The first Earth Day was held on April 22, 1970, as a way to raise awareness about pollution generated by cars, oil spills, and manufacturing plants. Pesticides and loss of wilderness and wildlife were (and are) creating harm across the planet; Earth Day was started to spur action against the damage done by humans. Not only are we making Earth unhealthy, but the toxins we are placing into the air, ground, and water are making us sick, too.
All of this can be heavy and scary for adults to absorb — ignorance doesn't make it less real — so adults might think it can be scary and sad for kids, too, but it doesn’t have to be. Kids are often incredibly empathetic, and they want to be helpers. Earth Day is a great day to empower ourselves and our children to be more intentional about the waste we create and what we can do to reverse some of the damage.
Use Earth Day as a starting point, but check out these books for ways to make every day a great day to take care of our planet. It’s never too early to nurture an environmentalist.
1. 'The Earth Book' by Todd Parr (Infant to 3 Years)
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Todd Parr is one of my favorite children’s authors. His bright and fun illustrations are engaging and funny, and his messages are simple and direct. The Earth Book teaches the littlest readers that if we take care of the planet, it will take care of us.
2. 'I Am Earth' by Rebecca and James McDonald (3 to 5 Years)
I Am Earth is narrated by Earth and is an early introduction into Earth science concepts. It’s a beginner’s guide to Earth’s resources and what happens to them if we don’t focus on sustainability. In lessons for preschool to first graders, I Am Earth points out everyday occurrences — like day to night — that will connect kids to their surroundings.
3. 'My Friend Earth' by Patricia MacLachlan (3 to 5 Years)
My Friend Earth is an interactive love letter to our planet. The beautiful illustrations and peek-a-boo aspects of the book keep readers engaged while gaining an appreciation for the world around them.
4. 'We Are Water Protectors' by Carole Lindstrom (3 to 6 Years)
Too many people take our water for granted, and too many Indigenous people have been hurt by corruption. We Are Water Protectors is a lyrical picture book that educates and inspires children to seek justice for clean water and the people who are entitled to healthy resources.
5. 'Compost Stew' by Mary McKenna Siddals (3 to 7 Years)
More and more schools, restaurants, and even towns are requiring people to compost, but not everyone understands the benefits of doing so or how it works. Compost Stew is a great introduction for kids and adults to feel more confident in turning food waste into food for insects and fertile ground to grow more food. The cycle of life is pretty amazing and good for the planet!
6. 'Earth Ninja' by Mary Nhin (3 to 11 Years)
Earth Ninja is part of the Ninja Life Hack series, and in this book Earth Ninja introduces three habits to her friends that they and every little reader can do to make the planet healthier.
7. 'The Curious Garden' by Peter Brown (4 to 8 Years)
Liam finds a garden that is struggling to thrive and instead of ignoring it, he decides to take care of it. Slowly the garden spreads through the city and turns a dark and gray landscape into a green and lush environment. The Curious Garden is a reminder of our role in nurturing a planet that is also struggling.
8. 'Earth Day Every Day' by Lisa Bullard (5 to 8 Years)
In Earth Day Every Day Trina plants a tree for Earth Day with her class and then starts an Earth Day club with her friends. This book will inspire and encourage kids to make big changes, even when they think they are too little to do so.
9. 'This Class Can Save the Planet' by Stacy Tornio (5 to 12 Years)
Classrooms are often small versions of the bigger world that our kids are learning to navigate. They are learning social networks, cooperation, and routines that impact the environment around them. Classrooms are great places to perform small-scale experiments that can be applied to the bigger world. This Class Can Save the Planet shows kids what they can do in their classrooms to create change so that they can spread that change into their homes and communities.
10. 'What a Waste' by Jess French (6 to 9 Years)
What a Waste is a nonfiction book that focuses on recycling. The book gives facts and offers illustrations of the danger of not recycling; it also shows the really cool innovations that can turn trash into treasure. With creativity and mindfulness, we can keep and reuse more than we throw away.
11. 'Protecting the Planet' by Louise Spilsbury (6 to 10 Years)
Plastic, pollution, and global warming are all real and serious threats to our planet, which means they are a threat to us, too. Without Earth and access to clean and plentiful resources — water, air, plants, and animals — we won’t survive. Protecting the Planet explores the cause-and-effect of our actions and helps all of us make better choices to protect our planet.
12. 'Save the Bees' by Bethany Stahl (8 to 9 Years)
Pollution and global warming impacts insects, too, and that impacts our food supply. Save the Bees teaches kids about the importance of pollinators. Kids will understand how important and cool bees are when they learn about the science of pollination. Bees aren’t nearly as scary as kids think they are; they actually need our help.
Psst: If you choose to purchase an item on this list, LittleThings may receive a small cut. Each item and price is up to date at the time of publication; however, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.
*Psst: if you choose to purchase an item from this post, LittleThings.com may receive a small cut. Each item and price is up to date at the time of publication; however, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.
