Books that Explore Nature

YAY! Online school is almost finished. We’re all counting down together! My kids usually have a countdown but this year, I’ve joined in with never-before-seen gusto!. :) 

This has been such a rough time for the world, especially for our kiddos. Time with friends is so important, especially during those tween and teen years. The saving grace for our family has been our outside time.  Thankfully, it’s been beautiful weather where we live the past couple months. Some rainy or cold days here and there but overall, an abnormally warm spring. We’ve definitely had our fair share of movies and books, but we’ve also loved daily walks, hikes, and gardening. (sometimes my gardening is more of a love-hate relationship, but heck, even if everything dies, I figure, it gets us outside!) 

I’ve always known how sunshine, trees, flowers, mountains, sunsets, etc, truly contribute to my well-being. I believe the same goes for our kids - especially when they’ve been looking at a screen for too long. I’ve narrowed down a few books that will either start some curiosity about the outside world, or open their mind to something they haven’t thought about or seen before.  Nature is endless.  There is no end to how much we can see, notice, observe, and learn. I believe it is just a matter of taking the time. These books will start your kids on that path. Not only will they get some sunshine, and learn something new, but they should feel more energy and excitement about life - even when they’re feeling stuck at home. 

For Age 3-8: 

“Outside Your Window” by Nicola Davies, a zoologist wrote the book from the perspective of a child. I don’t normally recommend hard bound picture books this pricey, but this one is absolutely worth every penny.  This book is almost always checked out from our public library and for good reason!  The book covers all 4 seasons, with gorgeous unique illustrations. Poems, songs, and thoughts about nature cover each page. There are ideas for making compost and ways to notice the sounds from the pond in the Spring.  Insects, flowers, weather, rainbows, moonlight, gardens - the author thought of everything that could possibly get your kids interested in going outside.  One of my fave Summer pages is about making an outside den - Use twigs, dead leaves, straw, anything you can pile up to make walls around you.  Then you can sit and think, smell the earth, notice the beetles, and have adventures in your den. Autumn and Winter have equally magical pages.  This is a book you could keep out all year long.

“The Hike” by Alison Farrell. I love this book! I read it and promptly wanted to go on a hike. This is about 3 friends or sisters who go on a hike - “It’s our favorite thing to do.” My fave line is “In the beginning, we run like maniacs.” So great. The reader follows them along the trail and the illustrator wrote different things for them to notice along the way. One of the girls, Wren, keeps a sketchbook during their hike and you get to see her notes and sketches at the end. I love unique books like this.

“The Gardener” by Sarah Stewart. This is a beautiful story, set during the Depression. A family sends their daughter to go live with her uncle and work in his bakery. She loves loves loves to garden, and can tell her uncle is sad/stressed, so she makes it her goal to work hard and plant lots of flowers and things to help him feel more happy. She is contagiously positive and happy despite society’s uncertain circumstances. I truly felt proud of this girl as I read the story. She shows real selflessness during a time when she had every right to be selfish. 

“Tap the Magic Tree” by Christie Matheson. Such a cute interactive book - reminded me of Herve Tullet’s “Press Here”. Simple illustrations that follow a tree’s cycle through the seasons. Reader gets to touch the branches to make the buds appear, tap the leaves to make them change color, blow them to make them fall down, and clap hands for the snow. Super cute. 

“Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt” and “Over and Under the Pond” by Kate Messner. I love Kate Messner over/under books. Such a great idea. Illustrations are very close-up, so the reader feels like they’re right there in the action. There’s a glossary of terms at the back of both for those more interested, and the general text is engaging enough to keep little ones listening. Check out whichever one peaks your child’s interest the most - or both! 

“Everything you Need for a Treehouse” by Carter Higgins. Gorgeous detailed illustrations - helped me imagine what I would want my treehouse to look like, how I would build it, what I would put in it, etc. The prose is poetic and even though it doesn’t rhyme, it makes sense how to read it. Some poetry I get lost in the rhythm - this one read smoothly for me. Some kids will actually study these illustrations. 

“Inch by Inch” by Leo Lionni. Let your little ones go out in nature and measure things.  An inchworm is asked by various animals to measure them, but always escapes from getting eaten. At the end he inches away into the grass out of danger. Classic book that will encourage outdoor exploration. 

“A Walk Through the Woods” by Louise Greig. Beautiful peek-through book.  With each page you enter deeper into the forest. I definitely wanted more pages. :) 

“The Night Gardener” by Fan Brothers. These brothers are the most amazing duo - they write and illustrate books together. “The Night Gardener” is about a man who clips trees and bushes into sculptures - not because it’s his job, but just to brighten the days of those in the neighborhood.  A little boy takes on the charge. I can definitely imagine your aspiring yard-helper asking to “trim” the bush into a new shape. Such a cool idea. The sense of community is palpable. 

“Counting Lions: Portrait from the Wild” by Katie Cotton. Believe it or not, these pictures are not photographs - they are pen and ink. Amazing.  Kids interested in animals OR art will flip out over this book. The counting is a side-note to the drawings. I’ve seen kids look at this book with some very wide eyes. 

For age 5-12: These books are all field-guide books. They have amazing illustrations and will encourage your child’s interest with super cool activities. Track, explore, and create.

“Backpack Explorer: On the Nature Trail: What Will You Find?” by Storey Publishing. 

“Exploring Nature Activity Book for Kids: 50 Creative Projects to Spark Curiosity in the Outdoors” by Kim Andrews. 

“The Big Book of Bugs” by Yuval Zommer 

Go explore the outside world!  Celebrate the end of online school and get some sunshine. :) I hope it will bring some happiness to your souls as it has to mine. There are so many amazing picture books that show off our beautiful world. I've included more in the pictures below that you can scroll through. Am I missing a nature picture book you love? Send it to me at bestbookskids@gmail.com, I would love your suggestions.