With Earth Day 2022 on April 22, our thoughts often turn to how we can all protect our precious environment. For children it’s more than just a day of reflection.
There is a much growing and aware green movement among young eco warriors and environmentalists.
For younger children even just turning your garden into a happy haven for wildlife can be enough for them to learn about the natural world and cause and effect. Not only will it help the environment, educate them about nature it provides hours of good-old fashioned fun for children. No garden? Head to the park or woodlands and LOOK AROUND YOU.
Here is our round up of the best wildlife and nature books
for children to get them started
Slow Down: Bring Calm to a Busy World with 50 Nature Stories
by Rachel Williams and illustrated by Freya Hartas
Every day, hour by hour, magical transformations happen right in front of you. Fifty of these moments in nature are captured in slowed-down double page spreads, stories, paused just long enough for you to watch them unfold: a cresting wave, a hatching chick, a bee pollinating a flower.
The effect is magical as it encourages children go outside and explore..and see what they can find when they take the time to slow down.
The Green Planet
by Leisa Stewart-Sharpe and illustrated by Kim Smith
Young wildlife-lovers inspired by David Attenborough’s series on BBC Earth will love this illustrated book that will explore a secret world of plants that might change how we all see plants forever. In the world of plants, time passes more slowly, but if we speed months into minutes we can peer into this hidden world and realise: it’s a battleground.
Plants are working to thwart their enemies, and to trick animals into working for them – green-fingered children will be hooked.
Exploring Nature Activity Book for Kids
by Kim Andrews
Encourage young nature lovers to get outside and track, explore, discover, and create. This book is filled with hands-on, educational outdoor activities that kids will love to learn from, like crafting bird feeders out of fruit, pressing flowers, or creating sundials.
They’ll get their hands dirty and their imaginations revving while staying active outside.
What's that Tree?: The Simplest ID Guide Ever
by DK
The perfect pocket guide for beginners and children ( but also a handy reference for the more seasoned naturalist) this little book will help them become an expert tree-spotter in no time.
With clear photography of leaves that help too compare and identify the tree easily. There is also a quick-reference guide that includes information on bark, flowers, and seeds.
Out and About Bird Spotter - A children's guide to over 100 different birds
by Robyn Swift and illustrated by Mike Langman
The perfect introduction to birdwatching for children this book encourages children to get outside and spot birds in the wild. this book encourages children to get outside and spot birds in the wild!
Written by Robyn Swift in consultation with experts from the National Trust and featuring gorgeous illustrations by renowned ornithological illustrator, Mike Langman, whose work is often used by the RSPB.
Look What I Found in the Woods
by Moira Butterfield and Jesús Verona
This stunning picture book from the National Trust is ideal for younger readers as they join a nature treasure hunt and discover more about amazing objects that can be found in the woods.
They will learn more about the found object with irresistibly illustrated and informative nature notes at the side of the pages.
