There are so many neat Earth Day books that have been published for children. It’s actually pretty exciting to see this topic covered so well. I’ve narrowed down some of my favorite picks so that you can check them out with your young readers.
Favorite Earth Day Books for Kids
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If You Come to Earth by Sophie Blackall
Written as a letter to a visitor from outer space to Earth, it’s a gentle call to take care of the Earth and each other. Blackall was inspired to write If You Come to Earth while sitting on top of a Himalayan mountain where she was working with Save the Children.
“Right this minute, we are all here together on this beautiful planet. It’s the only we have, so we should take care of it.”
Earth! My First 4.54 Billion Years by Stacy McAnulty
Narrated by Earth, we of some important facts about our planet from how the continents formed to life that existed more than 400,000,000 years ago. Maybe if we understand our planet better, we’ll take care of it more.
The Wartville Wizard by Don Madden
The town is being buried in trash. Careless citizens are throwing gum and soda bottles on the ground. One tidy man realizes he has the power to get rid of the trash and teaches the town a lesson. This is such a fun and silly book packed with a powerful environmental message.
Thank You, Earth by April Pully Sayre
A breathtaking photographic journey around planet Earth. The text is a love letter to the beautiful planet we live on each day. Kids will be inspired to take a camera outside and capture the beauty around them.
The Earth Book by Todd Parr
Todd Parr teaches love. And, in The Earth Book he invites us to love the Earth through bright bold pictures and engaging text. This is a great pick for younger listeners.
10 Things I Can Do to Help Save My World by Melanie Walsh
This is another good pick for young listeners. Kids are encouraged to do 10 simple things that can have a big impact on the world from turning off the water when you brush your teeth to picking up trash.
This Is Our Earth by Laura Lee Benson and illustrated by John Carrozza
Benson uses rhythmic verse to paint a portrait of appreciation for our earth at the top of each page. The subtext at the bottom of each page gives facts to introduce life and earth sciences. I love the last line, “This is our Earth to cherish and love. To clean and protect from below and above.”
Our Earth by Anne Rockwell
This story explains how our earth has changed over time. Islands, glaciers, volcanoes, coral reefs, forests, and caves are all explored in this simple introduction book.
Jack’s Garden by Henry Cole
In the garden that Jack built, you will see and meet lots of plants and animals. Over the course of this cumulative book, you will watch his garden bloom. This is an excellent book for building vocabulary.
Wilson’s World by Edith Thacher Hurd and Clement Hurd might be a bit hard to find. Wilson sets out to paint a picture and create a story that he titles, “THIS IS WILSON”S WORLD”. As Wilson adds more and more to his picture he realizes that his “world” is quickly becoming polluted and crowded. So, he takes out a clean piece of paper and begins to create a world that he really wants to be a part of. He creates a world where everyone takes care of the environment.
Dear Children of the Earth by Schim Schimmel
This is a letter that Mother Earth writes to the world about the importance of respecting the planet. Schimmel’s acrylic paintings are a beautiful accompaniment to the poignant text.
City Green by DyAnne DiSalvo-Ryan
A vacant lot sits in the middle of a city block. A young girl has an idea to turn the run-down lot into a green space. The story blossoms into a whole neighborhood coming together to create this beautiful space. At the end of this book are tips for starting your own community garden.
Alba & The Ocean Clean Up by Lara Hawthorne
This story reminds us to keep plastic out of our waterways. And, it happens to be the main book for one of our Family Dinner Book Clubs.
Get a Printable List of Earth Day Books for Kids
Would you like this list to take with you to the library? Just click the green “get your free printable” button below to download and print.
Related Earth Day Posts
Books About Water & Keeping It Clean
We also have a week unit on Earth Day in our Spring Literacy Unit for Preschoolers. Get it today!—>Get the Spring Unit
*This post first was published on Growing Book by Book on 4/16/12 and has now been updated.
Jacquie@KCEdventures says
Wonderful book list for Earth Day and every day. Thanks for sharing at the Discover & Explore linky – pinning so others can see!
JP says
Great list of books- Wilson’s World is a forgotten treasure I plan to dig out to read to my students tomorrow. You have a new email follower & facebook friend- thanks!
Molly says
I just became and email follower! Can’t wait for the next installment.
Molly says
I just discovered your site and it looks like a great one! I love, love books!
Ness says
What a great list. Thanks for sharing on the Weekly Kid’s Co-op!
Marcy Laber says
I liked you on Facebook
Marcy Laber says
I became a email subscriber
growingbookbybook says
Welcome Marcy!
Marcy Laber says
I started following you on Pinterest.
Marcy Laber says
I love Growing Book by Book
Kathleen Behrens says
These were some really great title to recommed. I saw a few favorites but am intrigued by a few more, particulary Dear Children of the Earth. Thank you for sharing. I look forward to reading them to myself and my class!
Patricia Tilton says
What a lovely post and I have not read any of the wonderful books you shared. Dear Children of the Earth, I may have seen. But each was unique and offered a variety of perspectives. City Green is a great book to get kids involved, such a great way to teach service too. I’ve reviewed a number of Earth and Arbor Day books this year, and should have held onto at least one for this time period. Enjoyed your post.