Smokey Bear Reading Challenge 2024

Celebrate Smokey’s 80th Birthday by joining the Smokey Bear Reading Challenge and engage youth in reading about wildfire prevention, forests, and natural resource careers while they explore their local environment. This list are books for children and are available through the Sussex County Library System.

Updated July 25, 2024
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Redwoods
Chin, Jason
Paper Book
Jason Chin's Redwoods tells the story of a boy who discovers a book about redwoods and finds himself in their midst as he turns the pages. An ordinary train ride becomes and extraordinary trip to the great ancient forests. A subway trip is transformed when a...
Where's Rodney? /
Bogan, Carmen,
Paper Book
A Black boy's transformative day out in nature, recommended by Social Justice Books and We Are Kid Lit Collective Rodney is that kid who just can't sit still. He's inside, but he wants to be outside. Outside is where Rodney always wants to be. Between school and home, there is a...
Forests /
French, Jess
Paper Book
Les arbres
Hickman, Pamela
Paper Book
See below for English description. Dans le premier livre de la série, les jeunes apprendront tout sur les arbres et le rôle vital qu'ils jouent pour les humains et les animaux. Les lecteurs prendront plaisir à les suivre au fil des saisons, à découvrir comment et où ils poussent, et...
Listen to the language of the trees :
Kelley, Tera,
Paper Book
This captivating book explores the real connection and communication that runs underground between trees in the forest. The well-researched details about trees' own social network will help readers see that the natural world's survival depends on staying connected and helping others--just like us...
Over and under the rainforest
Messner, Kate
Paper Book
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. Part of the critically acclaimed Over and Under series that includes Up in the...
Up in the garden and down in the dirt /
Messner, Kate.
Paper Book
In this exuberant and lyrical addition to the award-winning Over and Under series, emerging readers will delight in discovering the wonders that lie hidden between stalks, under the shade of leaves, and down in the dirt. From the author-illustrator team behind...
Little Smokey /
Neubecker, Robert.
Paper Book
For a brave firefighting airplane, the sky's the limit! This timeless story of teamwork and determination is perfect for kids who loved The Little Engine That Could and shows how even unlikely heroes can help their community in times of need. When forest fires blaze, the...
They hold the line :
Paley, Dan,
Paper Book
A 2023 Chicago Public Library Best Book  A tribute to the unsung heroes of firefighting that takes readers along on a high-stakes mission to battle one of the deadliest natural disasters. A lone figure stands on...
Because of an acorn /
Schaefer, Lola M.,
Paper Book
Because of an acorn, a tree grows, a bird nests, a seed becomes a flower. Enchanting die-cuts illustrate the vital connections between the layers of an ecosystem in this magical book. Wander down the forest path to learn how every tree, flower, plant, and animal connect to one...

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