6 great children’s books about the environment to read for Earth Day
Help your little ones save the planet this Earth Day.
Earth Day is coming up on April 22nd, the 51st anniversary of the start of the modern environmental movement. The theme for this year's celebration is Restore Our Earth. From April 20-22 EarthDay.org will host a digital environmental summit on various environmental justice issues (featuring youth climate crisis activists!). It's never too early to start talking to kids about our planet and environment and ways to take care of the earth, and picture books are a great way to introduce them to the importance of plants and flowers, trees, clean water, and recycling. Better yet, after reading some of these books , you can even make a day out of it and tie in an Earth Day activity related to one of the books you read that will help keep the planet healthy !
Todd Parr is known for his colorful, fun children's books, and this one is no different. This book shows why it is important to take care of our earth and how we can do so in a way that even young children can understand and be a part of. It's a fun addition to any collection and is great to read year-round.
This fun and interactive picture book shows children how bees contribute to the ecosystem and why it is important that they survive. With vivid colors and fun cutouts, this is a great way to show kids that bees are our friends.
This beautiful book was the winner of the 2021 Caldecott Medal and is a must-add to any picture book collection. Inspired by Indigenous-led movements, the book shows the importance of protecting our water supply. The prose is lyrical and the illustrations are vibrant, making this one that adults will love just as much as kids.
Greta Thunberg is one of the world's leading activists on the climate crisis, and this picture book is a great way to introduce her and the issues she speaks about to your children. It tells the story of how she got interested in the climate crisis, what she's done to fight for the planet and how even the youngest person can make a difference in the world.
This love letter to the planet tells the story of all the things Earth does for us: brings us summer rain, whispers snow, and protects seeds for the spring. The die-cut pages provide exploration for kids and the book is a great jumping-off point for discussions about life science and protecting the Earth.
This poetic book with warm, gentle illustrations shows how humans are strong and connected with one another, just like trees. Young kids will love the inviting pictures and story while older children and adults will appreciate the layers of meaning within the text. Good for all ages, it's a beautiful book about nature and humanity, and connecting to the natural world.
We've put together a short list of some of our favorite books to read for Earth Day.
The Earth Book by Todd Parr
Todd Parr is known for his colorful, fun children's books, and this one is no different. This book shows why it is important to take care of our earth and how we can do so in a way that even young children can understand and be a part of. It's a fun addition to any collection and is great to read year-round.
$9.99
Bee: A Peek-Through Picture Book by Britta Teckentrup
This fun and interactive picture book shows children how bees contribute to the ecosystem and why it is important that they survive. With vivid colors and fun cutouts, this is a great way to show kids that bees are our friends.
$13.79
We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom and Michaela Goade
This beautiful book was the winner of the 2021 Caldecott Medal and is a must-add to any picture book collection. Inspired by Indigenous-led movements, the book shows the importance of protecting our water supply. The prose is lyrical and the illustrations are vibrant, making this one that adults will love just as much as kids.
$14.48
Our House is on Fire: Greta Thunberg’s Call to Save the Planet by Jeanette Winter
Greta Thunberg is one of the world's leading activists on the climate crisis, and this picture book is a great way to introduce her and the issues she speaks about to your children. It tells the story of how she got interested in the climate crisis, what she's done to fight for the planet and how even the youngest person can make a difference in the world.
$14.22
My Friend Earth by Patricia MacLachlan and Francesca Sanna
This love letter to the planet tells the story of all the things Earth does for us: brings us summer rain, whispers snow, and protects seeds for the spring. The die-cut pages provide exploration for kids and the book is a great jumping-off point for discussions about life science and protecting the Earth.
$15.99
The Tree in Me by Corinna Luyken
This poetic book with warm, gentle illustrations shows how humans are strong and connected with one another, just like trees. Young kids will love the inviting pictures and story while older children and adults will appreciate the layers of meaning within the text. Good for all ages, it's a beautiful book about nature and humanity, and connecting to the natural world.
$16.19