Earth Day Books for Kids

Earth Day is the perfect opportunity to talk to children about being responsible stewards of the Earth. Books can offer a beautiful place to start, sharing stories that help little ones gain a greater appreciation for the natural world and our role within it.

This collection of Earth Day books for kids is filled with both sweet and informative reads to help parents introduce concepts that teach the importance of caring for our planet, not just on Earth Day, but all throughout the year.

Earth Day Books for Toddlers

It’s never too early to start nurturing your little one’s connection to the natural world. Enjoying these sweet books with your toddler is a simple way to start fostering gratitude for the world around them and talking to them about how we can care for it.

The EARTH Book by Todd Parr

This book is a kid-friendly introduction to caring for the Earth that shows how we can all do our part to protect the planet.

I Love Earth with The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

This story featuring The Very Hungry Caterpillar celebrates the beauty and resilience of the Earth, encouraging little ones to appreciate the natural world around them.

Biscuit’s Earth Day Celebration by Alyssa Satin Capucilli

This sweet story about the puppy, Biscuit, introduces kids to basic Earth Day concepts and ways to celebrate.

How the Crayons Saved the Earth by Monica Sweeney

This playful story about a group of crayons who team up to help a struggling Earth introduces young readers to pollution and teaches the importance of caring for the environment.

I Love Earth — Touch and Feel Board Book Board book by Little Hippo Book 

This interactive touch-and-feel board book teaches little ones about simple ways to care for the Earth, like recycling, conserving water, and planting trees.

Change Starts with Us by Sophie Beer

Perfect for young children, this book helps to inspire them to do their part to take care of the Earth. 

Earth Day Books for Elementary School Kids

Older children are able to delve deeper into how their actions impact the world around them. These books weave in meaningful lessons, helping kids better understand what it means to care for the Earth and why it is so important.

Happy Earth Day! by Deborah Hopkinson

This fact-filled Little Golden Book introduces the history and importance of Earth Day while offering simple, hands-on ways kids can care for the planet.

Earth Day—Hooray! by Stuart J. Murphy

This engaging Earth Day book teaches math concepts through a fun story about kids working together to complete a recycling challenge.

The Girl Who Spoke to the Moon: A Story about Friendship and Loving Our Earth by Land Wilson

This environmentally themed story follows a young girl’s dream journey with the Moon, inspiring children to care for the Earth and take simple steps to protect it.

Eco Girl by Ken Wilson-Max

This story follows a young girl inspired by her love of trees as she learns to care for the land and give back to the Earth.

We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom

Inspired by Indigenous-led movements, this powerful and beautifully illustrated story follows a young water protector as she stands up to defend the Earth’s water.

Old Enough to Save the Planet by Loll Kirby

This book introduces young climate activists from around the world who are taking action to protect the planet, showing how everyone can make a difference.

Books That Teach Kids to Care for the Earth

These books introduce concrete actions children can take to start protecting the planet. Kids will learn about reducing waste, and conserving resources, and will begin to see how the choices they make everyday can have an impact.

The Mess That We Made by Michelle Lord 

This powerful story helps children understand the impact that pollution has on the ocean and encourages them to take small, meaningful steps to protect marine life.

The Three R’s: Reuse, Reduce, Recycle by Nuria Roca

This book is perfect for teaching younger kids how to be environmentally conscious and why it’s important for all of us to do our part.

What a Waste: Trash, Recycling, and Protecting our Planet by Jess French

This book introduces kids to how recycling and everyday choices affect the environment, showing how small actions can make a big difference for the planet.

Why Should I Save Water? by Jen Green

This book helps children understand the importance of water as a precious natural resource and demonstrates simple ways families can avoid wasting it.

Why Should I Save Energy? by Jen Green

This book teaches children about how electricity and other energy use affects natural resources and why it’s important to be mindful of our consumption.

Kids’ Books that Foster Appreciation for the Earth

Developing a sense of appreciation for the natural world can inspire children to care for it more deeply. These stories celebrate the beauty of the Earth, helping kids form a meaningful connection to the place they call home.

Thank You, Earth: A Love Letter to our Planet by April Pulley Sayre

This beautiful book is a poetic celebration of Earth’s beauty that helps to encourage gratitude for the planet and inspires awe for the natural world.

Love, the Earth by Frances Stickley

This story, told from the perspective of the Earth, invites children to witness the wonder of the natural world while inspiring them to care for and protect it in return.

The Earth Gives More by Sue Fliess

This charming book invites children to notice nature’s rhythms and encourages them to care for and respect Earth.

My Friend Earth by Patricia MacLachlan 

This book celebrates everything Earth does for us, and reminds us to be good friends in return.

Our Planet! There’s No Place Like Earth by Stacy McAnulty

Told from Earth’s perspective, this engaging book shares awesome, kid-friendly facts to help children appreciate the planet they call home.

Raising Kids Who Love the Earth

Modeling simple, earth-friendly habits is one of the most meaningful ways we can help our children learn to love the planet. By reading stories that introduce the importance of caring for the Earth, we can deepen that understanding and create space for thoughtful conversations and daily actions that reduce waste and support the living world around us. Earth Day offers the perfect opportunity to begin exploring simple, concrete ways to put those ideas into practice and these books are a beautiful place to start.

Check out my Earth Day mini unit study for more simple ways to learn about Earth Day and celebrate together.