By Carolyn Danckaert, www.amightygirl.com

Carolyn Danckaert and Aaron Smith live in Washington, D.C., with their four nieces and a nephew nearby. They are very excited to launch their latest labor of love, A Mighty Girl.

A Mighty Girl shares a few favorite children’s books on the environment to help you “go green” with your nieces! For environmental movie recommendations, visit Top Environmental Movies featuring Mighty Girls. For additional nature-oriented selections, don’t miss the special feature on Top Children’s Books on Spring and Gardening.

1. The EARTH Book by Todd Parr (Ages 2-5)
With his signature blend of playfulness and sensitivity, Todd Parr explores the important, timely subject of environmental protection and conservation in this eco-friendly picture book. Featuring a circular die-cut Earth on the cover, and printed entirely with recycled materials and nontoxic soy inks, this book includes lots of easy, smart ideas on how we can all work together to make Earth feel good—from planting a tree and using both sides of the paper to saving energy and reusing old things in new ways.

Best of all, the book includes an interior gatefold with poster tips/reminders on how your nieces and nephews can “go green” everyday. Equally whimsical and heartfelt, this sweet homage to our beautiful planet is sure to inspire readers of all ages to do their part in keeping Earth happy and healthy.

2. Charlie and Lola: We Are Extremely Very Good Recyclers by Lauren Child (Ages 3-8)
After Charlie convinces Lola to recycle her old toys instead of throwing them away, Lola discovers a recycling competition. If she can recycle one hundred plastic, metal, and paper items, she can get her very own real live tree to plant. But she only has two weeks, so Lola decides to ask her classmates to help. They turn out to be extremely very good recyclers indeed.

This adventure is printed on FSC-approved paper and includes recycling tips as well as a tree poster just like Lola’s, so your nieces and nephews can keep track of their recycling projects and help to save the planet all on their own.

3. Life in the Ocean: The Story of Oceanographer Sylvia Earle by Claire A. Nivola (Ages 4-8)
Sylvia Earle first lost her heart to the ocean as a young girl when she discovered the wonders of the Gulf of Mexico in her backyard. As an adult, she dives even deeper. Whether she’s designing submersibles, swimming with the whales, or taking deep-water walks, Sylvia Earle has dedicated her life to learning more about what she calls “the blue heart of the planet.”

With stunningly detailed pictures of the wonders of the sea, Life in the Ocean tells the story of Sylvia’s growing passion and how her ocean exploration and advocacy have made her known around the world. This picture book biography also includes an informative author’s note that will motivate young environmentalists.

4. My Life with the Chimpanzees by Jane Goodall (Ages 8+)
From the time she was a girl, Jane Goodall dreamed of a life spent working with animals. Finally, she had her wish. When she was 26 years old, she ventured into the forests of Africa to observe chimpanzees in the wild. On her expeditions, she braved the dangers with leopards and lions in the African bush. And she got to know an amazing group of wild chimpanzees—intelligent animals whose lives, in word and play and family relationships, bear a surprising resemblance to our own.

5. Seeds of Change: Wangari’s Gift to the World by Jen Cullerton Johnson (Ages 5-8)
Seeds of Change brings to life the empowering story of Wangari Maathai, the first African woman, and environmentalist, to win a Nobel Peace Prize. Engaging narrative and vibrant images paint a robust portrait of this inspiring champion of the land and of women’s rights.

For more about Wangari Maathai, visit A Mighty Girl’s Wangari Maathai Collection.

Published: April 23, 2013