Family Reading Recommendations

Shimmer: Dreaming the Posthuman

ARTificial Intelligence by David Biedrzycki (author)

Try as he might, Robot can’t keep up with the other robots at the warehouse. But when he’s sent off for reprogramming, he takes a wrong turn and ends up encountering music, dancing, and ART! He tries to share his discovery, only to find that art is hard to explain—and even harder to do. Will Robot learn to express himself and transform the warehouse . . . or will he be recycled?

Follow the Moon Home by Philippe Cousteau and Deborah Hopkinson (authors) and Meilo So (illustrator)

Meet Viv, who has a new home and a new school by the sea, and follow her as she finds her way into a new place and helps bring together a whole community to save the sea turtles of the South Carolina coast. In this triumphant story of environmental activism and community, acclaimed activist Philippe Cousteau and renowned author Deborah Hopkinson team up to show how young people can make a powerful difference in the world.

Butterfly Park by Elly MacKay (author and illustrator)

When a little girl moves to a new town, she finds a place called Butterfly Park. But when she opens the gate, there are no butterflies. Determined to lure the butterflies in, the girl inspires her entire town to help her. With their combined efforts, soon the butterflies and the girl feel right at home.

The Honeybee by Kirsten Hall (author) and Isabelle Arsenault (illustrator)

Bzzzz . . . what’s that? Do you hear it? It’s closer, it’s coming, it’s buzzing, it’s humming . . . a bee! Buzz from flower to flower with a sweet honeybee in this timely, clever, and breathtakingly gorgeous picture book from critically acclaimed author Kirsten Hall and award-winning illustrator Isabelle Arsenault.

We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom (author) and Michaela Goade (illustrator)

Water is the first medicine. It affects and connects us all. When a black snake threatens to destroy the Earth and poison her people’s water, one young water protector takes a stand to defend Earth’s most sacred resource. From author Carole Lindstrom and illustrator Michaela Goade comes an award-winning picture book that honors Indigenous-led movements across the world.

You Are Stardust by Elin Kelsey (author) and Soyeon Kim (illustrator)

You Are Stardust begins by introducing the idea that every tiny atom in our bodies came from a star that exploded long before we were born. From its opening pages, the book suggests that we are intimately connected to the natural world; it compares the way we learn to speak to the way baby birds learn to sing and the growth of human bodies to the growth of forests. This innovative picture book aims to reintroduce children to their innate relationship with the world around them by sharing many of the surprising ways that we are all connected to the natural world.

Change Starts with Us by Sophie Beer (author and illustrator)

This vibrant board book celebrates small acts of green living that make a big impact on the environment. Change starts with planting trees. It starts with turning off faucets and reusing and recycling. Most importantly, change starts with us! This encouraging preschool read-aloud demonstrates simple-yet-mighty examples of environmental activism and ways in which young readers can take care of the earth. Whether it’s biking places with family or picking up litter with friends, Change Starts with Us proves that everyone has the power to build a better world.