Get a green start to your Earth Day

Get a green start to your Earth Day
This year for Earth Day, instead of confusing my four year-old son with talk of his "carbon footprint," I plan to mark the day by sharing the four age-appropriate "Green Start" board books from Innovative Kids.

The adorable soy-based ink illustrations seem to pop off the thick brown pages that are made almost entirely from recycled materials. I love the smooth, substantial feel of these board books, which will withstand a toddlers' rough handling and a baby's tendency to turn everything into a teething toy.

Each Green Start kids' book covers a different topic, like One Tree, which teaches why a single tree is so important to living creatures, or Baby Animals, which allows kids to have a ball searching for the different babies in their habitats. But the books' eco-friendly teachings don't end with the story -- each title includes ways parents can bring the lessons to life. In other words, how to practice what I preach. Or read. -Christina

Find all four Green Start board books, Baby Animals, One Tree, In the Garden and The Five Senses, at Amazon.

Congratulations to Courtney C, winner of the Green Start board books!

More in KidsView all picks →

2026 Advent Calendars for Kids

Cool Mom Picks Holiday Gift Guide: Best Advent Calendars for Kids

LEGO, Hot Wheels, Build-a-Bear and more!

Avenleur Climbing Wall

Avenlur climbing wall: An indoor adventure course for kids

A holiday gift that encourages active, adventurous play for kids • Described as a larger, more substantial Christmas gift • An indoor play space that brings playground energy into the home • Open-ended design encourages imaginative play in different scenarios

A Q&A with author Jamie Sumner about her new book Wish You Well

Q&A with middle grade author Jamie Sumner

Jamie Sumner is a best-selling middle grade author who often writes about the disability experience. • Wish You Well follows three kids who feign friendship to scam a wish-granting foundation.