8 Educational Children’s Books About the Environment

In her first book, Mya-Rose Craig, an ornithologist and environmentalist, brings together thirty young environmental activists, who are either Indigenous or people of color, speaking on water conservation, deforestation, and more. 

Although these groups are significantly affected by climate change, they are largely missing from the conversation. That’s why Craig is putting them center stage with We Have a Dream, where young leaders from around the world show young people how to be the change.

Bea becomes fascinated by bees when she discovers a nest on her way home from school. But when the mystery disappears, Bea comes up with a plan to bring them back. 

Taking to the library, she learns how crucial these busy workers are to the world. Not only does she hope to inspire her school and community to save the bees, but also your little ones! 

Offering illuminating facts, preservation tips, and more, Bea’s Bees is an uplifting blend of narrative and education that brings children into the fascinating world of bees. 

Despite being small, Josephine has big dreams—and she’s turned her attention towards saving the earth! She is learning all about the importance of the three Rs, and hopes your little ones will tag along. 

Our planet is an amazing place—one that we must protect through keeping healthy and clean. Teach your children how to do their part in Josephine: I Can Help—equal parts interesting and adorable. 

The 2021 winner of the Caldecott Medal, We Are Water Protectors, is a beautifully illustrated picture book that honors Indigenous-led movements throughout the world. 

By offering stories from real-life water protectors, including Indigenous activist Autumn Peltier and her great-aunt Josephine Mandamin, author Carole Lindstrom invites young readers to join the fight to save Earth’s water. 

Easily the most-well known children’s book about the environment, The Lorax offers a timeless cautionary tale. Its message, “I speak for the trees,” emphasizes the importance of conservation while illuminating the impacts of environmental destruction.

Dr. Seuss possessed the unique ability of simplifying complex topics—in this case, sustainability and corporate greed—for young readers. Despite being published in 1971, the story is incredibly resonant and shows children they can, in fact, make a difference. 

In the words of The Lorax, “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better.” 

Plastic is everywhere, and it’s a big problem. Because it’s not biodegradable, and becomes dangerous to animals and even humans. 

Award-winning author-illustrator Neal Layton educates children on plastic—where it comes from and where it goes—while offering creative solutions to lower our impact! 

Whether giving up straws or joining in a beach clean-up, A Planet Full of Plastic shows that when we work together, we can keep the earth clean and happy.

Nobel Peace Prize nominee Greta Thunberg has become a powerful voice in conservation efforts and has created global awareness of the climate crisis.

Through an accessible allegory, author Zoë Tucker depicts Greta as a little girl in a forest, threatened by Giants who are chopping down trees to make houses into towns, towns into cities, leaving little behind. 

Greta knows she must step in to save the animals who call the forest home, and she comes up with an idea she hopes young readers will join her in. 

Beyond being beautiful, trees have much to offer this world. Although to our human eyes and ears they may appear silent, they are actually communicating with each other at all times: whether talking, sharing food, or keeping one another safe.

There is much we can learn from trees—including how to better serve the environment rather than make it serve us. With vivid illustrations, poems, and easy-to-understand science, The Wisdom of Trees is the perfect resource for young ones wishing to better understand the world around them.