Children's Books Celebrating Tree-Loving Mighty Girls for Arbor Day

Beatrice Was a Tree

It's bedtime for Beatrice, but she doesn't want to go — she'd rather stay outside! In fact, she wishes she could become a tree, one which would stay outside all night long and reach roots deep into the ground. She imagines herself growing tall, leafy branches that catch sunlight and shelter birds, and shedding her leaves in the winter so she can stay snuggled up until spring. Joyce Hesselberth, the award-winning creator of Pitter Pattern, uses Beatrice's imaginary time as a tree to introduce young readers to important science about trees and their impact on the planet. With extra backmatter packed with even more details, this is the perfect read aloud to encourage kids to see the trees outside their windows in a new way!

When Grandma Gives You A Lemon Tree

Sometimes, even if you give Grandma a very careful list of electronic gadgets you'd like for your birthday... she'll give you a lemon tree instead. If that happens, you should be polite and say thank you, and you definitely should not try to get rid of it (even if you do come up with some clever ideas.) Instead, put it somewhere sunny and give it just enough water, and with a little time, you might just have some delicious home-made lemonade (recipe included)! This wry and clever book about the joys of tending a growing plant is sure to make kids giggle, and give them a new appreciation of all the good things that can come from a little patience.

Wonder Woman Saves the Trees!

Wonder Woman knows the importance of taking care of our planet — but she also knows that things are better when we work together. When Poison Ivy sets out to stop people who might destroy her forest, Wonder Woman has to step in... but she also knows that Poison Ivy is right. Together, the super-powered pair pick up garbage and plant lots of new trees so that they can keep their spaces green! Tree-loving kids will be delighted with this Step Into Reading early reader that combines superhero action with environmental activism.

My Friend Tree

New!

A girl and a boy grow up next to an old oak tree — and the tree becomes as much of a friend to the pair as they are to one another! In fact, the tree is so special to them that the friends decide to plant and tend a new forest. As they care for the growing sapling, the children grow too, and so do their feelings for one another. Soon, they are adults, with a blossoming relationship and then, a growing family. The best-selling author and illustrator pair behind Apple Cake have crafted an introspective, lyrical story about connection with nature and the way a family grows — and the book, which is printed on 100% recycled paper, even includes instructions to help kids grow their own oak trees.

The Hike

Three outdoor-loving friends — Wren, El, and Hattie, along with Bean the dog — are going on a hike. It's their "favorite thing to do," but each of them has different talents to bring to bear: Wren brings her sketchbook, while El shows them how to make leaf baskets, and Hattie, the smallest, is the best at using their map to find her way. On their route, they observe the flora and fauna of the Western woodland, labeled in the illustrations; scientific backmatter, including a glossary, encourages kids to imagine what they might discover in their own backyards. This picture book celebrates a love of the outdoors and the beauties to be found in forests.

Miss Maple's Seeds

During the summer, Miss Maple diligently searches the world around her, looking for seeds who haven't found a place to sprout. Together, they explore places where the seeds might grow, and she cares for them through the fall and the long, cold winter, reminding them, "Take care, my little ones, for the world is big and you are small." But when the winter is over, she is ready to let them go... because in rich earth and warm sun, they won't be small for long! This beautiful celebration of caretaking and the miracle of nature's growth is exquisitely illustrated; kids will particularly linger over a spread of drawings of a wide variety of seeds, from tiny raspberry pips to acorns.

Sakura's Cherry Blossoms

When Sakura's dad gets a new job in America, Sakura struggles with culture clash and learning a new language, but most of all she misses her beloved grandmother, Obaachan, who used to picnic with her under the cherry trees. Slowly, though, she makes a new friend and starts to settle in... until Obaachan gets sick, and the family has to fly back to Japan to say goodbye. When she gets home, her friend Luke tells her she'll get a surprise in the spring — and Sakura is delighted to see the cherry trees that bloom in her own neighborhood, bringing warm memories and special time with new friends. This warmhearted, thoughtful story celebrates the healing power of friendship and the beauty of spring. And for a book about the woman who brought cherry trees to America, check out Eliza's Cherry Trees: Japan's Gift to America.

Secret Tree Fort

Two sisters are sent outside, and the oldest wants to read a book but the youngest is eager to play. So when her pleas fail, she decides to try some reverse psychology instead: "I have a secret tree fort, and YOU'RE NOT INVITED!" As she regales her older sister with tales of her fort's many attributes — including water-balloon launchers, trapdoors, and underwater board games with whales — she wonders what exactly it will take to finally convince her to look up... This story of a girl tempting her sister with the power of imagination ends with a satisfying surprise!

The Tree Lady: The True Story of How One Tree-Loving Woman Changed A City Forever

Katherine Olivia Sessions grew up in Northern California, among tall pines and redwoods, and couldn't imagine living in a place without trees. But when she moved to the dry desert town of San Diego to work as a teacher, she discovered that there were almost no trees there. So she decided that her new city could use more than a hint of green and started a massive movement that transformed the town into the green, garden-filled oasis it is today. This beautiful story about a women who brought trees to a place where no one expected to find them is sure to inspire kids to make their own communities a little more green.

Branches of Hope: The 9/11 Survivor Tree

On September 11, 2001, a little girl and her family watch in horror as the planes strike the towers... and the towers fall. In the weeks after the attack, workers discover the branches of a pear tree poking through the rubble. Although the tree is burned and buried, it still lives and grows. The girl grows too; as the tree is moved to a Brooklyn nursery for rehabilitation, she goes to school and a younger sibling joins her family. A memorial is built, and the tree is transplanted there. And by the time 20 years have passed, the tree is healthy and strong, and the girl has become a woman — a firefighter, just like her first-responder uncle. This moving picture book, both poignant and hopeful, is a real-life fable about survival and healing. For another picture book about the Survivor Tree, we recommend This Very Tree: A Story of 9/11, Resilience, and Regrowth.

The Queen and the First Christmas Tree

Queen Charlotte's Gift to England

As a child in Mecklenburg, Germany, Princess Charlotte loved being outside, and brought a yew branch indoors to decorate every Christmas. Then, when she was 17, she was married to King George III of England, requiring her to leave her home and everything she loved. To stave off homesickness, she brought one yew branch, to "make magic in her new home." Decades later, in 1800, the mother of 15 decided to throw a Christmas party for a hundred children — and a single branch didn't seem like enough. So she brought in a whole tree, and Christmas tradition was born! This charming story, with warm illustrations, will quickly become a holiday favorite.

Luna & Me: The True Story of a Girl who Lived in a Tree to Save a Forest

When Julia "Butterfly" Hill discovered that a 1,000-year-old redwood tree was slated to be cut down, she had to act. She loved the forest and knew just how important the trees were. So she climbed into the tree, which she named Luna, because it couldn't be cut down if a person was in it — and she stayed there for two years. In this beautifully illustrated picture book biography about a woman who put her life on hold to save the life of an irreplaceable tree, author/illustrator Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw highlights the many challenges Hill faced and the joys she experienced during her quest to save Luna.

The Promise

When a young thief tries to snatch an old woman's bag, she's surprised when the woman says she can have it... if she makes a promise. The purse turns out to be full of acorns, and the thief realizes she has promised to plant them all. But as she makes the grey ruins of the city start to sprout green, everyone seems to blossom, and the thief realizes that she can make a difference in the world — for good. Inspired by the 1953 story, The Man Who Planted Trees, this thoughtful picture book is a testament to the power of the nature to heal our cities and ourselves.

Aani & the Tree Huggers

Aani is resting against her favorite tree when she hears a strange roaring sound. When she alerts the village women, they realize that the sounds are machines, sent from a nearby city to cut down the trees. The women argue their case to the loggers: the trees aren't just beautiful, but they also provide food and fuel for the village, safety for local animals, and prevent soil from washing away in the rains. When the cutters refuse to listen, Aani instinctively steps up to find a way to stop her beloved tree from being destroyed. Full of quiet courage and reverence for nature, this captivating picture book reminds young readers of the importance of standing up for what you believe in.

Pilu of the Woods

After her mother's death, Willow is struggling with her grief and anger — especially when her sister is busy acting like a parent, and her classmates laugh at her uncontrolled emotions. Then, she meets Pilu, a lost tree spirit who belongs in the magnolia grove that Willow's mom used to take her to. Willow offers to help Pilu, but on the journey, both physical and emotional storms will rage — and Willow will have to confront her feelings rather than forcing them under the surface. This emotionally rich graphic novel encourages reader to explore and express their emotions, and even includes blank journal pages in the back to help.

Giant Tree Wall Decal

Her room will feel wild and free with this wall decal from RoomMates! This massive set includes 47 decals that come together to create an image that's 36 inches wide and 50 inches high. Plus, these decals remove and reposition easily, so you can grow the tree of your (or her) dreams! They leave no sticky residue on the walls, so they are a quick an easy way to add a touch of outdoor wonder to her indoor space.

Tree House Engineering and Design Set

Build the tree house of your dreams with this engineering set from Learning Resources! A selection of included activity cards get kids solving engineering challenges with the 52 pieces, using everything from simple planks to a hinged bridge and a rope and bucket. Kids will learn to build railings, platforms, and more, and then they can let their imagination run wild! It's the perfect choice for those who know engineering can take you anywhere — even up a tree.

Yarn Tree Kit

Wrap your own beautiful yarn tree with this kit from Craft-Tastic! An 18" tall bendable wire tree and plenty of colorful yarn allow you to create a tree that's uniquely yours. The instruction guide shows you how to properly wrap the yarn for a tight, seamless look. Then, bend the tree's branches into shape and use it to store jewelry or as a decorative accent. For another fun yarn-wrapping kit, check out the Yarn Unicorns Kit.