Earth Day is coming up soon, and while it isn't a major holiday, we're living in an age during which how we choose to engage with the Earth and the daily choices that we make can have a deep impact on our environment. While kids may learn a bit about Earth Day at school, parents can fill in the gaps at home, so that kids can get a deeper understanding about why it's so important to protect our planet.
One of the best tools we have in order to teach kids about what Earth Day means and why it's significant in an age-appropriate way is books. There are tons of amazing picture books that can help kids learn about our planet and what we can do to take care of it. And they feature engaging and approachable text and illustrations that we absolutely love.
'The Earth Book' by Todd Parr
Author Todd Parr's books are perfect for the toddler set. They feature bright, graphic illustrations and short but impactful sentences that engage toddlers, preschoolers and even infants, so The Earth Book, is the perfect option if you have a very young child.
To buy: $12, Barnes & Noble
'If You Come to Earth' by Sophie Blackall
The absolutely gorgeous book is written in the form of a letter advising someone planning a visit from outer space to planet Earth. It talks about the incredible diversity on our planet and how that makes it so special.
To buy: $14, Amazon
'Thank You, Earth' by April Pulley Sayre
Author April Pulley Sayre's book Thank You, Earth, is the sweetest love letter to the planet. It's actually a photo book that showcases the beauty and diversity of the Earth while discussing topics in science, nature and geography, among others.
To buy: $18, Target
'Ten Things I Can Do To Help My World' by Melanie Walsh
If you're ready to teach your kids some practical ways to protect our planet, the book Ten Things I Can Do To Help My World by Melanie Walsh, is a good place to start, especially if you have toddlers or preschoolers.
To buy: $14, Amazon
'Curious George Plants a Tree' by Margret and H.A. Rey
Curious George is a classic kids' literary character that children absolutely adore, so who better to teach them about taking care of the planet. It's set during "Green Day," and discusses recycling and other important conservation topics.
To buy: $5, Thriftbooks
'My Friend Earth' by Patrician Maclachlan
The book My Friend Earth by Newbery Award winner Patricia Maclachlan features the most amazing illustrations that are sure to captivate children of various ages. It celebrates all of the incredible ways that our planet serves living beings.
To buy: $18, Chronicle Books
'This Is Our Earth' by Laura Lee Benson
This is Our Earth by Laura Lee Benson marries lovely prose with actual scientific facts about planet Earth, and the importance of conservation. The gorgeous watercolor illustrations are the perfect accompaniment.
To buy: $8, Amazon
'What a Waste: Trash, Recycling, and Protecting Our Planet' by Jess French
DK specializes in informational resources for children and they do a fantastic job. What a Waste: Trash, Recycling, and Protecting Our Planet by Jess French is about the impacts of our actions on the planet and what we can do to change or reverse the negative effects.
To buy: $13, Amazon
'We Are the Weather' by Jonathan Safran Foer
If you have an older child, Jonathan Safran Foer's We Are the Weather, is a great read in honor of Earth Day. It's a chapter book that gets into the actual science related to the environmental impacts our lifestyles have on the Earth.
To buy: $14, Amazon
'Our Earth' by Anne Rockwell
Our Earth by Anne Rockwell is a sweet introduction to earth science for young learners in the early elementary age group. It discusses everything from the ocean to the atmosphere surrounding the planet.
To buy: $8, Barnes & Noble
'What Does It Mean to Be Green' by Rana DiOrio
What Does It Mean to Be Green by Rana DiOrio is the perfect read for elementary schoolers who love silly stories. It's humorous, but it also offers up actionable ideas that families can use to help the planet.
To buy: $12, Amazon
'Alba and the Ocean Cleanup' by Lara Hawthorne
Alba and the Ocean Cleanup by Lara Hawthorne features truly vivid illustrations that perfectly capture the environmental changes the Earth's oceans are experiencing due to pollution. It's told from the voice of a beautiful, sweet fish over the course of several years.
To buy: $14, Amazon
'The Curious Garden' by Peter Brown
The Curious Garden by Peter Brown is a unique story about a little boy who lives in a city and happens upon a neglected garden that he decides to tend to and it eventually flourishes and grows far beyond what he imagined possible.
To buy: $6, Better World Books
'We Are Water Protectors' by Carole Lindstrom
This absolutely stunning picture book earned itself a Caldecott Medal for its moving prose and impactful message. Told from the perspective of Indigenous North Americans, it's a call-to-action for families to fight to protect the Earth's waters.
To buy: $13, Amazon
'This Class Can Save the Planet' by Stacy Tornio
This Class Can Save the Planet by Stacy Tornio is the perfect read to teach children that we can work together to take care of our beautiful planet. It offers practical ideas on sustainable living that even children can implement.
To buy: $13, Amazon
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