Environmental Books for Kids

Ready to go green? Kids today are more conscientious and interested than ever about topics like recycling, climate change, and protecting the planet. The Earth-friendly books on this list are full of powerful messages about nature and environmental issues. They might even help foster an appreciation of the natural world and conservation efforts, or encourage kids to get involved with climate activism. Whether you're celebrating Earth Day or taking part in a youth climate strike like Greta Thunberg, caring about the environment has never been cooler. For more eco-friendly media, you can also try these Movies That Teach Kids About Climate Change.

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Green Poster Image
BOOK

Green

age 2+

Clever color book expands idea of green in nature, at home.

Días y días / Days and Days Poster Image
BOOK

Días y días / Days and Days

age 3+

Engaging art and spare text teach about seasons.

Finding Spring Poster Image
BOOK

Finding Spring

age 3+

A bear cub learns about seasons in artful, charming story.

By: Carin Berger (2015)
Hello Hello Poster Image
BOOK

Hello Hello

age 3+

Intro to wildlife at risk celebrates animals of all stripes.

By: Brendan Wenzel (2018)
It's Earth Day: Little Critter Poster Image
BOOK

It's Earth Day: Little Critter

age 3+

Little Critter inspires with his eco-enthusiasm.

By: Mercer Mayer (2008)
Miss Maple's Seeds Poster Image
BOOK

Miss Maple's Seeds

age 3+

Lyrical fantasy celebrates the magic of seeds and seasons.

By: Eliza Wheeler (2013)
Señorita Mariposa Poster Image
BOOK

Señorita Mariposa

age 3+

Beautiful bilingual rhyming book about a monarch's journey.

By: Ben Gundersheimer (2019)
Touch the Earth Poster Image
BOOK

Touch the Earth

age 3+

Cartoony mix of fun and soft science in environmental tale.

By: Julian Lennon , Bart Davis (2017)
We Are Water Protectors Poster Image
BOOK

We Are Water Protectors

age 3+

Powerful words, vibrant images inspire care for the earth.

By: Carole Lindstrom (2020)
And Then It's Spring Poster Image
BOOK

And Then It's Spring

age 4+

A boy's wondrous experience of seeing his seeds grow.

By: Julie Fogliano (2012)
E-I-E-I-O: How Old MacDonald Got His Farm with a Little Help from a Hen Poster Image
BOOK

E-I-E-I-O: How Old MacDonald Got His Farm with a Little Help from a Hen

age 4+

Funny story offers gentle lessons about organic farming.

By: Judy Sierra (2014)
Earth! My First 4.54 Billion Years: Our Universe, Book 1 Poster Image
BOOK

Earth! My First 4.54 Billion Years: Our Universe, Book 1

age 4+

Our planet tells its own history in fun, kid-friendly way.

By: Stacy McAnulty (2017)
Emeraldalicious Poster Image
BOOK

Emeraldalicious

age 4+

Pinkalicious goes green in magical clean-up adventure.

By: Victoria Kann (2013)
Galapagos Girl / Galapagueña Poster Image
BOOK

Galapagos Girl / Galapagueña

age 4+

Colorful bilingual book about the Galápagos Islands.

By: Marsha Diane Arnold (2018)
Hurricane Poster Image
BOOK

Hurricane

age 4+

Gorgeous art shows community strength after disaster.

By: John Rocco (2021)
If You Plant a Seed Poster Image
BOOK

If You Plant a Seed

age 4+

Garden critters offer relatable lesson on kindness, sharing.

By: Kadir Nelson (2015)
Life Poster Image
BOOK

Life

age 4+

Dreamy, meditative book ponders life's deeper meaning.

By: Cynthia Rylant (2017)
The Lorax Poster Image
BOOK

The Lorax

age 4+

Seuss fable has become environmentalist classic.

By: Dr. Seuss (1971)
Mama Built a Little Nest Poster Image
BOOK

Mama Built a Little Nest

age 4+

Lively, poetic takes on different birds' nesting habits.

By: Jennifer Ward (2014)
Outside In Poster Image
BOOK

Outside In

age 4+

Gorgeous but moody images contrast with joy of outdoors.

By: Deborah Underwood (2020)