Our planet is a pretty amazing place. It is the only one we know of that supports life in our solar system and the life supported is intertwined in such a wonderful way. Plants, animals, people, we are all connected to each other and what we do affects one another. I love reading books that highlight the responsibility we have to Mother Earth as well as what an honor it is to live here. Below is a list of some of our favorite books that feature planet Earth as well as taking care of it. They make excellent reads whether it is Earth Day or not and each one is a gem. We hope they help you and your Littles become even better caretakers of Earth.
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Green Planet: Life in our Woods and Forests (Colors of the World) by Moira Butterfield andJonathan Woodward- This large, nonfiction book is a beautiful tribute to our planet and the life that trees and plants bring. It’s packed with information.
Alba and the Ocean Cleanup by Lara Hawthorne- This story is about a fish named Alba who watches the effects of human trash as it starts to destroy her coral reef home, until one little girl gathers her community together to make a difference and clean things up.
My Friend Earth by Patricia MacLachlan and Francesca Sanna- In this beautiful book Earth/Mother Nature is personified as a little girl and it makes a wonderful tribute to this place we call home.
Earth! My First 4.54 Billion Years (Our Universe) by Stacy McAnulty and David Litchfield- This is a great book where the Earth is personified and is telling you it’s history and about it’s very beginning. So fun and full of nonfiction facts!
Paper World: Planet Earth by Bomboland- A nonfiction book packed with information on everything from tectonics to weather. Plus, there are a lot of cut-outs and flaps to lift.
The Balcony by Melissa Castrillon- This gorgeous book is nearly wordless as it tells the story of a young girl who plants a garden on her new, city balcony and how it helps her connect to the world and people around her.
Hike by Pete Oswald- This nearly wordless picture book features a father and son going on a hike in the mountain and enjoying nature tougher from plants to wildlife. They even take a moment to plant a new tree to “give back” to the Earth.
A Walk Through Nature: A Clover Robin Peek-Through Book by Libby Walden- A lovely nonfiction book that is so much fun to peruse and is a fantastic tribute to Earth.
A Year with Mama Earth by Rebecca Grabill and Rebecca Green- This is one of my favorite books that teaches about all four seasons. The focus on nature is stunning and I adore it.
The Curious Garden by Peter Brown- This story is about a young boy who lives in a city that is all concrete and asphalt until one day he finds some struggling plants on an abandoned railroad track. With a little love a garden is soon transforming his city.
Super Manny Cleans Up! by Kelly DiPucchio and Stephanie Graegin- Super Manny is on another mission in this follow-up book and this time his goal is to help clean up his city’s park. It’s a great book to show children being proactive and taking care of Mother Earth.
Crab Cake: Turning the Tide Together by Andrea Tsurumi- Through a cute little crab who loves to bake cakes this story tackles the serious issue of ocean pollution and how it takes a united effort to clean things up.
Poppy, Buttercup, Bluebell, and Dandy by Fiona Woodcock- This story is a playful and fun one about a little group of flower girls who are on a mission to clean up cities and spread blooms everywhere.
Florette by Anna Walker- In this book the character Mae shows that no matter where you are, there is a place for nature and plants can thrive. She also shows the impact that one individual can have as she is an example for her community.
The Brilliant Deep: Rebuilding the World’s Coral Reefs: The Story of Ken Nedimyer and the Coral Restoration Foundation by Kate Messner and Matthew Forsythe- A stunning nonfiction book that teaches about our coral reefs and Ken Nedimyer’s efforts to help rebuild them.
One Day on Our Blue Planet: In the Outback, In the Ocean, In the Rainforest by Ella Bailey- This educational series follows baby animals in different ecosystems and shows a bit of “a day in their life”. They are darling and perfect for younger bookworms.
Hello Hello (Books for Preschool and Kindergarten, Poetry Books for Kids) by Brendan Wenzel- This book is a beautiful celebration of the diversity of species that we are connected to on Earth. It is such a fantastic array and is positively inspiring.
Peter and the Tree Children by Peter Wohlleben and Cale Atkinson – In this beautiful story we learn a bit about forestry and “tree families” as Peter takes his new squirrel friend on a walk through the forest. It’s beautifully done.
Botanicum: Welcome to the Museum by Kathy Willis and Katie Scott – This is an oversized and hefty nonfiction book that is bursting with information about different plants on our planet. It can entertain for hours.
I Ate Sunshine for Breakfast by Michael Holland and Phillip Giordano- This one is a hefty, nonfiction book that is packed with fascinating information about plants (and how we use them) and I’ve really enjoyed the tidbits I have already learned from it. Plus, the design and illustrations are perfection.
Extinct: An Illustrated Exploration of Animals That Have Disappeared by Lucas Riera – An oversized book that pays tribute to many different species that are now extinct and missing from our planet. Such a sad, yet important book.
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