Earth Day Books for Kids

Books to help teach sustainability at home.

Earth Day is one of my favorite fun holidays to celebrate. It would be remiss not to acknowledge the achievements of the environmental movement without also bringing awareness to climate change and the urgent need to protect our natural resources for future generations (my kiddos and yours)!

I have a degree in Historic Preservation and one thing that delighted me most in my coursework is the intersection between preservation and sustainability efforts. Historic Preservation conserves both energy and resources that are lost if a building is demolished and replaced.

The greenest building is the one that is already built. — Carl Elefante

My work now primarily deals with new development but I work closely with people who have green jobs like stormwater management! Just throwing it out there that there are plenty of roles that support preserving our Earth’s natural resources.

I’ve been thinking a lot about the environment and my role in nature since our recent trip to Charleston. We attended the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival again and if you ever get the chance to go, I highly recommend it. Sometimes the featured films lean more towards outdoor recreation but they’re always sure to include some that explore current issues in nature. I always leave the showing feeling a sense of awe for our planet, its strength, resilience, and beauty. Instead of reinventing the wheel, here’s a list of Environmental TV Shows from Common Sense Media if you want to find something to put on for your kids. My personal faves are Octonauts, Jack Hanna’s Wild Countdown and Captain Planet. For family movie night, Finding Nemo, The Lorax, Ice Age and Wall-E all have great environmental themes. I always feel like I need to plug the wonderful documentary Chasing Coral as it features one of my husband’s marine biology professors, Phil Dunstan!

There are so many ways your daily habits affect the environment. My goal is always to make small choices for my family that have a positive impact. I’m slightly earthy-crunchy but far from living a zero-waste lifestyle. I come from the mindset that I’ll do what I can but we ultimately need to hold corporations more responsible and implement systemic changes. Need some ideas for super simple swaps? Here are a few of my favorites:

• recycle regularly

• use real plates + cutlery instead of disposable serve wear

• take a shorter shower and don’t run the water while you brush your teeth or wash your face

• carry a reusable bag to the grocery store (and don’t keep a stockpile of more than you need)

• compost kitchen scraps to use in your garden soil

• bring your own coffee cup

• be mindful of how your clothes are made

• eat less meat

• wash your clothes less (especially jeans)

• drive less (bike, carpool, or use public transportation)

• borrow books from the library or a friend instead of buying new titles

I really admire

Brittany Viklund

and her efforts to live a sustainable lifestyle with her kids and I’m always looking forward to the tips she shares in her newsletter + on social.

What better way to learn about Earth Day than to share books that teach the children in your life about the earth, animals, and sustainability? Below is a list of books on our wish list that are perfect for all ages and reading levels to help introduce the importance of Earth Day and protecting our natural resources. Whether you’re looking to make some simple, sustainable swaps, learn about endangered animals, or find ways to take charge in your own community, these fiction and non-fiction picture books are the perfect starting point for talking to kids about our planet.

Something Happened to Our Planet: Kids Tackle the Climate Crisis by Marianne Celano and Marietta Collins

Bondi & Poppy Help Heal the Planet by Judith A. Proffer

Greta and the Giants by Zoë Tucker

Dear Little One by Nina Laden

One World: 24 Hours on Planet Earth by Nicola Davies

We Are Better Together by Bill McKibben

Rewilding: Bringing Wildlife Back Where It Belongs by Neon Squid and David A. Steen

Pedal Power: How One Community Became the Bicycle Capital of the World by Allan Drummond

Climate Action: The Future Is in Our Hands by Georgina Stevens

Old Enough to Save the Planet by Loll Kirby

What I love about this particular selection of books is that they focus on how even small children can make decisions that positively impact the environment. When I read picture books I’m specifically looking for writing that is empowering and doesn’t underestimate the empathy and compassion of a child. I included some Middle Grade books too so be sure to check them all out. You can shop my full list of books with eco-friendly themes through Bookshop.org.

Let’s save the planet together!

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