Tree-Themed Text Set Fiction The Lorax Seuss, Dr. (1971). The Lorax. New York, New York: Random House. Grade Level: 1-4 Theodore Geisel (Dr. Seuss) is famous for being an amazing childrens author, but also for being an environmentalist. Through his character of the Lorax, the little being that speaks for the trees we go on an adventure and see what happens when people chop down too many trees until there are none left. It discusses the negative effects it has on the neighboring animal populations as well as the smog it produces. The story ends with a very important word.unless. The Giving Tree Silverstein, S. (2004). The Giving Tree (40th anniversary ed.). New York, New York: HarperCollins Grade Level: 2-3 Literary Award: 1974 New York Times Outstanding Book Award This is a rather famous book that many of our students may already be familiar with, however as a class we will look at it from the environmentalist perspective. The story follows a little boy and his tree and all that the tree gives to him. In the end, there is nothing left of the tree but a stump. Our Tree Named Steve Zweibel, A., & Catrow, D. (2005). Our Tree Named

Steve. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons. Grade Level: 1-3 This is a very emotional book that humanizes a tree without anthropomorphizing it. It tells the story of a family with a tree in the backyard and the varying roles it has played in all their lives. Whether its holding up a laundry line with underwear or is third base for a baseball game, Steve is always there. It teaches children how a tree doesnt need to be extraordinary to still be a part of the family. The pictures are beautiful and everyone will be able to relate to it.

Non fiction Be a Friend to Trees: Lets Read and Find Out Series Lauber, P., & Keller, H. (1994). Be a Friend to Trees. New York, NY: HarperCollins. Grade Level: 1-4 This book is a great non-fiction resource that can explain complex topics about trees and preservation in an easy to understand way. The book is filled with beautiful pictures as well as lots of helpful information. The author discusses many topics, such as products made from trees (wood items, paper, maple syrup) and the foods the produce that animals and humans eat. They are described as homes for a variety of animals. The book also offers suggestions for young environmentalists to get involved in preserving out trees and forest, such as recycling and planting our own trees. This book is extremely helpful in teaching new vocabulary as it has all new vocabulary words next to illustrations and gives helpful and simple explanations. Seeds of Change: Planting a Path to Peace Johnson, J., & Sadler, S. (2011). Seeds of change:

Planting a Path to Peace. New York: Lee & Low. Grade level: 2-4 Literary Awards: John Steptoe New Talent Author Award, Sigurd Olson Nature Writing Award for Children's Literature This picture book biography tells the story of Wangari Maathai, the first African woman and environmentalist to win a Nobel Peace Prize. It tells the story of her life in Kenya and how she learned to respect nature and started planting trees to save her home from deforestation. The Tree Lady: The True Story of How One Tree-Loving Woman Changed a City Forever Hopkins, J., & McElmurry, J. (2013). The Tree Lady: The True Story of How One Tree-Loving Woman Changed a City Forever. New York: Beach Lane Books. Grade Level: Kindergarden-5 Literary Award: John and Patricia Beatty Award This is an inspiration biography about Katherine Olivia Sessions, the first woman to graduate from the University of California with a science degree. After school she moved to San Diego which, at the time, as a desert and barren of trees. She single-handedly started a movement to plant trees in SD and because of her, this area of the world is now lush and green.

A Tree is Nice Udry, J., & Simont, M. (1956). A Tree is Nice. New York: Harper & Bros. Grade Level: Kindergarden-3 Literary Award: Caldecott Medal This is a simple and very visually appealing non-fiction book about the many reasons why trees are nice. It talks about some of the fun uses of trees such as climbing them and sitting in their shade.