<
BOOK LIST

20+ Books to Celebrate Earth Day

These fiction and nonfiction titles will inspire your students to make the world a cleaner and more beautiful place to live.

By Scholastic Editors
April 1, 2024

Celebrate Earth Day with your students with captivating fiction and nonfiction books all about Earth and the environment. As part of your lesson plan, start a discussion about the detrimental effects of harmful activities to the Earth — like pollution or deforestation. 

You can use this activity guide based off the story in Big Tree or this toolkit for To Change a Planet to faciliate important conversation with your students about reaching a greener future. Plus, this dicussion guide for Wildoak is a great tool to spark conversation about environmental and wildlife conservation. For STEM and STEAM enthusiasts, this guide includes 15 questions to pair with Force of Nature, that will encourage students to think deeply about the life and work of trailblazing marine biologist, Rachel Carson.

Observed on April 22 each year, Earth Day marks the perfect time to bring lessons about conservation, climate change, and the planet into your class. (For the students in your class who love the outdoors, check out these top children's books about nature and the environment.)

Shop books to teach Earth Day below! You can find all books and resources at The Teacher Store. And if you’re looking for more books about nature, check out these amazing National Geographic animal books.

Paperback Book

What Does It Mean To Be Green?

Grades Pre-K - K
$5.21$6.95
out of stock
save to wishlist

Walking to the park instead of getting a ride. Turning off the water while you brush your teeth. A young boy and girl explore all the different ways they can be green over the course of a day. 

Paperback Book

10 Things I Can Do to Help My World

Grades Pre-K - 1
$6.71$8.95
out of stock
save to wishlist

Here is a bright, inviting novelty book that offers simple ways to make a difference.

Paperback Book

The Earth Book

Grades Pre-K - 2
$5.21$6.95
out of stock
save to wishlist

With his signature blend of playfulness and sensitivity, Todd Parr explores the important, timely subject of environmental protection and conservation in this eco-friendly picture book. 

Hardcover Book

To Change a Planet

Grades Pre-K - 3
$14.24$18.99
out of stock
save to wishlist

One carbon dioxide molecule may seem small and insignificant. But when cars, factories, and cities let loose millions and billions and trillions, they can trap and stifle like a too-warm blanket. One notch higher on the thermometer may seem small and insignificant, but one notch higher can change our seas, our seasons, life, us. But when one person and one person and one person become many...THEY can change a planet-for the better.

Paperback Book

Our Earth

Grades K - 2
$5.21$6.95
out of stock
save to wishlist

From frozen polar ice caps to steamy tropical rain forests, the earth is home to all kinds of plants and animals.

Paperback Book

The Ocean is Kind of a Big Deal

Grades K - 3
$5.24$6.99
out of stock
save to wishlist

This funny and factual picture book explains the science behind the ocean: its plant and animal life, its contribution to the world, and what we can do every day to protect it. Humans wouldn't be able to survive without a healthy ocean. That's kind of a big deal.

Paperback Book

Why Should I Protect Nature?

Grades K - 3
$3.00$4.00
out of stock
save to wishlist

Miss Wade helps her young students understand why it is important to protect nature by respecting trees, flowers, and animals and cleaning up trash and litter.

Paperback Book

Our Universe: Earth!

Grades 1 - 3
$5.21$6.95
out of stock
save to wishlist

Narrated by Earth (aka Planet Awesome), this is a cheeky, cheerful, and fact-packed autobiography of our home.

Paperback Book

The Earth Gives More

Grades 1 - 3
$6.71$8.95
out of stock
save to wishlist

In each season, Earth has something special to enjoy - and we can find ways to be good stewards to the planet too!

Paperback Book

The Tree Lady

Grades 1 - 3
$6.71$8.95
out of stock
save to wishlist

Unearth the true story of green-thumbed pioneer and activist Kate Sessions, who helped San Diego grow from a dry desert town into a lush, leafy city known for its gorgeous parks and gardens.

Paperback Book

Earth Day from the Black Lagoon

Grades 2 - 3
$3.71$4.95
out of stock
save to wishlist

There's an Earth Day celebration in store for Mrs. Green's class, and her students are working on important reports. They're out to discover all the ways the climate is changing and what can be done to help Mother Nature.

$4.46$5.95
out of stock
save to wishlist

It doesn’t take a lot to reduce the amount of trash we create. Learn how!

Hardcover Book

Big Tree

Grades 2 - 7
$24.74$32.99
out of stock
save to wishlist

A mysterious voice has been speaking to Louise in her dreams. She and her brother Merwin are Sycamore seeds, who hope to one day set down roots and become big trees. But when a fire forces them to leave their mama tree prematurely, they find themselves catapulted into the unknown, far from home.

$6.74$8.99
out of stock
save to wishlist

What a mess! The kids in Ms. Frizzle's class have been studying animals' homes. There's a beehive, a wasp's nest, an ant farm, even a beaver lodge, right in the classroom. It's a relief when the Friz announces, "Today we start something new." They are going to study earth science.

Paperback Book

Judy Moody Saves the World!

Grades 3
$4.46$5.95
out of stock
save to wishlist

When her third grade class begins studying the environment, Judy Moody is ready to whip the planet into shape, starting with her own family! As usual, not all of her ideas work quite the way she plans. Can she convince her class to take part in her latest environment-saving project? Can Judy single-handedly save the world?

$5.21$6.95
out of stock
save to wishlist

True Books have been upgraded and updated. Information is presented in a thorough yet engaging manner, featuring lively sidebars, a glossary, visual back matter, and an index.

Hardcover Book

Wildoak

Grades 3 - 7
$14.24$18.99
out of stock
save to wishlist

When the fates of a snow leopard, a child, and an ancient forest collide, the unimaginable can happen. Told in alternating voices, Wildoak shimmers with beauty, compassion, and unforgettable storytelling as it explores the delicate interconnectedness of the human, animal, and natural worlds.

$14.99$19.99
out of stock
save to wishlist

Rachel was a girl who loved science and the sea, books and writing, and all the creatures of the world. Rachel was quiet, a listener by nature. But when she saw problems, she could not remain silent. Some people thought girls shouldn't be scientists. They thought girls shouldn't use their voices to question or challenge, even to protect all the creatures of the world. Luckily Rachel didn't listen to them.

Paperback Book

Wildfire

Grades 3 - 7
$6.74$8.99
out of stock
save to wishlist

Flames race toward Sam Castine's summer camp as evacuation buses are loading, but Sam runs back to get his phone. Suddenly, a flash of heat blasts him as pine trees explode. Now a wall of fire separates Sam from his bus, and there's only one thing to do: Run for his life. Run or die.

Paperback Book

Earth

Grades 4 - 6
$7.46$9.95
out of stock
save to wishlist

From a cloud storm to a look at the future, this outstanding presentation of Earth's formation through dramatic, stunning illustrations and accessible, minimal text is sure to intrigue and awe.

Paperback Book

Heroes of the Environment

Grades 5 - 7
$5.96$7.95
out of stock
save to wishlist

Presents the true stories of 12 people, most of them teenagers or younger adults, from across North America who have done great things for the environment. Heroes include a teenage girl who figured out how to remove an industrial pollutant from the Ohio River, a Mexican superstar wrestler who works to protect turtles and whales, and a teenage boy from Rhode Island who helped his community and his state develop effective e-waste recycling programs.

Want more great content? Subscribe to our Teacher Newsletter below and get teaching ideas delivered right to your inbox.