20 Earth Day Books for Kids
You don’t need to wait until Earth Day to start celebrating the Earth! While you can choose to save these books to read on Earth Day on April 22, these books are a great way to celebrate Earth, learn about recycling, and so much more anytime of the year!
You can find most of these books at your local library or bookstore (I’ve linked them all up for you below too!), or you can choose to Go Green and get the Kindle version instead and enjoy these books for years to come as ebooks. Whatever you choose, here are 20 Earth Day books for kids to read.
There is a great mix of picture books, read aloud suggestions and individual reading titles for all ages. I’m sure you’ll find some great titles for your Earth Day reading. Plus, you can grab our Earth Day Mini Unit for a short lesson, activities and crafts.
Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are ‘affiliate links’. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I may receive an affiliate commission.
1. Under Water, Under Earth
Fun illustrations and tons of amazing facts about the Earth and the world under our oceans.
2. For the Beauty of the Earth
This book boasts gorgeous illustrations to highlight the beautiful lyrics of a classic hymn.
3. What a Waste: Trash, Recycling, and Protecting our Planet
Beautiful illustrations share how kids can help reuse and recycle to protect the planet.
Earth Day Books for Kids
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What a Waste: Trash, Recycling, and Protecting our Planet
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4. The Magic and Mystery of Trees
Again, another title that is filled with beautiful illustrations. This book shares so many facts on trees – types of trees, how they affect the other things on Earth and why they are so important.
5. Not for Me, Please! I Choose to Act Green
This book is written from the perspective of a boy named Luke. Luke shares how he makes good choices to help keep Earth beautiful.
6. What Makes Day and Night
This is a nonfiction that discusses what makes day and night. It’s a great way to introduce scientific concepts about the Earth to young readers.
The Magic and Mystery of Trees
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Not For Me, Please! I Choose to Act Green
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Buy Now → 7. Why Should I Recycle?
This book in the Why Should I…? series prompts kids to think about how their actions affect the Earth. Check out the other books in this series for more great discussion starters.
8. The Tiny Seed
From one of our favorite authors Eric Carle, this book shows the journey a seed travels on during it’s life cycle. Included is a piece of seed paper that you can plant yourself!
9. The Lorax
This Dr. Seuss classic tells the story of the Lorax who speaks for the trees.
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Buy Now → 10. Why Should I Protect Nature?
Another great book the Why Should I…? series.
11. Save the Ocean (Save the Earth)
This is another book with fantastic illustrations. It tells the story of a mermaid as she learns about plastic pollution in the ocean.
12. Earth Ninja: A Children’s Book About Recycling, Reducing and Reusing
This book from the Ninja Life Hacks series shares how 3 simple life habits can have a huge impact on the Earth.
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Buy Now → 13. The Three R’s: Reuse, Reduce, Recycle
This is a great title to introduce the three R’s and ways that kids can incorporate them into their everyday routines.
14. A New Green Day
Each page of this story is a riddle about nature or the Earth.
15. It’s Earth Day!
We are HUGE Little Critter fans so this one was at the top of our list! The story tells how Little Critter learns about global warming and decides to take action.
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Buy Now → 16. The Adventures of a Plastic Bottle: A Story About Recycling
Cute story told through the diary of a plastic bottle on it’s journey through the recycling process.
17. Love the Earth
The magical story encourages kids to use their imagination to help save the planet by doing things like planting milkweed, cleaning the ocean and meeting new people to help on their mission.
18. The Big Earth Book
A fun book that incorporates history, geography, science and more to show how our planet is made up of the elements – earth, fire, air and water.
19. What if Everybody Did That?
This book will get kids thinking “what if everybody did that?” to understand the impact of a small action like tossing a piece of garbage on the ground.
20. I Am Earth: An Earth Day Book for Kids
A combination of Earth science and lessons about environmental awareness and sustainability.
The Adventures of a Plastic Bottle
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Buy Now → More Earth Day Activities
If you’re still looking for more ways to celebrate Earth Day, check out our Earth Day mini unit study. It contains plenty of activities, puzzles and crafts to help you celebrate the Earth and give back on Earth Day.
