rain, whimsical "before" and "after" scenes offer readers a peek at the world as seen through the eyes of a curious child, ultimately asking the question, "What will you remember?" Nina Laden's poetic and cleverly woven text is perfectly paired with bestselling artist Renata Liwska's captivating illustrations. Together they create a story that will keep readers enchanted long after the journey has ended.
Plant a Little Seed by 
Quiet in the Garden by
I love to go into the garden. I sit quietly. I see flowers and plants. It makes me feel peaceful. If I am very still, I see birds, insects, and creatures I had not noticed before. I can even hear them! Nibble, crunch, chomp. Chew, bite, slurp, swallow, gulp. They are all hungry! Get ready to look and listen. Get ready fbr fun in the quiet garden. You can make your own quiet garden, too!
Strega Nona's Harvest by
An all-new Strega Nona picture book on the heels of the New York Times Bestseller Brava, Strega Nona! Tomie dePaola's beloved character Strega Nona is back in a colorful picture book, perfect for fall and the changing seasons. In this humorous tale, Strega Nona attempts to teach Big Anthony about gardening and the importance of order. But when Big Anthony does not follow her directions and tries to use her growing spell, his small vegetable patch turns into an unruly jungle! What will they do with all the extra vegetables? With beautiful illustrations reminiscent of the artwork that won Tomie dePaola the Caldecott Honor for the original Strega Nona, this celebration of harvest and gardening will make the perfect addition to any Strega Nona collection.
And the Good Brown Earth by
"This treasure of a book highlights the bonds between the generations and between gardeners and the earth." — SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL Gram and Joe love to spend time together taking care of the vegetable patch, but it takes a lot of patience. There’s digging time, planting time, weeding time, watering time, even thinking time. Meanwhile, the seasons change, and while Gram does things her way, Joe does things his way. But come harvest, each will find wondrous surprises, thanks to the benevolence of the good brown earth.
I Saw It in the Garden by
Can you think of a more amazing place than a garden in the springtime? It comes to life not only with plants but also with a host of other visitors who will call it home until the next frost comes. As grandpa tells his granddaughter in I Saw It in the Garden, there are wondrous things to see if only you look. My grandpa told me once all he'd come to know of what a person needs to do to help a garden grow. ... ?Then keep your eyes wide open. You might just be in awe.' I did just what my grandpa said and this is what I saw ... Told with lively verse and bright, cheerful illustrations, share the magic of a summer full of garden fun.
Muncha! Muncha! Muncha! by
Tippy, tippy, tippy, Pat! That's the sound three hungry bunnies make when the sun goes down and the moon comes up and Mr. McGreely's garden smells yum, yum, yummy. While he's dreaming of his mouth-watering carrots, the bunnies are diving over fences and swimming trenches to get the veggies first! Hammer, hammer, hammer, Saw! That's the sound Mr. McGreely makes when the sun comes up and the moon goes down and he sees what those twitch-whiskers have done....Nibbled leaves! Empty stalks! Mr. McGreely will build something bigger and better, sure to keep even pesky puff-tails away. Children will cheer for the bunnies -- or for Mr. McGreely -- as they delight in Candace Fleming's clever sound effects and G. Brian Karas's vibrant, funny illustrations.
