This is a preview to this year’s Family Literacy Week (January 26th-February 2nd) which celebrates the theme “Learn to Be Green, Together!” This theme focuses on fostering family literacy while promoting environmental awareness. Families are encouraged to explore fun and educational activities that combine reading, learning and eco-friendly practices.

In this 3-part blog series, you will discover 13 incredible resources available through the Decoda Library.  Each entry highlights 4-5 books that focus on nature and sustainability, along with fun, hands-on activities designed to bring these themes to life.

Designed for educators and caregivers, this series offers meaningful opportunities to bond while learning how to take care of our planet. Whether you’re looking to spark curiosity about the environment or explore eco-friendly practices together, these resources will inspire learning and connection.

Here are 4 resources in this sneak peak to Family Literacy week:

I Can Care for Nature by Mary Boone

This book is fun and educational, created to inspire kids to care for and protect nature. It explains the idea of helping the environment in simple and easy-to-understand ways, showing children how small actions can make a big difference.

With bright photos and clear writing, the book shares ideas like planting trees, picking up trash and making spaces for animals to live. It shows how everything in nature is connected and how each person’s efforts can help make the planet healthier.

The author also includes helpful tips and activities, like recycling, saving water and watching wildlife to make learning both practical and enjoyable. The book encourages kids to be curious, take responsibility and love nature, helping them understand the importance of caring for the environment.

---

I Love Dirt! 52 Activities to Help You and Your Kids Discover the Wonders of Nature by Jennifer Ward

This book is a helpful guide for parents, caregivers and teachers who want to help kids connect with nature.

It includes 52 fun and easy outdoor activities, like stargazing, bird-watching, making mud pies and observing insects. The activities are sorted by seasons, making it simple to enjoy them all year round.

Each activity comes with tips and questions to help adults talk with kids about nature and how it works. The book highlights the benefits of playing outside, like boosting creativity, staying healthy and learning to care of the planet.

“I Love Dirt!” is an easy-to-use resource for families who want to spend time outdoors, make great memories and inspire a love for nature.

---

Lens on Outdoor Learning  by Wendy Banning and Ginny Sullivan

This book is a helpful guide for teachers and caregivers who want to include outdoor learning in early childhood education.

Using real-life examples and research, it shows how nature can spark children’s curiosity, creativity and overall growth. The authors explain how outdoor spaces help kids explore, take risks and build critical thinking skills.

The book offers tips for creating outdoor spaces, planning activities and observing children to improve teaching. It also shares stories, photos and questions to inspire educators to make outdoor learning a key part of their teaching.

Topics include problem-solving, teamwork and building resilience through play in nature. “Lens on Outdoor Learning” is both a guide and a call to action, offering ideas and tools to create meaningful outdoor experiences and connect kids with nature.

---

Let’s Eat: Sustainable Food for a Hungry Planet by Kimberley Veness

This book introduces kids to the idea of sustainable food systems in a fun and easy-to-understand way.

With colorful pictures and simple text, it explains where our food comes from, how it’s grown and how our choices affect the planet. Topics include farming, food transportation, reducing food waste, eating local and seasonal foods and creative ideas like vertical farming and urban gardens.

The book encourages kids to think about how their food choices impact the environment, communities and their health. It also includes real-life examples and tips to help them make more eco-friendly decisions.

“Let’s Eat” is a great resource for families, teachers and young nature lovers who want to learn how our daily meal choices can help create a healthier planet.

---

Support our Save IPALS Campaign

Due to the recent funding cuts from the federal government, Decoda has launched “Save our IPALS Campaign” and we really need your support. In our campaign, you can find ways to help such as:

• Donating directly to support the program
• Sharing a message to your MLA
• Sharing a message of support
• Spreading the message on social media like Facebook and Instagram

It is worth a read and we thank you for your time.