Looking for books to read with your preschooler this Earth Day? Check out these titles that celebrate our planet! From nature stories to board books about recycling, there’s something for everyone on this list. So get ready to learn about conservation and the environment while having some fun, too, with these Earth Day books for preschoolers!
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Earth Day Lesson Plans
The Earth Book by todd parr
Earth Day Books for Preschoolers
You cannot go wrong with our first Earth Day Book! The Earth Book by Todd Parr is a fantastic children’s book that teaches kids the importance of conserving our resources.
The book shows children as they go about their day, making small changes to help conserve energy and reduce waste. For example, riding the bus instead of taking a car, turning off lights when they leave a room, and recycling items like glass, aluminum, and plastic. But the cutest part is that the kids explain their reasons for making these changes, like “I want the air to be clear to see [the stars] sparkle.”
The book is a great way to introduce young children to the concept of sustainability and show them that even small changes can make a big difference.
Questions:
- What are some ways you can conserve or save?
- Do you pick up trash on your walks?
- Can you help organize a neighborhood clean-up day?
- What do you love about Earth?
What does it meant to be green?
by Rana DiOrio
What Does It Mean to Be Green? by Rana DiOrio is a children’s book that explores the concept of being environmentally-friendly.
The book begins by asking the reader what it means to be green and then offers a variety of silly answers like looking like an alien.
Then, the books gives suggestions for being green include turning off lights, eating local foods, walking instead of using a car, packing lunch in reusable containers, picking up trash, and recycling.
This Earth Day book encourages our children to remind others (including their grown-ups) to be green, too!
Questions:
- What does it mean to be green?
- What are the ways you are green?
- Can you teach others what it means to be green?
- If we are all green, what could happen?
Somebody swallowed Stanley
Earth Day Books for Preschoolers
Somebody Swallowed Stanley is a book about, well, a jellyfish named Stanley. Except Stanley isn’t really a jellyfish – he’s a plastic bag that ended up in the ocean like much of our trash.
Despite not being an actual sea creature, Stanley goes on a great adventure throughout the ocean. But sadly, a whale ends up swallowing Stanley – the last thing we want for our ocean creatures. The whale doesn’t keep Stanley in its stomach for long though, and soon Stanley bursts out through the whale’s blowhole.
Stanley is also pecked by a seagull and swallowed by a turtle, showing some of the awful things that we as humans impose on animals.
But finally, he’s found by a boy on the beach who uses him as a kite – the perfect way to upcycle some trash found on the beach.
Questions:
- Stanley was lucky to get away from these animals! What would happen to the animals if Stanley did not escape?
- Was the boy smart to make a kite from Stanley?
- What can you make from a plastic bag?
- What else can be done with a plastic bag?
Greta and the giants
by Zoe Tucker
This next Earth Day book is inspired by the actions of a girl in Sweden, which makes Greta and the Giants by Zoe Tucker even more powerful to read to your students.
Greta lives in a beautiful forest, but one day the animals show up asking for help. The giants are ruining their homes.
The giants chopped down trees to build homes, towns, and cities, leaving hardly any forest at all. They all forgot about the beauty of the forest, all except for Greta.
While Greta is unseen by the giants alone, soon more people and animals join in the protest until they are finally seen and heard.
“There is power in numbers and there is power in unity.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.
This is a must-read for your Earth Day books for preschoolers!
Questions:
- Do you think the city or the forest is more beautiful?
- What happens to the animals when we cut down all of the trees?
- Would you join Greta and the animals to stop the giants?
trees make perfect pets
by Paul Czajak
Trees Make Perfect Pets by Paul Czajak is a heartwarming story about a little girl named Abigail who wanted a pet for her birthday. Instead of opting for a traditional pet like a dog or cat, she chose a tree!
Her family was stunned at first, but they went to the nursery with her to pick out her new pet tree, Fido.
After spending much time with Abigail, Fido grew too big to stay inside the house and was planted outside where he made new friends with the birds. Her family realized how much of a nice addition Fido was to their family.
Trees Make Perfect Pets by Paul Czajak is an endearing story that will leave you with a smile on your preschoolers’ faces this Earth Day.
Questions:
- Have you ever planted a tree?
- Do you think you could take care of a tree the way Abigail did?
- What other animals besides birds might live in a tree?
- Can you plant a tree in your yard or neighborhood?
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While we can’t fix everything on Earth Day, we can start by teaching our youngest tots the importance of taking care of our planet. These Earth Day books for preschoolers about recycling, reducing waste, and making our planet a better place are perfect for introducing toddlers to the concepts that will help make them environmentally-conscious adults. So don’t forget to find Earth Day books to read to your class – they’re a great way to get kids excited about nature and conservation!
