As climate-related disasters continue to make headlines, parents today are understandably concerned with raising kids who care about the environment. There are many ways to teach children to take care of the planet, and one simple yet powerful approach is through books.
Countless children’s books offer meaningful messages about nature, recycling, environmental activism and more. We’ve rounded up a sample of 25.
Keep scrolling for a selection of books that feature themes of environmental conservation.
"The Watcher"
This picture book biography traces Jane Goodall’s life from her childhood in the UK to her years studying chimpanzees in Tanzania. (Available here)Penguin Random House
"Don't Let Them Disappear"
Chelsea Clinton’s “Don’t Let Them Disappear” details 12 species of endangered animals around the world and shares ways to help prevent their extinction. (Available here)Penguin Random House
"Bee & Me"
Young readers learn about the importance of bees in our ecosystem in “Bee & Me.” (Available here)Candlewick
"10 Things I Can Do to Help My World"
This book shares simple everyday tips for kids who care for the planet. (Available here)Candlewick
"The Water Princess"
Based on model Georgie Badiel’s childhood, “The Water Princess” follows a young girl who wants to bring potable drinking water to her West African community. (Available here)G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers
"Green"
This book is a tribute to the colour green and its various shades in our natural world. (Available here)Roaring Brook Press
"The Great Kapok Tree"
Set in the Amazon rainforest, “The Great Kapok Tree” emphasises the importance of trees to the health of the environment. (Available here)Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
"Compost Stew"
This alphabet book offers a child-friendly explanation of composting. (Available here)Tricycle Press
"Touch The Earth"
This book is the first in a series of three environmental-themed children’s books from John Lennon’s son, Julian. (Available here)Simon & Schuster
"Kenya's Art"
The title character draws inspiration from a museum recycling exhibit and transforms old, broken toys and other items into art. (Available here)
Charlesbridge
"Rachel Carson and Her Book That Changed the World"
Pioneering environmentalist and “Silent Spring” author, Rachel Carson, is the subject of this picture book biography. (Available here)Holiday House
"Miss Maple's Seeds"
This New York Times bestseller is about a little woman who gathers abandoned seeds and nurtures them into beautiful plants. (Available here)Penguin Random House
"Follow The Moon Home"
“Follow The Moon Home” shows how young people can make a difference through determination and teamwork. (Available here)Chronicle Books
"Kate, Who Tamed the Wind"
This rhythmic book follows a girl who finds an environmentally-friendly solution to a problem. (Available here)Penguin Random House
"One Love"
Bob Marley’s daughter Cedella adapted his famous song into a children’s book about the power of community. (Available here)Chronicle Books
"Seeds of Change"
“Seeds Of Change” details the life of the famous Kenyan environmental activist Wangarĩ Maathai. (Available here)Lee & Low Books
"Red Knit Cap Girl and the Reading Tree"
This instalment in the Red Knit Cap Girl series is about a special relationship with an ordinary tree. (Available here)Little, Brown Books For Young Readers
"The Adventures of a Plastic Bottle"
This glimpse into the life of a plastic bottle offers a valuable lesson about recycling. (Available here)Simon & Schuster
"City Green"
“City Green” is about a girl’s efforts to plant a garden and create an urban oasis in her community. (Available here)HarperCollins
"The Lonely Polar Bear"
This book about a polar bear in the arctic introduces kids to climate change issues in a gentle way. (Available here)Fox Chapel Publishing
"George Saves the World by Lunchtime"
In this story, a boy named George learns the power of recycling at the suggestion of his grandfather. (Available here)Eden Children's Books
"Grandpa's Garden"
The protagonist of this story experiences the magic of gardening and watching fruits and vegetables grow. (Available here)Barefoot Books
"We Planted a Tree"
Two families in different parts of the world plant each plant a tree in this poetic book. (Available here)Dragonfly Books
"One Plastic Bag"
Activist Isatou Ceesay is the subject of this book about the recycling efforts in the Gambia. (Available here)Millbrook Press
"One World"
“One World” illustrates concerns about pollution through the story of siblings spending a day at the seaside. (Available here)Andersen Press
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