Green parents want to raise their children with the same eco-values that they hold dear. What books are out there for children after they've read The Lorax? There is no shortage of beautifully illustrated picture books that will help children of all ages understand the value of the environment. Here are a few of my favorites–

Common Ground: The Water, Earth, and Air We Share by Molly Bang is simple story that teaches children about the value of common space and how we all must be stewards to preserve our earth. The illustrations are rich with vibrant colors, and I love this book so much I read it first thing at the beginning of the school year to my high schoolers.

Just a Dream by Chris Van Allsburg is yet another classic book by the storied children's author. Like so many of his other books, Van Allsburg creates a strange and fantastic world for his characters. This time, a careless litterbug wakes up in a world full of environmental nightmares, prompting him to rethink his actions and how they impact the environment.

Why Should I? Series by Jen Green, illustrations by Mike Gordon. This four book series explains to children why they should protect nature, save water, save energy, and recycle. These books are great because they answer common questions that children have and contain notes in the back for parents.

The Tin Forest by Helen Ward, illustrations by Wayne Anderson takes place in the future, where an old man lives among a decimated environment. He creates his own tin forest, which attracts birds, which eventually attracts a whole ecosystem that brings hope to the man that the natural environment can thrive again.

Other books worth checking out:
* The Sea, the Storm, and the Mangrove Tangle by Lynne Cherry
* Our Big Home: An Earth Poem by Linda Glaser, illustrations by Elisa Kleven
* Weslandia by Paul Fleishman, illustrations by Kevin Hawkes