Inside: If you’re looking for the best Earth Day books to teach your kids about how to protect this glorious planet of ours, this is the post for you. Check out our favorite Earth Day books for kids!
Celebrate our Beautiful Planet With These Fabulous Earth Day Books!
On one beautiful day every year, boys and girls, young and old, come together worldwide with one common goal: celebrating our magnificent planet. In anticipation of the occasion, children from America to Australia will spend time educating themselves about the Earth and reading fabulous, vibrant Earth Day books about our beautiful planet.
But why is it so important to come together on one day every year?
Celebrating Earth Day provides us an important reminder about the fragility of our wondrous world.
It reminds us to take care of the Earth and protect its precious resources, while simultaneously raising awareness about pollution and the devastation it is causing to our planet.
Earth Day also reminds us to notice the flowers blooming in the garden and the rivers rushing outside and the fireflies sparking in the onyx sky. It gently prods us to notice the awe inspiring wonder in the great outdoors, and to remember how important these wonders are for our developing children.
Earth Day Books Make it Earth Day, Every Day
Short of spending time in the great outdoors, one of the ways I gently remind my kids of the magic that can be found in nature is by reading them amazing stories — not only on Earth Day, but all year round. Whether the books we pick up are about nurturing gardens, making treehouses, or learning about the beautiful flora and fauna that grows outside, Earth Day books bring the outdoors in and always remind us to take care of our beautiful planet.
If you find yourself longing for enchanting Earth Day books about our planet and all of its natural wonders, I’ve got good news — this post has got you covered! Here are some of our favorite Earth Day books for kids – both fiction and nonfiction alike.
Happy reading!
RELATED: We’ve got the best children’s books for you on Happily Ever Elephants, so be sure to check them out!
Zonia’s Rain Forest, by Juana Martinez Neal: Juana Martinez Neal can do no wrong, and her newest book Is the story of Zonia, a young girl whose home is in the majestic Amazon rain forest. The rain forest call to Zonia every morning, from the sloths to the anteaters to the jaguars, and Zonia always answers. But when the rain forest calls to her in despair one day upon becoming a victim of deforestation, how will she respond? Zonia is an Asháninka girl, and I love the way the back matter includes an Asháninka translation of the story, information on the community, and terrific resources on the Amazon rain forest. Support independent bookstores and get the book on Bookshop.org right here!
We Are Water Protectors, by Carole Lindstrom and illustrated by Micahela Goade: This beautiful book is inspired by indigenous-led movements across America — ones that invite young readers to stand up and speak out for the protection of our environment and the safeguarding of our waters from harm and pollution. Told through vivid imagery, including a black snake threatening to poison our waters, a young water protector takes a stand to protect our most important and vital resource. Stunning! Support independent bookstores and get the book on Bookshop.org right here!
The Story of Climate Change: A First Book About How We Can Save the Planet, by Catherine Barr and Steve Williams and illustrated by Amy Husband and Mike Love: This is a fabulous book for any child wanting to learn about Earth’s long history and the science that has gotten our planet to where it is today. From the very origins of Earth to the lasting affect of machinery on our climate, this book teaches the littlest kids about climate change and how we can work as one great community and team to solve it. This wonderful read will spark young activists to make lasting change! Support independent bookstores and get the book on Bookshop.org right here!
Old Enough to Save the Planet, by Loll Kirby and illustrated by Adelina Lirius: There’s something so inspiring when reading to kids about other children using their voices to make indelible changes, and young readers will be intrigued as they learn the stories of twelve kids around the globe who are working to raise awareness as they do their parts to save our planet. From Felix in Germany who is a passionate reforestation activist, to Nikita in Ukraine who turns his school’s food waste into compost for his city, this is a fabulous read to teach kids that saving our planet begins with each and every one of us — in our own homes, neighborhoods and communities. Support independent bookstores and get the book on Bookshop.org right here!
Greta and the Giants, by Zoe Tucker and illustrated by Zoe Persico: In this fabulous (and beautifully illustrated!) book inspired by Greta Thunberg’s courageous stand to save the world, a young girl named Greta lives in a beautiful forest. She’s facing a mighty challenge: the forest’s survival is threatened by giants who have chopped down all the trees for houses, which were used to form big cities… and which has caused the forest to nearly disappear. But there are animals in the forest, animals whose very survival is threatened if the forest disappears forever. Will Greta be able to save them? Is her small voice big enough to make a difference? Support independent bookstores and get the book on Bookshop.org right here!
My Friend Earth, by Patricia MacLachlan and illustrated by Francesca Sanna: To say this book is stunning is an understatement — it blew me away on first read with its prose, beauty and very essence. Here, Earth is personified as a young girl who wakes from a winter’s nap and gently travels through the seasons, tending to animals, stilling the wind and sprinkling whisper soft snow. Through innovative die cut pages and poetic language, this beautiful ode to Earth encourages children young and old to marvel at the wonders of the world and explore the great outdoors. A treasure in every way! Support independent bookstores and get the book on Bookshop.org right here!
The Curious Garden, by Peter Brown: This is a quietly beautiful story about a boy in a dreary town who discovers a straggling garden while out on a walk one day. He decides to care for it, nurturing it with love and patience and perseverance, even after it is harmed by the elements. Once he nurtures the garden, it grows and grows, bringing life to the city and blue to the skies. This book is stunning both in story and illustration, with themes of perseverance, environmental activism, and community improvement. Support independent bookstores and get the book on Bookshop.org right here!
Climate Change, the Choice is Ours: The Facts, Our Future, and Why There’s Hope, by David Miles and illustrated by Albert Pinilla: This is such a great interactive read that outlines our climate and how it has changed throughout our history. It explores how climate change is causing rising sea levels, droughts and extreme weather patterns, and the spinner on each page helps children understand what happens if we take no action, versus what happens if we actually try to do something about it. Support independent bookstores and get the book on Bookshop.org right here!
Kate, Who Tamed the Wind, by Liz Garton Scanlon and illustrated by Lee White: I absolutely adore this story, which is a fantastic Earth Day book! When a wild wind blows on the tippy-top of a steep hill, everything goes wild for the man who lives there. Kate takes it upon herself to help him tame the wind — with trees, of course. With themes of both friendship and the importance of trees in our world, this is a total winner. Support independent bookstores and get the book on Bookshop.org right here!
Our House is On Fire: Greta Thunberg’s Call to Save the Planet, by Jeanette Winter: “I don’t want you to be hopeful. I want you to panic…I want you to act as if our house is on fire. Because it is.” When she was just fifteen years old, Greta Thunberg learned from a teacher at school that the climate is changing and life as we know it here on Earth is being threatened by our actions — and our inaction — each and every day. It was at that time she decided that if the adults weren’t going to do anything to save the planet, she would have to take charge. Young readers will be blown away by the way Greta used her voice for powerful change. This is a wonderful Earth Day book to convey that even the smallest of us can make a difference in our world. Support independent bookstores and get the book on Bookshop.org right here!
Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth, by Oliver Jeffers: In this beautiful ode to the Earth, Jeffers seeks to answer all of those bewildering questions a new arrival to our planet may have — questions about space and sea, people and animals. It conveys a simple message – be kind to our planet, and be kind to each other. A beauty! Support independent bookstores and get the book on Bookshop.org right here!
In the Garden, by Emma Giuliani: If you want to wow your children with an oversized Earth Day book that will enthrall, delight and captivate, this is it, friends! This giant book follows a young girl and her little brother as they tend to a garden through the seasons, complete with flaps to lift, gorgeous illustrations, interesting facts, and delightful surprises. A book to pore over and explore, the impressiveness of this gorgeous book, together with its detailed descriptions, make this a winner for home or the classroom. Support independent bookstores and get the book on Bookshop.org right here!
The Earth Gives More, by Sue Fliess and illustrated by Christiane Engel: This gentle, rhyming book is a perfect introduction to the many wonders the Earth provides for young readers. Whether jumping in puddles or leaf piles, building snowmen or sandcastles, the Earth is always giving us more delights to explore — and we therefore have an obligation to protect it and respect it! Support independent bookstores and get the book on Bookshop.org right here!
What a Waste: Trash, Recycling, and Protecting Our Planet, by Jess French: This is a wonderfully informative book for kids that teaches them all they need to know about our environment — from pollution to renewable sources of energy, from how to make your home more energy efficient to what items are actually recyclable. With easy to digest information and longer passages for those children ready to tackle more comprehensive text, we love the way this book appeals to kids of all ages and teaches them how they can get involved in the race to save our planet. Support independent bookstores and get the book on Bookshop.org right here!
Dear Earth… From Your Friends in Room 5, by Erin Dealey and Luisa Uribe: This is such a fun Earth Day book for kids that makes for a perfect read aloud at home or in the classroom! If you want to teach children about how to be an Earth Hero, you will love this book about one class’s monthly letter exchange with Earth, and the simple things Earth teaches the students to help save the planet. This is such a wonderful way to encourage kids to recognize our own unique and special bonds with our incredible planet! Support independent bookstores and get the book on Bookshop.org right here!
Snowboy and the Last Tree Standing, by Hiawyn Oram and illustrated by Brigitta Sif: Snowboy is busy playing games when Greenbackboy approaches him to play a new, even better one: all they have to do is cut down all the trees and catch all the fish and they can trade these riches in for the real stuff: gold. But we all know that greed can be destructive. This is a fabulous story conveying the importance of conserving natural resources, and it is a perfect conversation starter to get kids thinking about how they, too, can save the earth. Support independent bookstores and get the book on Bookshop.org right here!
In a Garden, by Tim McCanna and illustrated by Aimee Sicuro: With lyrical, poetic prose perfect for little bookworms, this charming story walks children through the manner in which garden’s grow. From sprouts to buds to blooms, life buzzes in gardens, both on top of and underneath the soil. This one is lovely to read aloud, and its factual back matter makes this a perfect book for kids who want to immerse themselves in a beautiful story, while learning from it at the very same time. Support independent bookstores and get the book on Bookshop.org right here!
Trash Revolution: Breaking the Waste Cycle, by Erica Fyvie and illustrated by Bill Slavin: This is an excellent choice to get kids thinking about the ways in which they can reduce, reuse and recycle. Full of fascinating facts depicted in infographics, short sections, charts and sidebars, this book takes real facts and makes them accessible and fun. This is a phenomenal resource for all classrooms. Support independent bookstores and get the book on Bookshop.org right here!
The EARTH Book, by Todd Parr: With its die-cut Earth on the cover, this is a fabulous book for your littlest readers all about our planet. From environmental protection and conservation to actual tips on how children can care for the planet, this one is a guaranteed winner! Simple, yet so powerful and accessible. Support independent bookstores and get the book on Bookshop.org right here!
The Great Kapok Tree: A Tale of the Amazon Rainforest, by Lynne Cherry: One day in the Amazon, a man tires quickly after trying unsuccessfully to chop down a giant Kapok tree. He lays down to nap, and as he sleeps, all of the forest’s animals – and even a young boy from the Yanomamo tribe – whisper to him about the importance of the trees to their own survival, the impact they have on the natural world, and how all living things depend on one another. This is a beauty, both in terms of illustration and text. Support independent bookstores and get the book on Bookshop.org right here!
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