We read Earth Day picture books throughout the entire year… not just during all of my kids’ Earth Day celebrations. But Earth Day is a such wonderful chance to talk to your kids about the importance of the environment.
Children are curious about their world. Once you start a conversation, they may just not stop talking! Even though these recommended books are focused on the environment, we read all of these terrific books throughout the entire year.
Be sure to check out our other book lists for kids!
You can find these Earth Day picture books at your local library or purchase through the affiliate links provided for your convenience.
What is Earth Day?
Every year on 22 April, Earth Day is celebrated around the world in over 192 countries
Earth Day 1970 would come to provide a voice to this emerging environmental consciousness, and putting environmental concerns on the front page.
Here are some fun facts about Earth Day.
Extra Earth Day Ideas!
Don't miss these printable Earth Day ideas to do at home or for your classroom!
Earth Day Theme Preschool Classroom Lesson Plans
Earth Day Preschool Circle Time Song and Activities
Earth Activities: Lesson plans and printables for preschoolers
Best Earth Day Picture Books for Kids
Earth Day is a wonderful chance to talk to your kids about the importance of the environment.
Children are curious about their world. Once you start a conversation, they may just not stop talking!
Celebrate Earth Day with Dr. Seuss and the Lorax in this classic picture book about sustainability and protecting the environment!
Dr. Seuss’s beloved story teaches kids to treat the planet with kindness and stand up and speak up for others.
This New York Times bestselling modern classic explores the perennial topic of environmentalism in an urban world.
This is an enchanting tale with environmental themes and breathtaking illustrations that become more vibrant as the garden blooms.
Red-headed Liam can also be spotted on every page, adding a clever seek-and-find element to this captivating picture book.
In this empowering book, a young boy and girl discover amazing facts (like how our food travels an average of 1,500 miles to be on our plate!) and explore all the different ways they―and we―can help protect the Earth's most precious resources to save the planet and live "green" lifestyles.
The girl in this book grows chocolate rabbits, tomatoes as big as beach balls, flowers that change color, and seashells in her garden.
How does your garden grow?
It's April 22, and Lion and his friends want to plant trees, recycle bottles, and have fun on Earth Day. But not Monkey.
He wants to celebrate his birthday. Can he convince the other animals that it really is his birthday?
Children and adults will delight in Earth Day, a litany of gratitude that celebrates earth's diverse species, from apricots to groundhogs to junebugs, from quahogs to zinnias, zucchini and zebras with bright and whimsical illustrations.
After Charlie convinces Lola to recycle her old toys instead of throwing them away, Lola discovers a recycling competition.
If she can recycle one hundred plastic, metal, and paper items, she can get her very own real live tree to plant.
But she only has two weeks, so Lola decides to ask her classmates to help.
They turn out to be extremely very good recyclers indeed.
*** An IRA Teacher’s Choice (1991), ABA’s Pick of the Lists, Reading Rainbow Review Book, NSTA-CBC Outstanding Trade Book for Children.
A modern fable with an urgent message for young environmentalists.
With his signature blend of playfulness and sensitivity, Todd Parr explores the important, timely subject of environmental protection and conservation in this eco-friendly picture book.
Follow an eco-conscious super hero as he teaches kids how to recycle and reuse common household items!
The six large flaps throughout show that ordinary trash is really a treasure.
After Little Critter's class takes an Earth Day trip to the local recycling center, Little Critter goes home to teach his family everything he learned and to do his part to help protect the environment.
Read about the history of Earth Day from the first celebration back in 1970, to today’s annual observance on April 22.
An all-new Clifford adventure finds the big red dog hard at work getting the house clean, or trying to, as he shakes to pieces Emily Elizabeth's rugs and digs up weeds at a vacant lot for Earth Day.
All the answers about what happens to the trash we produce can be found in this favorite nonfiction picture book by award-winning nonfiction author and illustrator Gail Gibbons.
More Earth Day Fun!
Don't let the fun and learning stop here!
Enjoy these additional engaging Earth Day activities with your kiddos!
That was a great collection. “Lorax” is a personal favorite with my kids. Also, my kids’ love for Todd Parr’s books is great. Still, three books are new to us. We will add to our list and read soon.
I love it when I introduce people to NEW books 😀 The Curious Garden has to be my boys’ absolutely favorite.
Thanks for your wonderful list of Earth Day books. Our children also enjoyed reading D is for Dudley by Ron Chandler. The story is about the importance of saving sea turtles and protecting the marine environment.
Ooo. Thanks for the tip. My youngest is absolutely in love with sea turtles!
Please add the recently published “What On Earth Can We Do?” by Emily Sper to your list. “A concise but thorough environmental primer for young readers enhanced by colorful and attractive illustrations.” —Kirkus Reviews