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Topic: Rainforests

Picturebook

Told in gentle rhyming verse, this beautiful non-fiction picture book follows the story of a flock of colourful macaws as they live their lives in the Amazon rainforest. Through the voice of one of the macaws, we hear about the bounty of the rainforest, as well as the challenges they have faced – threatened by the destruction of their home through machinery and forest fires to make room for vast plantations. Still, there are some areas where the land is protected and they can live a life of freedom among the trees… perhaps in the future, humans will learn the true value of the forest once again?

Accompanying non-fiction pages at the end of the book include information on on endangered macaws, the importance of the rainforest, and the causes of deforestation, as well as what we can do to help.

Non-fictionPicturebook

A fascinating tale of one of the first well-known environmental activists, Chico Mendes, who fought tirelessly to save the Amazon rainforest as well as fighting for people’s rights.

This is the story of Chico Mendes, a Brazilian rubber tapper and environmentalist. He fought to preserve the Amazon rainforest, and advocated for the human rights of other rubber tappers who lived in the forest. Tragically, he was assassinated for trying to protect these rights.

Grippingly written by award-winning author, Anita Ganeri, and vibrantly illustrated by Margaux Carpentier, throughout the story, we see the wonders of the Amazon rainforest and learn why it is so important that global rainforests are protected.

Tell this tale and inspire a new generation of environmental heroes who will speak up and take action to protect our natural world.

Great support material for children’s study of habitats, rainforests and their importance for biodiversity and helping to combat climate change.

Non-fiction

Go on a journey through the world’s rainforests, from the Amazon rainforest to Costa Rica, answering questions such as why on Earth does it rain so much? Where are there forests in the clouds? And how can a tree cure disease? Along with many others. It looks at medicines, monkeys, poisonous snakes, venomous spiders, stinky flowers, enormous trees, and much, much more. Crammed full of amazing animals and astonishing plants, geography has never been so exciting!

Packed to the gills with far-out facts and fascinating information, the Where on Earth? series makes standard KS2 geography topics lively, fun, pacey and interesting.

Non-fictionPicturebook

Discover why we must protect the Amazon from climate change.

Bursting with all kinds of life, the Amazon is one of the most incredible places on Earth. This richly illustrated picture book brings to life this extraordinary region for young children, exploring its tropical rainforest and scenic landscapes. It showcases the lush wildlife, diverse communities and life-saving medicines that can all be found there and therefore why it is so important that we act to protect this special part of the planet from the impact of climate change.

Rainforest Topic Booklist

Rainforests are warm, wet and dense forest habitats and are filled with millions of types of plants and animals (including some yet to be discovered!). Rainforest expeditions can easily capture the imaginations of young readers. From canopies and capybaras to epiphytes and explorers, we’ve got it covered in our selection of the best children’s books for the rainforest topic…

Chapter book

From his seat in the tiny aeroplane, Fred watches as the mysteries of the Amazon jungle pass by below him. He has always dreamed of becoming an explorer, of making history and of reading his name amongst the lists of great discoveries. If only he could land and look about him.

As the plane crashes into the canopy, Fred is suddenly left without a choice. He and the three other children may be alive, but the jungle is a vast, untamed place. With no hope of rescue, the chance of getting home feels impossibly small.

Except, it seems, someone has been there before them …

Non-fiction

Prepare to take a chronological journey, from the first roots grown by newly evolved plants and trees, through blazing fires and climatic changes, to an explosion of flora and fauna as the rainforest blossoms with life. Travel right up to the modern-day, as humans arrive in the lush habitat, changing the rainforest and its inhabitants forever… Perfect for readers aged 7+ who want to find out more about how this huge biome develops, and the different animals that call it their home over millions of years.

Non-fiction

Step inside the fascinating world of tropical rainforests where you’ll encounter an enormous variety of flora and fauna! This gorgeously illustrated picture book is a wonderful way to introduce children to the world of nature and conservation. In this colour non-fiction text, you’ll discover amazing rainforest animals, learn about the diverse range of life-giving plants, and find out why the Amazon rainforest is known as the “lungs” of our Earth.

Picturebook

Award-winning duo Kate Messner and Christopher Silas Neal take readers on a thrilling tour of one of the most diverse ecosystems on planet earth: the rainforests of Central America. Discover the wonder that lies hidden among the roots, above the winding rivers, and under the emerald leaves of the rainforest. This genle picturebook features animals like the slender parrot snake to the blue morpho butterfly. Readers can explore the canopies, where toucans and pale-billed woodpeckers chatter and call. Other animals include capuchin monkeys who swing from vines and slow-moving sloths who wait out daily thunderstorms.

Chapter book

For Will and his mother, going to Indonesia isn’t just a holiday. It’s an escape, a new start, a chance to put things behind them – things like the death of Will’s father.

And to begin with, it seems to be just what they both needed. But then Oona, the elephant Will is riding on the beach, begins acting strangely, shying away from the sea. And that’s when the tsunami comes crashing in, and Oona begins to run. Except that when the tsunami is gone, Oona just keeps on running.

With nothing on his back but a shirt and nothing to sustain him but a bottle of water, Will must learn to survive deep in the jungle. Luckily, though, he’s not completely alone…

He’s got Oona.

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