Children’s Books Set in the Woods

Hi Kid Lit Friends,

I live in New York City, which means lockdown requires us to stay in our tiny apartment for weeks on end. It looks as if our summer trip to Maine will be cancelled, and as a result I am mourning the loss of our annual trip to the woods. Thankfully, there are books to remind me of the trees. There have been many beautiful books about the woods, including a gorgeous picture book called Home in the Woods by Eliza Wheeler.

Home in the Woods is the story of what happens when six-year-old Marvel, her seven siblings, and their mom must start all over again after their father has died. Deep in the woods of Wisconsin they find a tar-paper shack. It doesn’t seem like much of a home, but they soon start seeing what it could be. During their first year it’s a struggle to maintain the shack and make sure they have enough to eat. But each season also brings its own delights and blessings–and the children always find a way to have fun. Most importantly, the family finds immense joy in being together, surrounded by nature. And slowly, their little shack starts feeling like a true home–warm, bright, and filled up with love.

The Keeper of Wild Words by Brooke Smith, illustrated by Madeline Kloepper is about words, the woods, and the world. When Mimi finds out her favorite words—simple words, like apricot, blackberry, buttercup—are disappearing from the English language, she elects her granddaughter Brook as their Keeper. And did you know? The only way to save words is to know them.This lovely story is all about saving the most important pieces of our language—by saving the very things they stand for.

Redwoods by Jason Chin begins with a subway trip that is transformed when a young boy happens upon a book about redwood forests. As he reads the information unfolds, and with each new bit of knowledge, he travels–all the way to California to climb into the Redwood canopy. As with al of Chin’s nonfiction picture books, this one is crammed with interesting and accurate information about these great natural wonders.

 

Mama Miti: Wangari Maathai and the Trees of Kenya by Donna Jo Napoli, illustrated by Kadir Nelson, tell the true story of Wangari Muta Maathai, known as “Mama Miti,” who in 1977 founded the Green Belt Movement, an African grassroots organization that has empowered many people to mobilize and combat deforestation, soil erosion, and environmental degradation. Today more than 30 million trees have been planted throughout Mama Miti’s native Kenya, and in 2004 she became the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Wangari Muta Maathai has changed Kenya tree by tree—and with each page turned, children will realize their own ability to positively impact the future.

Echo Mountain is Newbery Honor winner Lauren Wolk’s new middle grade book, set during the Great Depression. When Ellie’s family is forced to leave their home in town and start over in the untamed forests of nearby Echo Mountain, Ellie finds that she loves the freedom of the natural world. But there is little joy, even for Ellie, as her family struggles with the aftermath of an accident that has left her father in a coma. An accident unfairly blamed on Ellie. Determined to help her father, Ellie will make her way to the top of the mountain in search of the healing secrets of a woman known only as “the hag.” This lyrical, passionate book is about the secrets we hold and the love that gives us courage.

What are you reading these days? Let me know! Find me on Twitter at @KarinaYanGlaser, on Instagram at @KarinaIsReadingAndWriting, or email me at KarinaBookRiot@gmail.com.

Until next time!
Karina

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