A children’s environmental education advocate shares books to inspire kids on Earth Day and every day.
Let’s celebrate Earth Day by reading children everywhere an inspiring Earth Day children’s book. It’s one of the best ways to help kids understand how they can protect the planet. From learning how to plant a tree, to protecting animals, oceans, forests and more.
“Earth Day is a brilliant day to introduce children to the wonders of nature and show them that they are never too little to help protect the planet,” said Andrea Koehle Jones, Founder and Children’s Climate Education Advocate, The ChariTree Foundation.
These books are sure to ignite environmental enthusiasm in children and adults alike! Here are just a few of the best 2023 Earth Day books for kids:
Happy reading!
(Of course it goes without saying, whenever possible choose tree-free e-books or books printed on 100% recycled paper.)
Here are the best Earth Day books for kids (in no particular order):
Ada’s Violin: The Story of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay by Susan Hood
An extraordinary true tale of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay, an orchestra made up of children playing instruments built from recycled trash.
NO WORLD TOO BIG: Young People Fighting Global Climate Change
Climate change impacts everyone, but the future belongs to young people. No World Too Big celebrates twelve young activists and three activist groups on front lines of the climate crisis who have planted trees in Uganda, protected water in Canada, reduced school-bus climate footprint in Indonesia, invented alternate power sources in Ohio, and more.
The Wish Trees: How Planting Trees Can Help Make the World a Better Place
Inspiring and uplifting, The Wish Trees is rooted in the idea that every child can help make the world a better place. This whimsical children’s book introduces young readers to the fun of tree planting as they meet kids around the globe planting Wish Trees and making wishes.
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
Now a Netflix film starring and directed by Chiwetel Ejiofor, this is a gripping memoir of survival and perseverance about the heroic young inventor who brought electricity to his Malawian village.
Island Girls: Free the Sea of Plastic
Inspired by a true story, Island Girls: Free the Sea of Plastic empowers children to help their under-the-sea friends and use their voices to fight against plastic in our oceans.
We Are Water Protectors
Inspired by the many Indigenous-led movements across North America, We Are Water Protectors issues an urgent rallying cry to safeguard the Earth’s water from harm and corruption.
Dear Greenpeace
Emily discovers a whale in her garden pond. Unsure what to do, she writes to Greenpeace to ask for advice.
Save the Bees
From exciting and adventurous to educational and captivating, Save the Bees tells the story of three friends working together to make Clover’s pollination route easier! This engaging book teaches about pollination and includes activities after the story is over to interact with the reader directly!
Compost Stew: An A to Z Recipe for the Earth
Teach kids to compost and help them develop life-long habits to protect the Earth. From apple cores to zinnia heads, readers will discover the best ingredients for a successful compost pile in this fun picture book perfect for Earth Day!