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Books About the Great Outdoors

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Sometimes, when it seems like winter will never end, I like to read books about nature to feel like I’m escaping outside, even when I’m stuck inside. In no particular order, here are my favorite picture books published in 2021 about the great outdoors.


Bea by the Sea
Written by Jo Byatt
Child's Play Inc, 2021. Picture Book.

Bea loves lions and hates going to the beach. At the beach she meets Sand Lion who teaches her not to be scared of touching the sand or the roar of the ocean. By the end of the day Bea loves the ocean and looks forward to visiting again.


Little Dandelion Seeds the World
By Julia Richardson
Illustrated by Kristen and Kevin Howdeshell
Sleeping Bear Press, 2021. Informational.

Did you know that dandelions can be found on all seven continents? This title teaches about how dandelions travel in the wind to spread from place to place. Even though this book is found in our informational section, it makes a great read aloud for children young and old. 




Hugo and the Impossible Thing
Written by Renée Felice Smith and Chris Gabriel
Illustrated by Sydney Hanson
Flamingo Books, 2021. Picture Book.

Everyone in the woods knew you couldn’t make it through the “Impossible Thing”, that’s how it got his name. Hugo asks his friends, one by one, if they had ever actually tried to make it through the Impossible Thing and they all admit that they haven’t.  With the help of his friends, Hugo climbs, swims, and pushes his way through the impossible thing and they find the most perfect place in all the forest. This book is an accessible way to talk with children about accomplishing things that may feel impossible.


Those Are Not My Underpants
By Melissa Martin
Illustrated by Troy Cummings
Random House, 2021. Picture Book.

Bear Cub finds a pair of underpants hanging from a tree and sets out to find the owner. He asks various friends if they are missing their underpants but finds that they don’t belong to any of his forest friends. If you are looking for a funny read-aloud about the great outdoors, give this one a try!



Written by Micha Archer
Nancy Paulsen Books, 2021. Picture Book.

In this title, two children walk through the forest, beach, mountains, and rivers while wondering about things such as if dirt is the world’s skin and if caves have mouths. The artwork is done in collage using tissue and patterned papers. On a cold day stuck indoors, try reading this book and making your own collages! 



Written by Terry Fan
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2021. Picture Book.

All of the insects are amazed when a marble falls from the sky. Everyone has a different idea about what the marble can be, but Spider knows that everyone will want to see it. With the help of his friends, he builds an amusement park so that insects far and wide can come see the marble, but keeps charging his friends more and more for admission. Spider learns the value of friendship and readers will love imagining what could be taking place in their own backyard.

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