Earth Day is the perfect time to teach kids about the planet and all of the amazing plants and creatures living on it. So I am thrilled to share some fascinating new children’s books about nature. They also celebrate the seasons, and the things that we can do to protect our planet and keep us connected to Earth.

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Green on Green

Written by Dianne White and illustrated by Felicita Sala

This colorful book follows a family through a whole year. The poetic language uses various color words to describe different seasons and the sights that can be seen during them. The illustrations highlight the different activities that the family participates in throughout the year. They focus on both working the land, and just enjoying the season they are in. Eagle eyed readers will notice the mother in the images continues to grow each season. (Until finally a new life appears with her at the end).

Hundred Feet Tall

Written by Benjamin Scheuer and illustrated by Jemima Williams

This adorable story follows a young bunny when he finds a seed in the woods and takes it home to plant it and take care of it. The rhyming text includes a repeated refrain from the seed, thanking the bunny for the care that it is showing, and telling him that one day his love will lead him to grow one hundred feet tall. This sweet refrain rings true for parents reading the story as well. It reminds us that our love and care can cause things to grow and flourish, whether it is an abandoned seed, or our own kids.

The illustrations feature adorable animal characters, and they use the seasons and holidays throughout the year to show time passing. (Kids can also notice the mother bunny’s growing belly showing the passage of time too). The book also shows the animals working together to turn their neighborhood into a beautiful place to live. The back of the book includes sheet music which puts the lyrical text to music. Check out the song here!

Related Post: Celebrate the Seasons!

My Friend Earth

Written by Patricia MacLachlan and illustrated by Francesca Sanna

This creative book shows the Earth as a young woman who cares for the plants and the animals. She guards the living creatures on the planet, and provides the necessary weather to help them grow and flourish. The die cut pages encourage the reader to take a deeper look at the illustrations. Each turn of the page causes the images to change as well. The poetic text celebrates all of the amazing things that the Earth can do. It also reminds us of all the amazing living creatures that live on the planet with us.

Hike

Written and illustrated by Pete Oswald

This mostly wordless picture book uses beautiful illustrations to tell the story of a father and son heading out on a hike in the woods together. As the pair heads into the mountains, they track animals, study bugs, take photographs, play games, push themselves, and even plant a new tree to help the forest continue to grow. The only words in the book are sound effects added to some of the images. Kids and parents will be reminded of all the beautiful things there are to see in nature. You may even be inspired to head out to the woods near you too.

Paper World: Planet Earth

Written by Ruth Symons and illustrated by Bomboland

This large, beautiful book uses die-cut pages, flaps, and striking illustrations to teach kids about the Earth. Each two page spread focuses on different land forms and bodies of water on the Earth, using labeled illustrations and fun facts to teach little ones. The text on the page is small, but it is packed with information, introducing new vocabulary words and defining them. The illustrations are multilayered, drawing the reader in and encouraging them to look for all the details hidden within. This is a great introduction to the parts of the planet for little ones.

Related Post: Engaging Nonfiction: Nature Books for Kids

Most of the Better Natural Things in the World

Written by Dave Eggers and illustrated by Angel Chang

Join a roaming tiger as he travels the world and explores the most interesting places on Earth. The only text in the book is the large labels for the different kinds of land masses across the planet. The striking and colorful illustrations showcase different types of land masses and features from around the world. The adorable tiger can be found in every two page spread too. The back of the book includes an illustrated glossary, providing the name of the land form and a simple description that is easy for kids to understand.

The Hike

Written by Alison Farrell

In this fun story, 3 young girls are heading out together on a hike. Each of them has their own strengths and interests. As they make their way through the woods, they each teach the others about something. The text is pretty simple, but the detailed illustrations are full of labels, introducing readers to different plants, birds, animals, and trees. One of the girls keeps a sketchbook filled with interesting things that they have encountered in their travels, and pages from that sketchbook are shared throughout the book and at the end of the story. This story not only highlights some of the amazing things that can be seen out on a hike in the woods, but also celebrate the beauty of friendship and the fun that can be had during a day outside with friends.

Related Post: Celebrate Earth Day with these Children’s Books about Nature

One Little Bag

Written and illustrated by Henry Cole

This wordless picture book tracks the journey of one paper bag as it goes from a tall tree in the forest to a paper bag the store, and eventually a reused bag that becomes a family heirloom. Throughout the illustrations, the same bag is used again and again and again, finding new uses and being handed down from the young boy to his own son, and eventually to his grandson. The beautiful illustrations are mostly done in black and white, with the bag being the only item in color on every page. This is a great conversation starter for kids who are interested in sustainability and reusing items again and again. An author’s note at the back shares the real life events that inspired the story, making it even more remarkable.

The Keeper of Wild Words

Written by Brooke Smith and illustrated by Madeline Kloepper

This book inspires the reader to study the world around us and keep wild words from being forgotten. In the story, a young girl goes to visit her grandmother Mimi. Mimi is very sad because she is worried that some of her favorite wild words are being forgotten, and she wants her granddaughter Brook to be the Keeper of Wild Words. So the two of them go on a mission to find all of the things on her list of wild words. As they spend the day outside exploring the wilderness around them, they find all kinds of beautiful plants and animals, and they use their wild words.

The author’s note at the end of the book shares the inspiration behind the story, and the author’s intention to keep natural words in our shared vocabulary. The sweet illustrations highlight the loving relationship between the pair, and the beautiful sights that they encounter in their adventures.

What are your favorite children’s books about nature? Share them in the comments below, and don’t forget to share this post with others in honor of Earth Day!

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