Tantrums, Tinkering, and Tiny Revolutions
Celebrating World Environment Day with hopeful stories and tinkerspaces.
Wait, didn’t we just do this?
Here, in the U.S, we just had Earth Day in April, and now here‘s World Environment Day on June 5th.
World Environment Day doesn’t seem to get as much hype as Earth Day around here, but I like to think of it as Earth Day’s big sibling. Where Earth Day is all about local action (school garden projects, park cleanups, etc.), World Environment Day zooms out, bringing people and countries together around the globe to focus on one big environmental issue. This year is about ending plastic pollution, and finding real, lasting solutions.
Both days are important. Both days remind us we all share the same planet.
The environment is a big topic with lots of moving parts. So how do we talk to our little ones so we nurture a sense of care and stewardship without overwhelming them… or scaring them into oblivion?
I keep coming back to this book: The Tantrum That Saved the World by Megan Herbert and Michael E. Mann. It strikes a balance of honesty about the challenges, with an empowering message.
Sophia was minding her business one day,
When quite without warning, a bear came to stay.
Doesn’t that opening line make you want to keep reading? Animals and people from around the world show up at Sophia’s door as they try to escape real world issues, like rising seas, disappearing homes, and melting ice. And before long, Sophia gets overwhelmed because they want her to do something about it. Those big feelings eventually boil over into a tantrum. Which becomes the spark for action.
What I love about this book is that it gives kids permission to feel — to feel confused, upset, even angry, and then shows how big feelings can be fuel for meaningful change. It’s smart, hopeful, and full of heart. Plus, there’s extensive back matter if grown-ups want to keep the conversation going.
Raising kind, curious kids who care about the world around them is a powerful thing. And stories like this help us start those conversations in ways that stick.
Here’s what you’ll find in this edition:
Invitation to play - Design a Bug Hotel
Using nature treasures, kids are invited to design cozy hotel rooms specially suited for different kinds of bugs and insects.
Invitation to play - Build a Bird Feeder
Hold on to those recyclables! Kids will use their creativity and problem-solving to tinker and build a bird feeder that’s both fun and functional.
Book recommendations and reviews
Stories that celebrate environmentalism and upcycling.
Chat with KidLit Grove
Catch up on the latest conversations happening over on Substack Chat.Take a Look at What’s Coming Up
Get a sneak peek at what we’ve got planned for the sunny weeks ahead.
Invitation to Play - Design a Bug Hotel!
For kids, meaningful change begins with small, tangible steps, like learning to notice, to care, and to create safe spaces for the tiniest of creatures. Many of these critters are threatened from habitat loss and plastic pollution, making these simple acts all the more powerful.
Inspired by Bug Hotel by Libby Walden and illustrated by Clover Robin, this activity invites children to show compassion for our tiny neighbors.
Big change starts small. And sometimes with a really cozy bug bed.
Here’s what you need:
A variety of nature treasures:
For spiders: twigs and sticks
For snails: rocks and broken pots
For solitary bees: bamboo canes or clothespins
For beetles: old wood or wood chips
For ladybugs: hay, straw, and grass
A container with open compartments to serve as the “hotel” - we used a wooden compartment box, but a small wooden crate, flower pot, or even recycled box would work!
Here’s what you do:
Lay out all your materials in an easily accessible place.
Encourage your children to fill each section with different materials. If needed, use “I wonder statements” to guide your child.
I wonder where spiders would like sleep in our hotel.
I wonder where you could stuff all the twigs and sticks.
Place the bug hotel in a quiet, sheltered outdoor spot. Near plants or garden beds would be great!
Make sure to check in on your hotel and see if any new "guests" have moved in.
Invitation to Play - Build a Bird Feeder!
Inspired by Rosa’s Big Bird Feeder Experiment by Jessica Spanyol, this project combines storytelling with creativity, and a touch of engineering. It’s a fun way to nurture problem-solving skills and begin conversations about upcycling.
Here’s what you need:
Recyclables, such as:
Cardboard tubes
Yogurt or coffee containers
Tin cans (edges smoothed)
Milk jugs or juice cartons
Egg cartons
Basic craft materials
Masking tape or glue
Scissors
Twine (or something sturdy for hanging)
Bird seed
Sticks or twigs (to create little perches)
Here’s what you do:
Set up your workspace: spread everything out where your child can easily see and reach all the materials.
Invite your child to wonder: ask open-ended questions to spark ideas and creativity:
“I wonder which container might work best for holding bird seed?”
“I wonder how could we make a perch so the birds can land?”
Tinker and build: allow your child to take the lead as they explore ways to assemble their feeder. There isn’t a “right way” to do this — it’s all about experimenting and trying new ideas!
Test and hang it up: once the feeder is ready, find a spot outside to hang it using the string or twine. Then, scoop in some bird seed and wait for your new feathered friends!
Book Recommendations + Reviews
You’ll find a brief summary and links to full reviews so you can choose what resonates.
🌎 Titles featured in Invitation to Play
My Dear Sea by Andre Carrilho
A beautiful story that captures the magic, power, and fragility of the ocean through the eyes of a young girl. As the story unfolds, readers witness not only the beauty and allure of the ocean, but also the important lessons it teaches.
One Earth by Eileen Spinelli, Art by Rogelio Coelho
This board book combines counting with a meaningful message about environmental stewardship, celebrating the diverse wonders of our planet. Then, it highlights simple, age-appropriate actions we can all take to care for our Earth.
🌎 Bug Hotel by Libby Walden, Art by Clover Robin
This interactive picture book invites readers to take a closer look at the world of insects and bugs, helping children see that even the smallest creatures have important roles to play, and deserve cozy, safe spaces to live.
The Mess That We Made by Michelle Lord, Art by Julia Blattman
A beautifully illustrated, cumulative-rhyme story that shows the impact of ocean pollution, and the power of collective action. This book is a hopeful call to care for our planet, one small step at a time.
What To Do With A Box by Jane Yolen, Art by Chris Sheban
Celebrates the magical worlds cardboard boxes can unlock. Whether a sailboat on high seas, a majestic palace, a cozy library, or a beautiful art gallery, the box becomes a gateway to countless adventures.
Gifts from the Garbage Truck by Andrew Larsen, Art by Orion Vidal
An inspiring and heartwarming true story that sheds light on one man’s mission to find value in the discarded. This book beautifully captures the power of one person’s commitment to sustainability and a call to action to reconsider what we throw away.
🌎 Rosa’s Big Bird Feeder Experiment by Jessica Spanyol
This book is an educational story that introduces young readers to the core principles of STEAM while also incorporating sustainability by using recycled materials to build a functional bird feeder, reinforcing the power of repurposing everyday items.
Rainbow Weaver by Linda Elovitz Marshall, Art by Elisa Chavarri
Based on a true story, this inspiring book celebrates a movement rooted in Guatemalan tradition. It follows a young girl who transforms discarded plastic, once seen as trash and an eyesore, into something beautiful and full of possibility.
If any of these titles spark your interest, check out my book list on Bookshop.org called Earthwise Stories. By purchasing through the link below, you help support this newsletter, and I earn a small commission. I am so thankful for your support!
Chat with KidLit Grove
New on Substack Chat: take a peek at the sequencing possibilities for one of Jon Klassen’s new board books, Your Farm. With a few things we had, my kiddo recreated the scenes as they unfolded throughout the book.
Take a Look at What’s Coming Up
June 19: we’re welcoming the arrival of summer in the Northern Hemisphere with sun-kissed stories and sunny activities — perfect for soaking up those warm, wonder-filled days!
July 3: KidLit Grove will be taking a little “bye week” while I’m on vacation. There won’t be a regular post this week, but I’ll be back with a content-packed edition on the 17th
July 17: we’ll kick off our next themed series, all about communication. Each season, we focus on a core skill to help children grow into capable, compassionate learners who can make a meaningful impact in their world. We’ll explore how children receive messages, process what they hear, and express their own ideas with confidence and care through picture books and hands-on explorations.
To revisit our last theme on empathy, here’s a link to the first post in the series.
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So many great takeaways in this newsletter, Lindsay! I love the way you lay out the hands-on activities with easy-to-find materials. And what a great list of picture books to carry on the theme--a real treasure trove for teachers, parents, and other caregivers!