Welcome to April, Friends! Spring is finally here (in an official capacity, even if it doesn't always feel like it), the birds are chirping, the showers are showering, and April 29 is Arbor Day! Arbor Day has been celebrated for over 100 years, since 1872. It was first celebrated in Nebraska, and prizes were awarded to the participants to planted the greatest number of trees--it's estimated that over a million trees were planted in Nebraska on the first Arbor Day.
Today Arbor Day is celebrated in all 50 states, though the dates vary depending on what time of year is best for planting trees, and people participate for lots of reasons. Planting trees helps combat climate change, it helps improve biodiversity, and planting trees is fun! Planting trees also makes lots of people feel hopeful about the future. There's a Greek proverb that says, "a society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they will never sit." While this proverb is mostly about improving society at large, the tree metaphor is a good one. It makes me think about patience, stillness, mindfulness, and quiet thoughtful moments that I associate with spring.
Celebrate Arbor Day this year with some of these picture books about trees.
Celebrate Arbor Day this year by reading some picture books about trees! HerrickDL KidPicks
