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Celebrate Our Planet Through Stories and Activities – Earth Day is the perfect time to help children develop a love and respect for our planet. One of the most meaningful ways to do that is through books. Stories about nature, conservation, and the environment can help young readers understand the importance of protecting the world around them.
In this post, I’m sharing my top Earth Day books for kids, organized by age group. I’ve also included fun, eco-friendly activities and thoughtful questions to spark meaningful conversations. Let me know which Earth Day book you and your children love most!
Table of Content
- Why Read Books About Earth Day?
- The Role of Books in Teaching Kids about Earth Day
- How To Use Books About Earth Day With Children
- 11 Earth Day Books For Children
- What Earth Day Book(s) Are You Going To Read Later?
Why Read Books About Earth Day?
Earth Day books encourage children to appreciate nature, understand environmental issues, and recognize their role in making a difference.
Whether it’s through tales of forest creatures, real-life environmental heroes, or playful adventures in the great outdoors, these stories help kids see that every small action—like recycling or planting a tree—can make a big impact.
Reading these books nurtures empathy, environmental awareness, and a sense of responsibility for the natural world. Plus, they’re just plain fun!
The Role of Books in Teaching Kids about Earth Day
Books about the Earth and environment offer a gentle but powerful way to introduce important topics like climate change, sustainability, and conservation.
Through beautiful illustrations and age-appropriate storytelling, children learn about the water cycle, the importance of bees, endangered animals, deforestation, and more. These books show that caring for the Earth isn’t just for grown-ups—kids can be changemakers, too!
They also highlight key values like kindness, responsibility, and community—perfect lessons for Earth Day and every day.
How to Use Books about Earth Day with Children
Want to make Earth Day books even more engaging? Try these ideas:
- 🌱 Ask Reflective Questions – After reading, ask kids: What do you love most about nature? or If you could change one thing to help the Earth, what would it be? In the classroom, “Turn and Talk” or small group reflections can deepen their thinking.
- 🌎 Do a Green Activity Together – Create a nature collage from recycled materials, go on a litter clean-up walk, or plant wildflowers to support pollinators. You could also start a compost jar or make a bird feeder out of upcycled items.
- 📚 Connect Stories to Real Life – When you visit a park or talk about recycling, bring up scenes or characters from the books you’ve read. This helps kids connect the dots between fiction and real-world actions.
- 👩👩👧👦 Include the Whole Family – Encourage grandparents, neighbors, or babysitters to read these books, too! Kids will love sharing what they’ve learned and teaching others how to care for the Earth.
11 Earth Day Books For Children
Younger Children (Ages 3-6)
#1 “The Earth Book” by Todd Parr
Todd Parr presents a vibrant and child-friendly exploration of environmental protection, highlighting simple actions children can take to make a positive impact on the planet.
Demonstrates that individuals, regardless of age, can contribute to environmental preservation.
Activity Suggestion: Eco-Friendly Pledge – Have children create a list of daily actions they can take to help the environment.
Discussion Questions:
- What are some simple ways you can help the Earth every day?
- How do small actions contribute to a healthier environment?
- Can you think of new habits to adopt that would benefit the Earth?
#2 “I Love Earth” by Little Hippo Books
This interactive board book introduces young readers to the wonders of our planet, fostering an early appreciation for nature and the environment.
Encourages children to observe and value the beauty of the natural world.
Activity Suggestion: Earth Collage – Collect images from magazines to create a collage representing various aspects of the Earth.
Discussion Questions:
- What do you love most about our planet?
- How can we show respect and care for the Earth?
- How does exploring nature help us understand the environment better?
#3 “Earth Day Every Day” by Lisa Bullard
In this engaging picture book, young Trina takes proactive steps to care for our planet. She organizes an Earth Day club with her friends, participates in activities like planting trees, and learns about reducing waste. Through Trina’s initiatives, readers discover practical ways to make every day Earth Day.
Emphasizes the importance of caring for the Earth through daily actions.
Activity Suggestion: Plant a Tree – Organize a tree-planting event to promote greenery and improve air quality.
Discussion Questions:
- What motivated Trina to start an Earth Day club, and how did her actions inspire others?
- Can you think of simple ways to help the environment in your daily life?
- Why is it important to involve friends and family in environmental initiatives?
Lower Elementary Children (Ages 7-9)
#4 “10 Things I Can Do to Help My World” by Melanie Walsh
This book offers practical suggestions for children to engage in environmentally friendly practices, emphasizing that small actions can lead to significant positive changes.
Provides clear examples of how children can contribute to ecological well-being.
Activity Suggestion: Water-Saving Experiment – Measure how much water is saved by turning off the tap while brushing teeth.
Discussion Questions:
- Which of the ten actions do you already practice?
- What new action would you like to start doing to help the Earth?
- How can you inspire friends and family to take similar steps?
#5 “My Friend Earth” by Patricia MacLachlan
This beautifully illustrated book personifies Earth as a friend who takes care of all living things, showcasing the planet’s diverse landscapes and seasons.
Fosters empathy and a personal connection to the environment.
Activity Suggestion: Seasonal Art Project – Create artwork representing the four seasons and discuss how Earth changes throughout the year.
Discussion Questions:
- How does Earth take care of us, and how can we reciprocate?
- Why is it important to pay attention to the natural world around us?
- What can we learn from observing nature’s cycles?
#6 “My First Book of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle” by Duopress Labs
An introductory guide for young readers on the concepts of reducing waste, reusing materials, and recycling, presented in an accessible and engaging manner.
Reinforces positive behaviors that contribute to sustainability.
Activity Suggestion: Sorting Game – Set up bins labeled “Reduce,” “Reuse,” and “Recycle,” and have children sort items accordingly.
Discussion Questions:
- What does it mean to reduce, reuse, and recycle?
- Why is recycling important for the Earth?
- What are some things you can recycle at home?
#7 “Can Save the Earth!: One Little Monster Learns to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle” by Alison Inches
A little green monster learns how his habits affect the planet and adopts new eco-friendly behaviors to help save the Earth.
Shows that anyone—even a monster—can change for the better.
Activity Suggestion: Trash Art – Create a green monster using only recycled or reused materials.
Discussion Questions:
- What bad habits did the monster have at the start of the book?
- How did he change and why?
- What’s one thing you could do differently to help the Earth?
Check Out Capybara-Theme Daily Reflection Journals For Kids!
Upper Elementary Children (Ages 9-11)
#8 “Thank You, Earth” by April Pulley Sayre
This poetic and photographic celebration of nature expresses gratitude to the Earth for its beauty, diversity, and life-giving resources.
Encourages appreciation for Earth’s beauty and diversity.
Activity Suggestion: Gratitude Letters – Write “thank you” letters or drawings to the Earth.
Discussion Questions:
- What part of the Earth are you most thankful for?
- How can you show your appreciation for nature?
- Why should we say “thank you” to the Earth?
#9 “This Class Can Save the Planet” by Stacy Tornio
A group of students takes action to make their classroom and community more environmentally friendly through small, achievable steps.
Shows how group efforts can create significant environmental change.
Activity Suggestion: Class Earth Pledge – Write a group pledge about how your class will help the Earth.
Discussion Questions:
- What are some of the ways the students helped the planet?
- Which actions could you try at school or home?
- How do small changes add up when everyone helps?
#10 “The Adventures of a Plastic Bottle: A Story About Recycling” by Alison Inches
Told from the perspective of a plastic bottle, this story follows its journey from creation to recycling and reuse.
Offers insight into product life cycles.
Activity Suggestion: Plastic Bottle Diary – Write your own version of a bottle’s journey.
Discussion Questions:
- What did the plastic bottle learn throughout its journey?
- How did recycling give the bottle a new purpose?
- What happens when we don’t recycle properly?
#11 “The Lorax” by Dr. Seuss
The Lorax speaks for the trees and warns about the dangers of environmental destruction caused by greed and neglect.
Highlights the importance of standing up for nature.
Activity Suggestion: Truffula Tree Craft – Create bright, fuzzy Truffula trees from recycled materials.
Discussion Questions:
- What message did the Lorax try to share?
- What does the word “unless” mean in the story?
- What can YOU do to protect nature like the Lorax?
What Earth Day Book(s) Are You Going To Read Later?
Earth Day books are more than just stories—they’re a call to action, a spark of curiosity, and a reminder that we all share this beautiful planet.
By reading and talking about these books with children, we’re planting seeds of change that can grow for generations.
Which Earth-themed books are on your list this year? Tag me on Instagram @LittleYellowStarTeaches and share your favorites—I love seeing what you’re reading!
Happy Earth Day and happy reading!
Prima at LittleYellowStar
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