Throughout my childhood, I have lots of memories of service projects spent gathering recyclables, cleaning parks, or planting trees and flowers. These early experiences with environmentalism have stuck with me. I am thrilled that my daughter has already taken an interest in the topic. Some of this inspiration is based on some of her favorite books. Today I decided to share some of our favorite children’s books about nature and environmentalism, to help you start the conversation with your family.

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Super Manny Cleans Up!

Written by Kelly DiPucchio and illustrated by Stephanie Graegin

This fun story teaches kids an important lesson about caring for the planet and looking out for litter. Manny and Gertie are friends who like to save the world together. As they tackle invisible foes around their neighborhood, they remind the reader that they are strong, mighty and smart. When they are faced with litter bugs who are ruining their park and hurting the animals, they decide that they must DO something.

The text is full of strong mantras for kids to repeat, reminding them how powerful they are. The illustrations show the adorable animal friends fighting off enemies both real and imagined. My daughter has absolutely fallen in love with these characters, and now calls for them whenever we are out walking and she sees a piece of trash.

The Adventures of Oscar and Adelie

Written by Casey Jo Ailes

Super Oscar and Super Adelie are a real life pair of superheroes that my daughter has now become inspired by. They are a pair of siblings whose mission is to save the world, and encourage others to do their part in reducing, reusing and recycling. This book follows them on a mission to stop Dr. Rumpt, a feline headed bad guy who leaves trash in his wake. The adorable comic book style illustrations and dialogue are more informal, making the reader feel like they are part of the fun with Oscar and Adelie. (There are even lots of bloopers for kids and parents to enjoy).

Beyond the fun in the story, Oscar and Adelie also have their own Instagram, where they often share their favorite eco-friendly tips. I highly recommend checking out their page and giving them a follow. My daughter is super excited to follow in their footsteps and change the world!

Related Post: Teach Kids about Conservation with Nani the Brave Sea Turtle!

Noah Builds an Ark

Written by Kate Banks and illustrated by John Rocco

This beautifully illustrated tale follows a young buy named Noah as his family prepares for a coming storm. While his parents make preparations to keep the family safe, Noah decides to build an ark to keep all of the animals in the garden safe. His actions mimic those of his parents, as he makes sure that all living creatures have a safe place to stay and food to eat. Noah watches nervously as the storm rages on. But when the sun comes out again, his garden is once again filled with life. The illustrations are beautiful and life like, showing all of the creatures in colorful detail. This is a great story for encouraging kids to think about all living things and keeping them safe.

The Boy Who Grew a Forest: The True Story of Jadav Payeng

Written by Sophia Gholz and illustrated by Kayla Harren

This fascinating true story tells the tale of Jadav Payeng, who planted a whole forest in order to help the animals living on his island. The story follows him from the young boy who planted and nurtured 20 saplings, to the man who continued planting and protecting the forest and wildlife he loves. This inspirational story is a great testament to the power of one person to make a difference. The illustrations are beautiful, highlighting the gorgeous wildlife that he helped to save with his work.

If I Were a Park Ranger

Written by Catherine Stier and illustrated by Patrick Corrigan

This book introduces readers to the important job that national park rangers do to protect the environment. The text invites kids to imagine what life is like for park rangers, sharing how they get to work in beautiful places, saving animals and protecting the environment. The illustrations have a vintage feel, showing a diverse group of kids working in a variety of parks and environments.

Spring After Spring: How Rachel Carson Inspired the Environmental Movement

Written and illustrated by Stephanie Roth Sisson

This true story follows the life of Rachel Carson, and introduces readers to the impact that she had on the environmental movement. The story explores her childhood days spent outside enjoying the natural world around her home, as well as the important work that she did in her field. When Carson witnessed the damage that chemicals caused to the environment, she was inspired to take a stand. The gentle illustrations highlight the beautiful things that she saw and heard around her, and the peace that she found in nature.

Related Post: Celebrate the beauty of nature with the Anywhere Artist!

The Nature Girls

Written and illustrated by Aki

This fun book follows a diverse group of young girls as they go on adventures in nature. While they swim and explore, they encounter new animals and learn about biomes. The rhyming text introduces the reader to a variety of animals and their habitats. The illustrations are full of diverse female characters participating in a variety of fun adventures.

Earth! My First 4.54 Billion Years (Our Universe)

Written by Stacy McAnulty and illustrated by David Litchfield

Learn about the Earth from the Earth herself! This book is stuffed full of interesting facts about the Earth and her long history. The text has a conversational tone, bringing the scientific facts to life for kids in a fun and unique way. The large, colorful illustrations are full of smiling planets, giving the Earth character an even friendlier feeling. Kids will love learning about the planet through this friendly and funny character.

Carl and the Meaning of Life

Written by Deborah Freedman

This fun book examines the powerful impact that all creatures have on the environment. Carl is an inquisitive little worm who begins to question the meaning of life after a field mouse asks him why he does the things he does. As Carl goes on a quest to answer his questions, the dirt begins to grow hard, and plants stop growing. The other animals wander off in search of food, and Carl is left to wonder what happened. As he begins turning the hard dirt back into soft soil, he starts to see the impact that one small earthworm can make on the world.

This sweet story is a great way to show kids how every creature makes a difference, and how all creatures work together in an ecosystem. The illustrations are lovely, using vivid colors and soft blended textures to show the lush grass and the friendly animals.

Princesses Save the World

Written by Savannah Guthrie and Allison Oppenheim and illustrated by Eva Byrne

Bees play a huge role in the environment, and this fun story follows a group of princesses as they try to save them. When the bees disappear from Strawberry Kingdom, Princess Penelope Pineapple and her princess friends must work together to come up with a solution. This fun sequel to Princesses Wear Pants is a fun tale of friendship and making a difference, while also introducing kids to the important role that bees have on our food supply. Click here for more stories about strong princesses!

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