Celebrating Earth, Flora, and Fauna: Children’s Books, Crafts, and Read Aloud Videos
April is the month of spring~ a season of new life and new beginnings. It seems fitting then, that April would also be the hostess to Earth Day~ a day where we take special care to cherish our beautiful planet and all of the life she harbors. An afternoon outside in the backyard, a stroll around the neighborhood, or even a few moments nourishing an indoor plant can bring solace, a sense of calm, and a peaceful appreciation for fresh air and natural beauty. If heading outdoors isn’t your thing, or perhaps it’s even still snowing where you live, or it’s more of a stay inside and snuggle kind of day, there is a plethora of Nature/ Earth themed children’s books awaiting you and your littles to explore the depths of their lush illustrations, pluck some fresh facts and ideas, and trek through their lively narratives.
In this MaiStoryBook Earth Day Round Up, I’m sharing some of mai favorite children’s books, bookish crafts, and read aloud videos that celebrate Earth and all of her Flora and Fauna. Here’s to raising a new generation of readers and leaders who preserve and protect our planet!
Books
Featuring bookish fun for all ages~ board books for the littlest littles, picture books for the little learners, and a selection of early/middle grade/short stories readers for the big kids! (And of course~ adults can enjoy this round up of reads at any stage in life!) Plus, there are even Activity Books perfect for helping littles practice Zero-Waste habits and engage in Recycled Play~
I’m highlighting 10 new favorites below, but click on the image or link below for the *Full List* of Books and Links to Order!
Shop the Complete Earth Day Recommended Reading List Here
10 New Favorites
Old Enough to Make a Difference by Rebecca Hui // This book introduces 12 kids from around the world who have started sustainable businesses to make the world a better place. The kids have started businesses to tackle issues like fast fashion, single-use plastic, and food scarcity. The perfect read to inspire young social entrepreneurs to create sustainable solutions to global challenges.
How to Be Human by Sophia Kolinas // A bear begins to notice changes in his environment: fewer fish, trees, and less quiet. He decides to adapt and enlists the help of a little girl to teach him how to be human. Together, they learn and master human skills but the bear struggles in the city. The girl realizes that humans should learn from bears and the bear shares his knowledge with her: that the Earth is a place of giving where all living things breathe together.
Ultimate Spotlight: Caring for Earth by Sandra Laboucarie // This interactive book teaches children about creating an environment that resembles the way plants and animals interact in the wild. Brimming with interactive features such as flaps, pull-tabs, and pop-ups that show how compost is made, the transformation of a tree during seasons, and a multi-layered orchard, and more~ this book is complete with detailed illustrations and information reviewed by experts.
Watch Me Bloom: A Bouquet of Haiku Poems for Budding Naturalists by Krina Patel-Sage // A beautiful, colorful book blooming with mindful haiku poems about 24 different flower species that can be found growing close to home, from wildflower meadows to urban window boxes. Some of these flowers are associated with nursery rhymes, childhood games, love, homelands, and the passing seasons
Eco Girl by Ken Wilson-Max // Eve loves living near a baobab tree forest. She imitates their patience and cares for birds like the trees do. She longs to communicate with them but instead nurtures her own baobab seedling. The story introduces concepts of land stewardship and the joy of giving back, and celebrates reciprocity and our connection to our own family trees.
Slow Down and Be Here Now by Laura Brand // The Slow Down series promotes mindfulness in nature for kids and adults. It encourages them to take the time to observe and appreciate the small wonders of nature, such as a hummingbird drinking nectar or a snail coming out to drink. This charming text invites readers to observe nature up close and find joy in the present moment.
The Nature Journal: A Backyard Adventure by Savannah Allen // Tim records his adventures in his nature journal and shows them to his dad. When Dad is too busy to look at his findings, Tim is determined to show him anyway, and later goes on dreamy adventures after looking through his dad’s old nature journals. This story emphasizes the bond between Tim and his dad and encourages young readers to explore the world around them.
My Big Book of Nature Sounds by Lucie Brunelliere // This interactive sound bookhelps young readers develop listening skills and explore sounds and new words. The book features a 20-button sound panel with 100 sounds and words, including sounds of nature such as barking dogs and crunching leaves. Detailed illustrations keep readers engaged, and the durable board book design is ideal for travel and perfect for little hands.
I am Made of Mountains by Alexandra S.D. Hinrichs // Prepare to embark on a tour of America’s great outdoors. Sixteen national parks are highlighted, and the story follows a different child visiting each park and exploring the natural wonders of each location, from the volcanos of Haleakalā National Park to the waterfalls of Yosemite. The book features lyrical text and expansive illustrations that pay tribute to the beauty of the outdoors and will inspire nature lovers and National Park visitors of all ages.
One World by Nicola Davies // Discover how the planet is always turning and different living things are active in different time zones. This book beauty follows two sisters who journey to witness biodiversity around the world at midnight, such as a polar bear and her cubs hunting seals, tiny turtles following the moon to the sea, and whale sharks feeding on plankton. The book blends accessible science, poetry, artwork, and a call for climate awareness to create a glowing tribute to the natural world and a reminder of its fragility.
Crafts
Prepare for some *Earth Day* Nature fun with these bookish crafts to extend the learning and play beyond the books. This Earth day, I’m celebrating this beautiful planet with some of mai favorite bookish characters! Check out these Nature/ Earth Day crafts inspired by some of these Earth Day reads.
*Click on the Images for Craft Templates.*
Or Check out this Earth Day Craft Bundle~
Interactive Read Alouds
Plus, read along with MaiStoryBook YouTube for interactive, shared-reading read aloud adventures where I ask questions throughout the story, point out main themes and ideas, and introduce vocabulary to keep little learns engaged and participating throughout the story. I’ve curated a collection of *Earth Day* Themed Interactive Read aloud videos for you to read along, learn, and celebrate with some bookish fun this Earth Day!
Click here to read along with MaiStoryBook’s Earth Day Read Aloud Playlist
Or click on the image-link below to read along to the individual titles
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I hope you found some reading recommendations to add to your own shelves and share with your littles this Earth Day. Please share any other Nature Titles to add to this themed collection.
*~Also, I’d love to see and hear about your own reading adventures you are having with your little learners, so please share your story times below in the comments ~ Or Tag me on Instagram @MaiStoryBookLibrary , FaceBook , find me on TikTok, or contact me via email . I’d love to hear from you!~*
*This post contains affiliate links. I get a small percentage from purchases made through these links. Thank you for your support!
I love spending time in the ocean. So sharks are my favorite! @mamaoceanlove
My favorite plant is the Venus fly trap!
IG- @ygmstrwbry123
So happy to have found your blog and pages. My favorite animal, no contest, is a meerkat!
@yogaadastra
Loved all the titles you shared! 🩷💓 Especially Old Enough to Make a Difference! 🌳🙌🦋 My favorite plant is a snake plant (because it’s easy to care for 😍😅) & favorite animal is a butterfly 🦋 & a beaver 🦫- My IG- @taniiboniita
My favorite flowers are Dahlias. So glad I came across your page. My IG is @danielle.sgift
Loving these recommendations! Especially, as a first time Mom! Glad to be here! 😃 My favorite animal is a Moose. IG: @kait_tausch
I love love love sunflowers!!
IG-bescott47
So fun – thanks for sharing! We will be at a community event at the library this Earth Day – I’m hoping to check a few of these out! 🌱 📚 🫶🏽
My current fave plant is our Monstera because every leaf that sprouts is so different from the others! @thismommyneedssomecoffee
These are great recommendations! Lots of which I’ve never heard of before! My favorite plants are tulips 🌷 IG: lex_gawell
I love these!! My favorite animals are tigers and giraffes! My IG: @psalgado05
These are some great book recommendations 😍 My favorite plant/flower is a hibiscus 🌺 (IG: dniseee_b)
I admit I don’t have a green thumb at all, but I love plants and our wonderful earth! And I especially love CATS!!
@larfla
My daughter love this giveaway stack of books. Her favorite animal is a 🐐 goat! Our favorite flowers are pink roses. Instagram handle is @felishadewess
My favorite flowers have been my Easter Lily and Desert Rose. I don’t have a green thumb and these guys just keep hanging on and taking care of themselves!
Instagram handle : emily_duty
These books all look incredible! Going on my list!!
My favorite flora are Sunflowers! And favorite animal bees!
@Knifty_skilla
My favorite flower is lavender! @makiahlyn
I am amazed by all you have put together!! Thanks for your dedication & hard work!!! My favorite animal is a penguin.
@Mrs.TonyaZinter
Some amazing books here, can’t wait to check some out!
My favorite animal is an elephant 🐘
@raising.2.wildflowers
We love these books! Our favourite animal is the tiger! And my ig handle is richa64
I love all of these! Earth day is one of my favorite days! I am obsessed with sloths! @mrs.juanitarogers
My favorite flower is the peony
What an amazing compilation! I didn’t know there was a new “Slow Down” book. Can’t wait to check some of these out! It’s hard to pick but I love bats 😍 @meilouisa
I love the earth day book recommendations! My favorite animals are primates🦧 insta maddiebruder
Elephants are my favorite animal! Love how smart they are! @fabiolacstro
I loooove this so much! It’s so important to talk about this topic with our littles.
also, our favorite animal is the sea turtle, favorite plant are cacti! To enter the giveaway from insta, @swannliterarysociety
so glad I came across this post. great recs/projects… we’re excited to start on our earth day projects! our current favorite animal is the gekko!
One of my favorite plants has to be an indoor fig ficus tree. I always end up killing them but they’re so beautiful i can’t help myself! @charisma_reads
We have been following your blog and always listen to YouTube read aloud. And we got 2 books from your recommendation for Chinese new year and Tet ❤️.
Insta id dhatchu_ash
Thanks for books recommendation. Mostly I never read before, so will looks for sure
@JourneysofYuli
Love this and so glad I found your blog. This will be so awesome with homeschooling.
My favorite animal is a sloth!!! @lemonblossomcrochet
Amazing books and crafts. Love to read all the books and try some of your crafts with my kids. My favorite animal is elephant. Instagram handle is @ourreadingdiaries
These are all wonderful books and crafts for Earth Day! I can’t wait to share with friends and their littles!
my favorite animal is a monkey, but I have recently embodied the lifestyle of a sloth hah!
Instagram @ann.signey
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