Every year, the last Friday in April sees the observance of Arbor Day, a day to celebrate the wonder of trees and all they bring to our lives. From life-giving oxygen to crisp fall leaves, from homes to our favorite critters to a shady spot to rest, trees contribute so much to life on our planet and deserve our care and protection. So, in honor of trees and Arbor Day, we’ve gathered ten picture books that pay tribute to the gift of trees.
The Tree of Life by Nalini Nadkarni, Illustrated by Kendra Binney
An exciting way to explore the ecosystems that exist within trees with young readers, this interactive board book explores what happens in the leaves, trunks, and root systems of trees and what kinds of creatures make their homes there. Exploring the inner workings of mighty tree species from all over the world — such as the towering coastal redwood, the African baobab, the English oak, and the dragon blood tree of Yemen — children and adults can learn about all the ways trees help to sustain life for insects, animals, and even humans, too! Detailed artwork and lift-the-flap elements allow readers to immerse themselves into the lives of these special trees and make for a delightful combination of learning and entertainment.
Some Questions About Trees by Toni Yuly
A child peers out a window, wondering where trees live: on the earth where their roots connect, or in the sky where their branches stretch? Each question that follows is equally ponderous — what is the “heart” of a tree? Are some trees shy? Do tiny trees dream of being big? One thing is for certain: Trees are marvelous mysteries that are wondrous to explore. This gentle collection of childlike musings about trees uses simplicity in both story and visual style to craft a peaceful meditation on nature. Celebrating both trees themselves and our connection to them, open-ended questions like “When I plant a tree, are we family?” personify trees in a way that inspires empathy while inviting the reader to consider their own potential answers.
The Tree of Hope: The Miraculous Rescue of Puerto Rico’s Beloved Banyan by Anna Orenstein-Cardona, Illustrated by Juan Manuel Moreno
For over 100 years, the massive jagüey blanco (banyan tree) stood guard over Puerto Rico’s San Juan Gate like a stately king, with twisting, trailing roots and a great crown of verdant green leaves. One day, the tree wakes to a gathering storm and feels confident that it will survive, as it has done many times before. But Hurricane Maria is different, leaving a wake of destruction and knocking over the jagüey blanco, sending its crown of leaves into the ocean. Drifting between this world and the next, the tree accepts its fate — but the people of Puerto Rico, amid their own tragedy, refuse to let the great banyan become another victim of the storm. This tale from the tree’s point of view allows the audience to empathize directly with nature as it tells a stirring true story of the heartfelt connection between people and trees.
Be Thankful for Trees: A Tribute to the Many & Surprising Ways Trees Relate to Our Lives by Harriet Ziefert, Illustrated by Brian Fitzgerald
What would life be without trees? Well, just think of all the things we wouldn’t have if there were no more trees. There wouldn’t be cellos or pianos for music, and there wouldn’t be tree fruits or nuts to munch. There wouldn’t be homes for owls or birds, or paper to make art or books, or lumber for dining room tables or comfy chairs. Trees give us so much, and that’s why we must protect them, especially from man-made threats. This loving ode to the many gifts given to humanity by trees manages to condense a large amount of concepts and information on our leafy pals into a charming and fun-to-read book. Ziefert’s bright, rhyming text makes for a quick read despite the longer page count, and utilizes engaging elements like repetition to draw in younger readers.
Stretch To The Sun: From A Tiny Sprout To The Tallest Tree On Earth by Carrie A. Pearson, Illustrated by Susan Swan
An older redwood, at the end of its life, is blown down by a storm; yet from it, new life begins. A tiny seed takes root in the remains of the older tree, putting down roots and shooting up sprigs, then leaves, then branches. Over the course of hundreds of years, the tree grows taller and taller, creating new ecosystems within its towering trunk and branches while forming a canopy over the forest with other tall trees. Escaping loggers due to its size, the tree remains standing to this day, a testament to the lifespan of these incredible trees and a reminder that everything big starts from something small. While the text focuses on the details of how a redwood forest ecosystem fosters the growth of a new tree, generous use of onomatopoeia and stunning artwork keeps the story engaging for small readers.
The Things That I Love About Trees by Chris Butterworth, Illustrated by Charlotte Voake
A little girl and her friends spend time throughout the year playing among the trees and appreciating what makes them so lovely in each season. In spring, their buds and blossoms emerge. By summer, their leaves are full and shady; in autumn, they turn every color and begin to fall. And in winter, they are quiet and still, and you can see all the way up to their tops. In addition to the girl’s musings, the reader is treated to facts about trees on each page so they can find things to love about trees as well. While the story structure and contemplations of the girl hit fairly familiar beats on the subject, the intricate, sweeping art is what sets this book apart: the trees are so sumptuous and splendidly illustrated that it feels as if you can see them moving in the breeze, or hear the whispers and cracks of their branches, leaves, and bark.
Mighty: The Story of an Oak Tree Ecosystem by Henry Cole
A brilliantly illustrated biography of an oak tree, it all begins when a blue jay drops an acorn that just so happens to grow. As the seedling grows into a mighty oak over the course of centuries, readers watch as temporary visitors and permanent tenants interact with its unique ecosystem, from moths to songbirds to mushrooms to flying squirrels. At the very end, a village builds up around the oak, giving young readers a fantastic sense of how long trees existed in a place before human beings even took notice. Cole’s incredible grayscale illustrations are finely detailed, creating a combination that invites the reader to slow down on every page and take a close look to spot the creatures, vegetation, and other life forms that interact with the tree, just as one might do in real life.
Once Upon A Forest by Pam Fong
As a little marmot tends her garden one day, she spies a whisp of smoke. Following it, she sees that it is the result of a fire in her forest, one that humans have just extinguished. The marmot gathers her supplies — including a few tiny sprouts — and heads off with her bird friend to scout the situation. Finding several burned-out trees, she mourns them briefly, then gets to work: clearing the burnt roots, tilling the soil, and planting new seedlings. She camps near them through wind, heat, and snow, protecting and nourishing them. When the seedlings have grown to sturdy young trees, the marmot heads home, her job done… until the next time she is needed. A simple tale of the kindnesses we sow in dark times told entirely through pictures, this sweet title exemplifies gentleness in both its visuals and narrative and offers a lovely message of how we can help the Earth to renew after disaster.
Nell Plants a Tree by Anne Wynter, Illustrated by Daniel Miyares
A long time ago, Nell planted a seed. Nurturing it as it grew to seedling and then carefully transferring it to the grounds outside her family home, she was able to watch as the tree grew along with her, from child to woman, then to mother, then to grandmother. A gorgeous ode to both our relationship with trees and how a family grows through multigenerational love and care, the daring use of time skips between Nell’s childhood and the present day perfectly illustrates how the roots we plant bring life, curiosity, and safety to future generations, be it figuratively or in the very real example of Nell’s tree. It also gives another important sense of timescale, allowing children to visualize how the growth of a tree takes place over decades and even centuries, as well as how our small act of nurturing a tree can benefit future generations.
Trees by Tony Johnston, Illustrated by Tiffany Bozic
What is more perfect than a tree? Gentle, spare free verse poetry leads readers through various musings on the wonders of trees: their love of the sky, the way they provide the perfect perch for songbirds, the wonder of their leaves and bark, and the shade they provide. The way they invite us to climb, to sit under them with a good book, or simply to bask in the calm and peace of their spring blossoms. The star of the show is Bozic’s jaw-dropping realist paintings of various trees: the details, colors, framing, and perspectives are all astounding. Johnston’s sincere and earnest verse fits the tone perfectly, adding just the right amount of lyrical depth but knowing when to step back and let the visuals of trees themselves be the focus. An awesome way to appreciate the singular beauty of trees that will captivate and humble readers of any age.
We hope that you and your young readers enjoy these books and that they inspire you to do something nice for the trees near you (psst — if you’re not sure where to start, the Arbor Day Foundation has some great tips). Happy reading and Happy Arbor Day!
For more picture books about the importance of conservation, check out our article on Books That Will Inspire Kids to Protect Our Remarkable Earth.
For all of our recommendations for mini bookworms, check out our Bookshop bookshelf.
