Summer’s here once more, and I’m back with another list of book recommendations for kids. This year, I’m adding a few extra books to account for a wider age range. Some of these books are great for young children, others are good for older children and even teenagers. That being said, all of these books are educational, enjoyable, and give information in a positive and encouraging way.
The Over and Under series by Kate Messner has several books which each focus on a particular ecosystem. I enjoyed the book which focuses on deserts and canyons, but the series has books that cover rainforests, ponds, etc. Pick a version that is relevant to the ecosystem that the child is near and read it together. The text is simple, but the message is clear: we all live in an amazing place, we just need to look around and appreciate the beauty that surrounds us.
Plant a Pocket of Prairie is a cute story detailing how even small actions can help your local ecosystem. The book is based in the USA, specifically the prairie region in the state of Minnesota. It details the interconnectedness of native plants and animals, and features some of the flora of that region that make it so unique. Reading this book is a simple way to introduce kids to the concept that they can help create change in their communities simply by caring for a few native plants. That being said, whoever wants to support their local ecosystem should research the plants native to the area they are in.
All From a Walnut is a sweet story about a family planting trees in the place they call home. In the story the Grandfather dies, but his tree lives on for the girl to remember him by, alongside a sapling that she planted with him while he was alive. It explores how nature helps us feel connected to places and also to each other. It shows how nurturing something outside of ourselves can also help us to grow. And it shows how seemingly small actions can often be the most meaningful.
Wild+Free Handcrafts is an excellent book filled with instructions for how to make many nature-based and seasonal crafts. There are options for young children to do with very little supervision, as well as activities that can be done by older children or enjoyed by the whole family. The crafts are fun and functional, and many of the activities make toys and decorations that children can take pride in once completed. The goal of this book is to introduce crafts that children can create while gaining skills, focus, and confidence along the way.
Bringing Back the Wolves shows how changing one aspect of a natural area can have widespread and lasting results, for better or for worse. The book describes the real and unintentional impacts caused by removing wolves from Yellowstone National Park, and how (and why) the ecosystem healed once wolves were reintroduced. I would say this book can be enjoyed by all school aged children, through high school. It is beautifully illustrated and incredibly informative. It does an excellent job of detailing the complex interconnectedness of ecosystems in a way that’s easy to understand.
What A Waste. Where Does Garbage Go? is an excellent and informative read. I do believe it’s best for older kids, about 10 years old and up. It gives a great overview of why waste is created, why it’s a problem, and various ways individuals and countries are working to make it better.
Living on the Veg is a book that details how what we do or don’t eat affects the planet. It does keep topics relatively light and to the point, but I will say that it may not be suitable for very young or sensitive readers, because it does talk about animal abuse in the animal agriculture industry, as well as world hunger. This would be a good book for any older child or teenager interested in eating more meat-free meals.
I hope you enjoy these book recommendations. If you’re looking for more options, please check out my previous kid’s summer reading lists from 2022, 2023, and 2024 or check out my book recommendations for adults from 2022 and 2023.