Best Children's Gardening Books of 2025

Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt by Kate Messner is a delightful nature book for kids, focusing on the hidden world of a garden throughout the year. The book explores the bustling life of earthworms, snakes, and other creatures that make a garden their home. The illustrations by Christopher Silas Neal are wonderfully detailed, bringing to life the garden's many inhabitants. This book is perfect for children who love nature, gardening, and exploring the world around them.

Trees, Leaves, Flowers and Seeds is an exceptional children's encyclopedia that takes readers on a journey through the plant kingdom. With over 1,000 stunning images and fun facts, this book engages young readers in discovering the world of plants, from the smallest seeds to the tallest trees. The book features unique and strange plants, such as trees with fruits like giant's fingers and orchids that look like monkey faces. The combination of colorful diagrams and infographic text boxes make this book both educational and visually appealing. This book is perfect for children aged 9-12, and can be enjoyed by the entire family.

Eating the Alphabet by Lois Ehlert is a colorful and engaging alphabet book for preschoolers that introduces them to fruits and vegetables from around the world. The book features vibrant watercolor collages of each food item, making them look appealing even to vegetable haters. The glossary at the end of the book provides interesting facts about each food, including pronunciation, botanical information, origin and history, and occasional mythological references. This board book edition is perfect for introducing toddlers to the mysteries of endive, kiwifruit, and papaya. Overall, this book is an excellent choice for parents and children to explore and sample exotic new foods at mealtime.

The "Nature's Best Hope (Young Readers' Edition)" by Doug Tallamy is an inspiring book that motivates kids to take action and help save the planet by using their own yards. Tallamy outlines his grassroots approach to conservation that anyone can participate in, regardless of age. He breaks down complex concepts into simple terms and real-world examples that kids can easily understand. The book encourages kids to take direct action, such as planting native plants and trees. This empowering book will drive home the positive point that kids are truly nature’s best hope.

Planting a Rainbow by Lois Ehlert is a beautifully illustrated children's book that teaches colors of the rainbow and the basics of gardening. The story follows a mother and daughter as they plant bulbs, seeds, and seedlings and watch them grow into a vibrant garden. The bold, spare text and textured cut paper collages make this book a delight for young readers. This book is perfect for celebrating Earth Day, spring, and inspiring children to take a closer look at the natural world.

We Are the Gardeners is a lovely children's book that chronicles the adventures of the Gaines family as they start their own garden. The book is filled with their failed attempts, obstacles they had to overcome, and all of the knowledge they gained along the way. It's a whimsical picture book that teaches young readers the importance of trying something new, learning from their mistakes, and the basic steps and process of starting a garden. The book is perfect for parents, libraries, and classrooms, and it's a great way to introduce young children to gardening and plants. Overall, We Are the Gardeners is an excellent book that combines a heartwarming story with valuable lessons about perseverance and gardening.

The Little Gardener (Teenie Greenies) is an interactive board book that teaches children about gardening, perfect for Earth Day and spring reading. The book is part of the eco-friendly lift-the-flap board book series, Teenie Greenies, which promotes sunshine, clean air, fresh food, love, and good books as all parents need to grow their own Teenie Greenie. With colorful illustrations, the book shows children how to create and care for their own garden, from tiny seeds to compost and water. Overall, The Little Gardener is a delightful and educational book that encourages children to appreciate nature and the environment.

My Magical Foods is a children's nutrition book that teaches kids about healthy eating habits through fun and engaging storytelling. Author Becky Cummings uses the natural appeal of animals and the wonders of nature to show children how fruits and vegetables are some of the best foods on the planet. The book also offers tips and ideas to motivate children to choose healthy snacks and meals. This book is an excellent resource for parents and educators who want to instill healthy eating habits in young children in a fun and interactive way.

My First Book of Houseplants is a lovely addition to the Terra Babies at Home board book series. This book introduces babies and toddlers to the world of houseplants while promoting a love for plants and the environment. The book features simple and fun text paired with charming art by Åsa Gilland, making it easy and enjoyable for young readers to learn about plant care and the environment. What makes this book unique is that it is made with FSC materials and nontoxic inks, making it a great baby-safe option. Overall, this is a great baby shower gift for eco-conscious parents and a wonderful way to introduce young children to the natural world.

The Curious Garden is a New York Times bestseller that tells the story of a little boy named Liam who transforms a struggling garden in a dark, gray city into a lush green world. This enchanting tale with environmental themes and breathtaking illustrations celebrates perseverance and creativity. With a clever seek-and-find element and spectacular art, this book might inspire children to engage in small projects to improve their own neighborhoods. Overall, it's a quiet but stirring fable of urban renewal that is sure to capture imaginations.