30 Wonderful Earth Day Books for Kids to Read

Change Starts with Us by Sophie Beer

A beautiful board book perfect for Earth Day. Follow along as you learn all about the changes we can make to help our environment. From planting trees to recycling, this board book is so charming and will be a perfect addition to your Earth Day book collection.

This Little Environmentalist by Joan Holub

This Little Environmentalist is another great board book to add to your Earth Day reading list. Follow along as readers are introduced to ten important environmental activitists. It’s sure to inspire even the youngest of readers to make changes in their daily lives.

Alba and the Ocean Cleanup by Lara Hawthorne

Set in the ocean, it follows a sweet fish Alba who loves to collect things off the ocean floor. When her shiny objects are being covered by trash, she worries she’s too late to change things. It’s a sweet and charming picture book that will engage readers while also raising awareness about saving our oceans.

Bee & Me by Alison Jay

If you have a young reader who loves animals and insects, than they’ll love this book about the friendship between a bee and a little girl. Readers learn all about the importance of bees and what would happen if bees are no longer in our world. With beautiful illustrations, it’ll certainly be a new favourite for many readers.

Black Beach: A Community, an Oil Spill and the Origin of Earth Day by Shaunna and John Stith

Earth Day is the perfect opportunity for kids to learn about the importance of our world. Black Beach is a great non-fiction read to help introduce the origins of Earth Day. It also encourages young readers to stand up for the Earth and make changes to protect it, while we still can.

Compost Stew by Mary McKenna Siddals

Compost Stew introduces readers to composting while also reinforcing their alphabet skills. Any reader will love this book and leave with the desire to build their own garden. They’ll also want to put some of their composting skills to work!

Dear Earth … From Your Friends in Room 5 by Erin Dealey

When a group of students write a letter to Earth asking how they can protect the planet, they’re surprised to get a letter back. What starts as a simple conversation becomes a powerful story about caring for our environment. With heartwarming text and stunning illustrations, this book will be a perfect addition to your home or classroom library.

Don’t Let Them Disappear by Chelsea Clinton

Our planet is important but so are the incredible animals that live on it. Chelsea Clinton explores endangered animals while also introducing readers to their importance and what we can do to protect them.

Earth! My First 4.54 Billion Years by Stacy McAnulty

There’s nothing better than reading a book in the Our Universe series. Readers will learn about the Earth from her childhood 4.54 billion years ago to the present. It’s full of so many incredible facts that will help encourage young readers to appreciate our beautiful planet.

Earth Day Every Day by Lisa Bullard

Follow a little girl on Earth Day as she finds new ways to help the Earth. From planting trees to starting an Earth Day club with her friends, readers will walk away with so many new ideas that will lead them to becoming an environmentalist!

Earth Friend Forever by Marc Sanchez, Molly Bloom and Sanden Totten

Written by creators of the Brain On! podcast, this humourous story is perfect for Earth Day as well as every other day! Learn about the detrimental effect that plastic has on the Earth in an engaging and inspirational way. You’ll also learn about simple changes that can be made in every day life.

Greta and the Giants by Zoe Tucker

Inspired by Greta Thunberg, this lovely book is a must read! It follows Greta and her love for animals and the forest. But something is changing — trees are being cut down and animals are losing their homes. A simple strike becomes a powerful message when more people join together. Without a doubt, you don’t want to miss this one!

Happy Earth Day! by Deborah Hopkins

There’s nothing better than a Little Golden Book. Happy Earth Day is the perfect introduction to Earth Day. It shares the importance of protecting our Earth as well as the history of Earth Day. It also has some really fun activities for families to do together like growing baby carrots and creating a bug hotel!

Here We Are by Oliver Jeffers

Inspired by the birth of his son, Oliver Jeffers offers a sweet message about his hopes for the world. With his signature illustrations as well as the charming text, it is a wonderful choice for Earth Day and beyond.

How the Crayons Saved the Earth by Monica Sweeney

When pollution is causing the Earth to change, the crayons step in to help save the planet. This adorable story brings some quirky personalities together to make change and create a positive impact on our environment. It’s a really sweet and endearing story that so many readers are going to enjoy.

I Am Today by Matt Forest Esenwine

Follow a young girl who learns that even though she’s small, she can make a difference. This is the perfect book to motivate children that they don’t need to wait to make a change because it’s important to start now. It will certainly help to inspire a new generation of change makers!

Little Turtle and the Changing Sea by Becky Davies

Focusing on two important environmental issues, plastic use and marine life, this charming story is certainly a must read. Follow a little turtle who loves swimming in the ocean. But one day, she notices more plastic covering her beautiful home. It inspires important conversations and with beautiful illustrations, it will certainly become a new favourite.

My Friend Earth by Patricia MacLachlan

Learn about everything the Earth does for us in this fantastic picture book. It’s interactive pages and witty illustrations are perfect for all ages. It will also help motivate readers to become a good friend to the Earth — just like the Earth is to us.

Ocean! Waves for All by Stacy McAnulty

It’s no surprise that there is another book by Stacy McAnulty on this list — her books are fantastic for celebrating the planet. Ocean! Waves for All is a really educational and entertaining non-fiction book that shares the story of our oceans. It’s full of humour and so many incredible facts — a perfect book for Earth Day!

One Earth by Eileen Spinelli

A counting book that also raises awareness about the environment, all wrapped into one. From one sky to ten fields, readers will adore this charming story all while reminding them that we only have one Earth.

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

The perfect non-fiction book to introduce young readers to our planet. Readers will learn about Earth’s life as well as what the future holds and inspires young readers to take a stand against climate change. I absolutely love this book — it’s a must read and is a perfect option for both home and classroom libraries. Another book in the Our Universe series that I highly recommend.

One World: 24 Hours on Planet Earth by Nicola Davies

Our planet is an amazing place and young readers will truly see that when they take a trip around the world in 24 hours. One World is a stunning tribute to the Earth while also reminding readers to take care of it. This book is perfect for Earth Day as well as any other day of the year, too.

Rocket Says Clean Up by Nathan Bryon

Follow Rocket as she visits her family at the beach. While there, she notices that the beach is covered in trash so Rocket takes a stand and works hard to get those around her to recognize the need to clean up. Charming illustrations truly bring this book to life!

The Earth Book by Todd Parr

With his signature style and wit, The Earth Book is a great choice for Earth Day reading. It introduces young readers to several ways they can help the Earth. Also, the book is made from recycled materials which is sure to help inspire readers to go green! There truly is nothing better than a book by Todd Parr — except one that features the Earth!

The Earth Gives More by Sue Fliess

With rhyming text, learn about all the ways we can appreciate the Earth as well as what we can do to make a change. It’ll also help inspire important conversations and the bright illustrations help bring the story to life.

The Tantrum that Saved the World by Megan Herbert and Michael E Mann

Tantrums can be silly but not when they make a substantial change. Follow a young girl as she learns to use her voice and fights to save the world. This one is so inspiring and powerful and will definitely be a hit with readers of all ages.

The Water Princess by Susan Verde

Protecting our water supply is just as important as learning about climate change as well as everything else related to Earth Day. Follow Princess Gie Gie, who travels a long distance to get clean water and bring it back to her home. The Water Princess is an inspiring story that will also encourage young readers to rise up and make a difference.

Touch the Earth by Julian Lennon and Bart Davis

In this interactive book that also happens to be the first in a trilogy, readers will fly on the White Feather Flier and help save the environment. From giving clean water to cleaning the ocean, this humourous and engaging story is certainly going to make a change. It’s also available in a board book format, which makes it a great choice for little readers.

We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom

A compelling story with a powerful message that also happens to be a charming story. Follow a young girl and her focus on defending an important natural resource — water. It’s a wonderful story that also creates a call to action that will inspire readers of all ages. Without a doubt, it’s a must read. It’s certainly no surprise this book won the Caldecott Medal in 2021.

Zonia’s Rain Forest by Juana Martinez-Neal

Follow Zonia, who loves the forest but discovers it needs her help. With its sweet text and delightful illustrations, it will certainly start important conversations about deforestation and what we can do to help. It also features back matter that draws attention to the Amazon rain forest and what we can do to help it and the wildlife that live there.