Why this book? Why will it matter to kids?

There’s so much to love about Leafy Landmarks! From the road trip theme, to the historic trees highlighted, to the variety of poetic forms creatively introduced on the endpapers, this is a well-thought-out, smartly illustrated picture book for students in the intermediate grades. It’s perfect for celebrating both National Poetry Month and Earth Day, but also offers a bounty of additional teaching opportunities.

Levels and Layers of Learning

Grade level: 3-5

Social-Emotional Learning Themes

Acceptance, compassion, concern, connection, conservation, creativity, curiosity, dedication, empathy, empowerment, encouragement, fortitude, gratitude, hope, inspiration, integrity, kindness, loyalty, perspective, resilience, respect, responsibility, self-assurance, self-awareness, self-management, self-reliance, social awareness, understanding

Content Area Connections: Ecology, ELA, Geography, History, Social-Emotional Learning

Using This Book in the Classroom

Hit the Ground Running Ready Resources for Educators, Homeschoolers, and Parents

Leafy Landmarks book trailer

Leafy Landmarks Educators’ guide

See the book’s back matter for Michelle’s tips on being a “Tree Champion,” planting your own landmark tree, and planning a tree road trip.

Illustration © Anne Lambelet

Write Away! Ideas to prompt writing

The endpapers of this book offer brief information on a variety of poetic forms. Choose one that interests you. Study the poem in the book written in that form and then write your own form poem. (Templates for cherita and etheree can be found in the Educators’ Guide.)

Do you have a favorite tree? Write a poem about it that helps others see why it’s your favorite.

The family In Leafy Landmarks takes a trip across the United States to visit historic trees. Tell about a family trip you have taken, or imagine one you’d like to take. Where did you (or would you) go? What did you see? What is your favorite memory of the trip?

Fourteen historic tree sites are highlighted in Leafy Landmarks. Which would you like to visit? Why?

Illustration © Anne Lambelet

Poetry Break Related poetry to recite before or following the reading of this book

Poetry breaks fit perfectly into the framework of the school day. These brief moments can signal change, smooth or frame transitions—from beginning or ending the day to lining up for lunch; from zipping up backpacks and jackets to shifting from one subject to the next. Poetry breaks can reset mood or tone, providing a moment to pause, reflect, and breathe. Reading a poem aloud typically takes less than a minute, yet it can introduce or reinforce a concept, provide clarity, celebrate language, exemplify rhythm, enhance vocabulary, expand understanding, increase attention span, initiate reflection, spark imagination, or simply summon a giggle. And, poetry soothes and strengthens the spirit.

“Poetry builds resilience in kids and adults; it fosters Social and Emotional Learning. A well-crafted phrase or two in a poem can help us see an experience in an entirely new way.” ~  Elena Aguilar

Michelle shares ways to make poetry fun and accessible for young learners at Poetry Boost.

Be sure to check out Michelle’s poetry collection, Fresh-Picked Poetry: A Day at the Farmers’ Market, illustrated by Amy Huntington

Poetry book celebrating trees

• Trees: Haiku from Roots to Leaves by Sally M. Walker, illustrated by Angela McKay

Poetry books focusing on poetic forms

• Fly with Poetry: An ABC of Poetry by Avis Harley
• A Kick in the Head: An Everyday Guide to Poetic Forms selected by Paul B. Janeczko, illustrated by Chris Raschka

April is National Poetry Month. Find a variety of resources and download the joyful National Poetry Month 2024 poster to share with students.

April 18 is National Poem in Your Pocket Day.

Find additional National Poetry Month resources on previous Children’s Book Corner posts here, here, and here.

Following is a selection of new poetry books:

• Animal Albums from A to Z by Cece Bell; a rousing abecedarian of imagined songs by animal musicians
• The City Sings Green & Other Poems About Welcoming Wildlife by Erica Silverman; illustrated by Ginnie Hsu; poems and brief informational sidebars celebrate examples of “rewilding,” or reintroducing wildlife into urban areas; extensive back matter
• This Is the Honey: An Anthology of Contemporary Black Poets edited by Kwame Alexander is a sizeable collection of contemporary poems, some of which are written by children’s authors
• The Mighty Pollinators by Helen Frost, photographs by Rick Lieder; a tribute to pollinators, from bees and butterflies to fireflies and the wind; includes informational backmatter
• Great Gusts: Winds of the World and the Science Behind Them by Melanie Crowder and Megan Benedict, illustrated by Khoa Le; fourteen poems highlight winds found across the world from Japan to Italy while sidebars share the science behind each wind’s formation and effect

And Then There’s This…
Enrichment activities, related books, online resources, craft projects, and ideas for further study

Earth Day is April 22 and National Arbor Day is April 26.

In recognition of Earth Day and Arbor Day, the following is a listing of newly-released books focused on our environment, conservation, and trees:

• Arboretum by Katie Scott and Tony Kirkham;  stunning oversized informational picture book about trees for older readers; part of the Welcome to the Museum series
• Before the Seed by Susannah Buhrman-Deever, illustrated by Gina Triplett and Matt Curtius; fact-filled informational picture book with dramatic illustrations focusing on the complexity of pollination; Grades 3-5
• Better Than We Found It: Conversations to Help Save the World by Frederick Joseph and Porsche Joseph; this hefty volume covers sixteen timely topics ranging from gun violence to disinformation to quality health care and more, via interviews with people dedicated to making positive change; Grades 6 and up
• The Earth Book illustrated by Hannah Alice; see-through pages and succinct text reveal facts about our planet; Grades 3-4
• Everyone Starts Small by Liz Garton Scanlon; illustrated by Dominique Ramsey; poetic text sheds light on the interconnectedness of life in nature; Grades 2-4
• Green: The Story of Plant Life on Our Planet by Nicola Davies, illustrated by Emily Sutton; Grades 3-5
• Green Machines and Other Amazing Eco-Inventions by Michelle Meadows, illustrated by Aristides Ruiz; part of the Dr. Seuss Lorax series of early readers; Grades 1-2
• Kids Fight Extinction: 60 Missions to Help Save the Animals by Martin Dorey, illustrated by Tim Wesson; #2minutesuperhero suggestions for ways kids can make a difference at home, in school, and in their community; the appealing format is sure to spark interest in middle graders; follow-up to Kids Fight Climate Change
• Log Life by Amy Hevron; decomposing logs are important ecosystems that support plants, creatures, and fungi; primary grades
• Love, The Earth by Frances Stickley, illustrated by Tim Hopgood; from the perspective of Earth, lyrical text celebrates nature around us; primary grades
• Make Your Mark, Make a Difference: A Kid’s Guide to Standing Up for People, Animals, and the Planet by Joan Marie Galat; chock full of accessible information and doable initiatives; middle grades and up
• One Day This Tree Will Fall by Leslie Barnard Booth, illustrated by Stephanie Fizer Coleman; the story of how a tree impacts forest life, even after it falls and decays
• Planting Hope: A Portrait of Photographer Sebastião Salgado by Philip Hoelzel, illustrated by Renato Alarcão; a lushly illustrated biography of an activist who used photography to effect change across the globe and help rebuild the Brazilian rainforests; Grades 4 and up
• What’s Inside a Bird’s Nest? And Other Questions about Nature & Life Cycles by Rachel Ignotofsky; accessible information and bright illustrations; Grades 2-4
• Where Do Ocean Creatures Sleep at Night? by Steven J. Simmons and Clifford R. Simmons, illustrated by Ruth E. Harper; rhyming text offers information about a variety of ocean creatures’ sleeping habits; third in series; Grades 1-2

See also poetry selections above.

Find previous posts on Children’s Book Corner offering resources for Earth Day and Arbor Day here and here.

Also by Michelle Schaub

Meet the Author

Michelle Schaub is an award-winning children’s author and poet. She loves using poetry and rhyme to inspire and empower kids, especially when it comes to caring for the Earth and each other. Her most recent books are A Place for Rain and Leafy Landmarks: Travels with Trees. Michelle shares ways to make poetry fun and accessible for young learners at Poetry Boost. She also mentors aspiring children’s book writers through her critique service, Rhyme Doctors. Michelle lives in Colorado with her husband, three children, and a golden retriever named Bear. When she’s not writing, you’ll find Michelle out hiking and biking in nature. To learn more, visit Michelle’s website.

Backstory: Q & A with Michelle Schaub

Judy Bradbury: Tell us about this project: how did you conceive the idea for Leafy Landmarks: Travels with Trees?

Michelle Schaub: The seed of Leafy Landmarks sprouted while I was picnicking with my children under a stately oak at the Morton Arboretum in Illinois. On the ground near the oak was a plaque explaining that the tree had once been a gathering place for the Potawatomi people. I was intrigued by the idea of trees marking significant moments from the past, so I began doing research on other historical trees. In the process, I discovered an entire forest of trees with amazing stories. I gathered the most fascinating, kid-friendly stories and turned them into poems for this book.

JB: Tell us about the striking creative design of Leafy Landmarks: how it was developed, and the process of pulling it together from idea to finished book.

MS: Huge kudos to Sleeping Bear’s art team and illustrator, Anne Lambelet, for creating the beautiful visual look of Leafy Landmarks. This book is packed with layers: poems, side bars, tree location and species information, back matter, and a glossary of poetry terms. In addition, the spreads cover both the past and present of each tree. One of the big challenges was figuring out how to present all this information without the book feeling cluttered. Anne did an amazing job creating space for both the poem and side bar on each page. She wove past and present together in a way that feels energetic and cohesive. In addition, Anne’s hand-lettering of the poem titles and tree names enhances the “story” of each spread. Another challenge was finding a way to include the poetry forms and definitions. With a spread dedicated to each tree and back matter on the importance of trees, there was no room for a poetry glossary. Yet we really wanted this information available to readers. Solution: gorgeous endpapers that mingle the poetry forms and definitions with illustrations of the trees’ leaves. Brilliant!

Illustration © Anne Lambelet

JB: Tell about one hurdle you experienced in the creation of Leafy Landmarks, or provide a memorable (or humorous!) anecdote related to the writing of the book.

MS: In researching Leafy Landmarks, I took several road trips to see the trees in person. My youngest son accompanied me on my trip to California to visit the coast redwoods, giant sequoias, and bristlecone pines. Bristlecone pines only grow at elevations over 9,800 feet. As a lifetime Midwesterner (I hadn’t yet moved to Colorado,) I was not used to mountain driving. To reach the grove in the White Mountains where the bristlecone pines reside, we had to “zigzag up steep mountainsides” as I would later write in the intro poem “Hit the Road.” Those zigzags and steep drop-offs left me a little green by the time we reached our destination. Despite my nausea, I was still awed by the gnarled but majestic ancient trees.

JB: What is one unexpected joy that came out of the creation of Leafy Landmarks?

MS: Meeting fellow tree lovers! For each tree in the book, I sought out at least one expert (sometimes an entire team) to review the facts. I had the pleasure of interacting with national park foresters, museum curators, arborists, and other scientists and historians from around the country. Their tree knowledge and enthusiasm were infectious!

JB: What would surprise readers to learn about you or about the writing of Leafy Landmarks?

MS: Writing Leafy Landmarks has been an almost 18-year road trip. The children I picnicked with under the oak tree that sparked the book’s idea are now adults. It’s been a long, zigzag trip with many roadblocks and detours, but it’s also been a thrilling ride . . . and a great lesson in persistence and perseverance. If you have a project you believe in, don’t give up until you reach your destination!

JB: What do you hope young listeners and readers will take away from Leafy Landmarks?

MS: As I discuss in the book’s back matter, trees are a vital resource. Not only do they clean the air and enhance the landscape, but they hold important stories deep in their roots. I hope young listeners come away with a feeling of hope and inspiration- to caring for existing trees, visit other landmark trees, and plant new trees for the future.

JB: Who do you perceive your target audience to be and why?

MS: Primarily educators. As a former middle school English language arts teacher, I write with my “teacher hat” on, thinking of how I would use my books with my own students. Leafy Landmarks is particularly classroom-friendly because it has so many educational layers: history, geography, science, nature, and poetry. Of course, I think tree-lovers will also be big fans of the book.

JB: How do you see Leafy Landmarks connecting to curriculum or being used in schools or learning settings?

MS: Leafy Landmarks is packed with curricular tie-ins. For ELA, the book serves as a great poetry mentor text. I wrote each poem in a different poetry form and the endpapers define the forms. In the educators’ guide, I provide templates to help students write poems in those forms. For social studies, students can use their map skills and the introductory spread (which shows the trees on a map of the United States) to identify the location of the trees. Then, with a printable worksheet from the educators’ guide, students can create a map of special trees in their own neighborhood. In addition, each side bar provides information about key historical moments the trees “witnessed.” Educators can use the sidebars as entry points to have students learn more about these moments in history. For science, Leafy Landmarks explains some of the unique adaptations of various tree species. This is a great springboard for investigating the physiology of trees. Leafy Landmarks is one of those books that can be used over and over again in the classroom.

JB: What is one question you wish I had asked, and what is your answer?

MS: Leafy Landmarks ends with the family returning home to their favorite tree. What’s your favorite tree?

Answer: When I lived in the Midwest, my favorite type of tree was a linden tree. Each June the lindens in my neighborhood would release the most intoxicating perfume. My nose always knew when a linden was nearby. Now that I live in Colorado, I’ve come to love aspen trees. I’m fascinated by the way aspens grow. They spread through an underground root system, and each trunk in a grove is an exact clone of all the others. When aspens turn gold in the fall they set the mountainside ablaze with color. It’s breathtaking!

JB: What project(s) are you currently working on?

MS: I recently signed contracts for two new picture books, both coming out in 2026.  One is with Sleeping Bear Press. It’s a lyrical nonfiction picture book with nature and environmental themes. I’ll be sharing more information on that front soon! The other is with Norton Young Readers. It’s a companion to my recently released A Place for Rain (pictured above). It’s called A Pathway for Pollinators, and it’s about planting habitats for pollinators.

Meet the Illustrator of Leafy Landmarks: Travels with Trees

Sidebar Spotlight New releases of note

Each month I receive several boxes of books to review from various publishers. As I read and peruse the books, I place them in two piles: those that I will consider featuring on the blog, and those that don’t fit the mission or theme of Children’s Book Corner blog for whatever reason. I highlight some of the books in the “possible” pile on Mondays (most weeks) on Instagram. Ultimately, I choose the one new release I will feature on my monthly blog post. Yet there are many terrific books I wish I could give a shout-out to, even if I can’t write an entire post about each one. So, Sidebar Spotlight is a means of giving a nod to new releases that, in my opinion, are noteworthy. I’ve linked each title to Bookshop so you can learn more. Happy reading, friends! And feel free to comment on these or other new books below.

Chelsea Skye, Nature Spy by Kate McCarroll Moore and illustrated by Michelle Simpson features a young protagonist possessing imagination and pluck who manages to respond positively when faced with life-in-isolation during unprecedented times. Young readers and listeners will root for Chelsea as she explores creative ways to turn boredom into action, sparked by awareness and an interest in nature, and fueled by a desire to be helpful and hopeful.

A Voice Like Yours by Frank Murphy and April Groman and illustrated by Kayla Harren has been released. Find information and educator resources on the February Children’s Book Corner post.

Make Your Mark, Make A Difference: A Kid’s Guide to Standing Up for People, Animals, and the Planet by Joan Marie Galat is chock full of accessible information and doable initiatives. The appealing format is sure to engage middle graders and up. Start with Earth Day in mind and keep a ‘going, exploring this worthwhile Junior Library Guild selection.

On All Other Nights: A Passover Celebration in 14 Stories edited by Chris Baron, Joshua S. Levy, and Naomi Milliner is a collection of stories written in a variety of styles by award-winning and bestselling authors. For middle graders and up, this book offers insight into the various traditions, foods, and rituals associated with the Seder, the ceremonial meal marking the beginning of Passover.

News, Updates, & Items of Interest

April 27th is Independent Bookstore Day and I’ll be a guest bookseller from 10:30 am-12:30 pm at one of my favorite children’s book indies, Alice, Ever After Books! Plan to stop by and join in the fun activites, and get some books signed, too!

On May 18th I’m participating in the Children’s Book Fest in Canandaigua, NY. The book fair is small but mighty, suffused with incredible energy, an array of hands-on activities, and a palpable love of children’s books. I’m delighted to be part of the event again this year.

I’m honored to have been invited to read aloud from my books to kids as part of the Celebrity Readers Event taking place on June 29th at Canalside in Buffalo. Oolala!! 

You can always find where my books and I will be on my Events page.

I’m now booking school visits for 2024-25! Find information and contact me to discuss a visit tailored to meet your school’s needs.

Read-aloud of a portion of Cayuga Island Kids Book 2, The Adventure of the Big Fish by the Small Creek

Readers Theatehttps://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/notalists/ncbr, complete with props! 

Find my books packaged as a series at your favorite bookshop or purchase directly from the publisher and receive a gift with purchase! Individual titles are also available in hard, softcover, and e-book versions.

Kindness tip: If you read and like a book, consider posting a review on GoodReads, social media, or on Amazon (if you bought it there). Authors and illustrators appreciate the shout-out. Even a one-sentence comment increases visibility of a book. Also consider placing a request with your local library to purchase a copy–another free way to support a book you recommend!

Children’s Book Week,established in 1919, is a celebration of books and the connection they bring to readers. This initiative continues to grow and adapt each year with new resources and ideas for joining in. Celebrate this year from May 6-12. The 2024 Children’s Book Week poster created by Sophie Blackall visually captures this year’s theme, No Rules. Just Read.  To receive free copies of this delightful poster, sign up to participate in Children’s Book Week this spring and you will get two free posters delivered to your library, school, bookstore, or home. Additional Children’s Book Week resources will become available over the next month, including brand new promotional materials, participation ideas, resources created by a slew of amazing children’s book illustrators, and more!

Over to You…

Join the conversation! Offer your thoughts on this featured prompt related to this month’s post:

What children’s book celebrating our natural world do you recommend? Or, what children’s book of poetry is a favorite of yours? Share the title, author, and illustrator in the comments section.

You are also welcome to post a general comment.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

Final Thought