Our favourite books about nature
- Vicki Manning
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
From fostering a love for the planet, to exploring tiny ecosystems, books can help your child find moments of wonder in the natural world around them.
By introducing children to the natural world through books, we can inspire the next generation of explorers, scientists, and protectors.
In this post, I’ve listed our top 20 favourite books about nature, ranging from colourful picture books to fact-filled guides for older readers.
So whether you're exploring nature as part of your home education, celebrating Earth day as a family, or just a looking for a lovely bedtime story, you're sure to find a nature book (or two) that you can enjoy together.
The benefits of reading nature books together:
Encouraging curiosity
When your child encounters a new concept - such as the food chain - having you right there helps them explore it and process the information.
Developing language
Shared reading is a workout for the brain; it introduces rare words and concepts that don't usually come up in everyday conversation.
Improving mental health
Just 15 minutes of shared reading is a rare moment of sustained, joint attention; this 'co-regulation' lowers stress levels for both you and your child.
Cultivating empathy
Books that explore ecosystems help children to see themselves as part of a giant, living puzzle, rather than just observers of it.
Read on for our all-time all time favourite books about the natural world!
The books on our list are suitable for children ages 4 to 11 (approximately) and are available from all good bookshops or via second-hand selling sites.
Planet Earth by Campbell Books / Naray Yoon
A playful introduction to how our world works, this board book features vibrant illustrations and is packed with over 30 flaps and a giant fold-out ending.
Nature Explained by Helen Brown
This book uses charming illustrations to explain the how and why behind nature’s most fascinating transformations. It's divided into six themed sections: Trees, Leaves, Flowers, Seeds, Mushrooms and Seasons.
The Oak Tree by Julia Donaldson
Follow the life of a single oak tree over the span of a thousand years, from a tiny acorn falling to the ground to a massive, ancient landmark. A lovely introduction to life cycles.
National Trust : Wonderworld Earth by Ben Lerwill
Enjoy a journey through planet earth, all the way through the various layers. It introduces children to the idea that soil isn't just dirt; it's home to billions of worms, minibeasts, microbes, and fungi.
Nature Anatomy by Julia Rothman
This is a modern classic that sits somewhere between a field guide, an artist’s sketchbook, and an encyclopaedia, with gorgeous illustrations.
Here We Are by Oliver Jeffers
Inspired by the birth of his son, this book is a user’s guide for a 'new arrival' to our planet. It's a sweet and beautiful take on what it means to be a human living on Earth.
How to Help a Hedgehog and Protect a Polar Bear by Dr Jess French
This book provides children (and their grown-ups) with 70 practical, everyday actions they can take to make a real difference to the environment.
A Seed is Sleepy by Sylvia Long
A lovely introduction to the world of botany, this book encourages children to look closer at the ground and realize that every 'dead-looking' seed is a tiny miracle waiting to happen.
The Magic & Mystery of Trees by Jen Green
This book is a fascinating glimpse into a tree's impact on the habitat of the whole forest or woodland, as well as introducing the science of how trees 'talk' to one another.
Nature's Wonder by Jane V Adams
Showcasing fifty natural events through stunning photography, this book helps readers slow down and notice the moments that define the British seasons.
What To Look For In Spring/Summer/Autumn/Winter by Elizabeth Jenner
Combining the original stunning illustrations from the 1940s with updated text, each page spread in these books act as a visual scavenger hunt.
Earth Heroes by Alice James
A wonderful collection of activities to inspire days out in nature - from building dens and tracking animals to stargazing and encouraging bugs into your garden.
Every Day Nature by Andy Beer
This book is organized as a calendar of 365 entries, one for every day of the year. It's a lovely way to notice the small, seasonal shifts that occur in our gardens, local parks, and streets.
The Wonders of Nature by by Ben Hoare
This book treats plants, animals, and minerals like precious works of art. Organised into four sections: Rocks and minerals, Microscopic life, Plants, and Animals.
The Open Ocean by Francesco Pittau and Bernadette Gervais
A celebration of the world's oceans, this giant book uses flaps, pop-ups, and hidden panels to 'dive' into the water and discover what lies beneath.
Things That Grow by Libby Walden
The book is built around the idea of gradual change. You go on a journey from tiny, quiet beginnings via a 'window' that reveals what each organism will become as it grows.
Nests by Susan Ogilvy
The book features over fifty watercolour paintings of nests from bird species native to the UK. An unusual book about building a connection to animals through observing their beautifully messy 'homes'.
Insect Emporium by Susie Brookes
A walk-through of the incredible diversity of the insect world - presenting them as intricate, beautiful things, in colourful detail.
The Brilliant Deep by Kate Messner
This is the true story of the man who started growing coral to help the dying Great Barrier Reef. It teaches children that even a massive problem like coral bleaching can be helped by one person with a good idea.
RSPB My First Book Of Garden Birds by Mike Unwin & Sarah Whitteley
This is the perfect starter book for budding birders who are beginning to notice the feathered visitors in their back garden.
I hope you've enjoyed our guide to the best nature books for children! We've spent many hours curled up and poring over them together.
These stories do more than just teach facts - they plant seeds of wonder and respect for the planet we call home; and at the end of the day, a love for nature is one of the greatest gifts we can give our children
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