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
S
Sussex County Library System (NJ)
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Cool careers :
Paper Book
The first group of titles in an ongoing series introduces students to six amazing adventure careers. Geared for reluctant readers in upper elementary school and above, each high-interest title combines easy-to-follow text with engaging on-the-job photographs to spark students' interest in reading...
Redwoods
DVD
When a young boy happens upon a book about redwood forests, his ordinary subway trip is transformed to include dinosaurs, ancient Roman citizens, and the forest itself!
Controlled burn /
Downing, Erin Soderberg
Paper Book
From acclaimed middle-grade and chapter-book author, Erin Soderberg Downing, Controlled Burn is a story that blends family, friendship, fire, and the rocky path toward healing our deepest fears. Twelve-year-old Maia's parents say she's lucky she noticed something as early as she did...
Forests /
French, Jess
Paper Book
Wildfires /
Furgang, Kathy.
Paper Book
Learn all about wildfires--how they happen, why they're important, and when they're dangerous--in this fascinating level 3 reader. It's sure to ignite your interest, with color photographs, interesting facts, and more.
Nature all around :
Hickman, Pamela
Paper Book
This comprehensive and beautifully illustrated introduction to trees and the important role they play is part of the essential Nature All Around series. The book first explores the parts of trees, their life cycles, the difference between deciduous and evergreen trees, leaf types and the processes...
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...
Over and under the snow /
Messner, Kate.
Paper Book
Over the snow, the world is hushed and white. But under the snow exists a secret kingdom of squirrels and snow hares, bears and bullfrogs, and many other animals that live through the winter safe and warm, awake and busy, under the snow. Discover the wonder and activity that lies beneath winter's...
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...
All about wildfires :
Potenza, Alessandra,
Paper Book
Conditions on Earth are becoming more and more extreme and kids want to learn about it! Is it true that smoke from wildfires can travel thousands of miles? Yes! If a wildfire is large enough, wind can blow smoke from the West Coast to the East Coast of the United States! INSIDE,...
Hiking day
Rockwell, Anne
Paper Book
Beloved author Anne Rockwell celebrates nature and the outdoors with a gorgeous new picture book about a child's first mountain hike! A young girl and her family go hiking up a nearby mountain for the very first time. As they climb up and up the path, they see everything from a...
Treecology :
Russo, Monica,
Paper Book
National Outdoor Book Award Honorable Mention in the Children's category 2017 Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12 (National Science Teachers Association - Children's Book Council) Finalist for the 2017 AAAS...
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 another in spiraling...
Fraser the forest ranger /
Schufman, Matthew,
Paper Book
Fraser the Forest Ranger is on a mission: to find one true friend. He searches far and wide, but he might just discover a best friend is closer than he thinks. Fraser is a Forest Ranger and he loves his job. He checks on the trees, he checks on the animals, and he always ends his...

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