Dr. Seuss will forever remain an influential source of literature for children, no matter if they are in kindergarten or elementary school. His rhymes simplify complex concepts: Green Eggs and Hams is about irrational prejudice; The Cat in the Hat incites chaos and rebellion in our inner child; and One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish is about accepting people’s exteriors, no matter how different they are.
To celebrate Dr. Seuss’s 118th birthday, the tree planting initiative Tenere shines our spotlight on his book, “Would You, Could You Plant a Tree?” and four other well-written children’s books about trees and tree-planting. With these kid-friendly books, nurture your children’s love for trees and tree-planting.
1. Dr. Seuss’s Would You, Could You Plant a Tree?
“Would You, Could You Plant a Tree?” is a very good children’s book if you wish to introduce your children to the beauty of tree-planting.
With simple language and step-to-step rhymes, this book is fun to read and listen to, ensuring you and your children a beautiful reading experience. Narrated by the Lorax, one of Dr. Seuss’ famous creations and a staple in environmentalism, this book can serve as a continuation of any book in Dr. Seuss’ Lorax series or an introduction into Dr. Seuss’s universe.
Good children’s books about trees like this are hard to find. If you wish to inspire your children to sustainability, “Would You, Could You Plant a Tree?” is Tenere’s choice for you.
2. This I Know: Seeing God in the World He Made (based on Jesus Loves Me)
A book about appreciating the beauty of nature and all creations, “This I Know: Seeing God in the World He Made” is the gospel to introduce your children to everything in nature.
Despite the title, the book communicates in simple language. Narrated as a family road trip, the book has lots of stunning pictures to illustrate nature, from the trees to the stars. Plus, its adorable rhymes help your children remember things for a lot longer.
Because of the hidden Bible verses in the book, “This I Know: Seeing God in the World He Made,” your children can serve as an introduction to biblical literature. This can help them connect Bible verses to actual images in real life.
3. Trees, Leaves, Flowers and Seeds: A Visual Encyclopedia of the Plant Kingdom (Smithsonian)
Teach your children about the myriad of plants out there with Trees, Leaves, Flowers and Seeds: A Visual Encyclopedia of the Plant Kingdom. With detailed drawings of plants, your children can recognize common plants when reading this book.
From the tallest tree to the deadliest flower, this book opens up the doorway to the colorful world of plants around your children. But moreover, the book also expands the reader’s knowledge of the ecosystem and biodiversity around each tree. In this book, you’ll find answers to questions like how bees affect pollination and how cacti store water.
With scientific facts, this book offers your children a close examination of the common and strange trees and plants that live around them. One of the top-selling children’s books about trees, this book is a great introduction to tree science for your kids and can inspire them to plant more trees.
4. The Magic and Mystery of Trees
Another book about the science of plants and trees, The Magic and Mystery of Trees, shines a light on a brand new perspective on how trees function as a community. With bright illustrations, this book brings its knowledge to life for the children reading it. With a refreshing approach in its writing and wording, your children will have an easier time understanding scientific tree facts.
Unlike most children’s books that only look at trees as individual arboreal existences, this book provides a detailed description of the makeup of a tree. More specifically, it talks about what makes up the tree bark, how each branch is positioned, and more.
Furthermore, the book details how each tree in a forest affects the others. This makes for a more encompassing view of planting and preserving trees in a forest.
“The Magic and Mystery of Trees” highlights the importance of trees and recycling to the environment, which is why it is on Tenere’s recommended list.
5. Wangari’s Trees of Peace: A True Story from Africa
A non-fiction book, Wangari’s Trees Of Peace: A True Story from Africa, is about the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai, an environmental and political activist in Kenya. With vibrant colors and childlike illustrations inspired by Wangari’s culture, this picture book is engaging from start to finish for your children.
Growing up in one of the Kenyan areas with the biggest canopy, Wangari did not expect to see it reduced to nothingness upon her return from overseas study. The forest disappears, so the land can be repurposed for further uses. To save her home’s lush canopy, Wangari started by planting trees; nine seedlings to be exact.
As her trees grow, so does her plan and effort to save her forest. Let your children learn about Wangri’s trials and tribulations in saving the trees in her home. Based on her real-life experience, this book can inspire your children to be just like Wangari in being green: passionate, determined, and visionary.
This book is Tenere’s choice for a children-friendly biography.
Conclusion
One of the most prolific children’s book authors, Dr. Seuss has an obvious presence in many children’s books. Not only are his works influential for other authors, but they also propel them to find more kid-friendly ways to deliver complex subjects.
Even after the “cancel” debacle last year, Dr. Seuss’s books still put a smile on our faces. Classics like “The Cat in the Hat” and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” are timeless.
As such, children’s book authors are being bolder in their writing subjects. As a tree-planting and reforestation initiative, Tenere has selected these five top-selling kid-friendly titles about the beauty of trees and tree-planting, with the hope of inspiring your children to a more sustainable approach to life.
All the books mentioned can be ordered via Tenere’s partnered stores.
