Earth Day: Picture Books for Early Childhood & Beyond

Celebrate Earth Day with picture books!

Updated March 21, 2024
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Wonder walkers
Archer, Micha
Paper Book
A Caldecott Honor winner! Micha Archer's gorgeous, detailed collages give readers a fresh outlook on the splendors of nature. When two curious kids embark on a "wonder walk," they let their imaginations soar as they look at the world in a whole new light. They have...
Look what I found in the woods
Butterfield, Moira
Paper Book
Open your senses to a world of wonder by taking a walk through the woods! Set off on an outdoor adventure and find natural treasures, from prickly pine cones to swirly snails' shells, then learn more about the plants and creatures of the forest in this fact-filled guide to the outdoors.
I'm a volcano!
Heos, Bridget
Paper Book
In the second installment of the Science Buddies series, a volcano takes young readers through the fascinating formation and life of an active volcano--cool! I mean, hot! How do volcanoes form? What makes them erupt? Are there different kinds? Hi, I'm Volcano! And I...
Log life
Hevron, Amy
Paper Book
A Junior Library Guild Selection Discover the tiny, fascinating world of nurse logs in this first book in an illuminating picture book series that explores how even the smallest habitats play big roles in nature. Once there stood a giant fir tree that...
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...
Only one
Hopkinson, Deborah
Paper Book
This lyrical, environmentally focused picture book showcases the unique beauty of our one and only universe--its galaxies, stars, and planets--as well as our one and only Earth and the precious life it contains. Join one girl as she leads her friends to a tree-planting...
A garden called home
Lee, Jessica J.
Paper Book
Mama was born in a country far away from here. I love her stories about warm rain in winter and green mountains. And now Mama's taking me there! When a young girl and her mother go to visit her family, the girl notices a change. At home, her mother mostly stays inside. Here, her mother likes to...
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 tree in me
Luyken, Corinna
Paper Book
A stunning and sensitive portrait of the strength within each of us and the nourishment we receive from the natural world, by the New York Timesbestselling creator of the acclaimed My Heart and The Book of Mistakes Through poetic text and exquisite...
We planted a tree
Muldrow, Diane.
Paper Book
We planted a tree and it grew up, While it reached for the sky and the sun. . . . In this simple poem illustrated by award winner Bob Staake, two young families in two very different parts of the world plant a tree. As the trees flourish, so do the families . . ....
Thank you, Earth : a love letter to our planet
Sayre, April Pulley
Paper Book
Winner of the Green Prize for Sustainable Literature "A splendid marriage of poetry and photography." --School Library Journal (starred review) Acclaimed children's book author and photographer April Pulley Sayre's love letter to Earth is a stunning exploration of the beauty and...
Compost stew : an A to Z recipe for the earth
Siddals, Mary McKenna.
Paper Book
Teach kids to compost and help them develop life-long habits to protect the Earth. From apple cores to zinnia heads, readers will discover the best ingredients for a successful compost pile in this fun picture book perfect for Earth Day! Kids everywhere are seeking knowledge...
Lights out : a movement to help migrating birds
Stremer, Jessica
Paper Book
Based on the real-life Lights Out movement, this inspirational picture book shows how even the smallest of actions, like flipping a switch, can make a big difference in helping migrating birds. When the seasons change and it's time for a flock of sparrows to move on, a map made...
Little Land
Sudyka, Diana
Paper Book
Do you know a little bit of land? It could be smaller than you expect. But its importance is bigger than you know. From the prehistoric past to the dramatic environmental change of right here and now, the land has countless stories to tell. You, too, are a part of the land. Listen, and you will...
Fatima's great outdoors
Tariq, Ambreen
Paper Book
An immigrant family embarks on their first camping trip in the Midwest in this lively picture book by Ambreen Tariq, outdoors activist and founder of @BrownPeopleCamping Fatima Khazi is excited for the weekend. Her family is headed to a local state park for their first camping...
Tree : a peek-through picture book
Teckentrup, Britta.
Paper Book
Watch the tree change with the seasons as each page is turned in this beautiful and educational picture book for curious young minds.  New York Public Library's 100 Best Books for Kids 2016 Through a hole in the book's cover, an owl invites...
Greta and the giants : inspired by Greta Thunberg's stand to save the world
Tucker, Zoe?
Paper Book
All that grows
Wong, Jack
Paper Book
From Boston Globe-Horn Book Award winner Jack Wong, a story of a boy who discovers that the more he learns, the more there is to know! On their neighborhood walks together, a boy learns from his older sister all about the plants they see -- magnolias that smell like lemon cake, creeping...

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