Environmental science picture book recommendations are by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.
(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. These titles may be found on my Amazon Storefront under Environmental Science Picture Books– https://amzn.to/4uRGmcg .)
❗This cumulative list grows over time, with the newest books always appearing at the top.❗
Who Hid the Stars?: How Light Pollution Changes Our World (Spectacular STEAM for Curious Readers (SSCR))
by Danio Miserocchi (Author), Maciej Michno (Author), Valentina Gottardi (Illustrator), Sylvia Notini (Translator)
Summary: This nonfiction picture book examines the development of artificial light and the consequences on the earth. It investigates light pollution interrupting bird migration, confusing hatching sea turtles, and disrupting plant growth cycles, to name a few.
Comments: The illustrations are created with ballpoint pen, acrylic paint, and digital media. The use of light and shadow helps young readers see the invisible problem of light pollution.
The back pages do give actionable steps humans can take to decrease the effects and restore the view of the night sky.
These sections include a Glossary, Ideas for Reducing Light Pollution, and Further Reading.
The book features many nonfiction text features that aid learning, such as labels, diagrams, a table of contents, and dual-level text for more in-depth information.
Rating: 5/5 📗📗📗📗📗
*I received a complimentary copy of this book.
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Wild Places: The Life of Naturalist David Attenborough
by Hayley Rocco (Author), John Rocco (Illustrator)
Brief summary: This narrative nonfiction biography teaches about David Attenborough’s life story as a naturalist. We learn about how he was interested in the nature around him in England as a child. He later went to the university to earn a degree in natural sciences and worked on a nature TV program called Zoo Quests, where viewers learn about different animals.
Later in life, he goes to the wild places on earth where these animals lives and films documentaries showing their natural world.
He becomes concerned that there are fewer wild areas but more areas where humans live. He voices protecting animal habits.
Comments: David Attenborough has been knighted twice for his television broadcasting and conservation in addition to 32 honorary degrees from Great Britain universities. He even has received five Emmys.
The back sections are Author’s Note, Selected Bibliography, Rewilding Our Planet, and Problems/Solutions.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Safe Crossing
by Kari Percival (Author)
Brief summary: This narrative nonfiction picture book is about when the spring comes thawing the ground. The amphibians need to cross a road to pools or to find a mate. The Amphibian Migration Team set up detours and help the creatures safely cross the road. Will they be able to raise enough money to put in tunnels under the road for the amphibians?
Comments: The illustrations were created digitally. The front and back end pages feature “Can You Find?” lists that encourage readers to closely examine the illustrations, while the back sections provide additional amphibian facts.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Sustainable Structures: 15 Eco-Conscious Buildings Around the World (Books for a Better Earth)
by Kate McMillan (Author)
Brief summary: This nonfiction picture book features fifteen different sustainable structures around the world.
Comments: There is a world map showing where the structures are located, a drawing of the structure with labels pointing out various features, information about what materials were used, and any unique traits.
The illustrations were created with Procreate and Photoshop.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
If the Rivers Run Free
by Andrea Debbink (Author), Nicole Wong (Illustrator)
Brief summary: A boy and girl play on the street, unaware that a river is flowing underneath them.
Young readers learn 1)how humankind can settle along a river, 2)how a river can be routed underground to change the flow when the city grows, and 3)what the pros and cons are of moving a river.
Comments: This is an exciting book that helps explain how people built around rivers, moved them underground, and how some engineers and naturalists are now freeing them to above ground, having learned that this can prevent flooding and bring back a valuable habitat.
More details and explanations are given in the back section called The Wonder of Rivers.
Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Josie, Johnnie and Rosie and the Ocean Rescue!
by Michael Panzner (Author), Brooke Beaver (Illustrator)
Brief summary: Rosie and her two unicorn friends, Josie and Johnnie, go to the beach for a picnic. Afterward, they play in the water and notice fish caught in a net. With the help of the unicorns’ magical horns, they can untangle the fish.
Rosie looks around and notices that the water is polluted with litter. The trio picks up the garbage and is joined by others on the beach, eventually restoring the area to its natural beauty.
Comments: This is a calm and upbeat book about how children can help with pollution by simply picking up trash.
This is a darling book for any unicorn lover.
Rating: 3/5 📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
* I received a complimentary paperback copy of this book by the author for an honest review.
Flipflopi: How a Boat Made from Flip-Flops Is Helping to Save the Ocean
by Linda Ravin Lodding (Author), Dipesh Pabari (Author), Michael Machira Mwangi (Illustrator)
Summary: Juma walks with his grandfather to go fishing on the beach and is met with all sorts of plastic trash and thousands of flip-flops. The community comes together and gathers all of the endless plastic waste and melts it to make a dhow boat.
Comments: This is based a on a true story which is explained in the back pages along with sections: Ocean Pollution, How Can You Help?, and Glossary.
What a “make lemonade out of lemons” story!
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
The City Sings Green & Other Poems About Welcoming Wildlife
by Erica Silverman (Author), Ginnie Hsu (Illustrator)
Brief summary: This is a collection of poetry about the wildlife found in the city. There is a poem and informational text teaching us about conservative steps to help rewild.
Comments: The back sections are How You Can Help, More to Explore, Resources for Families and Educators, and Children’s Books Celebrating City Wildlife.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Bondi & Poppy Help Heal the Planet
by Judith A Proffer (Author), Yoko Matsuoka (Illustrator)
Summary: Bondi is an Australian koala bear who meets Poppy, a California bear, in Hawaii, where they talk about ways to help the earth.
Comments: This sweet picture book gently discusses conservation through everyday actions that can help reduce our footprint.
The story is told in rhyming text with adorable illustrations. This could be a delightful bedtime story.
Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2
*This book was sent to me as a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Stillwater and Koo Save the World (A Stillwater and Friends Book)
by Jon J Muth (Author, Illustrator)
Summary: Koo wakes up and wants to save the world, and his uncle suggests cleaning his room first. Throughout the day, the uncle and nephew do small and thoughtful acts. Koo shares his feelings of wanting to save the world and learns how to make a difference in their world through acts of kindness.
Comments: The serene watercolors create a calming atmosphere supporting the Zen feel of the book. Children do not need to feel overwhelmed about environmentalism and can help by doing small and mindful acts. This would be a great discussion for teachers to ask students what they do and can begin to do.
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2
Climate Warriors: Fourteen Scientists and Fourteen Ways We Can Save Our Planet
by Laura Gehl (Author)
Summary: There is an introduction to define climate change before each of the fourteen scientists’ chapter. There are a variety of different scientists who explain ways they are working and studying to help the Earth. Each section concludes with recommendations from the scientist and what we can do.
The book ends with ideas of how we all can be a climate warrior.
Comments: I think this book can show students the different types of scientist. I like how the book focuses on solutions.
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2
A Place for Rain
by Michelle Schaub (Author), Blanca Gómez (Illustrator)
Summary: In this book of rhyming lyrics, young readers will learn where the rain goes during a flood. The students at school are taught how to place a barrel beneath a spout and how to create a path for overflow.
Comments: Learn how to create a rain barrel garden with native plants that thrive in excess water.
Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
No World Too Big: Young People Fighting Global Climate Change
by Lindsay H. Metcalf (Author), Jeanette Bradley (Author, Illustrator), Keila V. Dawson (Author)
Summary: Twelve poems written by children worldwide promoting global activism. A paragraph explains what each child is doing and how the reader can help.
Comments: The back pages include sections: From Me…, To We…, Glossary, Poetry Forms, and About the Poets.
The book includes “try this” suggestions for readers to do for their own small steps towards healing the planet.
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2
Poo Pile on the Prairie
by Amy Hevron (Author, Illustrator)
Summary: This narrative nonfiction explores the ecosystem of a singe pile of bison dung in the American prairie. It follows the life cycle of the pile as it helps various animals and plants.
Comments: This is a great companion supplement to soil and decomposition units of study illustrating how organic waste is broken down to enrich the earth.
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Wildlife Crossings (Searchlight Books ™ ― Saving Animals with Science)
by Lisa Idzikowski (Author)
Summary: This nonfiction picture book teaches about wildlife crossings such as overpasses, bridges, and underpasses to help migrating animals.
Comments: The back sections include Glossary, Learn More, and Index.
The illustrations are photographs.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
The selected children’s books are chosen by a highly qualified retired elementary school librarian, who passionately reads and recommends picture books to teachers, school librarians, parents, grandparents, and other book enthusiasts.
Most of the books Mrs. Ferraris recommends are checked out from the public library. The only exception is for the complimentary copies that she receives for an honest review, which are duly noted.
This is SUCH a good idea!