Book Nook

Here in the Book Nook, you’ll find inspiring reads that celebrate child-led, nature-based play, creativity, and curiosity for kid and grown-up explorers alike! Some are informative, while others are stories and novels that bring the beauty of nature to life. Come back often, this list will continue to grow!

No matter what holiday you celebrate, we celebrate you at Willowdale. We love learning about the many ways different cultures honor the season, especially the traditions that connect us all back to nature. This month, we feature some of our favorite holiday reads.

HOliday reads for kids

No matter what holiday you celebrate, we celebrate you at Willowdale. We love learning about the many ways different cultures honor the season, especially the traditions that connect us all back to nature. This month, we feature some of our favorite holiday reads.

• The Truth About Mrs. Clause - by Meena Harris (Author), Keisha Morris (Illustrator)

• Wintercake: A Winter and Holiday Book for Kids – by Lynne Rae Perkins (Author, Illustrator)

• Together for Kwanzaa - by Juwanda G. Ford (Author), Shelly Hehenberger (Author)

• The Story of Hannukah - by David Adler (Author), Jill Weber (Illustrator)

• Bear's Winter Party - by Deborah Hodge (Author), Lisa Cinar (Illustrator)

• Winter: A Solstice Story - by Kelsey E. Gross (Author), Renata Liwska (Illustrator)

For Grown-Up Explorers

Nature Connection & Child-Led Play

Books that inspire deeper relationships with the outdoors — especially for families.

• Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder — Richard Louv

• There’s No Such Thing as Bad Weather — Linda Åkeson McGurk

Indigenous Wisdom & Ecological Stewardship

Blending science, culture, and reciprocity with the natural world.

• Braiding Sweetgrass — Robin Wall Kimmerer

• The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World — Robin Wall Kimmerer

• Finding the Mother Tree: Discovering the Wisdom of the Forest — Suzanne Simard

• Gathering Moss: A Natural and Cultural History of Mosses — Robin Wall Kimmerer

Nature Memoirs & Creative Reflection

"Fun reads"

• Rooted: Life at the Crossroads of Science, Nature, and Spirit — Lyanda Lynn Haupt

• Heartwood — Amity Gaige

• How to Be More Tree: Essential Life Lessons for Perennial Happiness — Liz Marvin

Creativity & Wonder

Fueling imagination, courage, and wholehearted living.

• Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear — Elizabeth Gilbert

• The Creative Act – Rick Rubin

• Point Zero: Creativity with Limits – Michele Cassou

• Bored and Brillant - Manoush Zomorodi

• The Motherhood of Art - Heather Kirtland and Marissa Huber

• Outdoor Toddler Activity Book by Bonning Gould

Equity, Inclusion & Community

Supporting inclusive experiences in nature and beyond

• Raising Antiracist Children — Britt Hawthorne

Stories for Kids

• For Everyone to Share by Gillian Lobel and Daniel Howarth

• Little Snowflake By Suzanne Fossey Illustrator Gina Maldonado

• Little Raindrop By Melanie Joyce Illustrator Gina Maldonado

  Little Acorn By Melanie Joyce Illustrator Gina Maldonado

Local Bookstores

New Hampshire

• The Bookery, Manchester, NH

• Wonderland Books and Toys, Manchester, NH

• Water Street Bookstore, Exeter, NH

• Gibson's Bookstore, Concord, NH

Massachusetts

• Jabberwocky, Newburyport, MA