Best Children's Environment Books of 2025

The World of Eric Carle, Hear Bear Roar 30-Button Animal Sound Book is an excellent tool for engaging young readers with its hands-on interaction and captivating creatures on each page. The book features the amazing artwork of Eric Carle, writer and illustrator of The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and includes an impressive amount of animals with corresponding sounds. This book is perfect for building vocabulary and stimulating the imaginations of young readers, making it a great addition to any children's bear book collection. Overall, it is an interactive adventure that will keep children entertained and engaged for hours on end.

The Very Impatient Caterpillar by Ross Burach is a hilarious and educational children's book about metamorphosis and patience. The story follows a curious caterpillar who wants to transform into a butterfly and becomes impatient during the process. The book provides real facts about how caterpillars transform into butterflies in a humorous way that will make children laugh and learn simultaneously. The bold exclamatory text and humorous designs make it an excellent candidate for read-alouds, and the dialogue is spot-on, producing a lot of laughter. Overall, this book is an absolute charm and an ideal addition to any school or library's storytime collection.

The Wild Robot Protects is the third book in the New York Times bestselling series, The Wild Robot. This time, the wild robot, Roz, embarks on an oceanic adventure to save her beloved island from the poison tide. During her journey, she encounters unique creatures and geological formations, witnessing firsthand the devastation caused by the toxic waters. The book takes readers on a thrilling ride through the ocean and to the frigid northern waters where Roz may have to make the ultimate sacrifice. With an engaging storyline and vivid illustrations, The Wild Robot Protects is a must-read for children who love environment-themed books.

We Are Water Protectors, written by Carole Lindstrom and illustrated by Michaela Goade, is a powerful and inspiring picture book that won the 2021 Caldecott Medal and became a New York Times bestseller. The book tells the story of a young water protector who stands up to defend the Earth's most sacred resource from a black snake that threatens to destroy it. The book is a tribute to Native resilience and an urgent call to action for environmental justice. The illustrations by Goade are mystical and fierce, evoking both grief and hope. Lindstrom's poetic text flows with the rhythm of the river, inviting readers to stand up for our interconnected planet. We Are Water Protectors is a gorgeous and empowering book that celebrates Indigenous-led movements and inspires youth to care for our environment.

Ada Twist, Scientist (The Questioneers) is a #1 New York Times Bestseller that champions STEM, girl power, and women scientists. The book features an inquisitive African American second-grader, Ada Marie Twist, who is a born scientist. Ada's science experiments wreak day-to-day havoc, and her parents and teacher have their hands full. However, Ada learns the value of thinking her way through problems and the importance of asking “Why?”. The book is a rollicking celebration of curiosity, the power of perseverance, and STEM. Overall, the book is an excellent read for kids who are endlessly curious and love science.

Big Tree is an epic adventure that tells the tale of the natural world in an enthralling and expansive meditation. The book is a trailblazing adventure, illustrated with nearly 300 pages of breathtaking pictures. It is Selznick's most imaginative and far-reaching work to date, and a singular reading experience for the whole family. The story is balanced and rich, with powerful prose and peppery dialogue, contemplating the power of life to heal. A special, one-of-a-kind book for children that readers won’t soon forget.

The Nature Club: A Branches Book (Owl Diaries #18) by Rebecca Elliott is a delightful addition to the New York Times bestselling early chapter book series. Eva, the adorable owl, is excited about the upcoming Nature Day party but is disappointed when she is placed in a different club from her best friends. However, she soon discovers new things about her classmates and learns that someone in her club is also missing a friend. With speech bubbles, colorful illustrations, and easy-to-read text, this book is perfect for young readers. Overall, The Nature Club is a wonderful story that teaches children about the importance of friendship and taking care of the planet.

Two Degrees by Alan Gratz is a thought-provoking and action-packed novel that explores the urgent issue of climate change. The book follows the lives of four kids who find themselves fighting for survival in the face of three climate disasters: fire, ice, and flood. As the kids navigate their way through these catastrophic events, they discover that they are all connected in ways they never imagined. Gratz's storytelling is gripping and urgent, making this a page-turner that will keep readers hooked until the very end. Overall, Two Degrees is an important and timely read that will inspire readers to take action against climate change.

The Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle is a classic tale about a hardworking spider who spins a beautiful and useful web despite the distractions from the animals on the nearby farm. This multi-sensory board book is perfect for little hands and allows children to feel and see the pictures while listening to the rhythmic text. The embossed web adds a tactile dimension to Carle's familiar collage artwork. A great gift for children or grandchildren, this book is a beautifully executed work that satisfies the needs of both visually handicapped and sighted children without losing its artistic integrity.

Pax by Sara Pennypacker is a heartwarming and thought-provoking novel about the unbreakable bond between a boy and his fox. When Peter's father enlists in the military, he is forced to release his beloved pet into the wild. The story follows Peter's journey to reunite with his fox, while Pax embarks on his own adventures. Pennypacker's writing is expertly crafted, and her ability to convey the perspective of a sheltered animal is remarkable. This book is a wonderful choice for independent reading, sharing in the classroom, homeschooling, and book groups. Overall, Pax is a stunning work of fiction that should be read and discussed by children and adults alike.