Every year on April 22nd, the world celebrates Earth Day, a time for people around the globe to celebrate the gift of our planet and how we can all work to protect it. Whether they choose to educate, advocate, mobilize, or pledge, those who commit to taking care of Earth are working together to make a safer, happier, and healthier home for all the living beings who share it. In honor of Earth Day, we’ve gathered seven books that pay tribute to the wonders of our planet and the ways we can thank it for all it gives us.
E is for Earth by Greg Paprocki
Part of the perennially delightful BabyLit series of alphabet books, Paprocki’s snappy mid-century-inspired illustrations are in particularly fine form here. Beginning with “A is for activist,” little readers are walked through the wonders of the natural world letter by letter, being introduced to planet-friendly concepts like composting, urban green spaces, and clean energy along the way. Both a tribute to the beautiful natural spaces of the world and an urge to protect them in whatever (big or little) ways we can, this sweet title is perfect for starting readers on the road to conservation from the jump.
My Friend Earth by Patricia MacLachlan, Illustrated by Frenci Sanna
Really, the Earth is more than just our planet; it’s our friend. In spring, she wakes from a winter nap and brings the green back from the ground and trees. She cares for animals big and small, brings the showers of summer, rain and autumn leaves, and delights in the sounds, smells, and smiles of all the beings who call her home. Combining the lyrical text of the immensely popular children’s author MacLachlan with incredible artwork and interactive elements designed by Sanna, this is a stunning ode to our friendship with Mother Earth that should not be overlooked.
Earth! My First 4.54 Billion Years by Stacy McAnulty, Illustrated by David Litchfield
“Hi, I’m Earth!” begins our narrator, though she prefers to be called “Planet Awesome.” Earth takes the reader on a tour of her history and geology, the solar system, and even a crash course on some of the most significant events in her life: dinosaurs, Pangaea, and her newest friends, Homo sapiens (that’s us!). She encourages us to be kind to her — she’s one of a kind, after all — and enjoy our stay! She is pretty awesome, after all. With healthy doses of tongue-in-cheek humor and a wealth of educational info covered, this playful introduction to the history and current needs of our shared planet is sure to charm curious young readers.
Only One by Deborah Hopkinson, Illustrated by Chuck Groenink
The blue-beanied and yellow-rainslickered child narrator greets the reader with the enigmatic phrase, “One. Only one. The story starts with one.” Convincing their sibling to turn off the television and join them and their friends on a forest expedition, the child explains the makeup of the universe, from the Big Bang to the galaxies, stars, and down to our solar system. Regaling fascinated friends with information on Earth’s atmosphere, continents, environments, fauna, and flora, the group eventually makes their way to a tree-planting event so that they can take part in protecting the Earth — our own planet and the only one we’ve got. Hopkinson’s incredibly informative text and Groenink’s charming illustrations work in perfect concert to tell a story of big things and the impacts small actions can have on them.
100 Ways to Save the Planet by Tom Jordan, Illustrated by Joshua Rice
Saving the planet seems like an awfully big job — how can very small kids make a difference? Well, for young conservationists, there’s good news: there are countless ways to help protect the planet, and this book offers a whopping 100 of them to get you started. From helping attract biodiversity by building a “magic pond” to turning leaves into compost to making a bug-friendly borough, this title offers dozens of methods and encouragements to help planet-conscious youngsters do their part. Accompanied on each page by vibrant illustrations, this title makes a great handbook for little ones feeling overwhelmed with where to start when it comes to helping the Earth.
This Pretty Planet by Tom Chapin and John Forster, Illustrated by Lee White
This picture book adaptation of Chapin & Forster’s 1988 song of the same name opens on a white rabbit gently waking two children from their sleep. The trio sails off into the night sky on their balloon-powered bed/airship, adventuring through constellation-filled skies, windswept beaches, and flowering meadows, experiencing the wonder and magic of a dreamy Earth. When the trio travels briefly through history, they are struck by a scene of pollution and waste, taking a moment to clean up and plant new life. At last, the children return to their bedroom to be tucked in by their bunny friend, surrounded by reminders of their adventure, and inspired to protect their pretty planet however they can.
Here We Are: Notes For Living On Planet Earth by Oliver Jeffers
Welcome, new person! Here we are; this is Earth, a big globe spinning in a massively bigger universe and carrying all of human and plant and animal life as we know it. There are pointy, cold mountains; hot, flat grasslands; deep, mysterious oceans. There are all kinds of people here, all different shapes and sizes and colors, but all of them are people — like you. There are cars and cities and animals here, and inside your brain? Oh, there’s the potential for even more than all of that! It can be a little overwhelming, but we’ll take it step by step as you grow. And if you have any questions, you can always ask; after all, you’re never alone on Planet Earth. Jeffers created Here We Are as a gift for his first child, and it shows in the care, humor, and affection that sing from each page; this one is a can’t-miss.
We hope that you and your young readers enjoy these books and that they inspire you to learn more about our Earth and how to protect it. Happy Earth Day, and happy reading!
Having trouble getting kids to look up from their devices long enough to appreciate the natural world? Check out our article on 7 Books That Will Make Your Little One Want to Unplug.
To see all of our recommendations for mini bookworms, check out our Bookshop bookshelf.
