Do you ever wonder about trees?
Trees can inspire wonder in parents and preschoolers alike. They start out as a tiny seed, but can grow into towering giants.
My own kids and I like to watch seeds grow every the spring. As soon as the weather starts to warm, we’ll find them popping up all over our neighborhood.
There are the pea seeds and sunflowers we planted in our garden. There are the maple seedlings from last fall’s harvest. And then there are the hundreds (even thousands of weeds and wildflowers).
To celebrate all this vibrant life, I wanted to share some picture books recommendations about seeds and trees! These books are among the best children’s books you’ll find, and they’re a fun way to learn about plants.
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Books about seeds:
The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, but some seeds know how to move!
These nonfiction picture books are packed with information about the different ways that seeds can travel. Plus, they’re fun read-aloud stories:
Flip, Float, Fly: Seeds on the Move by JoAnn Early Macken, illustrated by Pam Paparone. This book takes a lyrical look at seeds and the ways move and grow.
Seeds Move by Robin Page, illustrated by Steve Jenkins. This book is a great read-aloud for multiple ages. It has short, simple facts for younger readers and more detailed information for older kids.
Who Will Plant a Tree? by Jerry Pallotta, illustrated by Tom Leonard. How do animals help seeds travel? This book has all the answers!
A Seed Is Sleepy by Dianna Hutts Aston, illustrated by Sylvia Long. A gorgeous book from one of my favorite author/illustrator duos. This book tells the story of seeds in all sizes, shapes, and colors.
Because of an Acorn by Lola M. Schaefer and Adam Schaefer, illustrated by Frann Preston-Gannon. This book tells the story of an oak tree and all the wildlife that rely on it.
It Starts with a Seed by Laura Knowles, illustrated by Jennie Webber. This book shows the life-cycle of a sycamore tree. The book looks amazing, with gorgeous watercolor illustrations and lyrical text.
Stories about trees:
From rainforests to redwoods, trees live remarkable lives. They also protect and feed all kinds of animals–and they can even talk to each other!
Tree, by Britta Techentrup. A friend gave us this book last year, and we’ve read it a few dozen times since. It’s a lovely introduction to seasons, told through the tree’s changes during the year.
Tall, Tall Tree by Anthony Fredericks. A majestic book about the tallest trees in the world. This book uses rhymes and counting to explore the redwood forest.
Be a Tree! by Maria Gianferrari, illustrated by Felicita Sala. What makes a tree? This book explores all kinds of trees from around the world. It’s a fun book about nature and diversity.
Celebritrees: Historic and Famous Trees of the World by Margi Preus, illustrated by Rebecca Gibbon. Did you know that a tree can be famous? This book looks at the largest, the oldest, and the tallest trees along with other historically remarkable trees.
The Wisdom of Trees: How Trees Work Together to Form a Natural Kingdom, by Lita Judge. Did you know that trees talk to each other underground? This book explains how the trees in a forest ecosystem communicates and helps each other.
Tree of Wonder: The Many Marvelous Lives of a Rainforest Tree by Kate Messner, illustrated by Simona Mulazzani. Rainforests teem with wildlife and plant diversity, and one tree can support an entire ecosystem! This book looks at the ways an special tree supports and protects all kinds of animals.
Just Like Me, Climbing a Tree: Exploring Trees Around the World by Durga Yael Bernhard. This is a fun look at 12 distinctive trees, shown through the eyes of children around the world climbing trees.
Winter Trees by Carole Gerber, illustrated by Leslie Evans – Mostly, trees have leaves, but what about when they don’t? This book takes a walk through a snowy forest. It invites kids to look at the different shapes trees have even without their leaves.
A Leaf Can Be, by Laura Purdie Salas, illustrated by Violeta Dabija. How many ways can you use a leaf? This is a book to spark kids’ imagination!
Nonfiction books for further learning:
Want to try some experiments and learn more about plants? This set of books offer more information, as well as activities that kids can try:
- Seed to Plant by Kristin Baird Rattini
- Seed, Soil, Sun: Earth’s Recipe for Food by Cris Peterson, photographs by David R. Lundquist
- Experiments With Plants by Christine Taylor-Butler
- Treecology: 30 Activities and Observations for Exploring the World of Trees and Forests by
Monica Russo
Most of these books above focus on trees. For other books about seeds, flowers, and gardening, be sure to check out this list!
And if you want to find out what colors a tree can have, you can find out with my own picture book, Can a Tree Be Blue? It’s available on Amazon, and you can find activity pages and other resources for this book here.
