Teachers who work with English as a Second Language learners will find ESL/ESOL/ELL/EFL reading/writing skill-building children's books, stories, activities, ideas, strategies to help PreK-3, 4-8, and 9-12 students learn to read.
A World Filled with Wonder
Whether it's Earth Day or any other day, young readers will find themselves drawn to the stunning environments and creatures portrayed in these books. From the waterfalls and hummingbirds of the Iguazú to the Truffula Tress of The Lorax, these bilingual books will get kids thinking about what they can do to protect our fragile planet.
For related environmental classroom resources, take a look at our web resources section of Earth Day lesson plans!
Animal Poems of the Iguazú
Inspired by a visit to the Iguazú National Park in South America, Francisco X. Alarcón celebrates its animals, skies, waterfalls, and more in these short and vibrant bilingual poems. Each page holds pulsating paintings that swirl and move, further vivifying each poem.
Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message
In this poignant and graceful picture book, Chief Jake Swamp gives thanks to Mother Earth and all of her inhabitants for sharing their rare and precious gifts. According to the author's note, these words are still spoken at ceremonial and governmental gatherings held by the Six Nations. Available in Spanish. Related classroom activities are included in this teachers guide.
Hello Ocean / Hola Mar
A child narrates her visit to the ocean, inviting readers to explore it with her. She experiences the sea with all of her senses through realistic illustrations and lyrical language in this gently rhyming tale.
I Know the River Loves Me
Celebrate the river's magic and music with this poetic tribute that also speaks to the importance of taking care of our rivers. Vivid aqua and green waves swirl across the pages, bringing the river and her friend to life.
Summer Birds: The Butterflies of Maria Merian
Butterflies were once thought to be "beasts of the devil." Maria Merian, a perceptive young German naturalist, knew better. She recorded her notes and drawings on the butterflies' transformation in secret so that she would not be accused of witchcraft and later became a famous scientist and artist who helped the rest of the world understand natural life cycles. Margarita Engle brings her extraordinary story to life, accompanied by Julie Paschkis' gorgeous illustrations.
The Desert Is My Mother
A girl with long, dark hair appreciates the surprisingly lush and colorful desert: "I say feed me,/She serves red prickly pears…" The poetic text in both Spanish and English is placed on different colors on one side of the page; crisp, full-color illustrations appear on the opposing page to celebrate this beautiful setting.
The Great Kapok Tree
The Great Kapok Tree is home to many inhabitants of the rain forest, including anteaters, bees and butterflies, monkeys, toucans, tree frogs, and jaguars. When a man who has come to cut the tree down falls asleep in its shades, the creatures whisper in his ear what will happen if they lose their home. The lush illustrations of the tropical setting practically hum with with the sounds of the rain forest. Spanish version also available.
The Lorax
This powerful, classic fable from Dr. Seuss deftly sums up the cost of human progress to the natural environment, including the destruction of animals, trees, and fresh water and air. A glimmer of hope is left at the end, however: "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not." Related lesson plans and limited Spanish copies available.
Wangari's Trees of Peace
"Wangari lives under an umbrella of green trees in the shadow of Mount Kenya in Africa." So begins this tribute to Wangari Maathai, a young woman who saw deforestation turn the lush lands of Kenya into a barren desert. Wangari began to plant seedlings and encouraged the women around her to do the same. By 2004, 30 million trees had been planted and Wangari won the Nobel Peace Prize. Jeanette Winter skillfully presents both Wangari's successes and challenges through spare text and bold illustrations. An author's note provides additional information about Wangari's life story.
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