Read to me

I always loved reading to my children. As a grandma, I'm able to once again experience the joy of having a child on my lap who is enthralled by the story unfolding before her. Sheer pleasure!

Here are a few suggestions for children's books that help our kids focus on nature and environmental issues. Laura's not quite old enough to appreciate these, but I'm looking forward to sharing them with her someday.

• The Young Birder's Guide to Birds of Eastern North America (Houghton Mifflin) by Bill Thompson, editor of Bird Watcher's Digest. This is an excellent hands-on approach to introducing children (ages 8-12) to the joys of bird watching.
• Planting the Trees of Kenya (Farrar, Straus & Giroux Books for Young Readers) by Claire A. Nivola. The story of Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai's mission to save Kenya by teaching the women there to plant trees...one at a time.
• Monarch & Milkweed (Antheneum) by Helen Frost. This is a good summer read about butterflies.
• 50 Ways to Save the Earth (Abrams Books for Young Readers) by Anne Jankeliowitch. Photos by Phillippe Bourseiller. A handy guide to help you teach your children (and grandchildren) how to better care for the planet.
• Face to Face -- National Geographics encounters with ten animals including: lions, whales, frogs and wolves.

It's never too early to start teaching the little ones about the wonders of nature and our responsibilities to give it the proper care.

Happy reading!

Hana