Below is a list of 50 books that will make great Earth Day reads for a variety of ages and grade levels. Included are picks that provide a basic introduction to Earth Day, reads that detail how to help preserve life on our planet, biographies of people who are leading the charge to protect it, and even books about the wide array of natural resources and animals that exist on our big blue! So, if you’re ready to go green, read on!
1. Thank You, Earth by April Pulley Sayre
Written as a love letter to the Earth, this book is meant for younger audiences. It’s a beautiful book with real photographs that represent the animals, landscapes, and waterways that we all appreciate in nature.
2. My Friend, Earth by Patricia MacLachlan
This is a wonderful read-aloud book for ages 3-5. It details all the wonders that Earth gives us—from the beautiful rain to the flowers that bloom in spring. If you’re in the market for a colorfully illustrated and engaging choice with peek-a-boo pages that your kiddos are bound to love, this is it!
3. Here We Are by Oliver Jeffers
With bright and bold illustrations, this is a sure-fire gem for any of your kids who want to learn more about Earth. It conveys a beautiful message that we are not alone in this world and all of the wonders we should appreciate.
4. What a Waste: Trash, Recycling, and Protecting Our Planet by Jess French
This book will teach your kids about the impact of small steps that they can take to help reduce waste. The clear, colorful illustrations and diagrams will help your students better understand how their choices affect the Earth.
5. Trees Make Perfect Pets by Paul Czapak
In this read, Abigail takes on a pet tree named Fido, and, along the way, discovers how amazing trees truly are! Trees Make Perfect Pets is best described as a heartwarming story that will teach your children about the importance of trees on Earth.
6. We Are the Weather by Jonathan Safran Foer
Here’s a wonderful book for your older students who want to learn about the consequences of human impact on the world. This chapter book discusses the science of the environmental impact and how it has affected the Earth’s weather.
7. What Does It Mean to Be Green? by Rana DiOrio
This lovely picture book depicts simple way in which your students can reduce their environmental impact. It’s a colorful book and includes a diverse group of kids showing the ways that they’re “being green”.
8. 10 Things I Can Do to Help My World by Melanie Walsh
This book is a sure way to get young conservationists started! Your kids will love the colorful pictures and accessible message, as well as the list of ten easy ways that they can help better the environment.
9. We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom
This poetic Caldecott medal-winner features beautifully drawn illustrations of Indigenous persons and their lifestyle. We Are Water Protectors is a powerful story about the importance of the Earth’s water and our duty to protect it from harm.
10. The Lorax by Dr. Seuss
The Lorax is a typical Seuss book; lyrically written and vibrantly colorful! It’s an inspiring story of the truffula trees and what happens when we don’t value nature appropriately. A true classic for any classroom or home library, this book will help your students understand the importance of trees and conservation.
11. No One Is Too Small to Make a Difference by Greta Thunberg
A New York Times bestseller and true story, written by a famous teenager who advocates for change in the climate crisis. This chapter book is perfect for teens who want to learn more about climate change.
12. Whale Quest by Karen Romano Young
Whale Quest is a wonderful read for your kids who want to learn more about whales and how to go about saving endangered species. The chapter book includes real photography of whales and discusses how humans have impacted the climate and environment.
13. The Wondrous Workings of Planet Earth by Rachel Ignotofsky
Your students—and their parents—who want to learn more about Earth’s ecosystems won’t be able to put this book down. This is a well-organized read with beautiful, detailed illustrations.
14. Every Day Is Earth Day by Harriet Dyer
Do your students want to learn more about how to reduce their carbon footprints? Then this book for them! It provides kids with simple ways that they can rely on to lessen their environmental impact and create a more sustainable home for us all.
15. Generation Green by Linda Sivertsen
Meant for older kids, this is another “how-to” guide on living a planet-friendly lifestyle. Sivertsen seeks to empower your kids with her references to them as“Generation Green”. This valuable read will not only equip them with tips and tools for bettering our Earth, but will also provide other ideas for making an impact by speaking out for example.
16. This Class Can Save the Planet by Stacy Tornio
This is another affirming choice for your kids who want to learn more about how they can work together to help the Earth. It’s a great read for Earth Day as it will effortlessly help you impart knowledge on achievable steps that can be implemented to make the world a better place!
17. The Great Kapok Tree by Lynne Cherry
This beautiful picture book is a myth-like story that will teach your students about the importance of the giant Kapok trees of Brazil in an engaging, endearing way.
18. Recycle and Remake by DK
This hands-on how-to guide provides top tips on how to save the Earth. It’s a great resource for teaching your youngsters how to reuse items by upcycling them and gives ideas for projects!
19. The Extraordinary Book That Eats Itself by Hayes
This is one of the coolest books for any kid! It’s no ordinary book that is meant to JUST be read… it’s also meant to be reused as part of all sorts of clever, inspiring, kid-friendly projects!
20. Don’t Throw That Away! by Lara Berge
This sweet picture book is perfect for your littlest eco-warriors! With charming pictures and interactive flaps to lift, it will teach your kids to reuse everyday items in assorted ways.
21. The Little Fox and The Wonderful Journey by Denise Turu
Your students will love joining this little fox on his magical journey! This adorable picture book celebrates our planet by shining a light on all things beautiful and will encourage your kids to do their part to help protect our home.
22. Tap the Magic Tree by Christie Matheson
This cute board book is interactive and great for engaging your early readers! Tap the Magic Tree will prompt your kids to interact with trees as they change season by season and come to a deeper appreciation for them along the way.
23. Our Environment by Little Hippo Books
This book will not only engage your kids in learning about our beautiful planet—it can also be used as a sensory tool! Our Environment includes bright colors and textures, as well as simple rhymes that will teach your littles about different animals and environments.
24. My Little Ocean by Katrin Wiehle
Teach your young students about the importance of the oceans with this charming board book. Simple writing and the cutest illustrations make it a perfect pick for beginners.
25. Girl Warriors by Rachel Sarah
Earth Day is a great time to learn about how you can speak out and protect the Earth! This book is a great read if you’re keen on inspiring the little ladies in your class to use their voice for good as, in reading it, they’ll tap into the efforts of 25 phenomenal female activists who are doing the same.
26. Over and Under the Pond by Kate Messner
Over and Under the Pond is a gorgeously illustrated picture book that illustrates the diversity of plants and animals around and within a natural pond. Your kids will love discovering all the details and hidden scenes along the way.
27. Animal Atlas by Anne Rooney
Here’s a reference book that is truly interactive! It’s a wonderful book to help your kids learn more about the variety of different environments around the world and the animals that exist within them. What better way to get your students invested in saving the planet than by teaching them about its animals!
28. Water Sources by Rebecca Olien
Water Sources is an introduction to the importance and variety of water in our world. It teaches how all water sources are interconnected and will help your students understand different bodies of water and their role in our environment.
29. Save the Arctic by Bethany Stahl
Save the Arctic by Bethany Stahl is a picture book for younger kids from the “Save the Earth” series. Your students will join Nanu, an adorable polar bear, as he searches for food whilst treading on the melting ice.
30. Save the Bees by Bethany Stahl
Save the Bees is another adorable book from the “Save the Earth” series. This book discusses the vital role that bees play within the ecosystem. Your kids will love following the young and inquisitive protagonists as they learn more about how important these little pollinators are to humans and the Earth at large!
31. The Adventures of a Plastic Bottle by Alison Inches
This clever book, detailed from the perspective of a talking plastic bottle, is a kid-friendly resource for learning about plastics. Your kiddos can follow the bottle’s journey from the refinery all the way to its rebirth as a recycled product!
32. One Earth by Eileen Spinelli
A conservation-themed counting book, One Earth includes beautiful illustrations to complement its lessons about the beauties of nature and the importance of leading an eco-friendly lifestyle. Through the gentle verse, you and your students will count up the wonders of our world and explore ways in which we can all help preserve them.
33. I Can Save the Earth! by Alison Inches
This is a fun read for beginner readers to explore the three Rs! Your kids will follow Max, a very wasteful monster, on his way to becoming more eco-friendly; learning more about reducing, reusing, and recycling.
34. Compost Stew by Mary McKenna Siddals
A simple way to help the Earth is to engage in composting efforts! This adorably illustrated, alphabet-themed picture book will teach your kids how composting can help the Earth and detail ways in which they can get stuck into it.
35. Biscuit’s Earth Day Celebration by Alyssa Satin Capucilli
It’s no secret that many kids love Biscuit books! Follow our furry friend as he learns all about celebrating Earth Day; a great introductory pick to educate your littles on the basics of the day!
36. What If Everybody Did That? by Ellen Javernick
This book has an important message for your students: we all have a role to play in keeping the Earth clean. Although its title references the act of littering, the book examines other common but negative habits that your kids will surely be familiar with and prompts them to consider the impacts thereof. BUT what if everybody cleaned up the Earth instead?
37. Can I Recycle This? by Jennie Romer
Your older students will enjoy, and certainly learn a lot from, this practical book about recycling. It’s a great pick if you’re keen on educating your learners on the basic “how tos” of recycling.
38. An Earth-Bot’s Solution to Plastic Pollution by Russell Ayto
Get your kiddies excited about following a young boy, Neo, as he reluctantly goes on an adventure to help some aquatic friends who have been plagued by plastic pollution! This book highlights the harm that single-use plastics are having on our oceans and details what we need to do to help.
39. The Earth We Love by AEKIII
Written in lyrical rhyme and accompanied by brightly colored illustrations, The Earth We Love celebrates our world’s natural beauty and prompts us of our duty to protect it. It certainly makes for a great read-aloud if you’re keen on exploring the beauty of our home with your class this Earth Day.
40. This Little Environmentalist by Joan Holub
A great choice for your early readers, this board book will teach them about ten real-life people who fight to protect our planet! Colorful and fun with rhyming text, it’s a sure win to read with your little ones this Earth Day!
41. The Green Machine by Rebecca Donnelly
Invite your kiddos to follow Lily and her friends as they invent a machine to clean up the neighborhood! This book combines creativity and environmentalism and will teach your kids about recycling and working together to make the world a cleaner place.
42. Climate Champions by Rachel Sarah
Climate Champions is sure to inspire your students by presenting inspiring profiles of real-life climate activists from around the globe. Aimed at older readers, this book covers their extraordinary efforts made to make a positive impact on the environment.
43. The Earth Gives More by Sue Fliess
This read culminates in a lovely seasonal journey that will teach your children about appreciating the Earth’s beauty and bounty. With poetic verses and whimsical illustrations, it’s sure to guide them to better understand how they can give back to our planet.
44. The Zero-Waste Lifestyle by Amy Korst
For older readers looking to make a difference, this book provides practical guidance on ways in which to reduce waste. It encourages a zero-waste lifestyle through simple, achievable steps; making it an excellent choice for your environmentally conscious teens.
45. Up in the Garden, Down in the Dirt by Kate Messner
Have your learners explore the secret world of a garden by closely examining the seasons in this beautifully illustrated book. It will nurture your young readers’ connection with nature as the intricate balance of life above and below the soil is showcased.
46. The Last Straw: Kids vs. Plastics by Susan Hood
The Last Straw is an informative and engaging book about the problem of plastic pollution. It features real-life stories, facts, and practical ways for kids to help keep our planet as clean as can be. This is a must-read for inspiring young environmental activists!
47. The Earth Book by Todd Parr
Your kids will love this colorful guide on how to best care for the place that we call home- Earth. With simple language and playful illustrations, it will teach your younger learners about important conservation efforts.
48. Energy Island by Allan Drummond
Educate your littles about the real story of an island’s transformation into a renewable energy haven! With engaging text and lively illustrations, this book will undoubtedly encourage them to think creatively about sustainable solutions. Talk about an inspiring choice for young problem-solvers and inventors in your class!
49. The Story of Seeds by Nancy F. Castaldo
Here’s a suitable read for older children and teens who are interested in agriculture and conservation. This informative, and beautifully crafted, book is a great way to introduce your older students to the vital role that seeds play in our ecosystem. It covers the history, science, and importance of preserving seed diversity.
50. Earth Dance by Joanne Ryder
Your little ones will be fascinated by this lyrical celebration of the Earth and its natural beauty. Through poetic language and stunning artwork, it will invite them to dance along with the rhythm of the planet. It can be best described as a joyful and sensory-rich experience for readers of all ages!
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