Children have an innate connection to the earth and all of its creatures. They long to be out in nature, to get their hands dirty, explore and use their imagination. They know that the earth is ours to take care of, without being told.
Now, does this mean then that we, as adults, don’t have to foster and encourage this love of nature? Of course not! Children’s innate love of nature is all the more reason to encourage a sense of care, compassion, and responsibility! And what better way than with a set of good, eco-kid books?
Below is a list of books that we own that Sprout absolutely loves! Some foster her love of animals, while others reinforce the diversity of fruits and veggies available to her and still others help her learn how to take care of the world around her in the most sustainable way possible. And, if I’m completely honest, they’re all good reminders for me, too, on our continuous path to tread a bit lighter on this planet of ours.
A Book of Sleep by Il Sung Na
Bee & Me by Elle J McGuinness
Bright Baby Touch and Feel – Fall by Roger Priddy
Bright Baby Touch and Feel – Spring by Roger Priddy
Bright Baby Touch and Feel – Summer by Roger Priddy
Bright Baby Touch and Feel – Winter by Roger Priddy
Duckling and Friends Touch and Feel – by Priddy Books
Eating the Alphabet by Lois Ehlert
Fruits by Sara Anderson
Green Start: Animals Everywhere by IKids
Green Start: Baby Animals by IKids
Green Start: In The Garden by IKids
Green Start: Little Helpers by IKids
Green Start: One Tree by IKids
Green Start: The Five Senses by IKids
Hello, Bugs! by Smriti Prasadam
Inch by Inch by Leo Lionni
It’s Spring by Samantha Berger
Little Acorn Grows Up by Edward Gibbs
“Children are born with a sense of wonder and an affinity for Nature. Properly cultivated, these values can mature into ecological literacy, and eventually into sustainable patterns of living.” ~Zenobia Barlow
My First Touch and Feel Farm by Tiger Tales
My Very First Book of Animal Homes by Eric Carle
My Very First Book of Colors by Eric Carle
My Very First Book of Food by Eric Carle
My Very First Book of Numbers by Eric Carle
Old MacDonald Had a Farm (with finger puppet)
Teenie Greenies: Eco People on the Go by Jan Gerardi
Teenie Greenies: The Little Composter by Jan Gerardi
Teenie Greenies: The Little Gardener by Jan Gerardi
Teenie Greenies: The Little Recycler by Jan Gerardi
Vegetables by Sara Anderson
Who’s in the Farmyard? by Phillis Gershator
Who’s in the Garden? by Phillis Gershator
I hope you find these books as helpful for you and the eco-kids in your life as they’ve been for us!
xoxo,
M
