Let's Celebrate Earth Day
- Sophia Hsu
- Apr 21
- 5 min read
Happy Earth Day! Today is a great opportunity to help young readers explore what it means to care for the world around them. We’ve selected six children’s books that highlight nature, conservation, and simple actions that make a difference. Each story offers a thoughtful way to start conversations about the environment in a way kids can relate to and enjoy.
To go along with the reading, there’s also a fun, eco-friendly craft. It’s an easy way to bring the theme to life and encourage creativity while reinforcing the idea that everyone has a role in protecting our planet.
Our picks:
The Lorax by Dr. Suess
"The Lorax" is a classic picture book that delivers a powerful environmental message. Through Seuss’s signature rhymes and whimsical illustrations, the story follows the rise and fall of a once-beautiful landscape, destroyed by industrial growth. The Lorax, who “speaks for the trees,” becomes a symbol of environmental stewardship and the consequences of ignoring nature’s warnings.
The book sparks meaningful discussions about sustainability, responsibility, and how small choices can impact the planet. Despite being written over 50 years ago, its message remains urgent and relevant. This book is especially effective for read-alouds, with its rhythmic text drawing in listeners while encouraging reflection.
Outside In by Deborah Underwood
“Outside In” is a poetic picture book that explores the subtle ways nature is always part of our lives, even when we’re not paying attention. The book points out that even when we’re inside, nature reaches us through light, sound, movement, and memory. Deborah Underwood’s writing is simple but intentional, and Cindy Derby’s watercolor-style illustrations add a soft, reflective feel to the story.
It’s a great Earth Day read because it shifts focus from dramatic environmental action to everyday awareness. Instead of asking readers to go out and change the world, it encourages them to notice what’s already around them. For young readers, it’s a useful starting point for understanding that being connected to nature doesn’t always require going on a hike or visiting a forest; it can begin with observation and appreciation.
Old Enough to Save the Planet by Loll Kirby
This nonfiction book features real-life stories of twelve kids from different countries who are leading environmental projects in their own communities. Each one focuses on a specific problem like pollution, climate change, or deforestation, and explains how the young person is addressing it. The profiles are short, straightforward, and paired with colorful illustrations that reflect each child’s environment.
As an Earth Day read, this book is a solid choice because it shows that real people, even kids, are already doing this work. It avoids being overly dramatic or idealistic. Instead, it presents activism as something that’s doable and rooted in everyday choices.
Greta and the Giants by Zoë Tucker
“Greta and the Giants” is a fictional story based on the climate activism of Greta Thunberg. In the book, Greta lives in a forest that is being destroyed by greedy “Giants.” She begins to protest, and others join her, eventually convincing the Giants to stop and listen. The message is clear: speaking out matters, and collective action leads to change.
The story is easy for young readers to understand, and the illustrations are colorful and engaging. While it simplifies Greta’s real-life activism into a fairy-tale-like format, it still manages to explain basic ideas about environmental responsibility and protest in an age-appropriate way. For Earth Day, this book is a good tool for introducing topics like deforestation, climate change, and peaceful protest.
My Friend Earth by Patricia MacLachlan
“My Friend Earth” presents the planet as a character who watches over the natural world, helping animals, managing weather, and guiding the changing seasons. The text is written like a poem, and the illustrations include layered cutouts and bright colors that make the pages feel dynamic.
This book shows nature as something active and interconnected, not just a background. It introduces environmental ideas through a gentle narrative, rather than listing facts or problems. For younger kids, it can help build a sense of care and responsibility toward the planet without being too abstract or overwhelming.
Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth by Oliver Jeffers
Of course, we had to include Oliver Jeffers in this Earth Day lineup. His books are a staple in many of our sessions, and “Here We Are” is a standout example of his ability to take complex ideas and present them in a way that feels simple, sincere, and accessible.
Originally written for his newborn son, this book reads like a thoughtful guide to life on Earth. It covers everything from the natural world to human behavior, diversity, and how we care for one another and the planet.
While it’s not solely focused on the environment, “Here We Are” fits naturally into Earth Day reading as it encourages awareness, kindness, and a sense of responsibility.
Plastic Lid Earth Suncatchers
This simple craft turns something you might normally throw away—clear plastic lids—into Earth-themed suncatchers. It’s a great hands-on activity for younger kids, and it encourages conversation about reusing materials and protecting our planet.
Materials:
Clean, clear plastic lids (from yogurt, deli, or takeout containers)
Blue and green tissue paper scraps (reused or from your craft bin)
White glue (mixed with a little water for easier spreading)
A paintbrush or sponge brush
Hole punch
String, yarn, or ribbon for hanging
Optional: scissors, pencil, black marker
Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Plastic Lids
Collect and clean clear plastic lids. These will serve as your suncatcher base. Flat, circular lids work best for the Earth design, but any shape will do. Remove labels or stickers if possible.
Step 2: Cut the Tissue Paper
Tear or cut blue and green tissue paper into small pieces (about 1 inch or smaller). These will represent the oceans and continents. Using scrap tissue or even old wrapping paper makes this step more sustainable.
Step 3: Mix the Glue
In a small container, mix white glue with a bit of water to thin it out (about 2 parts glue to 1 part water). This makes it easier to spread with a brush.
Step 4: Design Your Earth
Brush a thin layer of glue onto the inside of the lid. Stick on blue and green tissue paper pieces to resemble the Earth. It doesn’t need to be geographically accurate; just have fun with the design! Overlap pieces slightly so light can still shine through.
Step 5: Seal the Design
Once the lid is covered in tissue, brush another thin layer of glue on top to help everything stick and dry flat. Let it dry completely; this may take a few hours, depending on the glue.
Step 6: Add the Hanging Loop
Use a hole punch to make a hole near the edge of the lid. Thread a piece of string, yarn, or ribbon through and tie a loop for hanging.
Step 7: Display
Hang your Earth suncatcher in a sunny window to let the light shine through the tissue. It’s a simple way to brighten a space and remind us of the beauty of our planet!
Comments