Celebrate Arbor Day: Plant a Tree and Read a Book!

Who loves trees? I do--do you? Trees are essential to life on earth. Not only do they do some pretty important work by turning carbon dioxide into oxygen, but they provide us with food, fuel, and paper as well. You'd think their importance would make them snobby, but no! Trees love to play as well--they are fantastic as shade on a hot day, an umbrella in a light rain, and a playground for kids of all ages. As a special bonus, they're beautiful to look at and listen to as the wind blows through their branches. So give a hip! hip! hooray! for the trees in your life this Arbor Day.

The first Arbor Day was celebrated in Nebraska in 1872, where over one million trees were planted. By 1882, it became a nationwide observance. The Arbor Day Foundation has a great website with practical ways to observe this day of celebration (plant a tree!) and thankfulness for the trees in our lives. Here at the St. Louis County Library, we have all sorts of great books about trees for all ages. Click on a title below to reserve a copy today!

FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

"The Tree Book: For Kids and Their Grown Ups" by Gina Ingoglia

For info on all kinds of trees and their life cycles, pick this one up and go tree-spotting!







PICTURE BOOKS

"The Lorax" by Dr. Seuss

Why not start with the perennial favorite by beloved Dr. Seuss? Truffula trees may not be found in the wild, but they sure do share an important message of conservation.

"The Giving Tree" by Shel Silverstein

No matter where you fall in the love/hate debate on this classic tale, there's no denying that "The Giving Tree" is one on literature's most enduring tree characters.

"We Planted a Tree" by Diane Muldrow

This lovely little multi-cultural number chronicles the lives of two trees on opposite sides of the globe as they are planted by different families. A perfect Arbor Day read!

"Stuck" by Oliver Jeffers

This is a story may be about the most tenacious tree ever! It starts with a boy and a stuck kite, but ends with a party in a tree and a trick ending.

"Maple" by Lori Nichols

This sweet story of a little girl, her tree, and a baby sister will warm you up and get you excited about planting a tree of your own.

"Tree Lady" by Joseph H. Hopkins

What better way to celebrate than to learn about the life of a tree activist? Kate Sessions changed San Diego into a green place, and her story is told and delightfully illustrated here.




CHAPTER BOOKS

"Winnie the Pooh" by A.A. Milne

This classic doesn't have a tree for a main character, but who wouldn't want to live in the Hundred Acre Wood?

"Toby Alone" by Timothee de Fombelle

Tiny people and their culture surround the life of one tree. Timothy discovers that someone is tapping the lifeblood of the tree and is thereby destroying it. Risking his life to save his tree, Timothy sets out on an epic adventure from the ground below and up into the canopy.

"My Side of the Mountain" by Jean Craighead George

When Sam decides to run away from home, he has to use his skills to survive in the wilderness. Part of that survival depends on the huge tree that he lives inside, creating a home for himself.

"Flipped" by Wendelin Van Draanen

Not only does this story contain one of the most beautiful trees ever written about (see if you can read it without crying--I couldn't), but it is perhaps one of the sweetest and most painful young love stories as well.






I don't know about you, but I'm in the mood to sling a hammock in my favorite tree and curl up with a good book!

--Andrea W., Headquarters