Amazing New Nature Books for Kids!

I Hear the Snow, I Smell the Sea

Reading I Hear the Snow and Smell the Sea to my kids was an  experience that really encouraged us to slow down and appreciate the world through more than just our eyes. The story follows a young girl who is blind, and it does a beautiful job of showing how she "sees" the world through vibrations, scents, and textures. My kids were fascinated by the descriptions of the scent of the salty air and the fresh flowers, and it turned into a little game for us to close our eyes and try to describe what we could hear or smell in our own living room. The illustrations have a soft, atmospheric quality that matches the gentle pace of the story, making it a perfect wind-down book for the end of a busy day.

The Mother Tree

Reading The Mother Tree was a gentle experience for my kids, as it tells a beautiful story about the interconnectedness of nature through the perspective of a giant, ancient beech tree. The narrative follows the "Mother Tree" and a young girl's desire to preserve her. The illustrations are lush and filled with hidden woodland creatures like owls and squirrels, giving us plenty of details to spot on every page while we followed the change of seasons. It’s the kind of story that feels very hopeful. We walked away from it with a newfound appreciation for the quiet strength of the woods and a reminder of how important it is to protect the older, wiser parts of our world.

The House That Floated

The House That Floated is a stunningly beautiful book that completely captured my kids' imaginations from the very first page. It’s a nearly wordless story that follows a young family whose house is lifted by a flood and carried out into a vast, misty sea, and because there isn't a lot of text, we spent a long time together "reading" the gorgeous, atmospheric illustrations. My kids were entranced by the quiet bravery of the family as they navigated this dreamlike world, and they loved pointing out the details. The artwork has a soft, cinematic quality that makes the whole adventure feel both epic and incredibly cozy at the same time. It’s a peaceful read that stayed on our minds long after we closed the cover, and it's perfect for a night when you want to get lost in a story that feels like a beautiful dream.

A Sound in the Night

Reading The Sound of the Night was such a soothing way to end our evening, as it follows a young girl going on a camping trip with her dog in the forest. The illustrations are beautiful, using deep blues and warm glows to create an atmosphere that feels cozy rather than scary, which helped my little ones feel much more relaxed about their own bedroom "noises." It turned into a sweet interactive experience for us, as we stopped to listen to the quiet sounds in our own home and tried to give them fun, imaginative explanations just like in the book. It’s a wonderful, down-to-earth story for any parent looking to help their children feel brave about the dark and night.