Trees, Seeds, and Growing Things: Picture Books

Over the spring and summer, we find seeds sprouting all over our yard--ones we planted in the garden, maple seedlings from last fall's seeds, or hundreds (even thousands of weeds). So this week, I wanted to share some of the picture books about seeds and growing things that we've enjoyed reading.

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Seeds can travel:

The apple may not 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, from hitchhiking on a bear to floating across the sea. Plus, they’re fun read-alouds:

• 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.

• 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.

• Seeds Move by Robin Page, illustrated by Steve Jenkins – this book is a great read-aloud for multiple ages, with short, simple facts for younger readers and more detailed information for older kids.

• 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, starting with the tiny acorn.

• It Starts with a Seed by Laura Knowles, illustrated by Jennie Webber – this book shows the lifecycle of a sycamore tree with gorgeous watercolor illustrations and lyrical text.

The story of trees (and other plants):

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, the book uses rhymes and counting to explore the redwood forest.

• Celebritrees: Historic and Famous Trees of the World by Margi Preus, illustrated by Rebecca Gibbon – did you know that a tree could be famous? This book looks at the largest, the oldest, and the tallest trees along with other historically remarkable trees.

• Tall, Tall Tree by Anthony Fredericks – a majestic book about the tallest trees in the world, the book uses rhymes and counting to explore the redwood forest.

• 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. One tree can provide an entire ecosystem, and this book looks at the ways an almendron tree supports and protects all kinds of animals.

• Celebritrees: Historic and Famous Trees of the World by Margi Preus, illustrated by Rebecca Gibbon – did you know that a tree could be famous? This book looks at the largest, the oldest, and the tallest trees along with other historically remarkable trees.

• 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 as they stand tall and stretch their branches to the sun.

• 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 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! 

Other, fact-based children's books about seeds and plants

After reading about plants and seeds, it might be fun to try some experiments with them. These books have more information and a variety of activities that kids can tree:

• 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 focused on trees, but 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 here.