Dear Friend,

We know many parents and stewards of young people are hungry for frank, educational stories. They want books that can help kids see that they're a vital part of nature and empower them to work toward solutions while reacquainting them with the natural world's endless and infinite supply of marvels and wonder.

In poring over a slew of beautiful, recently released books that aim to engage youngsters with the natural world, we were most drawn to those reads that managed to distill global heating and other eco hot-button topics into simple, impactful prose while also providing laughs and visual delights.

Check out the full list from Sierra magazine!

Here are some of our favorites:

Finding Home: Amazing Places Animals Live by Mike Unwin
Bloomsbury Children's Publishing, ages 5-8

Finding Home introduces readers to 20 different animal habitats ranging from polar bear dens deep beneath the Arctic snow to eagles' treetop nests! Illustrator Jenni Desmond renders each species' home with breathtaking realism (almost all these animals' eyes carry Mona Lisa magic), and grown-ups will pick up plenty of trivia too.

Safe Crossing by Kari Percival
Chronicle Books, ages 3-8

When the narrator learns that new road development in her community is endangering frogs and salamanders, she arms herself with amphibian habitat knowledge and rolls up her sleeves. The result is a fascinating glimpse into how local government works and how youth concern can catalyze real social change.

We Share This Earth: A Community Book by Dan Saks
Penguin Young Readers, ages 1-3

How should/can we engage the youngest of readers in environmental concepts? This heartfelt little board book uses sweet, easy-flowing rhymes to show tots just how big, diverse, and interconnected our home planet is.

Read Sierra magazine's full list of 16 titles that equip kids with the truth they really seek.

Happy Reading,
Sierra Club

Katie O'Reilly is Sierra's former adventure and lifestyle editor. Follow her on Twitter @katieowrites.