Resource Pages

Books

Baker, Nelson Laura. A Tree Called Moses. Illus. by Penelope Naylor. 1966. 69p. McClelland & Stewart Ltd., $3.40 (AC66-10408) Gr. 4 and up.
Thoughtful and poetic text tells the story of one tree, a giant sequoia, and of the life around it. The emphasis is on the tree's struggles and its relationship to its environment. Native American culture and pioneer life are introduced as well as the history of logging and the conservation of redwoods. A dramatic firefight adds zest to the story but undermines our new understanding of the importance of forest fires in the ecology of giant sequoias.
Baltuck, Naomi. Crazy Gibberish and Other Story Hour Stretches. Linnet Books, 1993
Bartram, William. The Travels of William Bartram: Francis Harper's Naturalist's Edition. University of Georgia Press, 1998, 0-8203-2027-7
The New Republic: "Our sense of environmental loss imparts an elegiac fascination to Bartram's evocative and rapturous descriptions."
Beatley, Timothy & Kristy Manning. The Ecology of Place: Planning for Environment, Economy, and Community. Island Press, 1997, 1559634782pb 275p
Brehm, Victoria & Sharon L. Dean, Editors. Constance Fenimore Woolson: Selected Stories and Travel Narratives. University of Tennessee Press, 2004, 1-57233-353-7
First anthology of Woolson's different genres which perceptively showcases the prolific and much overlooked 19th-century writer.
Brower, Michael & Warren Leon. The Consumer's Guide to Effective Environmental Choices. Three Rivers Press, 1999, 0-6009-80281-X
Practical advice from the Union of Concerned Scientists
Caduto, Michael J. Earth Tales from Around the World. Fulcrum, 1997, 1-55591-968-5
Well conceived collection of multicultural folktales and lesson activities by leading storyteller/ecologist.
Caduto, Michael J. and Bruuchac, Joseph. Keepers of Life . Fulcrum Publishing, 1994, 1-55591-186-2
Caduto, Michael J. Joseph Bruchac. Keepers of the Animals Teacher's Guide: Native American Stories and Wildlife Activities for Children. Fulcrum Publishing, 1992, 1555911072 pb 66p
Caduto, Michael J. Joseph Bruchac. Keepers of the Earth: Native American Stories and Environmental Activities for Children. Fulcrum Publishing
Caldecott, Moyra. Myths of the Sacred Tree. Destiny Books, 1993, 0-89281-414-4
Carrier, Lark. A Tree's Tale. Illus. by Lark Carrier. 1996. 29p. Dial Books, $14.95 (0-8037-1202-2)
Casler, Leigh. The Boy Who Dreamed Of An Acorn. Philomel Books, 1994, 0-399-22547-l
This is a beautiful story that is easily adapted for the telling, about a boy's vision and his search for identity. The oak is more than a metaphor, a real teacher about wisdom and patience and providing for your community.
Cherry, Lynne. The Great Kapok Tree. 1990. 30p. Gulliver Books, (0-15-200520-X)
Having traded letters with Lynne to discuss the idea, I recommend that you choose a tree from your ecosystem (pine, oak, redwood etc.) and work with the students to retell Lynne’s story. Allow them to choose the animals dependent on the tree and then create their own reasons why your tree is important.
Collard, Sneed B. III. ACTING FOR NATURE: What Young People Around the World Have Done to Protect the Environment. Action for Nature
The remarkable stories of 15 young people from around the world who didn't get discouraged.
Collard, Sneed B. III and Action for Nature. Acting for Nature: What Young People Around the World Have Done to Protect the Environment. Heyday Books, PO Box 9145 Berkeley, CA 94709 or <heyday@heydaybooks.com>, 2000
Dorros, Arthur. A Tree is Growing. Illus. by S.D. Schindler. 1997. 29p. Scholastic Press, $15.95 (0-590-45300-9) Gr. 3 and up.
In simple straight-forward language Dorros explains complex scientific concepts about trees. From the photosynthesis of leaves to the mineral absorption of roots this book is an excellent introduction to trees. The intriguing side-bars and scientifically detailed illustrations add depth without adding weight to the overall presentation.
De Spain, P. Eleven Nature Tales. August House, 0-87483-458-9
From a seasoned storyteller, for young listeners.
DeSpain, Pleasant. Eleven Turtle Tales. August House, 0-87483-388-4
World folktales for young listeners.
Edwards, Carolyn M. Sun Stories: Tales from Around the World to Illuminate the Days and Nights of Our Lives. HarperSanFrancisco, 1995, 0-060250276-x
Varied collection offers short introductory essays for each tale.
Elder, John and Wong, Hertha D. Family of Earth and Sky: Indigenous Tales of Nature from Around the World. Beacon Press, 1994, 0-8070-8529-4
A first rate collection of stories from oral tradition, with essays on each of the four organizing topics- "Origins," "Animal Tales and Transformations," "Tricksters," "Tales to Live By." Also includes essays by contemporary writers such as Joseph Bruchac, Leslie Marmon Silko and others.
Ellis, Brian "Fox". Learning From the Land: Teaching Ecology Through Stories and Activites. Teacher Ideas Press, 1997
Ellis, Brian "Fox". The Web at Dragonfly Pond. Dawn Publications, 2006
Fujita, Hiroko. Stories to Play With. August House Publishers, 1999
Gersie, Alida. Earthtales: Storytelling in Times of Change. Green Print, 1992, 1-85425-065-5
This collection of world folktales features an array group activities for adults and children to deepen meaning and foster activism. The book is out of print but Gersie's dynamic interactive methods are also explored in several other still-in-print books such as Storymaking in Education and Therapy.
Giono, Jean. The Man Who Planted Trees. Illus. by Michael McCurdy. 1985. 52p. Chelsea Green Publishing Company, $13.50 (0-930031-02-4)
A lengthy fictional story that requires real commitment to learn and tell but is well worth the effort, though it is better suited to older children and adults.
Haven, Kendall. Wonders of the Sea: Merging Ocean Myth with Ocean Science. Teacher's Ideas Press, 2005
Hefman, Elizabeth S. Maypoles and Wood Demons: The Meaning of Trees. Seabury Press, 1972, 0-8164-3085-3
Explores mythical perspectives and tree-related customs and superstitions. Good background source for any "tree teller."
Jacobs, Warren David and Shragg, Karen. Tree Stories: A Collection of Extraordinary Encounters. Sunshine Press, 2002, 1-888604-22-0
A gathering of first person narratives and poems, by adults and children, about ways trees become special in individual lives. A great collection to foster dialogue and deeper thinking.
Karas, Sheryl Ann. The Solstice Evergreen: The History, Folklore and Origins of the Christmas Tree. Aslan Publishing Co, 1991, 0-944031-26-9
An excellent collection of thirty tree tales from around the world-and not just for Christmas! Includes thematic essays, bibliographical reference and index.
Leopold, Aldo. Sand County Almanac: Outdoor Essays & Reflections. Ballantine Books, Reissue 1986, 0345345053pb 320p
Louv, Richard. Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder. Algonquin Books, 2005, 2006, 1565123913 hb, 336p; 1565125223 pb, 335p
Not only can nature teach kids science and nurture their creativity, nature needs its children: where else will its future stewards come from? Louv links children's alienation from nature to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, stress, and depression.
Mabey, Richard. Oak & Company. Illus. by Clare Roberts. 1983. 22p. Greenwillow Books, (0-688-0193-5) Gr 4 and up.
The illustrations are the star in this detailed life history of a single oak. Roberts's pictures are scientifically accurate yet filled with whimsy, with insects and birds hiding here and there. Mabey engagingly tells the story of a specific tree growing in an English forest as if it were a biography including the family history of its relatives and neighbors.
MacDonald, Margaret R.. Earth Care: World Folktales to Talk About. Linnet Books, 1999, 208024263
Thought-provoking folktales about responsibility and consequences, as well as nature.
Miller, Candace R., ed. Tales from the Creature Kingdom: More Than 160 Multicultural Legends and Pourquoi Stories About Mammals, Insects, Reptiles and Water Creatures. Pourquoi Press, 1996. E-mail
naturelegends@wcoil.com : This is the best single source of animal story information available. It includes story summaries and references.
Miller, Teresa , compiler. Joining In: An Anthology of Audience Participation Stories & How to Tell Them. Yellow Moon Press, 1988
Milord, Susan. Bird Tales from Near and Far. Ideals Publications, 1998, 188559318X
Folktales and facts about birds. Includes related activities for children.
Monroney, Lynn. Moontellers: Myths of the Moon from Around the World. Northland, 87358-601-8
Nabhan, Gary Paul. Cross-Pollinations: The Marriage of Science and Poetry . Milkweed Editions, 2004, 1571312706 pb 152p
Literary ethnobotanist Nabhan, a captivating storyteller in command of complex ecological thought, is at once scientist, mystic, and artist as he marvels over the surprising results of the usually covert cross-pollination between art and science.
Pellowski, Anne. Hidden Stories in Plants: Unusual and Easy-to-Tell Stories from Around the World Together with Creative Things to Do While Telling Them. MacMillan, 1990, 0-02-770611-7
An engaging collection of tales and activities for classrooms, nature centers or libraries.
Pojar, Jim and Andy MacKinnon, eds. Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast. Lone Pine Publishing, 1994, 1-55105-040-4
This is a go-to-guide for plants found in the Pacific Northwest (though many are circum-boreal), often including little known past medicinal, spiritual, or food uses, as well as origins of plant names.
Pollan, Michael. The Botany of Desire: A Plant's-Eye View of the World. Random House Trade Paperbacks, 2002, 375760393pb 304p
The coevolution of 4 everyday plants with human society, illustrating the reciprocal relationship between humans & the natural world
Pollan, Michael. The Omnivore's Dolemma: a Natural History of Four Meals. Penguin Press HC, 2006, 1594200823hb 464p
How our food is grown -- what it is, in fact, that we are eating and how we let that food be produced.
Reed-Jones, Carol. The Tree in the Ancient Forest. Illus. by Christopher Canyon. 1995. 26p. Dawn Publications, paper, $6.95. (1-883220-31-9)
This cumulative ecological poem can be sung/chanted between stories and/or students could create a simple skit that highlights one tree's relationship to the plants and animals who share its home.
Schimmel, Nancy. Just Enough to Make a Story: A Sourcebook for Storytelling. Sister's Choice Press, 1992
Schofield, Janice J.. Discovering Wild Plants: Alaska, Western Canada, the Northwest. Alaska Northwest Books, 1998, 0-88240-355-9
This table top book has terrific color photos, line drawings, and recipes scattered between fairly in-depth write ups for a number of plants organized by habitats.
Sobel, David. Beyond Ecophobia: Reclaiming the Heart in Nature Education. Orion Society, 2005, 0913098507 pb 45 p
Beyond Ecophobia discusses with eloquence and passion the importance of giving children the opportunity to bond with the natural world, to learn to love it and feel comfortable in it before being asked to heal its wounds. It speaks to teachers, parents, and others interested in nurturing in children the ability to understand and care for nature.
Sobel, David. Children's Special Places: Exploring the Role of Forts, Dens, and Bush Houses in Middle Childhood by David Sobel. Wayne State University Press, 2002, 0-8143-3026-6 pb, 130p
Children develop and control environments of their own and enjoy freedom from the rules of the adult world. Children's Special Places reveals their importance to children's development and emotional health.
Strauss, Kevin. Loon and Moon: and other animal stories. (Ely, MN
Raven Productions, 2005). 48pp. $12.95pa. ISBN 0-9766264-3-8pa. : Loon and Moon is a full-color children’s book of northwoods animal tales, including original stories and northwoods adaptations of well-known stories.
Strauss, Kevin. The Song of the Wolf: folktales and legends. Quixote Press, 2005. ISBN 1-57166-273-1pa
This is the first comprehensive anthology of wolf folktales from around the world with 16 tales that show wolves as helpful, dangerous, foolish or wise.
Strauss, Kevin. Tales with Tails. Greenwood Publishing Group, 2006, 1591582695 large format pb
Tales with Tails is the textbook for environmental and scientific storytelling with information on finding and learning nature stories, science information and over 60 environmental tales to tell.
Strauss, Susan. Storytelling in Natural History and Cultural Interpretation. Fulcrum Press, 1996, 1-55591-925-1
Useful and important overview of how and why storytelling can open doors to environmental learning.
Strauss, Susan. Coyote Stories: Tales from Native Americas.
Strauss, Susan. Wolf Stories: Tales and True Life Tales from Around the World. Beyond Words, 1993 0-941831-88-4
Suzuki, David T. & Holly Dressel. Good News for a Change: How Everyday People are Helping the Planet. Greystone Books, Reprint 2003, 155054926Xpb 412p
Tanaka, Beatrice. Green Tales. Four Walls Eight Windows, 1994, 1-56858-020-7
Eight myths from around the world "to deepen the ecological mindset."
Vierira, Linda. The Ever-Living Tree. Illus. by Christopher Canyon. 1994. 29p. Walker Publishing Company, $14.95 (0-8027-8277-9)
Vyner, Tim. The Tree. Illus. by Tim Vyner. 1994. 26p. Baron's Educational Series, paper, $5.95 (0-8120-9170-1)
Williams, David . The Street-Smart Naturalist: Field Notes from Seattle. The MIT Press, 2005, 262524430pb 336p
Wolkstein, Diane. The Magic Orange Tree and Other Haitian Folktales. 1978. 212p. Alfred A. Knopf, (0-394-83390-2)
Though many of the stories include firewood or fruit, the title story is the only one in which a tree is a main character. This story alone makes the book worthwhile. In Haiti, when a child is born, a piece of the umbilical cord is planted with the seed of a fruit tree and the person's life is then tied to this tree. "The Magic Orange Tree" is both protector and guardian angel as well as a teacher to us all.