April is a time to celebrate both language and the planet. With National Poetry Month and Earth Day coming up, it’s a great opportunity to highlight books that inspire creativity and environmental awareness. This round includes recommended titles to help librarians and educators prepare for the month ahead.
And, Too, the Fox
Interest Level: Kindergarten – Grade 3
This joyful poem about a fox introduces U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón to a new generation. Her brief, keenly observant poetry paired with lush illustrations brings the fox to life, to the delight of readers of all ages.
Quiet As Mud
Interest Level: Kindergarten – Grade 3
Inspired by a quote from the late, great children’s book author Margaret Wise Brown, this poem honors and celebrates the beauty of being your authentic self. Soothing rhymes and soft illustrations convey the peace of being alone with your thoughts.
A Lot of Silly
Interest Level: Grade 1 – Grade 5
World-renowned author Joy Cowley brings her silly side to this book full of absurd poems and short stories. Illustrations by David Barrow—a first-rate visual comedian—playfully expand the humor. This exuberant collection emboldens readers to experiment and play with language.
The Doll Test
Interest Level: Grade 2 – Grade 5
Narrated by dolls, this book tells the little-known story of two Black psychologists who used Black and white dolls in their research about the effects of school segregation on children.
The Mistakes That Made Us
Interest Level: Grade 2 – Grade 5
Whoops! Ack! Darn it! Twenty brave poets share real-life blunders they made as young people. With a wide range of mistakes and a diverse group of poets, this anthology speaks to a wide audience.
They Only See the Outside
Interest Level: Grade 3 – Grade 6
This collection of poems explores what kids experience on the inside that cannot be seen from the outside. From topics like the agony of waiting for recess to tougher things like death and bullying, the poems are incredibly relatable.
Want More Poetry Books?
Check out our selection of poetry books on lernerbooks.com!
Dino-Earth Day
From the Series Dino-Holidays
Interest Level: Kindergarten – Grade 3
What do dinosaurs do on Earth Day? They care for the planet! They ride bikes and scooters, clean up a park, plant an urban garden, visit a recycling center, and more.
What to Do When Climate Change Scares You
From the Series What-to-Do Guides for Kids
Interest Level: Grade 2 – Grade 5
This groundbreaking workbook uses evidence-based activities and practices along with approachable illustrations and language to offer age-appropriate coping tools for children experiencing eco-anxiety.
Searchlight Books ™ — Spotlight on Climate Change
Interest Level: Grade 3 – Grade 5
Describing causes and consequences to solutions and more, these books provide up-to-date information about an important and evolving topic: climate change. A back-matter feature encourages kids to take action against climate change.
The Climate Crisis
Interest Level: Grade 3 – Grade 6
The impacts of climate change are becoming more and more visible, transforming people’s lives and the environments around them. This series explores the causes and effects of climate change in an accessible graphic nonfiction format.
Digger
Interest Level: Grade 4 – Grade 6
Siblings Nick and Lily combine their talents to dig life-saving tunnels between houses as Earth’s atmosphere leaks into space, forcing a desperate race for survival against dwindling oxygen.
Earth Day and the Environmental Movement
Interest Level: Grade 6 – Grade 12
Explore the environmental movement, looking at what led to the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970, and how the political successes and missteps that followed launched environmental activism as we know it today.
Speaking on Climate
Interest Level: Grade 6 – Grade 12
What makes a speech well-written, memorable, and effective? And how can someone apply those skills to climate justice? UN Climate Action Communication Coordinator Rune Kier Nielsen will answer these questions and more in this timely guide.
Explore more books for Earth day on the Lerner Blog!