Rainforests are some of the most fascinating ecosystems on the planet. You can imagine the lush greenery or the variety of colorful animals hiding in the brush. Unfortunately, humans have damaged these rainforests, hurting local populations through the process of deforestation. Of course, we need to do everything in our power to improve this situation. Teaching the next generation about the importance of our environment is a vital step to ensuring its future. These five books might not solve all our problems, but they’re colorful, educational, and a great way to celebrate World Rainforest Day with your kids.
The Magic School Bus Presents: The Rainforest
Whether you’re raising your kids on the original The Magic School Bus or the reboot on Netflix, Ms. Frizzle will always be a classic. This book features charming, colorful drawings of the main cast alongside stunning photography. If you want to explore the rainforest with a class full of curious students, a teacher whose colorful fashion sense can rival the vibrant rainforest, and her pet lizard, this is a good pick. It’s also a series with ten books to enjoy! If your kids are also curious about the ocean, dinosaurs, and more, this series is a good place to start.
If I Ran the Rain Forest
Despite being published back in 2003, If I Ran the Rain Forest still does a great job of introducing the rainforest to children. Written in the classic The Cat in the Hat format, it’s both easy and fun to read. If your kids enjoy other Dr. Suess books, they’re sure to enjoy this one, too. Similar to the previous entry, this is part of a series! Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library includes fifty books discussing topics such as weather and bugs. By all means, that’s a lot of content.
The Leaf Detective: How Margaret Lowman Uncovered Secrets in the Rainforest
This story isn’t about the rainforests but the dedication one woman has for them. This book is an inspiring picture book biography about a biologist/ecologist who rose above the challenges life threw her way… quite literally. If you not only want to foster their love for rainforests, but also encourage women to join STEM, this one’s for you.
Under and Over the Rainforest
What really drew me in about this book was the art style. Specifically, the colors come together in a very cohesive way, the composition is impressive, and you can really see the love that was put into each piece. The narrative really drives the idea home that rainforests are magical places. Personally, I think this would make a wonderful read for a very visual child.
I Spy Rainforest Trail!
This one’s the perfect pick for children who are still a little young, generally between the ages of 2 to 5. Rather than including detailed photographs and descriptions, this book focuses on teaching kids the animals while strengthening their counting abilities. The art style is adorable and makes the perfect introduction for young children.
Want to enjoy reading in an environmentally conscious way? Check out rainforest-friendly reading tips here!