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National Endangered Species Day

The CBC Holidays Series explores stories that relate to specific holidays so that readers of all ages can celebrate in the best way… with a good book!

Today is National Endangered Species Day, where we work to protect animals from extinction. As a conservation status, endangered means that a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild, like Asian elephants and red pandas. On the other side, extinction is when a species no longer exists on the planet, like dodos and dinosaurs. Preserving wildlife from extinction is an important task. We can help by donating to an endangered animal charity, volunteering at a local nature center, or reading up to learn more about these animals. So let’s do our part to help endangered animals today.

50 Reasons to Love Endangered Animals, by Catherine Barr; illus. Hanako Clulow (The Quarto Publishing Group / Frances Lincoln Children’s Books) — Nonfiction, Picture Book, Animals, Science, Music / Art, ages 4-6.

Dinosaur Empire! (Earth Before Us #1): Journey Through the Mesozoic Era, by Abby Howard (ABRAMS / Amulet Books) — Nonfiction, Graphic Novel, Animals, History, Science, ages 7-12.

Don’t Let Them Disappear: 12 Endangered Species Across the Globe, by Chelsea Clinton; illus. Gianna Marino (Penguin Young Readers / Philomel Books) — Nonfiction, Picture Book, Animals, Science, ages 4-6.

The Elephant, written and illustrated by Jenni Desmond (Enchanted Lion Books) — Nonfiction, Picture Book, Animals, Science, ages 4-6.

Hear Them Roar: 14 Endangered Animals from Around the World, by June Smalls; illus. Becky Thorns (Familius) — Nonfiction, Picture Book, Animals, Science, ages 4-6.

Hello Sacred Creatures, by Kim Krans; illus. (Running Press Kids) — Nonfiction, Board Book, Animals, Science, ages 0-3.

Hidden Hippo, by Joan Gannij; illus. Clare Beaton (Barefoot Books) — Fiction, Board Book, Animals, Concepts, ages 0-3.

Infinity Reaper, by Adam Silvera (HarperCollins / Quill Tree Books) — Fiction, Prose, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Contemporary, Animals, Teen.

Mother Earth’s Lullaby: A Song for Endangered Animals, by Terry Pierce; illus. Carol Heyer (Tilbury House Publishers) — Nonfiction, Board Book, Animals, Science, Music / Art ages 4-6.

The Mysterious Abductions (The Nocturnals Book 1), by Tracey Hecht (Fabled Film Press) — Fiction, Prose, Animals, Mystery / Thriller, Humor, ages 7-12.

Obsessive About Octopuses, by Owen Davey (Nobrow / Flying Eye Books) — Nonfiction, Picture Book, Animals, Science, Series, ages 4-6.

Rare and Endangered, by John Dowd (Peachtree) — Fiction, Prose, Animals, Action / Adventure, Science, ages 7-12.

ResQ in Panamá: Can We Save the Frogs?, by Eva J. Pell (Tumblehome Books) — Fiction, Prose, Animals, Science, Series, ages 7-12.

Superpod: Saving the Endangered Orcas of the Pacific Northwest, by Nora Nickum (Chicago Review Press) — Nonfiction, Prose, Animals, Science, ages 7-12.

Celebrate National Endangered Species Day by reading a book!


List compiled by CBC’s resident holiday expert, Sommer Wissner. Check out other CBC Holiday book lists on our blog.

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