21st March International Day of Forests

The International Day of Forests raises awareness of their role in life on earth. Forests are complex ecosystems, essential for the health of the environment and all living beings. They are home to 80% of the world's terrestrial biodiversity, and 1.6 billion people depend on them for shelter, food, energy, income and medicines.

Regarding climate change, forests are vital as they retain heat and absorb carbon dioxide. However, while we need forests more than ever, deforestation progresses at an alarming rate: the world is losing 10 million hectares of forest each year, which directly jeopardizes our existence on earth.

Our library has so many books about trees and some specifically about forests, so it is easy to celebrate this special day. 

Look for these books about forests:

Come on a walk with Grandpa to discover how a forest is made, and see how a thousand tiny things can come together to change the face of the earth… This gorgeous book features a non-fiction section about the different types of forests around the world, their importance to our ecosystem and the impact of deforestation on our planet.

Turn the pages and discover everything you need to know about deforestation and the ways we can tackle it. From scientists and conservationists helping to protect forest creatures, to tech inventions like robot tree-planters, this book helps children to discover the incredible solutions to deforestation that are being worked on around the world right now.

Step into the forest and explore the many worlds that exist beneath the treetops, from birds that make their nests up high to neighbourhoods of bugs who are working hard underground. Wander through the big worlds and tiny worlds of the forest, get lost in the quiet magic of the towering trees, and delight in the busy lives of all who live above, below and within.

There once was a forest . . .
So begins this timeless and touching story of renewal of a forest.

See it here.

This book is the ideal introduction to the environmental concerns facing our forests, featuring colourful illustrations and an engaging, light-hearted storyline, drawn and written by Brendan Kearney. Grown-ups and children will enjoy reading together and following the story of Finn and Skip, with its ups and downs, and pointing out all the different animals that Finn meets in the rainforest. They'll also learn about how using ethical products can help save the animals.

What can one person do in the face of global environmental degradation? Indian Jadav Payeng has proven that each and every one of us can make a difference. As a boy, he began planting trees on a sandbank in the state of Assam. Nobody believed that he would succeed in doing so. But since 1979, a forest the size of Central Park has emerged, offering a home to countless animals and plants. It was not until 2007 that a photographer accidentally discovered the forest and made Payeng known to the world beyond India.

Delve into the intriguing world of forests, and discover how they work, the animals they protect, and their millennia-long relationship with humans. Learn the science behind a single tree and the magical stories told about forests around the world, as well as how you could improve your wellbeing with a trip amongst the trees.

Forests are different around the world. They range from hot, damp rainforests to icy taiga forests, but all of them offer a home for animals and plants, precious natural resources and beautiful places to have fun, spot nature and find calm. But forests are under threat from climate change, habitat loss and pollution. Find out how we can all help to look after our precious forests, as well as enjoy them.

This nonfiction children’s picture book begins with a view of the forest at a distance, then zooms in on its fascinating details, including the amazing trees, bright birds, adorable baby animals, and other wonders of nature that inhabit it. The rhythmic text and inviting watercolor illustrations allow curious young readers to observe, explore, and learn what makes forests so special and vitally important.