14 Picture Books to Read for Earth Day [2025]

Around Earth Day (and all year long!), picture books are a great way to introduce kids to the importance of caring for the planet. These books help young people connect with nature and understand environmental issues in a way that is accessible and engaging, exploring themes of conservation, the impact of pollution, and the beauty of the natural world. Children's books can encourage kids to reflect on their actions and the positive changes they can make to protect the environment. These stories not only spark curiosity about nature but also inspire a sense of responsibility and love for the Earth.

Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, teacher, educator, or someone who shapes little minds, these books can serve as powerful tools in shaping the next generation of environmental changemakers, one page at a time.

Let’s dive in.

1. Saving the Countryside: The Story of Beatrix Potter and Peter Rabbit by Linda Marshall

Growing up in London, Beatrix Potter felt the restraints of Victorian times. Girls didn't go to school and weren't expected to work. But she longed to do something important, something that truly mattered. As Beatrix spent her summers in the country and found inspiration in nature, it was through this passion that her creativity flourished.

Though she's universally known as the creator of The Tale of Peter Rabbit, Beatrix Potter did so much more. This is the true story about how she helped save the English countryside!

2. Seeds of Change: Planting a Path to Peace by Jen Cullerton Johnson

As a young girl in Kenya, Wangari was taught to respect nature. Although most Kenyan girls were not educated, Wangari, curious and hardworking, was allowed to go to school. There, her mind sprouted like a seed. She excelled at science and went on to study in the United States. After returning home, Wangari blazed a trail across Kenya, using her knowledge and compassion to promote the rights of her countrywomen and to help save the land, one tree at a time.

Seeds of Change: Planting a Path to Peace brings to life the empowering story of Wangari Maathai, the first African woman, and environmentalist, to win a Nobel Peace Prize.

3. We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom

When a snake threatens to destroy the Earth and poison her people's water, one young water protector takes a stand to defend Earth's most sacred resource. Her courage reminds all readers that "we are all related" and that when we all work together, we can achieve incredible things.

From author Carole Lindstrom and illustrator Michaela Goade comes a New York Times bestselling and Caldecott Medal winning picture book that honors Indigenous-led movements across the world. Powerfully written and gorgeously illustrated, We Are Water Protectors issues an urgent rallying cry to safeguard the Earth’s water from harm and corruption—inviting young readers everywhere to join the fight.

4. Cool Green: Amazing, Remarkable Trees by Lulu Delacre

As he works with his young granddaughter to nurture a potted sapling, a Latino landscaper shares his love and admiration of trees. From the extraordinary rainbow gum tree to the mighty, towering redwood, each of the thirteen specimens he tells of is a miracle of the natural world—and some are strange beyond the wildest imagining. 

Brimming with exuberance and color, this ode to trees of the world—and the vast knowledge of landscapers and gardeners—offers a feast for the eyes, with author-illustrator Lulu Delacre paying touching tribute by imbedding seeds, fronds, and leaves within her art.

5. A Boy and a Jaguar by Alan Rabinowitz

Alan loves animals, but the great cat house at the Bronx Zoo makes him sad. Why are they all alone in empty cages? Are they being punished? More than anything, he wants to be their champion—their voice—but he stutters uncontrollably.

Except when he talks to animals…then he is fluent.

Follow the life of the man Time Magazine calls, "the Indiana Jones of wildlife conservation" as he searches for his voice and fulfills a promise to speak for animals, and people, who cannot speak for themselves. This real-life story with tender illustrations by Catia Chien explores truths not defined by the spoken word.

6. What Does It Mean to Be Green? by Rana Diorio

What does it really mean to be green? The answers might surprise you! From turning off the water while you brush your teeth to walking to the park instead of driving, and even recycling or reusing old artwork, there are all kinds of things kids can do to help keep the Earth clean and healthy!

Discover all the ways that children can help protect the Earth and its precious resources in this brand new edition of the award-winning What Does It Mean to Be Green! which features all new artwork and updated facts, tips, and more.

7. The Thing about Bees: A Love Letter by Shabazz Larkin

"Sometimes bees can be a bit rude. They fly in your face and prance on your food."

And yet... without bees, we might not have strawberries for shortcakes or avocados for tacos!

This beautiful book is a loving poem from a father to his sons. It also helps to explain the connection between bees and the food we eat, connecting science and literacy. It’s a great opportunity for kids to learn an appreciation for all living things, including the ones we might find annoying or scary!

8. She Heard the Birds: The Story of Florence Merriam Bailey by Andrea D'Aquino

As a young girl, Bailey fell in love with the outdoors, especially birds, whose songs and flight captivated her. She listened, waited, and watched to better understand her feathered friends, and wrote many books, including one of the first field guides to American birds. Her work ultimately led to better protection for birds and to the scientific study of birds in nature instead of in a lab.

Meet Florence Merriam Bailey, a pioneering birder and activist who changed the way we study birds forever!

9. Black Beach: a Community, an Oil Spill and the Origin of Earth Day by Shauna and John Stith

Twenty million people across the country made their voices heard on the first Earth Day. Some came out to celebrate the environment, while others protested and demanded change.

A movement was born.

In 1969, Union Oil caused an oil spill off the coast of Santa Barbara that would change the world. Hazardous crude oil from the blowout flooded the Pacific Ocean, harming wildlife and devastating habitats. But from this ecological disaster sprang a new wave of environmental activism that continues to this day.

Based on actual events, Black Beach: A Community, an Oil Spill, and the Origin of Earth Day follows Sam and her classmates as they fight back. The impact of the spill seeps into living rooms and classrooms across the nation. People everywhere are motivated to act, and a movement to protect and celebrate the environment is born.

10. The Brilliant Deep: Rebuilding the World's Coral Reefs by Kate Messner

All it takes is one: one coral gamete to start a colony in the ocean, one person to make a difference in the world, one idea to help us heal the Earth. The ongoing conservation efforts to save and rebuild the world's coral reefs - with hammer and glue, and grafts of newly grown coral - are the living legacy of environmental scientist Ken Nedimyer.

In telling the story of this sea conservation pioneer and marine life protector, this book is a stunning tribute to the wonders of nature and the power of human hope.

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

When the kids in Room 5 write to Earth asking what they can do to help save our planet, they are delighted to get a letter back.

Young readers will learn about environmental conservation, along with simple things they can do to help care for the planet — like recycling and reducing energy consumption. There is even a reversible jacket cover that features a poster printed on the inside with twelve months of Earth Hero activities. These fun and interactive activities will encourage children to help protect our planet, not just in honor of Earth Day but year-round.

12. Young Water Protectors: A Story About Standing Rock by Aslan Tudor

At just 8 years old, Aslan arrived in North Dakota with a powerful mission: to stand up against a pipeline that threatened his people's land and water.

What began as a quiet act of resistance soon captured the world's attention. This is the story of Aslan's unforgettable journey to the Oceti Sakowin Camp at Standing Rock - a camp that became the epicenter of a movement for environmental justice, Indigenous rights, and the protection of sacred lands.

Aslan's story is a call to action and an invitation to reflect on the resilience of Indigenous communities and the importance of standing up for what is right. Be inspired by the unwavering spirit of Standing Rock and the young warriors who made their voices heard.

13. The Crayons Love Our Planet by Drew Daywalt

The crayons love our planet and are proud of their contributions. White ice caps, Green trees, Blue oceans and skies, Brown soil...and more! Even Beige is proud of his contribution: Wheat! This humorous mini book shows the beauty of our plant — and why it needs all of us to be complete.

14. The Girl Who Planted Trees by Caryl Hart

When a small girl discovers there was once a lush forest on the great gray mountain, she is determined to plant as many new trees as she can. And even though the blazing sun shrivels the new shoots and fierce storms wash away all her hard work . . . she never, EVER gives up.

A powerful and hopeful story about how one girl's dream inspires a whole village and how, together, they can create something incredible.

This is just the start!

There are so many great diverse picture books to use with young learners. For many more diverse kids' book recommendations, grab our Big List of Diverse Picture Books.