Earth Day is the perfect time to help students think about the world around them and how they can help take care of our planet. And what kid doesn’t love learning about things like endangered animals, recycling, and pollution (especially talking about trash).🚮
You can channel that enthusiasm with relevant read-alouds. The right picture books can introduce big concepts like climate change in a kid-friendly way and of course, inspire your students to make a difference.
So whether you teach 3rd grade, 4th grade, or 5th grade, the books on this list will help bring Earth Day to life in your classroom! Plus, I’m going to share simple activity ideas for each story!
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Round Up of Must-Read Earth Day Picture Books for 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade
The Great Kapok Tree, by Lynne Cherry
A logger heads into the Amazon rainforest, ready to cut down a tall tree. But when he takes a nap at its base the animals whisper to him about why the tree is important. When he wakes up he has to make a choice. Chop it down or leave it standing.
🌎Activity Idea: After reading, have students write a persuasive letter from the perspective of one of the animals. Why should the tree be saved? This is a great way to sneak in opinion writing while reinforcing the book’s theme of wildlife conservation.
A River Ran Wild, by Lynne Cherry
This true story follows the Nashua River’s journey, from a clean, thriving waterway to a polluted disaster and eventually, to its restoration. It’s one of those books that really makes students think about how human choices impact the environment.
🌎Activity Idea: Have students create a timeline showing how the river changed over time. Then, brainstorm different ways they can help prevent water pollution in their own communities.
The Umbrella, by Jan Brett
Zonia’s rain forest comes to life in this beautifully illustrated book. A young boy takes his umbrella into the forest. Then, one by one, animals climb aboard. The illustrations are a fun way to teach about rainforest animals and habitats.
🌎Activity Idea: After you read this book, compare it to The Great Kapok Tree. How do both stories teach us about the rainforest? Students can create a rainforest illustration with animals from both books.
The Lorax, by Dr. Seuss
It’s hard to beat The Lorax when it comes to Earth Day books. This great story follows a boy as he learns about the Once-ler, who cut down every last Truffula Tree, leaving a wasteland behind. It’s a great way to introduce deforestation and the impact of human choices.
🌎Activity Idea: Have students imagine they are the Lorax and write a letter to the Once-ler. The goal? To convince him to stop cutting down Truffula Trees! (You can also watch The Lorax movie!)
Recycle! by Gail Gibbons
If you need a nonfiction book that explains recycling, this is it. This book has easy-to-read text and fun facts. This book will teach your students how recycling works, what can be recycled, and why it matters.
🌎Activity Idea: Give students a pile of recyclable materials and challenge them to come up with creative ways to reuse them. This hands-on Earth Day project is always a hit!
🌎Activity Idea: Set up a recycling plant in your classroom! Have students bring in plastic bags, toilet paper tools, glass jars, and other recyclables. Then, sort them into categories.
The Giving Tree, by Shel Silverstein
This book is a great book for discussing the role of trees in the natural world. It follows a young boy as he grows up, taking more and more from a tree that gives everything it has. (Careful, if you’re like me, you might tear up reading this one!)🥹
🌎Activity Idea: Talk about trees and their role in life cycles. If possible, plant new trees as a class Earth Day project!
🌎More Earth Day Children’s Books to Check Out
Want even more Earth Day children’s books? Here are a few more great reads to check out:
✅ We Are Water Protectors, by Carole Lindstrom: This great story follows a young girl fighting to protect water sources from pollution.
✅ One Plastic Bag, by Miranda Paul: This is a true story about a woman in Gambia who found a way to reuse plastic bags! It is amazing and will inspire your class!
✅ Rachel Carson and Her Book That Changed the World, by Laurie Lawlor: This book introduces students to Rachel Carson, the scientist who helped launch the environmental movement.
✅ The Adventures of a Plastic Bottle, by Alison Inches: This book is so cute! It tells the story of a plastic water bottle as it is created, used, trashed, and eventually recycled!
Earth Day Activities Inspired by Books
Here are different activities to do with your read-alouds:
- Writing Prompts: Have students write about one way they can help planet Earth.
- Scavenger Hunt: Challenge students to find examples of environmental efforts in the books they read.
- Social Studies Connection: Research a recycling plant, coral reefs, or the impact of climate change on planet Earth.
- Get more Earth Day activity ideas here.
These are just some of the many great books that help students connect with the world and see how they can make a difference. Whether you choose nonfiction books packed with fun facts, Earth Day picture books with beautiful photographs, or favorite books like The Lorax, these stories will help your students think critically about their role in protecting our world.
I hope this list gave you some great ideas for your next Earth Day read-aloud.
Check out this resource for Earth Day activities to do in your classroom:
More Earth Day Activities:
