Crawdad Creek by Scott Russell Sanders

Two children, Michael and Lizzie, find fossils, salamanders, dragonflies, frogs, deer tracks, and many other "treasures" when they visit the creek near their home. A great book for introducing stream exploration to little ones. Read this before visiting a local creek!

Ages: 5-6
Libraries: Stone County Library
Purchase: Amazon

Riparia’s River by Michael J. Caduto

When Gretchen, Jason, Mark, and Daphne find their favorite swimming hole filled with green slime, they are horrified. A mysterious, almost magical naturalist named Riparia helps the children understand why the water became polluted -- and together they figure out what they can do to bring clean water back to the river they all love. This lively story about non-point source pollution is filled with both information and action. Realistic, lush illustrations by Olga Pastuchiv illuminate the children's passion for their river and the ecosystem it supports.

Ages: 8-12
Purchase: Amazon

Nathan’s Fishing Trip by Lulu Delacre

Nicholas the mouse, and his best friend, Nathan the elephant, have a wonderful fishing trip planned. Nathan can't seem to get the hang of fishing. The first fish swims away with his rod, and he goes through three hooks, five flies, seven lures, and accidentally tips the boat over before finally catching a rainbow trout with his trunk. Fun book to prepare for a fishing trip!

Ages: 3+
Libraries: Stone County Library
Purchase: Amazon

The Last Straw: Kids vs. Plastics by Susan Hood

There’s no doubt about it—plastic is in almost everything. From our phones and computers to our toys and utensils, plastic is everywhere. But the amount of plastic we throw away is hurting the health of our planet. With The Last Straw: Kids vs. Plastics, readers will be fascinated as they learn about the growing plastic problem and meet just a few of the young activists who are standing up and speaking out for change.

Ages: 4-8
Libraries: Springfield-Greene County Library
Purchase: Amazon

What is Water by Lisa M. Herrington

Have you ever noticed that the water you drink is a liquid that has no color, no taste, and no smell? It’s also the most important liquid on Earth ― nothing on the planet could live without it. Did you know that most of Earth’s liquid water is saltwater found in the oceans, which provide a home for millions of plants and animals? Freshwater is what humans need to survive, and most of it is bound up in ice. Discover all this and more in this beautiful book!

Ages: 5-7
Libraries: Springfield-Greene County Library
Purchase: Amazon

This Drop of Water by Anna Claybourne

This Drop of Water begins with a thunderstorm on a hot summer day. Suddenly - splash! A drop of water hits a girl right on the nose. Where did it come from? And where will it go? She wants to know! The book uses this simple premise as a jumping-off point to explore what water is, where it comes from and how essential it is to life here on Earth. It explores topics as important and wide-ranging as how the Earth formed, the water cycle, clouds and the tides. It also highlights just how precious a resource water is.

Ages: 7-9
Libraries: Springfield-Greene County Library
Purchase: Amazon

Tad by Benji Davies

Tad is small. In fact, she is the smallest almost-a-frog in the whole, wide pond. That makes it hard for her to do big things like follow her tadsiblings who swim to other parts of the pond when they outgrow the nest. Swimming at her own pace, Tad soon learns how to to be bigger than her fears. Benji Davies creates a memorable and timeless tale that proves sometimes the mightiest creature comes in the smallest package. Great book for learning about a frogs life cycle and predator relationships.

Ages: 4-8
Libraries: Stone County Library; Christian County Library; Springfield-Greene County Library
Purchase: Amazon

The Cottonwood Tree by Serena Mangus

Cottonwood trees grow throughout North America and play a critical role in their ecosystems, yet little has been written about them. In this “autobiography,” a cottonwood tree tells its life story beginning when it is only a seed in a bed of fluff, floating over a river somewhere in the American heartland, and ending more than 80 years later when it is toppled by a fierce storm. Along the way the seed grows into a majestic tree, spreading its life-giving branches to birds, insects, and animals.

Ages: 7-10
Libraries: Springfield-Greene County
Purchase: Amazon

Aquatic adventures: Biome explorers by Laura Perdew

All aboard for a journey around the world's water biomes, where we'll find lots of plant and animal life in this nonfiction picture book! Our voyage takes us down the mighty Mississippi River to the Mississippi Delta, to the Caribbean, and then out to open ocean. Muck around on the riverbanks, wade into the ocean, and snorkel around a coral reef to discover the huge variety of plants and animals that live in both freshwater and saltwater. But the voyage isn't over back at the dock--vivid illustrations, fast facts, and a hands-on science activity encourage readers to keep exploring to find out why it's critical to protect our waterways from climate change and pollution!
Ages: 5 - 8
Libraries: Springfield-Greene County Library
Purchase: Amazon

You Wouldn’t Want to Live without Clean Water by Roger Canavan

How would you cope in a world without water? Clean water is far, far more important than you might think! This book features full-color cartoon-style illustrations and hilarious speech bubbles to heighten interest, making the series attractive even to reluctant readers. This title is bursting with surprising facts about this essential life source. As you learn about everything from how water keeps us healthy to the astounding ways in which it is used across the word, you'll soon see why you really, really wouldn't want to live without it!

Ages: 8 - 12
Libraries: Stone County Library; Springfield-Greene County Library
Purchase: Amazon

Fish Everywhere by Britta Teckentrup

There are fish everywhere! Some of them live in fresh water, some of them live under ice, and some even live in the desert. Fish Everywhere is the first in a series of nonfiction books from Britta Teckentrup. Young readers will learn where in the world all sorts of animals can be found and all the weird and wonderful things that they never imagined were true. This is nonfiction with spark and personality from a much-loved illustrator.

Ages: 6 - 9
Libraries: Stone County Library; Springfield-Greene County Library
Purchase: Amazon

Compost Stew: An A to Z Recipe for the Earth by Mary McKenna Siddals

Kids everywhere are seeking knowledge about the environment and climate change. Not only is composting becoming more common in households and residential gardens, but many school gardens feature compost piles, too. But how do you start a compost pile? What’s safe to include? Perfect for an Earth Day focus or year-round reference, this inviting book provides all the answers for kids and families looking for simple, child-friendly ways to help the planet.

Ages: 3 - 7
Libraries: Christian County Library; Stone County Library; Springfield-Greene County Library
Purchase: Amazon

Hey Diddle Diddle: A Food Chain Tale by Pam Kapchinske

Sing along to this light-hearted romp while learning about different food chains within a single ecosystem. Which animals come out on top, and which animals end up as snacks? Hey Diddle Diddle teaches children about the food web, the circle of life, and the part that each living creature plays within an ecosystem. This book is so much fun, kids will have a hard time believing they’re actually learning. You’ll be singing Hey Diddle Diddle long after you close the book.

Ages: 4 - 7
Libraries: Stone County Library; Springfield-Greene County Library
Purchase: Amazon

Over and Under the Pond by Kate Messner

A secret underwater world brought to life; this book is an excellent addition to any emerging reader's collection.

In Over and Under the Pond, readers will discover the plants and animals that make up the rich, interconnected ecosystem of a mountain pond. Over the pond, the water is a mirror, reflecting the sky. But under the water is a hidden world of creatures—minnows darting, beavers diving, and tadpoles growing.

Ages: 5 - 8
Libraries: Webster County Library; Stone County Library; Christian County Library; Springfield-Greene County Library
Purchase: Amazon

Water is Water by Miranda Paul

This spare, poetic picture book follows a group of kids as they move through all the different phases of the water cycle. From rain to fog to snow to mist, talented author Miranda Paul and the always remarkable Jason Chin combine to create a beautiful and informative journey in this innovative nonfiction picture book that will leave you thirsty for more.

Ages: 6 - 10
Libraries: Barry-Lawrence County Regional Library; Stone County Library; Christian County Library; Springfield-Greene County Library
Purchase: Amazon

Follow the Water from Brook to Ocean by Arthur Dorros

Water is always flowing, from a brook to a stream, to a river to the ocean. Read and find out more about how water shapes the earth and why it is important to keep our water clean in this fascinating book from author-illustrator Arthur Dorros. This book clearly explains terms like "brook," "stream," "river," and "delta," and the clear and beautiful illustrations show where water comes from, how it travels, and where it goes.

Ages: 4 - 8
Libraries: Stone County Library
Purchase: Amazon