Earth Day is the perfect time of year to talk to kids about conservation and what they can do to help the planet. To celebrate, we have gathered a list of new children’s books for Earth Day. These books about nature introduce kids to conservation concepts in fun ways!

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Peppa Pig and the Earth Day Adventure

From Candlewick Entertainment

Join Peppa Pig and her family as they celebrate Earth Day with a trip to the Botanical Gardens. Along the way, they discuss all kinds of ways they help the environment, from recycling and composting to driving an electric car. The illustrations are done in the familiar style of illustrations for Peppa Pig. Kids will love learning alongside the beloved characters. The text explains complex topics to kids in a way that’s easy to understand, while also exploring some of the fun of spring – including muddy puddles!

Lobstah Gahden

Written by Alli Brydon and EG Keller and illustrated by EG Keller

This funny story follows two dueling lobsters who want to win the Swell Gahdens contest. They battle over the contest year after year. But when garbage starts to fall in their yards, they have to join together to save their beloved gardens. The story is written with a strong Boston accent, replacing the “r” sounds with “ah” sounds, making it fun for kids to read aloud. The back of the book includes information about lobsters, tips for ocean conservation, and a “Glawssary” explaining the words written with a Boston accent.

Trillions of Trees

Written by Kurt Cyrus

When a young brother and sister decide to plant something, they call up the nursery and try to order a trillium. But the man at the store hears “a trillion”. So he sends a thousand trees to start, and promises to send the rest. Soon their driveway is full of trees, and they get started planting them. As they make their way through the pile, they share the different types of trees that they are planting, and how the different types of trees will affect the natural world around them. The rhyming text is paired with illustrations that highlight the natural landscape and show off the different types of trees being planted.

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Zee Grows a Tree

Written by Elizabeth Rusch and illustrated by Will Hillenbrand

This informative picture book follows a young girl named Zee, and the Douglas fir tree that sprang from the soil on her family’s farm on the day she was born. The story walks the reader through the milestones in Zee’s life, as well as the milestones in the life of her tree. There are also facts about Douglas fir trees sprinkled throughout the illustrations. Kids will love watching Zee and her little tree grow up together in the sweet illustrations, while also learning lots of interesting things about Douglas fir trees.

Zonia’s Rain Forest

Written by Juana Martinez-Neal

Zonia is a young girl who lives in the rainforest. She loves the animals that live around her, and she runs out to say hello to them every day. One day, while she is running through the rain forest, she comes across an area where the trees have been chopped down. When she tells her mother what she saw, her mother tells her that the rainforest is asking for her help. The back of the book includes information on the Indigenous people living in the Amazon, as well as facts about the rain forest and the threats that it faces.

Ocean Soup

Written by Meeg Pincus and illustrated by Lucy Semple

This informative book explores how plastic waste finds it’s way into the ocean, as well as what we can do make the oceans cleaner. The rhyming text and colorful illustrations show how using plastic and Styrofoam has filled the oceans with waste. It also explores the ways that the next generation can do their part to save the ocean. The illustrations show the journey that plastic waste takes from humans to the ocean and back again, as well as a diverse group of children doing their part to clean up the waters. In the back of the book, there is lots of information about Ocean Soup, and tips for making the ocean cleaner.

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Climate Change for Babies

Written by Chris Ferrie and Katherina Petrou

This addition to the Baby University series explores climate change. The simple text and illustrations explains the concept of climate change in a way that young readers can understand. It introduces the atmosphere as a blanket surrounding the planet, and shares how greenhouse gases trapped under the blanket can make the Earth warmer. The illustrations feature the planet Earth with a face, giving kids a glimpse into how the actions of humans affect the planet. In the end, the book explores ways that we can make changes on Earth to protect the planet.

Summer of the Tree Army

Written by Gloria Whelan and illustrated by Kirbi Fagan

This book introduces readers to the Civilian Conservation Corps (the CCC), a work-relief program started by President Roosevelt during the Depression. The purpose of the CCC was to create opportunities for unemployed men to do conservation work. The story follows a young boy named Charlie as he befriends one of the men working nearby. When a forest fire breaks out near their home, the CCC jumps to the rescue, and Charlie joins the fight. The back of the book includes an author’s note with more information about the CCC.

Old Enough to Save the Planet

Written by Loll Kirby and illustrated by Adelina Lirius

This book tells 12 real life stories of children around the world trying to save the planet. Each two page spread introduces a different child (or children) and explores the work that they did. The illustrations are beautiful, highlighting the work done by the children. There are facts about their missions spread throughout the images too. The main text gives readers an overview of each child’s goal, and how they worked to make a difference. In the back of the book, there are tips to help kids make a difference, and resources for further reading.

The Extraordinary Book That Eats Itself

By Earth Aware Kids

This interactive book is made up of pages that can be turned into eco-projects for kids. The book is full of fascinating nature facts and tips for kids to help save the planet. Each page in the book can be pulled out and used to create a project – including the cover! The instructions are easy to follow, and the projects are a lot of fun.

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Be a Tree!

Written by Maria Gianferrari and illustrated by Felicita Sala

This book explores the ways that trees and people are the same. The poetic text compares humans and trees, from the outer skin that protects them to the way they communicate and share resources. The illustrations highlight all the beauty and connectivity of trees, and the book reminds us how important trees are to the ecosystem. In the back of the book, the author shares a note with readers, tips for saving trees and information on how they can help. Plus, there are resources for further reading. This book is an interesting exploration of trees, and an inspirational story that encourages us to learn from them.

Tree Beings

Written by Raymond Huber and Sandra Severgnini

This informative book teaches kids about trees, and how much they matter. The book is broken down into 4 big ideas introducing the reader to life in the trees, how trees can save us, how trees are like us, and what we can do to save trees. Each section of the book features profiles of inspirational people who have taught us about trees, as well as interesting facts about trees. The illustrations are beautiful, highlighting trees, plants, animals, and insects in incredible details. This is a resource book that kids and adults alike will turn to again and again.

Ocean Waves for All

Written by Stacy McAnulty and illustrated by David Litchfield

This addition to the Our Universe series of books personalizes the Ocean through vivid illustrations and a friendly, conversational text. The book is narrated by the Ocean. Each page shows the Ocean with a face, highlighting the emotions that it has. The text shares tons of facts about the Ocean, the creatures living in it, and the environmental issues that it is facing. In the back of the book, there is a letter from the author, as well as more facts and questions about the Ocean. Kids will love the friendly Ocean character, and will be inspired to be a friend to the Ocean and follow the tips in the back of the book.

Butterflies Belong Here

Written by Deborah Hopkinson and illustrated by Meilo So

This story introduces the decline of the monarch butterfly through an inspirational story about a group of kids who band together to build a monarch way station near their school. As each season passes, the main character thinks about monarch butterflies and what she can do to help them. She talks to her teacher, and gets her classmates involved as well. Eventually, they even go to their town council. The story is inspirational, showing how young kids can work together to make a difference. It is also full of facts about monarch butterflies and why we need them. The back of the book includes more information about monarchs, and resources for further learning.

What are your favorite new children’s books for Earth Day? Do you have any great conservation books for kids? Share in the comments below!

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