The Best Earth Day Picture Books To Read With Kids

Celebrate Earth Day with your kids by reading these six picture books! These stories are engaging and educational, with important lessons about protecting the environment, from reducing waste and planting trees to conserving water and using green energy.

The EARTH Book by Todd Parr

I love Todd Parr’s books! His style incorporates vibrant, playful colors, funny pictures, and concise language, making his books an instant must-buy for me. The EARTH Book is a beautiful introduction to toddlers and preschoolers on caring for the Earth. Ages 2+.

We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom and Illustrated by Michaela Goade

Water is sacred, the source of most life on Earth. In the Ojibwe culture, women are water protectors, advocating to reduce water waste and pollution. The 2021 winner of the Caldecott Award, We Are Water Protectors is a beautiful ode to water and its vital importance to all life on Earth. Inspired by the Standing Rock Water Protector movement, We Are Water Protectors introduces the impending dangers to this life source and implores readers to take the initiative in protecting our water sources.

The water-colored illustrations are filled with culturally significant symbols. Take note of the floral designs throughout the book. The illustrator, Michaela Goade, is the first Indigenous artist to win the Caldecott Medal. Goade paid homage to Lindstrom and her heritage in motifs throughout the book.

One Plastic Bag: Isatou Cessay and the Recycling Women of Gambia by Miranda Paul and Illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon

Learn about Isatou Cessay, a Gambian activist who started the One Plastic Bag Movement. This fascinating nonfiction is filled with exquisite illustrations. The multimedia collages that adorn the pages bring the story of Isatou Cessa to life, utilizing recycled materials embodies the values the words represent. A must-have book for all libraries! Ages 5+.

The Water Princess by Susan Verde and Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds

Join Gie Gie and her mother as they embark on foot on their daily trek to collect water. Based on the experience of celebrated supermodel Georgie Badiel, read about how girls and women in Burkina Faso, Africa, walk miles to secure water for their families to drink and bathe. Water Princess is such a moving, beautiful story that informs and reminds us that clean water is a vital resource that is not to be taken for granted. Ages 4+.

A Tree Is Nice by Janice May Udry and Illustrated by Marc Simont

The excellent book choice for Earth Day! This Caldecott-winning picture book identifies many beautiful gifts trees give all creatures daily. I LOVE the watercolor illustrations and simple poetic text.
This book would make an excellent mentor text! Invite learners to fill in the end of the sentence: “A Tree is nice_____.” Afterward, the learners can illustrate the text with their beautiful watercolors. If you incorporate this into your lesson, I would love to see your students’ work; please share it with me on Instagram @playgroundlibrarian.

Hey, Water! Antoinette Portis

Join a young girl as she notices water all around her! Water is everywhere, from the faucet to the sprinkler, to our bathtubs! In the back of the book, Ms. Portis introduces readers to the different forms of water, the water cycle, and why it is necessary to conserve water. Readers will be engaged with the lively painting illustrations and understandable language. Ages 3+. 

Classroom Activity

The books listed above are excellent conversation starters to discuss the tremendous gifts we receive daily from the Earth. Encourage the conversation and invite your children to think about how they can help our planet.

Visit my Teachers Pay Teachers Store to purchase a no-prep Earth Day printable book. This fun activity informs about the history of Earth Day, what natural resources are, and ways we can help our beautiful planet.

I love to hear YOUR thoughts!

I am always on the lookout for a great book! Please DM me on Instagram @playgroundlibrarian or Facebook at Playground Librarian with recommendations!

Happy Reading!

XO, Sheryl