Earth Day: Books for Kids

Fiction and non-fiction titles for kids all about our planet, climate change, and the great outdoors!

Updated March 21, 2024
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Kids vs. plastic : ditch the straw and find the pollution solution to bottles, bags, and other single-use plastics : how you can be a waste warrior!
Beer, Julie (Children's author)
Paper Book
Jam-packed with surprising information about plastic's effect on the environment, plus loads of practical ways kids can cut down on their plastic footprint, this is the kids guide to being part of the pollution solution! It's in your toothbrush ... your clothes ... your...
You can change the world
Bell, Lucy, (Writer on sustainable living)
Paper Book
Every day, we see a problem we would like to fix. A piece of rubbish in a green, grassy park. Plastic water bottles buried in the sand at the beach. A garbage bin overflowing onto the street. A skinny, stray dog. A homeless person on a cold day.These problems seem impossible for one person to change...
The gentle genius of trees
Bunting, Phil
Paper Book
What could we clever humans ever learn from trees? Take an unashamedly anthropomorphic wander through the woods to learn a few life lessons from our foliaged friends.
The observologist
Clarkson, Giselle
Paper Book
A highly illustrated, playful field guide for budding natural scientists and curious observers of the world right under our noses. Observology is the study of looking. An observologist makes scientific expeditions, albeit very small ones, every day. They notice interesting details in the...
The wild world handbook : how adventurers, artists, scientists--and you--can protect earth's habitats
Debbink, Andrea
Paper Book
Packed with real-life tales of adventure, breathtaking illustrations, and hands-on STEAM activities, this handbook is an inspiring guide for the next generation of climate activists, conservationists, and nature lovers. The wonder of the natural world surrounds us-from the Amazon...
The world's wildest places and the people protecting them
Dyu, Lily
Paper Book
Discover the wildest places on earth, and meet the amazing people dedicating their lives to conserving them. Embark on the journey of a lifetime to 20 of the world's wildest places! Explore each environment, and learn about the keepers who are working to preserve them for future...
Beetles for Breakfast: And other weird & wonderful ways we could save the planet
Finlay, Madeleine
Paper Book
The outdoor scientist : the wonder of observing the natural world
Grandin, Temple
Paper Book
From New York Times bestselling author and world-renowned scientist and autism spokesperson Temple Grandin comes a book about exploring the world around us, asking questions, and making sense of what we see--with 40 fun outdoor activities that promote independent thinking, which kids...
The magic & mystery of trees
Green, Jen
Paper Book
Learn about the amazing natural science of trees in this gorgeously illustrated nature and science children's book. From the highest branch and leaf down to the complex ""wood wide web"" of roots in the soil, every part of a tree plays an important role in its own growth and the habitat...
Earth hour : a lights-out event for our planet
Heffernan, Nanette
Paper Book
Click flashlights, light lanterns, and get ready to turn electric lights out to celebrate Earth Hour! Wherever you are, you can help our planet. Kids around the world use electric energy to do all kinds of things--adults do, too! From cleaning the clothes we play in, to lighting...
Rise to the sky : how the world's tallest trees grow up
Hirsch, Rebecca E.
Paper Book
What is the tallest living thing? It's not an elephant, or a giraffe, or even a blue whale. It's a tree! Trees are the tallest living things on Earth. But how do they grow to be so tall? Science writer Rebecca E. Hirsch presents a poetic introduction to the tree life cycle in Rise to the...
The wonders of nature
Hoare, Ben
Paper Book
Uncover awe-inspiring stories behind the natural world with this nature book for curious kids aged 6-8. The world is filled with curious objects such as amazing rocks and minerals, microscopic life, plants, animals and more. The wonders of wildlife are so much bigger than young...
The last straw : kids vs. plastics
Hood, Susan
Paper Book
"Thoughtful and thought-provoking, this book will plant the seeds of environmental activism in young readers." --Kirkus (starred review) "I encourage everyone to read this book." --Dr. Jane Goodall There's no doubt about it--plastic is in almost...
My big book of outdoors
Hopgood, Tim
Paper Book
The way of the hive : a honey bee's story
Hosler, Jay
Paper Book
"A wonderful graphic novel."--Neil Gaiman Experience the life of a honeybee in this coming-of-age story about a bee named Nyuki, in this full-color graphic novel by Jay Hosler, perfect for curious kids who are fans of the Science Comics series. Nyuki is a brand-new...
Ocean atlas : a journey across the waves and into the deep
Jackson, Tom
Paper Book
Old enough to save the planet
Kirby, Loll
Paper Book
Author Loll Kirby and illustrator Adelina Lirius's picture book Old Enough to Save the Planet is an inspiring look at young climate change activists who are changing the world.   The world is facing a climate crisis like we've never seen before. And kids...
We are water protectors
Lindstrom, Carole
Paper Book
From author Carole Lindstrom and illustrator Michaela Goade comes a New York Times bestselling and Caldecott Medal winning picture book that honors Indigenous-led movements across the world. Powerfully written and gorgeously illustrated, We Are Water Protectors,...
The Earth book
Litton, Jonathan
Paper Book
Welcome to a world of wonders! In this enormous book about the Earth there is so much to explore! Readers can marvel at the physical planet, travel back in time to primordial Earth, explore all branches of the tree of life, discover habitats from oceans to deserts, learn how the weather works and...
The last straw
Matthiessen, Zoe
Paper Book
Meet Sippy the plastic straw! Once celebrated and loved by all, now Sippy is used up, discarded, and floating in a puddle. Sad and confused, Sippy is blown around on a long journey. Sippy, a plastic straw who was once so useful, one day gets thrown out and blown into the sea....
The brilliant deep : rebuilding the world's coral reefs : the story of Ken Nedimyer and the Coral Restoration Foundation
Messner, Kate
Paper Book
The Brilliant Deep is the proud recipient of the ALA Notable Children's Books Award, the NSTA-CBC Best STEM Trade Books Award, the Junior Library Guild Selection and the ILA Teacher's Choices. All it takes is one: one coral gamete to start a colony in the ocean, one person...
No world too big : young people fighting global climate change
Metcalf, Lindsay H.
Paper Book
Fans of No Voice Too Small will be inspired by young climate activists who made an impact around climate change in their communities, countries, and beyond. Climate change impacts everyone, but the future belongs to young people. No World Too Big celebrates twelve...
Drawn to change the world : 16 youth climate activists, 16 artists
Reynolds, Emma
Paper Book
"A brilliant, powerful, must-read for anyone and everyone on planet earth." --Hannah Gold, author of The Last Bear The climate crisis is reaching a critical tipping point--and you might have heard of the countless amazing young people who are taking action and speaking up for...
Go green!
Reynolds, Paul A.
Paper Book
STEAM problem-solvers and twin mice Sydney and Simon learn about the dangers of pollution-and the power of recycling-in this illustrated chapter book for young readers Last we saw them, Sydney & Simon used science, technology, engineering, arts, and math skills to save wilting...
The biggest footprint
Sears, Rob
Paper Book
Meet the mega human: colossal, clueless . . . and the biggest hope for life on earth There are eight billion of us humans. All breathing, eating, fidgeting and thinking deep thoughts. It's an unimaginably large number. Or is it? The mega...
Rebel Girls climate warriors : 25 tales of women who protect the Earth
Sher, Abby
Paper Book
A COMMON SENSE SELECTION (Common Sense Media) With fairytale-like stories about Greta Thunberg, Autumn Peltier, and Rachel Carson, Rebel Girls Climate Warriors- 25 Tales of Environmental Allies spotlights the world-changing work of women on the frontlines of the fight for climate...
Climate : our changing world
Sima, Andrew
Paper Book
2024 Green Earth Book Award Shortlist Climate change affects all of us, but by working together, we can help make the world safer for ourselves and future generations. From the smallest piece of plastic in the oceans to the...
The earth atlas
Van Rose, Susanna
Paper Book
Delve beneath the surface of Earth with this pictorial atlas and discover the secrets of our planet. How did planet Earth form? What's under the surface, and how can we see it? Why do volcanoes erupt? What do coasts and caves have in common? What's so important about rocks and...
Be thankful for trees
Ziefert, Harriet
Paper Book
What gives you a seat, a floor for your feet?A place you can sit with your family to eat? The pum-pum of a drum, a guitar's twangy strum . . .Tree wood makes music zing, ping, and hum. Using lilting, rhyming couplets, this book...

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