Children's Books

Stories help children navigate unknown territories: friendship, love, conflict, loss, illness, family issues, new experiences, and just growing up in general. Good stories can also fortify children's capacities for awe and wonder, reverence and resilience. Inspiring stories can fire children's imagination, spark creativity, and encourage exploration and action.

Green Reading Streak: Valentine's Day Gift to Earth Day, February 14-April 22

Follow along! Ruth Ann is reading Defender of Dirt and Running with the Sun, every day between Valentine's Day and Earth Day. See the whole playlist as it grows: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLymWW5ifb7it6GK4qRwKbErlHuKJSxFMI

Sheila Says We're Weird

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This gorgeously illustrated picture book, for  ages 2-9, is a light-hearted approach to understanding simple living and earth stewardship. Children enjoy Sheila's curiosity— and her declarations of "That's weird!"—while learning about slow, local food, composting, and energy conservation.

Recognition for Sheila Says We're Weird:

  • Moonbeam Bronze Award, 
  • Skipping Stones Magazine Honor Book,
  • School Librarians International Honor Book, 
  • Green Earth Awards Shortlist

Available online or through your favorite Independent Bookseller. See Tilbury House Press for more information: https://www.tilburyhouse.com/product-page/sheila-says-we-re-weird-but-we-re-just-green

Permaculture-Inspired Chapter Books

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These fun, character-driven novels for 8-12 year olds introduce readers to ecological concepts. Focusing on the power of gardening, pollinators, and renewable energy, these stories show kids and their families taking an active role in promoting sustainable practices, and protecting their environment.

Book I: Defender of Dirt
Our narrator, Rachel, and her kid brother Sam, find themselves in the middle of a neighborhood controversy over the urban garden next door to their new house. A rollicking eco-adventure unfolds, with dive-bombing wrens, composting worms, endangered chickens, and several thousand waggle-dancing bees.

Book 2: Running with the Sun
Starting where Book 1 leaves off, Rachel, Sam, and friends take charge, forming their group, COPE (Children Own Planet Earth) to make positive change happen. Together, they invent Green-O-Ween, put on a race/parade to raise funds for solar power, and save a sick Scottie dog.

Book 1 is available through this site. Book 2 is still in progress, but  tune in to the Green Reading Streak, in which I read chapters from both books!