As a National Literacy Trust ‘s eco champion, we are excited to support this year’s Take 10 to Read campaign. The campaign takes place on World Mental Health Day. Friday 10th October, and highlights the many benefits reading for pleasure brings to our mental wellbeing.
At ecobirmingham we love using great stories to support our nature connection activities, such as our Stories 4 Nature programme! S4N sessions take place in the outdoors and bring the stories to life for pre-schoolers and their families, which they are more likely to continue to enjoy and cherish in the future.
For this year’s Take 10 to Read campaign, ecobirmingham have asked their staff to name their personal favourite nature-themed picture book, which they have enjoyed as children and/or enjoy reading to their children.
You will recognise many familiar stories that have brought the magic of nature to many children and some others that are great at introducing children to environmental themes. We hope the list we’ll inspire you to read these classics again together and explore your local green spaces to continue the stories outside.
Take 10 to Read
ecobirmingham’s Top Ten favourite nature-themed children’s books with some comments from the staff who have chosen these titles:
- The Very Hungry Caterpillar – Eric Carle – Reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar with my son was a joyful experience that opened a whole new way of engaging with nature and food as he was a fussy eater. The story’s simple rhythm and vibrant illustrations sparked his curiosity about the life cycle of insects and the world around him.
- The Gruffalo – Julia Donaldson & Axel Schaeffer – After enjoying the book together with my son, we used to take the story outdoors and explore the woods ourselves. Repeating the tale among the trees, feeling the wind, and spotting real animals brought the story to life in a magical way – It was incredible to see how the familiar rhythm of the story helped him engage with nature. He looked for the fox’s den, imagined the owl’s tree, and even tried to spot a Gruffalo! I used to call him the mouse! The experience deepened his connection to the elements and encouraged a sense of adventure and wonder. It reminded me how powerful stories can be when paired with real-world exploration.
- We’re going on a bear hunt – Michael Rosen & Helen Oxenbury – I remember recreating the story when my mom and I were out walking. Reciting the story out loud with my mom while dragging my teddy through all the places mentioned including long grass and muddy puddles. Then getting very upset when my mom insisted that we put teddy in the washing machine when we got home.
- Percy the Park keeper – Nick Butterworth – I loved Percie’s stories about protecting the animals and nature in his park. Particularly that he was friends with the wildlife and learnt and respected their quirks, like the moles getting ‘lost’ and making a mess of his fresh grass!
- Du iz tak – Carson Ellis – for the puzzled looks children give when we read this book in insect language and for the poetic images of the year in the life of insects’ miniature world.
- The very busy spider – Eric Carle – another classic introducing the very important job spiders have in our ecosystem in helping us get rid of “pesty flies” and creating these marvels of webs that shine when covered with dew!
- The Wild – Yuval Zommer – for the otherworldly illustrations and the message of taking action for our planet together and saving what we love.
- The story of the little mole – Werner Holzwarth – because behind the hilarious story of the offended little mole on a mission, children love a good discussion about poo!
- A seed is sleepy (and all the other in the same collection!) – Dianna Hutts Aston & Sylvia Long – Marvellous illustrations to introduce children to the amazing world of seeds.
- Window – Jeannie Baker – a wordless book made with gorgeous collage pictures depicting our changing environment.
Check out Your nearest library or independent bookshop. Find a local book swap event, community bookshelf or book exchange. Why not even start one yourself.
Be mindful when buying books online, you can find alternatives to Amazon and other various book-selling streams, on the Ethical Consumer website, their guide considers print as well as ebooks and audio books, sustainability, buying secondhand, and how to support independent authors, publishers and bookshops.
Get exploring outside with our Birmingham 69wards walking and cycling routes. Discover local green spaces and hidden gems, connect with nature together.
A big thank you to the National Literacy Trust in Birmingham for all their support with our stories for nature projects.