This year’s Earth Day theme is Invest In Our Planet, and we just had to think of 5 ways all of us bookworms could join in the celebrations. Earth Day was first held on April 22nd, 1970, and it now includes a wide array of events that are coordinated globally and includes a staggering 1 billion people in over 193 countries.

Let's Get Reading

This is a wonderful opportunity to snuggle up on the couch with the kids and learn more about our environment and how we can make, as they say, the world a better place. Some of our favorites include The Lorax by Dr. Seuss (you will battle to beat this one!) or The Great Kapok Tree by Lynne Cherry.

But another great thing about reading is that you can grab some books, pack a picnic, head out to your favorite spot for some fun in the sun, and get back in touch with nature. And we have some of the perfect accompaniments like our Shh I’m reading sunhat.

Discover Your Local Second-hand Bookstores

Nothing like a bit of recycling to help Mother Earth, and there is something about second-hand bookstores. We love books and bargains, and visiting your local second-hand bookshop is like going on a treasure hunt; you never know what you may find.

There is something quite wonderful about finding a book that's out of print or coming across a long-lost old favorite that has slipped your mind. And after a morning out book shopping, you definitely deserve a break over a great cappuccino while you decide which book to read first.

Plant a Tree

What would Earth Day be without some tree planting? It's time to grab the kids or take some time out for yourself and head down to the nursery to pick out the perfect new addition to the family.

There is something quite satisfying about planting a tree and watching it grow. And if you have kids, it is a brilliant opportunity to share how wonderful trees are and the critical role they play in our environment by producing oxygen and absorbing carbon dioxide. And don’t forget the wonderful homes they provide for some of our favorite friends. Planting a tree is a great way to take action and make a positive impact on Earth Day.

And as always, there are some great books you can read to add to the moment, like The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith. 

Create, create, create

That newly planted tree deserves a story! Perhaps it’s time to bring out your inner writer or encourage your children to write about all the tree feels and sees. It is a fun way to get them to think from a different perspective. Who knows, you may have a bestseller on your hands.

And we definitely recommend adding that magical Once Upon a Book Club touch with a specially designed book box, and don’t forget to create your own book cover with its custom artwork!

We love games, and Earth Day is filled with endless possibilities when it comes to creating your own games and challenges. How many books in your home have the word Earth in their title or on the 1st page? Start your own game of general knowledge - who knows all the names of the plants in your garden or on your street?

Start a Nature Journal

A nature journal is a lovely way to become more observant of the world around you. Whether you live in the suburbs or in the concrete jungle, nature has a way of making its presence felt no matter where you are. It is always amazing how flowers manage to thrive on the side of the road and birds’ nest on the windowsills of the highest buildings. Perhaps it's the sunrises or sunsets that spark your imagination. No matter what it is, fill your journal with your observations, secret sketches, or reflections on the wonder that surrounds you. 

Earth Day is a time to appreciate the incredible world we live in. There are endless ways we can join in the celebrations in our own bookish ways, from planting a tree or reading a book to just looking out at the wonder of the world. 

The Earth tells its stories through changing seasons, through the sounds of the wind, and through the rising and setting of the sun. And we are in awe!