Julie Dunlap

Formatted like a nature notebook, this exploration of seasonal changes in Thoreau's day is also a visual story of his life and times and a gentle introduction to climate change.

I Begin with Spring: The Life and Seasons of Henry David Thoreau

Amanda Rocha

I Begin With Spring by Julie Dunlap and illustrated by Megan Elizabeth Baratta was a great book. Kids need more books like this– it is so wonderful because it ties in a work of classic literature and makes it readable for kids of all ages. It is full of beautiful watercolor illustrations, and brings the work of HDT to life. 

Henry David Thoreau is considered by many to be the environmental father of the green movement. As a teacher, scientist, historian, student, author, and naturalist, Thoreau has made a number of contributions to the ecological movement, his most significant including his own personal published reflections on conservation and his search for the meaning of life through the relationship he had with nature. His published works have “helped to launch the American environmental movement that continues to this day,” and understanding Thoreau is key to conservation efforts today. By studying Thoreau and putting his ideals into practice, we can overcome the challenges facing the modern environment.

I Begin with Spring: The Life and Seasons of Henry David Thoreau

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