It is never too late to introduce your children to the idea of environmental consciousness and protecting our planet. Here are some of our favorite children’s books on the environment that make great reads and gifts.
My Friend Earth: (Earth Day Books with Environmentalism Message for Kids, Saving Planet Earth, Our Planet Book) by Patricia MacLachlan
Suggested Ages: 3-5 years
Our friend Earth does so many wonderful things! She tends to animals large and small. She pours down summer rain and autumn leaves. She sprinkles whisper-white snow and protects the tiny seeds waiting for spring. This book celebrates all the things the Earth does for us, and reminds us to be a good friend in return.
We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom
Suggested Ages: 3-6 years
Inspired by the many Indigenous-led movements across North America, this book issues an urgent rallying cry to safeguard the Earth’s water from harm and corruption.
Compost Stew: An A to Z Recipe for the Earth by Mary McKenna Siddals
Suggested Ages: 3-7 years
Kids everywhere are seeking knowledge about the environment and climate change. Not only is composting becoming more common in households and residential gardens, but many school gardens feature compost piles, too. But how do you start a compost pile? What’s safe to include? Perfect for an Earth Day focus or year-round reference, this inviting book provides all the answers for kids and families looking for simple, child-friendly ways to help the planet.
Why Should I Recycle? by Jen Green
Suggested Ages: 4-7 years
What if everybody threw away old bottles and newspapers, littering the world with glass and plastic and tin cans that should be recycled and made into new products? Mr. Jones is a teacher who sets a good example for kids by separating his trash for recycling. When he takes them on a class trip to a recycling plant, they learn the value of recycling. The enlightening and entertaining four-book Why Should I? series demonstrates the importance of protecting nature.
Not for Me, Please! I Choose to Act Green by Maria Godsey
Suggested Ages: 4-9 years
Join Luke on his journey to protect what he loves with this engaging children’s picture book about sustainability and acting green. After noticing the damage caused to the environment and animals due to trash and waste, Luke decides to take action. He believes he can have a big impact on the world around him and invites his readers to join him! Using his phrase, “Not for me, please”, Luke role models how children can harness their inner super-hero and help protect the environment. He introduces the concept of Recycle, Reduce, and Reuse through relatable examples children can understand. The rhyming story is catchy and the illustrations are captivating.
What a Waste: Trash, Recycling, and Protecting our Planet by Jess French
Suggested Ages: 6-9 years
In this informative book on recycling for children, you will find everything you need to know about our environment. The good, the bad and the incredibly innovative. From pollution and litter to renewable energy and plastic recycling. This educational book will teach young budding ecologists about how our actions affect planet Earth and the big impact we can make by the little things we do.
This Book Is Not Garbage: 50 Ways to Ditch Plastic, Reduce Trash, and Save the World! by Isabel Thomas
Suggested Ages: 8-12 years
Do you worry about the world’s waste? The bad news is, humans throw away too much trash. But the good news is, there are lots of easy ways you can get involved and make a difference! From ditching straws and banning glitter to hosting a plastic-free birthday party, helping to save the planet is not as difficult as you think. So, take control of your future! Become an eco-warrior instead of an eco-worrier and do your part to save the world from GARBAGE!
