I rarely blog anymore. But it’s Earth Day and there are some really good eco-conscious kids’ books that I want to share so I’ll happily break my self-imposed absence for our amazing planet.

The settings of these books range from Hawai’i and Honduras to the Appalachians and coastal Louisiana. From fantastical worlds to your own backyard. They’re about sustainability, connection to the land, and how small hands and a big heart can make all the difference in the world.

I’ve also included suggestions on positive things to do inspired by the books.

Chapter Book, Ages 6+

Green Jolene and the Backyard Bees by Wendy Mass This newish (first in the series released around Earth Day last year) upper chapter book series about “Jolene, a can-do hero who is discovering how to take an Earth-first approach to every problem she encounters.”

Jolene learns how bees help plants grow and id horrified to discover how pollen areas are being destroyed. Her big idea is to dig a hole in her front yard to plant a pollinator garden. When her mom promptly put a stop to that plan, Jolene has a problem. Adding in neighbors and friends, everyone comes together in a fun story to encourage readers to put our planet first. Great mix of text and pictures to encourage new readers.

Take Action: Plant your own pollinator garden! It doesn’t matter how big a space you have–a garden, a planter box, a pot. Fill it with native flowers (or at least flowers that haven’t been treated with neonic pesticides) to feed the pollinators.

Middle Grade, Ages 8+

Grandpere’s Ghost Swamp by Rachel M Marsh Basil’s struggle balancing her grandfather as a ghost, heavy family obligations, changing friendships, and most of all, her dawning realization of the crisis her coastal Louisiana home is facing.

At the urging of her grandpere, Basil meets up with an airboat captain, a shrimper, and a coastal scientist who shows her different perspectives of Louisiana’s land loss crisis. The scene where the title comes from is my absolute favorite and brought tears to my eyes. Completely loved it.

Take Action: Recycle! Marsh actually includes take actions in the back of the book and one of those is utilizing Glass Half Full, a New Orleans company that collects glass and turns it into sand to help restore eroding coastlines. My family and I use this company too!

Sylvia Doe and the 100-Year Flood by Robert Beatty Pretty sure “nature-based mystery-adventure” is my favorite subgenre. Add in a river bringing peculiar and wonderous things into the picture, a brave & smart female protagonist, and a home on the line, and I’m as snared as a flooded fence post. Highly recommend for any budding environmentalist or any reader who loves a good mystery and adventure.

Take Action: Take a hike! This book really shines in how it honors everything that came before on the land. And one of the best ways to honor land is to be out in nature, appreciating all the nature there is to see (and imaging the plants and animals that used to live there too.)

Greenwild: City Beyond the Sea by Pari Thompson Oh my dandelights, this book has all of my favorite things: plant magic! A resourceful and smart main character! Dashing plot twists I didn’t see coming! An adorable yet mischievous cat!

The magic system was so neat as the magic-welders are called Botanists and while the ecological theme is very much present, the adventure is first and foremost and so wonderfully woven together. This series starts with rainforest protection, then in this second book, touches on the fragility of our coral reefs.

Take Action: Check your SPF! Look for reef-friendly sunscreens that do not contain oxybenzone and octinoxate.

Turtles of the Midnight Moon by Maria Jose Fitzgerald From the crescent moon-shaped scars that Luna the leatherback sea turtle and Barana share and communicate to each other with, to boat-rides to school and all the gorgeous and heartfelt descriptions of a small island of Honduras, this story wrapped me up like lapping waves on warm sand. The ecology aspect was so well-written and perfectly balanced the adventure and mystery. Poaching and sea turtle conservation give this beautiful magical realism an extra edge of tension.

Take Action: Share the beach! After basking in a sun-filled day at the beach, be sure to pick up all chairs, umbrellas and toys that could harm nesting turtles. Many beaches are now banning hole digging because even once they’re filled in, there’s still a depression that could trap a turtle.

The Namer of Spirits by Todd Mitchell This eco-fantasy centers around deforestation and how it affects a village and way beyond. Ash is my favorite sort of middle grade protagonist: brave, smart, resourceful, and caring. I love how she can hear objects’ (and people, she later realizes) true names, then can shape what they become. It’s such a good lesson on listening and how there are two (or more) sides and natures to everything. People and things aren’t just one thing is such a good lesson for this, and really any, age.

Take Action: Plant a tree! Your local city services may give out tree seedlings for free around Earth Day or Arbor Day so be sure to check their websites.

Young Adult/Young Teen Lit, Ages 12+

The Invisible Wild by Nikki Van de Car Steeped in Hawaiian lore, this enchanting novel explores the connection between our world and that of the spirits of the wood, the indigenous people of Hawaiʻi known as kanaka maoli, “true people.” Such a beautiful book on the flora, fauna, and legends of Hawai’i. Great blend of learning to speak up for yourself and others who have lost their voice with environmental conservation and traditional stories.

Take Action: Use your voice! Be like Emma and the Lorax and speak up for the ones that can’t. Join local organizations or ones with local chapters like the Sierra Club and Nature Conservancy. Two local organizations that I appreciate are Mobile Baykeeper and Friends of the Tensaw River as they are great about putting together emails we can send to our representatives.

Happy Earth Day! I hope your day is filled with good books and an appreciation for our wonderous planet!