Great Read Alouds: Rooted in Nature
The change of seasons is a good reminder to enjoy nature and the world around us. We're highlighting some of our favorite picture books about life outside.
Lightning Bug Jamboree written by Stephanie Brinkley & illustrated by Victoria Mikki
This whimsical rhyming story that celebrates nature is the 2026 Kansas Reads to Preschoolers featured book. You can pick up a free copy to keep from the Kids Library Nov 15-21, 2026 (one copy per family while supplies last).
Lightning Bug Jamboree features a story full of friends and delight, lightning bug facts, an original Lightning Bug Jamboree song with music, and information about the Kansas author and the illustrator who helped bring this jamboree to life.
"Reading and rhyming with children are essential, enjoyable ways to nurture language, social-emotional skills, imagination and confidence in children of all ages,” said deputy state librarian and Center for the Book coordinator Valarie Lamoreaux. “The State Library of Kansas supports everyone who reads books with children.”
Shape Search by Melissa Stewart
Check out this beautiful book of nature photos that encourages kids and adults to find all the shapes that exist in nature. Once you start looking, you will find shapes everywhere.
Kids will love the game of identifying shapes on plants, animals, rocks, raindrops and all around. Read this book before you head outside for a walk or an afternoon in the park.
Fall Feast: Nature's Harvest written by Sean Taylor & Alex Morss, illustrated by Cinyee Chiu
Discover the wonder of fall and learn how wildlife prepares for winter. You'll follow a family on their walk to the park as they discuss the big and little changes they see from summer and what's coming in the winter. They pass through several wildlife habitats and begin to see that nature is full of life during this time of plenty. They notice the little things—seeds blowing in the wind, mushrooms on the ground, and empty shells all around.
Thanks to ecologist, journalist and educator Alex Morss this book also includes interesting facts about plants, animals and insects.
