Explore Educational Children’s Books During the School Breaks 

ISA offers a variety of educational materials and products to help arborists expand their professional knowledge and experience. Every month, ISA will feature a product or group of products. In May, ISA is featuring children's books.  

As the new season approaches, many kids will be gearing up for school break, and reading books is one great way to spend it. From trees to bugs, there is bound to be something for everyone to foster their appreciation of the natural world, such as: 

Up in the Leaves 

This book tells the true story of ISA Certified Arborist® Bob Redman, who built a series of intricate treehouses hidden in Central Park as a boy in New York City. Read the tale about how Bob, as a child growing up in a large city, found solace in the trees.  

26 Things That Bug Me 

Entomologist Mike Raupp and his friend Mantie the Mantid take children on a lyrical and colorful journey through the alphabet and the insect world. Along the way, readers meet and learn about bugs and their fascinating habits. 

I Can Name 50 Trees Today! 

From The Cat in the Hat's Learning Library™, this well-detailed picture book provides a child's guide to the basics of tree biology and identification in the whimsical, rhyming style of Dr. Seuss. Fifty trees are described and illustrated with various identifying features such as leaves, bark, and form. Various parts of a tree are discussed, and an introduction to root systems, water and nutrient uptake, and photosynthesis is provided.  

What Tree Is That? 

The Arbor Day Foundation presents an intuitive, step-by-step field guide for identifying trees by their leaves. A systematic question-and-answer format helps users observe and identify leaf and fruit characteristics as they advance through this well-organized guide to find the correct tree species. Detailed drawings colorfully illustrate the leaves and fruit of each species and provide a clear visual means of identification. 

The Lorax 

First published in 1971, this insightful book is a message to both industrial corporations and consumers and has an even greater impact today in its call to conserve the earth’s natural resources. Written by Dr. Seuss, this book tells a significant, timely tale in a format that children can understand. 

The Great Spruce 

Alec loves to climb trees. His favorite is the great spruce, with its sturdy trunk and branches stretching up to the sky. Alec's grandfather planted it years before Alec was born, and every Christmas, Alec and his grandfather decorate the tree, weaving tinsel and lights through its branches. But one winter, a few curious men from the nearby city notice Alec’s towering great spruce and ask to take it away to be part of the city's Christmas celebration. With quick, creative thinking, Alec comes up with a plan to save his favorite tree.