Books: Trees, Green Forests

The Leaf Thief by Alice Hemming & Nicola Slater. Sourcebooks Jabberwocky. 2021.
PreS-K–A confused squirrel gets help from his forest neighbors when he finds the leaves are falling off his tree in this humorous picture book sure to get laughs from young learners.

When Tree Became a Tree by Rob Hodgson. Penguin Workshop/Rise X. 2025.
PreS-K–Simple illustrations of personified trees, seeds, clouds, and more fill this comprehensive look at trees. Details about the tree life cycle, seasons, tree networks, and photosynthesis are covered in a format tailored to early learners.

One Million Trees: A True Story by Kristen Balouch. Holiday House/Margaret Ferguson. 2022.
PreS-Gr 3–Reminiscent of woodblock prints, colorful illustrations on a white background host this hope-filled true story of a family that helped reforest land in British Columbia.

[Also read: "Honoring H20: Resources to Teach About the Vital Importance of Clean Water"]

Hello, Tree by Ana Crespo. illus. by Dow Phumiruk. Little, Brown. 2021.
PreS-Gr 3–Told from a tree’s point of view, this simple story of resilience in nature takes readers on a life journey as a tree grows, experiences the damage of a forest fire, and then witnesses the regrowth of its environment.

Trillions of Trees: A Counting and Planting Book by Kurt Cyrus. Holt. 2021.
PreS-Gr 3–This whimsical narrative will keep readers turning pages as they follow a family planting trees. Important facts are sandwiched in the rhymes, highlighting the trees’ role in many different environments.

Cool Green: Amazing, Remarkable Trees/ Verde fresco: Árboles asombrosos y extraordinarios by Lulu Delacre. Candlewick. 2023.
PreS-Gr 3–This round-the-world tour of interesting trees is conducted through exchanges between a girl and her father. Rich, descriptive language is interjected with Spanish phrases; back matter provides more details about specific trees. Available in English or Spanish editions.

Be a Tree! by Maria Gianferrari. illus. by Felicita Sala. Abrams. 2021.
PreS-Gr 3–Children visually and poetically stand beside trees in this book celebrating structure and interconnectedness in nature and communities. Simple text is a springboard for movement, art, and other enrichment activities available through the publisher’s outstanding educator guide.

Listen to the Language of the Trees: A Story of How Forests Communicate Underground/Escucha el lenguaje de los árboles: un cuento sobre la comunicación subterránea de los bosques by Tera Kelley. illus. by Marie Hermansson. Sourcebooks/VHL. 2022/2024.
PreS–Gr 3–The life cycle of a tree in a forest is explored in a simple, storylike narrative that follows it from seed to sapling to tree and finally to the forest floor. Illustrations of the tree’s animal-filled environment take readers closer to the science, from cross-sections to treetop panoramic views.

Under My Tree by Muriel Tallandier. illus. by Mizuho Fujisawa. tr. by Sarah Klinger. Blue Dot. 2020.
PreS-Gr 3–A girl describes encounters with her favorite tree through the seasons. The endearing story and illustrations are highlighted by ideas for sensory experiences, and facts that encourage readers to get outside and be in nature.

Be Thankful for Trees by Harriet Ziefert. illus. by Brian Fitzgerald. Red Comet. 2022.
PreS-Gr 3–With full-page illustrations throughout, this comprehensive tree information resource covers everything from tree products to conservation, all in simple rhyming couplets.

The Boy Who Grew a Forest: The True Story of Jadav Payeng by Sophia Gholz. illus. by Kayla Harren. Sleeping Bear. 2019.
K-Gr 3–Based on a true story and set in India, this illustrated biography traces the journey of a young boy who begins planting trees in his village and grows into a teen activist. His story will start conversations about how one person can make a lasting difference to the environment.

Luna & Me: The True Story of a Girl Who Lived in a Tree to Save a Forest by Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw. Holt. 2015.
K-Gr 4–The main characters in this true story are environmental activist Julia and a giant redwood tree named Luna. Over two years, Julia lived in Luna’s branches, enduring hardships to protest the destruction of the forest. Colorful illustrations immerse readers in the details of the forest. Back matter explains more about the peaceful eco-activism of Julia “Butterfly” Hill.

Peter and the Tree Children by Peter Wohlleben. illus. by Cale Atkinson. Greystone. 2020.
K–Gr 3–This picture book is packed with information about trees, which is cleverly doled out through a lively conversation between tree expert Wohlleben and a squirrel to engage younger children in rich scientific content.

Nature All Around: Trees by Pamela Hickman. illus. by Carolyn Gavin. Kids Can. 2019.
Gr 2-5–Sparse informational text sprinkled around simple illustrations make tree facts, diagrams, maps, and lists accessible. An index and informational layouts allow for nonsequential exploration.

The Wisdom of Trees: How Trees Work Together to Form a Natural Kingdom by Lita Judge. Roaring Brook. 2021.
Gr 2-7–Strong visuals of trees will draw readers in to read the high-interest text on each page. Twelve pages of further reading comprise the back matter, glossary, and list of sources for those who want to take a deeper dive.

Online Resources: Tree and Forest Conservation

Be a Tree Educator Guide. This outstanding illustrated guide features 22 pages of recommended lesson plan links, mindful movement, worksheets, storytelling, art, and activist activities for K-12. 

National Environmental Education Foundation | Tree Tool Kit. A discussion guide and links to active lesson plans and downloads are available. 

Arbor Day Foundation: Learning Hub. This tool allows searches for guides, activities, lessons, illustrations, videos, and websites for K-12 for one-stop filtering of tree education information. 

Save the Redwoods: For Educators. While the whole website has great information, this page provides premade resources for lessons. Don’t miss the entertaining educational videos by John “Griff” Griffith on forest conservation.

Indigenous-Authored Books: Forests

Can You Hear the Plants Speak? by Nicholas Hummingbird (Cahuilla, Apache) & Julia Wasson. illus. by Madelyn Goodnight (Chickasaw). HarperCollins. 2024.
PreS-Gr 3–Indigenous ways of knowing and spiritual connections in nature are high- lighted in this beautiful, authentic-voices picture book that emphasizes stewardship by even the youngest nature lovers.

Stand as Tall as the Trees: How an Amazonian Community Protected the Rain Forest by Patricia Gualinga (Kichwa) & Laura Resau. illus. by Vanessa Jaramillo. Charlesbridge. 2023.
Gr 1-4–Free-verse text and a rich visual narrative highlight Indigenous values of reciprocity with nature and of environmental activism by community members. Back matter outlines other Indigenous peoples who have protected forests around the world.

Andy’s Tribal Canoe Journey by Seabacola Beaton (Indigenous Canadian, First Nations, Haudenosaunee [Iroquois], Kanyen’keha:ka [Mohawk], Salish, Interior Salish, St’at’imc [Lillooet, Lil’Wat]); Jorja Johnson (Indigenous Canadian, First Nations, Kwakwaka’wakw [Kwakiutl], Dzwada’enuxw, Nuu-chah-nulth [Nootka], Hesquiaht); Cadence Manson (Indigenous Canadian, First Nations, Nuu-chah-nulth [Nootka], Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation). illus. by Natalie Laurin (Indigenous Canadian, Métis). Strong Nations. 2022.
Gr 3-8–This authentic-voices graphic novel highlights the contemporary culture of several Pacific Northwest tribes. An Indigenous teen comes to understand his relationship with nature and his community as he participates in the Tribal Canoe Journey, hosted by different tribal nations in the Pacific Northwest.

Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer (Potawatomi) & Monique Gray Smith (Cree, Lakota). illus. by Nicole Neidhardt (Diné [Navajo]). Lerner/Zest. 2022.
Gr 7-12–Indigenous scientist Robin Wall Kimmerer writes about how all living things have lessons to teach. Extra illustrations, quizzes, and other conversation starters make this edition of the bestseller more accessible to young adults.

Indigenous PD

Native Knowledge 360° Education Initiative. A free resource for educators who wish to develop their ability to uplift and bring Native voices to classroom curriculum. 

Indigenous STEAM: These educational resources fulfill the need for Indigenous science education that answers the question, “How do we live respectful, responsible, and reciprocal relationships with our lands, water & communities?” 

Books: Blue Forests

Over and Under the Waves by Kate Messner. illus. by Christopher Silas Neal. Chronicle. 2022.
K-Gr 3–Both the engaging story and the well-presented scientific facts make the detailed visual narrative come to life as readers follow a family kayaking through the coastal habitat made possible by kelp forests. Topics of environmental awareness and conservation extend the narrative for young children.

Sea Otters: Kelp Forest Engineers by Heather E. Schwartz. Lerner. 2025.
Gr 1-3–Simple text and large photographs introduce the fascinating role of the sea otter in maintaining a healthy coastal ecosystem. A table of contents, glossary, and index make this nonfiction text great to teach literacy and science comprehension.

The Golden Forest: Exploring a Coastal California Ecosystem by Carol Blanchette & Jenifer Dugan. Muddy Boots. 2017.
Gr 2-5–This unique book immerses readers in a coastal ecosystem through the story, illustrations, and diagrams to highlight key science concepts. A glossary and list of activism ideas let readers enrich their empathy and involvement in issues, like the young characters in the book.

Online resources: Blue Forests

National Marine Sanctuaries: Kelp Forest Ecosystem Resource Collection. This invaluable resource includes videos, lesson plans and activities, webinars, and even virtual reality experiences. 

Puget Sound Restoration Fund: Exploring Puget Sound’s Kelp Forests. Quotes and fascinating facts are displayed with stunning underwater photographs of a coastal kelp forest.

PBS Learning Media: Science. Related science topics by grade level can be filtered to find videos, media resources, and lesson plans available to the public.

Tiffany Coulson is a curriculum designer and research librarian for Altera, an educational nonprofit.