Primary

Forest Mammals
By Bobbie Kalman & Glen Loates, 1987.
Glen Loates' stunning illustrations add to this profile of forest mammals which encourages children to respect nature and wildlife.

In The Woods
By P. Hickman, 1998.
This book is packed with great ideas to help young naturalists explore life in the woods.

Plants and Us
By Angela Royston, 2001.
A wonderful book for early elementary-aged children introducing the myriad of ways plants are used around us. Thirty-two short pages with big colourful photographs cover topics ranging from medicinal herbs to cosmetics, food, and toys.

The Prince of Butterflies
By Bruce Coville, Illustrated by: John Clapp, 2002.
When 11-year-old John finds thousands of monarch butterflies have returned from their migration, he learns through their myriad voices that they are in danger of losing their migratory location. They plead to John for his help when they discover a mall may be built on the location.

Slippery Babies: Young Frogs, Toads & Salamanders
By Ginny Johnston & Judy Cutchins, 1991
Learn how baby frogs, toads and salamanders live and grow.

Tree in the Ancient Forest
By Carol Reed-Jones, Illustrated by Christopher Canyon, 1995.
Structured like "This is the House that Jack Built," this environmental rhyme aims to show the interdependence of living things within the ancient forests.

Junior

Ahmed and the Nest of Sand
By Kristin and Jeff Domm, 2000.
Having moved to Nova Scotia from Kuwait because of war, Ahmed now lives in an apartment and misses many things about his home, especially the exotic birds that were raised behind his house. When members of the Piping Plover Guardian Program come to talk to his class about their efforts to save these endangered shore birds, Ahmed decides to devote his spare time and energy to the cause.

All About the Frog
By William White, 1992.
What do frogs eat? How do they find food? Where do they live? What will happen to frogs in the future? You'll find out, as frogs leap right off the pages at you from colourful photos.

Amphibians
By Dr. Barry Clarke and Laura Buller, 2005.
Learn about all kinds of amazing amphibians, from the inside out.

Eclectic Guide to Trees
By Glen Blouin, 2001.
This excellent guide for educators and outdoor enthusiasts goes beyond the basics to explore the broader significance of trees.

The Frog and the Toad
By Mike Linley, 1990.
Can you tell the difference between a frog and a toad? You will! Discover how they move in water and on land; What they eat; How they don't get eaten; And much, much more!

Frogs
By Gail Gibbons, 1993.
Learn about the amazing world of frogs.

• How their bodies change as they grow from tadpoles to frogs.
• How they make sounds and what the different frog calls mean
• How they hibernate when it's cold.

Frogs
By James Martin, 1997
Follow the incredible story of frogs as they change from tadpole to adult. Follow frogs through history. See what frogs might be telling us about the future.

Frogs and Toads
By Steve Parker, 1994.
Jump with amazement as you learn where these amazing amphibians live, how they hunt, how they protect themselves and how they grow from eggs to tadpoles to frogs. Unfold special pages to see how a frog swims, leaps and hides from enemies.

It's a Frog's Life
By Densey Clyne, 1998.
Explore the lives of frogs - in water, on land and underground. There's lots of wicked froggy photos.

Journey Through a Tropical Jungle
By Adrian Forsyth, 1988.
Forsyth, a biologist, takes the reader on a trip to the Monteverde Reserve in Costa Rica as he writes about the abundant and increasingly threatened plant, animal and insect life of that magnificent rain forest.

Living Things We Love to Hate
By Des Kennedy, 2002.
The author has selected 20 creatures that are "hated" for one reason or another and has assembled fact, folklore, and anecdotes about each into a breezy compendium that invites us to reconsider our relationship with nature.

Save The Earth
By Betty Miles, 1991.
An overview of the environmental problems of land, atmosphere, water, energy, plants, animals, and people. Includes projects and a section on becoming an environmental activist.

Secrets of the Animal World: Frogs Living in Two Worlds
By Andreu Llamas, 1997
Learn some cool secrets of the frog world.

The Skies
By Gail Radley and Jean Sherlock, 1998.
Each chapter provides basic facts and short poems about ten animals from various parts of the world and outlines the threats to their survival. Conservation efforts and results are noted, but the impact of human destruction of habitat continues to compromise long-term survival prospects for most of the creatures.

The Wind in the Willows
By Kenneth Grahame, 1966
Follow along on the adventures of Mr. Toad in this classic children's book. This is something to hang on to so your kids can read it too.

Wetlands
By Pamala Hickman and Judy Shore, 1993
Discover wetlands by doing lots of projects and experiments about these wet 'n' wild habitats.

Animals of the Rain Forest
By Stephen Savage, 1997.

The Canadian Junior Green Guide
By T. Degler, 1990.

Conserving the Jungles
By L. Williams, 1989.

Rain Forests
By Philip Sauvain, 1996.

The Secrets of Trees
By Ann Reilly , 1991.

Trees of the World
By David Lambert, 1985.

Intermediate

Ecosystems Animals Around the World
By Robin Kerrod, 1992.
Great wildlife photos! Discover animals from around the world:

• How they survive in their different habitats
• Which animals live in the world's different biomes
• How animals have adapted to their habitats
• How some animals are in danger because they are losing their habitat

The Simple Act of Planting A Tree
By Tree People, 1990.
The guide explains such practical matters as what species to plant where and how to nurture young trees, but perhaps more importantly, it also provides case-study examples (from Southern California communities, in particular) of how tree-planting campaigns were started.

 

 

Primary

World About Us: The Greenhouse Effect
By Michael Bright, 1991.
What is Global Warming? Find out! And discover some actions you can take to help keep the 'World About Us' healthy for the future. Lots of colourful pictures.

Junior

Exploring Weather
By Ed Catherall, 1990.
Find out about weather patterns around the world. Do cool activities and experiments. Discover the answers to questions like: How does frost form? What is a jet-stream? and How are rainbows made?

Global Warming
By Alexander Peckham, 1991.
Explore:

• Causes of global warming
• How climate change will affect the Earth
• Things you can do about global warming

Global Warming: Assessing the Greenhouse Threat
By Laurence Pringle, 1990.
This book is a good introduction to one of the 'hottest' environmental issues.
Discover:

• Why the Earth's climate is getting warmer
• Impacts that have already started to happen and what scientists think will happen as the Earth gets warmer
• What you can do to get ready for global warming and how you can help slow it down

The Science Book of Weather Children’s Nonfiction
By Neil Ardley, 1992.
Do you know how clouds form? Find out by making one appear in a bottle. Using things from around your home and following the simple instructions, you can learn all about the forces that shape weather.

Weather and Climate – Also available in French: Le Temps et le Climat
By Barbara Taylor, 1993.
Learn all about weather and weather patterns around the world. Lots of ideas for cool weather projects like making your own thermometer or building a model to see how the seasons work.

Weather and Climate
By Theodore Rowland-Entwistle, 1992.
Jam packed with info on climate and weather:

• The difference between weather and climate
• Forecasting the weather
• Climates around the world
• What brings seasons
• Climate and plants
• How people change climate and much, much more

Primary

A Look Inside Energy from Fossil Fuels
By Dale Rice (1983).
This book is all about fossil fuels. From how they are made, the discovery of fossil fuels, how we get them from the Earth, to the future of fossil fuels and other sources of energy.

Oil, Gas and Coal – Ages 4-8
By Jacqueline Dineen (1995).
From the "What About" series, learning about oil, natural gas and coal is made simple. Lots of great pictures.

Junior

A Look Inside Energy from Fossil Fuels
By Thomas Rybolt & Robert C. Mebane (1994).
Cool experiments that will help you learn more about the environment that can be done at home or school. Some of the exciting renewable energy project ideas you'll find include: discovering how much energy the sun produces; can electricity be made from sunlight; and can a fuel be made from plant material? Make sure you don't do any experiments without an adults help

Energy – Sustainable World Series
By Rob Bowden, 2003.
Following an overview of our current dependency on fossil fuels and an explanation of the costs of using nonrenewable energy sources, Energy briefly introduces various forms of sustainable energy -- water, wind, sun, geothermal sources--and takes a look at where sustainable technology is headed.

Eye Witness Science: Energy
By Jack Challoner.
Discover the amazing story of energy. From fire to creating electricity with fossil fuels to renewable energies such as wind and water.

Fuels and Energy
By Doug Kincaid & Peter Coles (1996)
An easy to read book that will introduce you to what energy is, fossil fuels, and alternative energy sources.

Fuel and Energy
By Steven Seldenberg (1992).
An introduction to energy sources, including fossil fuels and alternatives such as solar and wind. Recommended for grades 6 to 8.Fuels and Energy

Nuclear Legacy: Students of Two Atomic Cities
Edited by Maureen McQuerry and Tetiana Havrysh, 2000.
Essays written by teenagers from two communities: Richland, WA, where plutonium was processed for the Manhattan Project; and Slavutych, Ukraine, site of much of the devastation of the Chornobyl nuclear power plant disaster in 1986. The essays cover the history of each town, the development of nuclear power and warfare, and the secrecy involved in having family members working in this industry.

Pass the Energy, Please!
By Barbara Shaw McKinney and Chad Wallace, 2000.
The author presents the ecological food chain in a rhyming story. The illustrations, done in oil paints, are large and colourful, showing fine details of birds, mammals, insects, and plants in their natural surroundings.

Protecting Our Planet: Fuels for the Future
By Steve Parker (1998).
An interesting look at where our energy comes from now (fossil fuels) and the direction it is taking for the future (renewables).

Primary

A New True Book: Polar Bears
By Emilie Lepthien, 1991.
What is a polar bear? Where do they live? Read this book and you'll find out. You will also discover what people are doing to help polar bears and what the future might hold for these big white bears. Photos on every page!

Junior

Canadian Arctic Animals
By Colleayn O. Mastin. Illustrated by Jan Sovak, 1994.
Meet the animals of Canada's Arctic: muskox, lemmings, polar bears, walrus, arctic foxes and more.

Caribou Nature's Children: Caribou
By Judy Ross, 1986.
Meet and learn about the Woodland and Barren-ground caribou of Canada. Lots of cool photographs!

Illustrated Natural History of Canada: The Arctic Coast
By Douglas Wilkinson, 1970.
With lots of photos and maps this book lets you explore the natural history of Canada's Arctic coast.

Polar Bears Nature's Children: Polar Bears
By Caroline Greenland, 1986.
Open this book and you'll find yourself in polar bear country. With lots of photos, you'll learn all kinds of things about these amazing animals.

Remarkable Animals: The Caribou
By Lorle K. Harris, 1988.
Look at lots of photographs as you discover the things that make caribou such amazing animals.

Tundra: The Arctic Land
By Bruce Hiscock, 1986.
Learn about life in the Arctic. Through words and drawings, discover the people, the plants and the animals that call the Arctic home.

Primary

Garbage and Recycling
By Rosie Harlow, 2002.
Explaining the difference between biodegradable and non-biodegradable garbage, this book shows how glass, metal, and wool can be easily recycled. How Can I Help? boxes give suggestions for the young environmentalist who wants to recycle at home.

Pollution and Waste
By Rosie Harlow, 2002.
This book provides an overview of the many varied sources of pollution -- from smog and acid rain to chemical pesticides and everyday litter. It also covers the greenhouse effect, the hole in the ozone layer, and water and noise pollution, and suggests ways of dealing with them.

Re-Cycles
By Michael Elsohn Ross, 2002.
In this picture book, children learn the natural cycles of soil and water as well as the human-assisted one of composting. The process of composting, from garbage to soil to nutritious food and back again, encourages readers to think about how to reuse items rather than discard them.

What Rot: Nature's Mighty Recycler
By Elizabeth Ring, 1996.
Ring briefly describes how various bacteria, fungi, mosses, lichen, birds, mammals, insects, and other invertebrates feed upon and break down plant and animal material until it becomes part of the soil, enriching it with important nutrients.

Junior

How on Earth Do We Recycle Paper?
By Helen Jill Fletcher and Seli Groves, 1992.
Two books in which students are encouraged to get personally involved in recycling through school and community programs, and to be creative recyclers through craft projects. Activities listed have step-by-step instructions with clearly labeled diagrams.

Oil Spill!
By Melvin Berger; Illustrated by Paul Microcha, 2006.
Berger introduces children to the causes of oil spills, the ecological damage they cause, and the ideas and technologies developed to deal with them. The book ends with suggestions for preventing oil spills, from conserving energy at home to letter writing campaigns.

Our Endangered Planet: Atmosphere
By Mary King Hoff & Mary M. Rodgers, 1995.
A general overview of how atmospheric gases affect Earth and how the actions of people are changing the atmosphere's composition. The authors cover ozone depletion, the greenhouse effect, global warming, and international efforts related to solving such threats, as well as provide suggestions as to what individuals can do.

The Nature and Science of Waste
By Jane Burton and Kim Taylor, 1999.
In two-page chapters, this book identifies the different types of natural waste produced in the world. This book will interest children by illustrating how leaf litter, dead wood, and animal castoffs are used in nature.

Pollution: Problems and Solutions
By The National Wildlife Federation, 1998.
This book illustrates that, by studying the effect of toxins on wildlife, understanding the societal problems posed by pollution, and participating in recycling and clean-up projects, kids can become proactive in preserving the future of our planet.

Intermediate

Space Junk: Pollution Beyond the Earth
By Judy Donnelly and Sydelle Kramer, 1990.
Space junk--fallen-away parts of rockets, non-functional satellites, and litter left by astronauts-- is orbiting the planet. This book outlines such problems as waste crashing to Earth as well as the existence of radioactive gases in Earth's atmosphere. The book addresses the potential dangers to people and touches upon some of the solutions being studied to eliminate these dangers.

Primary

Forests & Jungles
Grasslands & Deserts
By Gail Radley and Jean Sherlock, 2001.
The introduction, which is the same in both books, summarizes what happens to the animals as their habitats are threatened. In Forests, Radley talks about Oahu tree snails, which live only on the Hawaiian island and are fast losing their tree homes to development. In Grasslands, she discusses the Utah prairie dog, which ranchers poisoned because it was a nuisance to their cattle.

Habitats: Grasslands
By Julia Waterlow, 1996.
What makes grassland habitats special? As you turn pages filled with pictures, you'll discover grassland communities from the Canadian Prairies to the African Savanna.

Junior

A Handful of Dirt
By Bial Raymond, 2000.
This readable, informative text introduces dirt dwellers from the tiniest protozoans through myriad invertebrates to the mammals and reptiles whose burrows aerate the earth, all depicted in large, sharp, full-color photos. The author includes basic instructions for setting up a home compost heap, and urges his audience to feel the same reverence for the soil and growing things as he does.

Wetlands
By Pamala Hickman and Judy Shore, 1993
Discover wetlands by doing lots of projects and experiments about these wet 'n' wild habitats.

Biomes of the World: Temperate Forest
By Elizabeth Kaplan, 1996.
Explore the temperate forests of North America and around the world.

The Case of the Monkeys That Fell From the Trees: And Other Mysteries in Tropical Nature
By Susan E Quinlan, 2003.
Scientists are the sleuths in these 12 ecological mysteries set in the tropical forests of Central and South America. Each chapter describes a puzzling natural phenomenon and details the research conducted to explain it. For example, in the title study, a biologist investigates the sudden death of seven apparently healthy howling monkeys

Illustrated Natural History of Canada: The Pacific Coast
By Fred Bodsworth, 1975.
With lots of photos and maps this book will take you on a journey of the natural history of Canada's west coast.

Journey to the Top of the World
By Janet Foster, 1996.
Travel along with photographers Janet Foster and her husband John from Canada's east coast to the high Arctic as they go on assignment taking pictures of the wildlife they see along the way.

Taiga
By April Pulley Sayre, 1994.
Discover the climate, geology, plants and animals that live in the largest land biome on Earth -- the Taiga, also known as the boreal forest.

Temperate Deciduous Forests
By April Pulley Sayre, 1994.
Discover the weather, climate, plants and animals of the temperate deciduous forest.

Tundra
By April Pulley Sayre, 1994.
Discover the climate, geology, plants, animals and environmental problems of the biome that caps the Earth -- the Arctic Tundra.

The Vanishing Feast: How Dwindling Genetic Diversity Threatens the World's Food Supply
By Dorothy Hinshaw Patent, 1994.
Patent clearly explains the process of genetic engineering and how it threatens the small farmer, the environment, thousands of life forms, and the world's food supply. She stresses the importance of natural diversity in order for species to survive year after year under varying conditions and discusses current efforts to preserve it, including seed banks, rare livestock ranches, and gardening organizations.

What is a Biome?
By Bobbie Kalman, 1998.
Do you know what a "biome" is? As you turn the pages of this book you'll learn about biomes from all over the world -- from deserts to grasslands to the Arctic tundra. Full of cool wildlife photos.

Primary

How Green Are You?
Bellamy, D.
Clarkson N. Potter Inc., New York: 1991.
Provides information and projects about ecology and environmental concerns that teach children and their families how to conserve energy, protect wildlife, and reduce pollution.

Nature in Danger: Environmental Facts and Experiments
By Rosie Harlow, 2002.
Examining the world's different habitats, how plants and animals adapt to their environments, and how these ecosystems remain in balance, this activity-based book looks at how pollution, farming, and deforestation can cause damage. "How Can I Help?" boxes give plenty of practical, fun suggestions for improving our environment.

Rainforests: An Activity Guide for Ages 6-9
By Nancy F. Castaldo, 2003.
After several chapters devoted to describing the tropical rainforest, the author takes readers on a round-the-world tour, including a visit to the temperate rainforests of the Pacific Northwest. The activities are varied and interesting, ranging from science projects to crafts to recipes; however, many require adult assistance.

Junior

Exploring the Oceans: Science Activities for Kids
By Anthony D. Fredericks, Illustrated by Shawn Berlute-Shea, 1998.
Activities, projects, and experiments in this book help children realize how critical the oceans are to our planet. Most activities do not require access to the sea.
Kids Book List
General Nature/ Environment
AGES 4-8

Nature Smart
By Joe Rhatigan, 2004.
Half science lesson, half hands-on project making, this book gives children the opportunity to learn through investigation. In addition, many pages are devoted to explaining, in easily understood language, the workings of nature such as the water cycle, why flowers have colours and varying shapes, and so on.

Rescue Mission Planet Earth; A Children's Edition of Agenda 21
United Nations., Kingfisher Books, London: 1994.
In an anthology of stories, poems, paintings, photographs, interviews, case studies, and drawings, children from around the world share their ideas on how to implement the proposals set forth in Agenda 21, the document that resulted from the 1992 Earth Summit.

The Science of the Environment
By Patricia Miller-Schroeder, 2001.
This simple science manual explores the various climates of deserts, forests, grasslands, steppes, and savannas, and introduces children to the concepts of overpopulation, recycling, and endangered habitats. Also included are suggestions for everyday ways to preserve and protect the environment.

You Are the Earth: Know the Planet So You Can Make it Better!
By David Suzuki and Kathy Vanderlinden, 2002.
After devoting a chapter to each of life's necessities, including air, water, and soil, the authors conclude with a look at social and environmental initiatives by young people and ten consciousness-raising activities that range from science projects to storytelling. Folktales from several traditions are interspersed throughout.