Today is Earth Day! So I thought I would celebrate by sharing three of my favourite books about this wonderful rock that we live on! ...

Earth Day Books

Wednesday, April 22, 2020 BookBairn 2 Comments


Today is Earth Day! So I thought I would celebrate by sharing three of my favourite books about this wonderful rock that we live on! Taking time to appreciate and celebrate our wonderful planet and all the flora and fauna that live on it is the first step in encouraging children to learn to love, protect and cherish the Earth. With each orbit round the sun we learn more and more about Earth and I hope that we realise more and more how much we need to work together making small and big changes to reduce our impact on all that live here. So here are my three favourites that remind us that Earth is much bigger than we are, and yet we are central to it's destruction and protection.


Dear Earth by Isabel Otter & Clara Anganuzzi



Wow! Just wow! Where to start with reviewing this one? It’s beautiful, it’s magical, it will take you on a journey, it will inspire you and it will make you appreciate our beautiful planet so much. And much more besides. When Tessa’s grandpa encourages her to write a love letter to the Earth, and to let her imagination flow, it’s the beginning of a glorious adventure. As her imagination carriers her away she, she blows bubbles with whales, soars with birds, joins a rainforest orchestra, spots unicorns of the sea in the Arctic. Tessa wants everyone to know how special our planet is. She believes that there is a chance to save all the mystery and beauty of our planet if we, first, start to appreciate it. The lyrical text is magic to read aloud, and the breathtaking beauty of the planet is captured through the glorious illustrations. This is an incredibly moving book. And one that I hope many children (and grown ups!) will get the opportunity to read.
So go ahead - start by writing ‘Dear Earth’, then let your imagination flow.


Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth by Oliver Jeffers



Oliver Jeffers wrote this wonderful book for his newborn son in the hopes of passing on some words of wisdom about life on our planet. 

"Your head will be filled with questions, so let's explore what makes our planet and how we live on it. From land and sky, to people and time, these notes can be your guide and start you on your journey." 

This is one of the most beautifully illustrated Oliver Jeffers books (which is an incredible feat as his artwork is sensational). He explores the land, sea and sky through beautiful artwork annotated with often hilariously yet poignant handwritten notes. Then pages filled with humans of every shape, size and colour and animals from all over the globe. He explores the contrasts of life on Earth: day and night, moving slowly and moving quickly. And finally he shares the concept he most wants to pass on: "be kind". My favourite part of the book is the last of several quotes at the end of the book. It's by Oliver's Dad (all-round good human): "There are only three words you need to live by, son: respect, consideration and tolerance." And this for me is pretty wonderful. He's so right. And the fact that this is the advice his father passed on to him and he included it in a book that he wrote for his own son is just so perfectly poetic. I love it.

This is a book that everyone should own. It's beautiful, and it's genius and it’s a book for every bookshelf. Particularly at the moment. And do embrace the magic of the newly released film version too! It’s beautiful. 



My Friend Earth by Patricia MacLachlan & Francesca Sanna




There have been many depictions of Earth as a living thing in stories from 'Mother Earth' to Gaia. And this new picture book also personifies Earth. Earth wakes up from her long winter slumber and takes care of the smallest of creatures to the biggest, from the heights of the skies to the depths of the oceans. She fills the streams, rivers and oceans with rain. And dries the lands that flood. She blows autumn winds and when the cold returns she ticks all the hibernating animals in before curling up herself. Our friend Earth does so many wonderful things. With poetic text, Earth is brought to life as a character that children will love. But it’s the spectacular illustrations, and clever use of die-cuts and flaps, that really invite young readers inside the story. But there’s a deeper message that will appeal to readers if all ages too. This book celebrates everything Earth does for us and inspires us to be a good friend in return. A truly beautiful book!



I just love books about Earth and protecting it so much! I've even created a shelfie in the playroom full of books about 'Our Environment'.


If you're interested in checking out any of these books have a look at my shoppable photo over on my Amazon shop os click on the section for Environment Books.

Happy Earth Day!!
Kim and the bairns x



Disclaimer: We were sent some of these books free for review purposes by the publishers. Words and opinions are my own. If you click on the title or image of the book you will be sent to amazon.co.uk using an affiliate link. This means that if you choose to purchase on amazon.co.uk, I will receive a small sum (around 20-70p per book) from amazon at no extra cost to you. I understand that you may not want to use an affiliate link, but if you like reading our blog please just think of it as a small tip for a tip-off to an awesome book. And know that your support means I can buy more books! For more information check out our 'For Our Readers' section.



2 comments:

  1. Three fabulous books on a subject close to my heart, even more so in these difficult times. I look forward to reading them with BookBairn and the Wee Page Turner, hopefully some time soon. Who knows? I also look forward to watching the film of “Here We Are”. Will be fascinating, I’m sure.

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