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Jessy Scarpone

The 10 Best Nature Books for Kids

Looking for a children’s book to give as a gift? Check out our definitive list of classics and new releases for every nature-loving kid in your life.

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The 10 Best Nature Books for Kids

Home (Ages 4 – 8)

Perfect For: The Tiny Adventurer

Carson Ellis– also the artist for indie heroes The Decemberists– brings her gentle, charming style to a story about all the different forms a house can take around the world. A story in keeping the holidays, [easyazon_link identifier=”0763665290″ locale=”US” tag=”gardcoll03-20″]Home[/easyazon_link] is simply written in short sentences, and relies on the bespoke illustration to convey its message of comfort and familiarity in spite of differences.

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The 10 Best Nature Books for Kids

Fanny in France (Ages 10 and Up)

Perfect For: The Aspiring Chef

From famed chef Alice Waters, [easyazon_link identifier=”0670016667″ locale=”US” tag=”gardcoll03-20″]Fanny in France[/easyazon_link] recounts the story of Fanny (Waters’ real life daughter) traveling across France and the various adventures she has in culinary country. The story is peppered with forty classic French recipes that are simple, approachable, and instructive for kids. One of the best ways to get kids interested in wholesome eating!

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The 10 Best Nature Books for Kids

Wangari’s Trees of Peace (Ages 4 to 7)

Perfect for: The Ambitious Dreamer

Based on the true story of Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai, [easyazon_link identifier=”0152065458″ locale=”US” tag=”gardcoll03-20″]Wangari’s Trees of Peace[/easyazon_link] is a relatable and uplifting story in our current trying times. In Wangari, the titular character returns home to find many of her local trees razed to the ground. Fearing for the trees beyond her neighborhood, she begins to plant seedlings in her own yard, taking the first steps in her distinguished career as an environmentalist.

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The 10 Best Nature Books for Kids

When Trees Walked (Ages 3 to 8)

Perfect For: The Folk Tale Reader

Written both in Swahili and English, [easyazon_link identifier=”1939604133″ locale=”US” tag=”gardcoll03-20″]When Trees Walked[/easyazon_link] is an imaginative look at the world long ago, with the goal of increasing environmental awareness. The illustrations are dreamy and imaginative, making for the perfect bedtime tale. Exposing kids to multiple language helps encourage development for both languages– so even if you’re not planning to keep up the Swahili, When Trees Walked can help with English as well.

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The 10 Best Nature Books for Kids

The Ugly Vegetables (Ages 3 to 7)

Perfect For: The Lonely Outsider

Grace Lin (both the author and illustrator for [easyazon_link identifier=”1570914915″ locale=”US” tag=”gardcoll03-20″]The Ugly Vegetables[/easyazon_link] weaves a tale as old as Time– but gives it a botanical, garden-based twist. The girl at the center of the story is envious of the beautiful gardens around her and wonders why her family’s garden can’t look like that. Complete with a guide to the Chinese pronunciation of each vegetable and a recipe for ‘ugly vegetable soup’, Lin’s book makes readers proud of their differences.

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The 10 Best Nature Books for Kids

Compost: A Family Guide to Making Soil from Scraps (All Ages)

Perfect For: The Kid Who Won’t Sit Still

With activities for the whole family (including stickers and games!), [easyazon_link identifier=”1611801273″ locale=”US” tag=”gardcoll03-20″]Compost: A Family Guide to Making Soil from Scraps[/easyazon_link] is ideal for anyone getting a little stir crazy during the winter months. While you’ll have to wait for spring to really get in the dirt and start using your compost, some of the activities in the book can be done indoors (to fun and educational ends).

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The 10 Best Nature Books for Kids

Whoever You Are (Ages 4 to 7)

Perfect For: The Bridge Builder

Complete with folk-style art, [easyazon_link identifier=”0152060308″ locale=”US” tag=”gardcoll03-20″]Whoever You Are[/easyazon_link] by Australian author Mem Fox has the ultimate message of overcoming differences to understand we are the same– a lovely message for kids during the holidays. Don’t let the simple language fool you– the plain words convey a meaningful, important idea for Lil’ Sprouts to know, and for adults to remember.

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The 10 Best Nature Books for Kids

The Boy Who Didn’t Believe in Spring (Ages 3 – 5)

Perfect For: The Urban Dweller

Decorated author Lucille Clifton tells the tale of a boy living in the projects who rarely sees nature in [easyazon_link identifier=”0140547398″ locale=”US” tag=”gardcoll03-20″]The Boy Who Didn’t Believe in Spring[/easyazon_link]. The story unfolds alongside the city as it comes to life with the season, reminding readers that nature exists even in the most unlikely spaces.

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The 10 Best Nature Books for Kids

Come on Rain (Ages 4 to 8)

Perfect For: The Reflective Spirit

In [easyazon_link identifier=”0590331256″ locale=”US” tag=”gardcoll03-20″]Come On Rain[/easyazon_link], Tess and her community come together to revel in refreshing, life-giving rain. The poetry of the text by Karen Hesse is complemented by the soft, evocative illustrations of Jon J. Muth– an ideal book to finish off a storytime session, leaving reader and audience ready to embrace the day.

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The 10 Best Nature Books for Kids

Forest Feast for Kids (Ages 8 to 12)

Perfect For: The Kitchen Newbie

We interviewed Erin Gleeson earlier this year about her simply delicious recipes and enviable style, which she adapted into her children’s cookbook, [easyazon_link identifier=”141971886X” locale=”US” tag=”gardcoll03-20″]Forest Feast for Kids[/easyazon_link]. Each recipe is beautifully laid out and makes cooking an active, hands-on process for kids– an especially worthwhile investment during the colder months when there’s little to do outside.

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