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A World of Wonders
- Clover
- Apr 11
- 4 min read
Look around—nature is waking up from winter’s nap, fields and forests bursting to the brim with color. “A World of Wonders” appears each year, an ongoing promise of new life alive in pastel petals and bowers of leafy green. In April, we celebrate a planet that continues to serve us, Earth a steadfast friend that continually gifts us with her wonders.
In honor of Earth Day, Clover suggests books that glorify a world we must never take for granted—from trees’ towering majesty, to the glory of birdsong, to the vast menagerie of animals that walk a planet in need of love and care.
Page On—enjoy!
The Community Literacy Foundation, in partnership with Neighborhood Reads, and with support from its sponsors, provides these books at no cost to 34 schools in Washington, Union, Pacific, St. Clair and surrounding communities and to the Washington Public Library. Learn more at CommunityLiteracyFoundation.org.
Youngest Read
Overlarge showy rows is what we want—zinnias galore, roses with spicy scents and Hydrangeas awash with purple. But sometimes a huge space isn’t the only garden plot that brings joy.
Such is the case in “Tiny Garden,” a charmer with a lesson wrapped in words, by Deborah Underwood, with glorious illustrations by Jax Chow.
Andrew wanted a garden, and small wasn’t a tall order for a boy who loved to put his hands in the dirt. When he dug a little rectangle in his yard, a passerby commented, “That is far too small for a garden.” “This will be a tiny garden,” said Andrew.
The process of preparing the soil was energizing for the tyke: “The smell of soil, rich with possibilities tickled Andrew’s nose.” His excitement grew as he planted seeds, “tucking them in with soft pats.” After watering, Andrew waited, and then “he watered and waited some more.”
When baby sprouts poked through the earth, Andrew and his pooch were amazed. But once again the naysayer passed by, asking, “But what is the point? You can’t walk in it. You can’t sit in it. You can barely see it.”
But others could—winged friends flitted and flew, and crawlies came too, visiting the tiny garden and benefitting from Andrew’s commitment in a story that reminds us that no matter how insignificant our contribution to nature may seem, sometimes it’s just enough.
Middle Read
Trees give to humans in many ways, providing paper and wood, among other necessities, and enhancing our lives with great beauty. They also support and share nutrients with other trees in the forest. One towering tree becomes a touchstone for a child in “The Mother Tree,” a lovely, meaningful story by Sybil Rosen.
Sadie and her mother live in a rural home surrounded by forests. It’s a serene environment until a crew of loggers threatens to change the landscape by clearing trees.
This loss becomes difficult for Sadie after her mother accompanies her on walks into the woods, where animals and birds abound. Sadie learns about Mother Trees, and the important role they play in helping saplings grow.
When Sadie sees a large orange ring on a Mother Tree, she’s determined to stop the logging crew from felling it. She is so impassioned that she writes a note to the logging crew, and affixes it to the tree’s trunk. Then she hopes and hopes some more.
Though Sadie suffers, she also grows in understanding, realizing even though we think we can’t make a difference, taking a stand can have profound results. Prolific illustrator, Nancy Carpenter, brings the forest and Sadie’s growth-journey to life in a wise, wonderful book.
Oldest Read
A girl from Pakistan with a big dream faces roadblocks, yet her determination wins out in “Hafsa’s Way,” by Aisha Saeed.
All her life, Hafsa has wanted to be a doctor, “not marry a doctor” so when she applies to a prestigious summer camp in which she’ll shadow physicians, and visit hospitals, she’s overjoyed. Now she’s got to convince her traditional father to allow her to attend.
The family doesn’t have much money and the camp is costly. Suddenly, a miracle occurs. Her sister Shabnam, age 18, has just married a doctor and Sohail offers to pay for the camp.
The arrangement is perfect. Hafsa will stay with the newlyweds, who live in a beautiful home with Sohail’s wealthy mother and a handful of servants, close to where the camp is being held.
Imagine Hafsa’s shock on the first day of class when she discovers she’s enrolled in a camp on climate change. Not wanting to appear ungrateful, Hafsa attends the camp --and on one of the class outings visits a zoo, noticing the plight of an elephant with chains on its leg.
Hafsa makes it her goal to help in any way she can, visiting the zoo and eventually taking a stand that turns the tide for an animal she’s grown to love.
With courage and acceptance, Hafsa tackles big life changes, and affects change in her beloved sister too. This pageturner is inspiring and is partially based on the true story of an elephant in captivity like the one Hafsa helps.
Written by Chris Stuckenschneider.
Copyright 2026, Community Literacy Foundation.