Twenty favorite science and nature picks to celebrate Earth Day every day
Earth Day, Día de la Tierra, is celebrated each year on April 22nd. It is the perfect time to appreciate our home and focus on improving the ways that we care for it. However, we can celebrate our Earth and teach our kids about caring for it all year long.
These titles will help you and your family or class explore Earth’s extraordinary plants, animals, and geography. Take a look to find a new one that will encourage you to protect our amazing planet. This round-up of favorite Earth Day books includes titles for preschool to elementary-aged kids.
The books are organized in four categories:
- Animals
- Plants
- Our Earth
- Protecting the Planet
Look for these titles at your local library, favorite bookstores, or through the links provided.
Be sure to check out this related post for more Earth Day fun:
Fun Outdoor Language Learning Activities for Kids (with a free nature scavenger hunt printable)
Happy reading,
Jenna
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Animals
Cachorros del fin del mundo
by Paula Fernández, illustrated by Pablo Picyk [Ages 4-11]
Kids will love learning about how many different animals care for their babies in this beautifully-illustrated new book. It is full of facts about the gestation and unique parenting styles of animals like monkeys, tapirs, and frogs. This is the only title featured currently only available in Spanish.
No dejes que desaparezcan
by Chelsea Clinton, illustrated by Gianna Marino [Ages 4-8]
Animal-lovers will appreciate this book highlighting twelve endangered species. You’ll learn about each amazing animal and what makes them unique, and learn why they are on the verge of extinction.
In English: Don’t Let Them Disappear
Kaia y las abejas
by Maribeth Boelts, illustrated by Angela Dominguez [Ages 4-8]
Kaia’s dad is a beekeeper, but she has a terrible fear of bees! She wants to be brave and conquer her fears. Her dad helps her by explaining how important bees are to our world.
In English: Kaia and the Bees
Señorita Mariposa
by Ben Gundersheimer (Mister G), illustrated by Marcos Almada Rivero [Ages 3-5]
This bilingual book is based on the author’s popular song with the same name. We adore Mister G and his songs about caring for nature (many featured in our Spanish music playlists). This rhyming text tells the story of monarch butterflies and their extraordinary journey from Canada to Mexico.
Plants
Cómo crece una semilla
by Helene J. Jordan, illustrated by Loretta Krupinski [Ages 4-8]
A wonderful science book for beginning gardeners! Kids will find out about the plant life cycle and get ideas for growing their own seeds.
In English: How a Seed Grows
Lola planta un jardín
by Anna McQuinn, illustrated by Rosalind Beardshaw [Ages 2-5]
Lola is inspired by a collection of garden poems and decides to grow her very own flower garden. Of course, she first goes the library to find books about growing plants. Kids will love following along with Lola through each of her gardening steps!
In English: Lola Plants a Garden
El último árbol
by María Quintana Silva, illustrated by Silvia Álvarez [Ages 5-8]
All the trees are disappearing! A little boy thinks about the effects of having no more trees on animals, people, and the planet, and tries to repair the damage. A top choice for protecting our plants and environment.
In English: The Last Tree
Un baño de bosque
by Marc Ayats, illustrated by Nívola Uyá [Ages 4-8]
I adore this new book about mindfulness and appreciating nature. A little girl encourages us to slow down, breathe in the forest air, and look all around us to enjoy all the forest has to offer. Read this before going for your own nature walk!
In English: Bathing in the Forest
Wangari y los árboles de la paz
by Jeannette Winter [Ages 6-8]
This is the true story of Wangari Maathai, environmentalist and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. After growing up in Kenya surrounded by trees, she returns years later to whole forests being cut down. She decides to do something – starting with planting nine seeds – and her vision will change her community.
In English: Wangari’s Trees of Peace: A True Story from Africa
Our Earth
Hello Ocean / Hola Mar
by Pam Muñoz Ryan, illustrated by Mark Astrella [Ages 3-7]
A bilingual book – read it in English or Spanish – about a young girl enjoying a day at the beach. She takes in everything around her using her five senses. Discover the creatures, the plants, and the beauty of the sea.
La selva de Zonia
by Juana Martinez-Neal [Ages 4-8]
This beautiful book written and illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal describes Zonia and her home in the Amazon rain forest. She respects and makes friends with the anteaters, jaguars, and sloths. But one day, she sees trees that have been cut down. Can Zonia do anything to help?
In English: Zonia’s Rain Forest
Mi primer libro sobre nuestro planeta
by Matthew Oldham, illustrated by Lee Cosgrove [Ages 3+]
This informational book is full of vocabulary and descriptions of Earth and its geography! From rainforests and the poles to sea life and earthquakes, kids can explore our world from home. The full-page colorful illustrations include key vocabulary words.
In English: My Very First Our World Book
Secretos del planeta Tierra
by Carron Brown, illustrated by Wesley Robins [Ages 4-8]
Kids love these Shine-A-Light books from Usborne! Shining a flashlight behind the pages reveals a hidden picture. This one teaches kids all about our Earth and its geography – exploring under the ocean, through a rain forest, or in a desert.
In English: Secrets of Our Earth
Vuelo del quetzal
by Alma Flor Ada and F. Isabel Campoy, illustrated by Felipe Dávalos, Fabricio Vanden Broeck, Orlando Cabañas, Alina Cabrera, and Bruno González [Ages 5-10]
A gorgeous book of poetic text about exploring the plants, animals, and geography found in Latin America. Illustrations include labels to make it easy to learn new vocabulary words for new animal and plant names.
In English: The Quetzal’s Journey
Water Rolls, Water Rises / El agua rueda, el agua sube
by Pat Mora, illustrated by Meila So [Ages 6-8]
A gorgeous bilingual book – read it in English or Spanish – about Earth’s most precious, life-giving gift: water. Poetic text describes fourteen different water landscapes and cultural areas of Earth. A wonderful language-learning tool for Earth Day or a unit on geography!
Protecting our Planet
10 cosas que puedes hacer para reducir, reciclar y reutilizar
by Elizabeth Weitzman [Ages 7-8]
How can kids help conserve resources and protect our planet? This book will give you simple but effective ideas to reduce, reuse, and recycle!
In English: 10 Things You Can Do To Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle
El día de la tierra
by Dr. Jean Feldman & Dr. Holly Karapetkova [Ages 4-5]
Get kids singing along with this simple Earth Day book by the renowned Dr. Jean Feldman. Young children will learn about how we can all play an important part in caring for our planet.
In English: Earth Day
¿Por qué debo ahorrar agua?
by Jen Green, illustrated by Mike Gordon [Ages 6-8]
In this book, kids will learn dozens of ways their families can save water and protect our Earth’s water supply. Simple and effective ways for kids to help conserve our natural resources.
In English: Why Should I Save Water?
¿Por qué debo reciclar?
by Jen Green, illustrated by Mike Gordon [Ages 6-8]
A class takes a trip to the recycling plant to learn together about how and why they should recycle. Also in this series are Why Should I Protect Nature? and Why Should I Save Energy?
In English: Why Should I Recycle?
Yo Soy La Tierra: Un Libro del Día de la Tierra para Niños
by Rebecca & James McDonald [Ages 3-5]
A simple science book for kids with a focus on caring for the environment. Kids will learn what makes our planet special and how we can all play a role in keeping our home healthy.
In English: I Am Earth: An Earth Day Book for Kids
A few favorites only available in English that are worth the time to read with your kids:
- We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom, illustrated by Michaela Goade
- One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the Recycling Women of the Gambia by Miranda Paul, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon
- This Class Can Save the Planet by Stacy Tornio, illustrated by Kristen Brittain
- What a Waste: Trash, Recycling, and Protecting our Planet by Jess French
Earth Day Fun
Enjoy these titles to teach your kids or students about our amazing planet – its plants, animals, and natural resources. Most importantly, learn together about caring for and protecting our Earth and all who live here.
What other top Earth Day picks would you add to the list? Please let me know in the comments. Follow Bilingual Balance for more Spanish books and resources for making language learning fun and meaningful.
