July is National Park and Recreation Month

Our family has always enjoyed the summer road trip. Somehow the memories of loud and restless children fussing in the car fade and the fun of shared exploration and discovery linger. (Thank goodness!) And on our trips we always look for national parks or historical sites to see along the way. There are 58 official National Parks in the U.S. with Yellowstone National Park established as the world's first truly national park In 1872. And of course many states and communities have their own parks and preserves. Since July is NATIONAL PARK AND RECREATION MONTH, it’s a good time to seek out poetry that celebrates nature. Whether you enjoy road trips and national parks, or adventures at summer camp, or simply leisure time at a picnic or barbecue, there are many poems that focus on the wonders of the natural world. Here are a few thematic collections that are wonderful examples to share:

Brenner, Barbara. 1994. THE EARTH IS PAINTED GREEN: A GARDEN OF POEMS ABOUT OUR PLANET. New York: Scholastic.

Bruchac, Joseph. 1995. THE EARTH UNDER SKY BEAR'S FEET: NATIVE AMERICAN POEMS OF THE LAND. New York: Philomel Books.

George, Kristine O’Connell. 2001. TOASTING MARSHMALLOWS: CAMPING POEMS. New York: Clarion.

Nicholls, Judith. 2003. THE SUN IN ME; POEMS ABOUT THE PLANET. Cambridge, MA: Barefoot Books.

Singer, Marilyn. 2002. FOOTPRINTS ON THE ROOF: POEMS ABOUT THE EARTH. New York: Knopf.

Find your favorite nature poem and take it along to read as your theme poem for your car trip or as a break on your picnic or just to share outside with kids you care about.