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From Little Acorns - Teach Kids About Trees and Nature

by Susan Gunelius on April 18th, 2008

With Earth Day almost here, I’d like to follow up on my post Books to Teach Children About the Environment and write about another book that teaches children about the environment and nature. 

From Little Acorns…A First Look at the Life Cycle of a Tree by Sam Godwin and illustrated by Simone Abel is a truly educational and entertaining book.

First, the illustrations in this book are just adorable.  The book tells the story of a squirrel and his (or her) mother who talk about the life of an oak tree after an acorn drops from an oak tree and hits the little squirrel on the head.  Throughout the book, other forest animals join the conversation to talk about oak trees, how they grow, how they help the forest by providing food for some animals and shelter for others, and more.  As the conversation is going on in the foreground, a supplemental narrative is provided in the background that gives even more information about the life cycle of the oak tree. 

The story is very cute and the science of the oak tree’s life cycle is told in a simple way that small children can understand and relate to.  I definitely give From Little Acorns…A first Look at the Life Cycle of a Tree a thumbs up.

Sam Godwin wrote five other books similar to From Little Acorns…A First Look at the Life Cycle of a Tree, which all tell stories that teach children about nature.  They are:

• A Seed in Need: A First Look at the Plant Cycle
• The Case of the Missing Caterpillar: A First Look at the Life Cycle of a Butterfly
• The Drop Goes Plop: A First Look at the Water Cycle
• The Hen Can’t Help It: A First Look at the Life Cycle of a Chicken
• The Trouble with Tadpoles: A First Look at the Life Cycle of a Frog

You can read more about all of these book on the Picture Window Books website.

What are your favorite books to teach children about nature and the environment?

Image source: Picturewindowbooks.com

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POSTED IN: Elementary, preschool age and toddlers