10 of the Best Children's Nature Books

Reading to your child at bedtime isn't just a special way to bond and create memories, it's also a key step in nurturing positive reading habits! 

Rewild the World at Bedtime by Emily Hawkins is an enchanting book to fall asleep with, featuring 20 soothing wildlife tales, each narrating heartwarming stories of rewilding initiatives that are revitalizing ecosystems around the globe. 

In a world where over 40,000 species are at risk of extinction, these stories provide a great introduction for talking about the climate with your children.

Recommended for ages 5-7

Yuval Zommer has written a whole host of beautiful children's books, but The Wild has to be my favourite!

This lyrical and hopeful picture book teaches children about our impact on the natural world, and provides a powerful reminder of our responsibility to safeguard the precious ecosystems around us. 

Recommended for ages 5+ 

It can be easy to miss what's going on in the world around you with your head stuck in a book, so why not get the best of both worlds with Cloudspotting for Beginners. Let author's Gavin Pretor-Pinney and William Grill's take you on a sky-bound expedition to explore the major cloud types, how they shape the weather around them, and most importantly - how to spot them! 

This lovely guide isn't just an informative introduction to the wondrous world of clouds, it's also one of the most beautifully illustrated children's books I've ever seen! 

Recommended for ages 8+ 

Reading and writing poetry can help children to express their feelings and make sense of what's going on in the world around them. On a planet in trouble, poetry can play a key role in talking to your children about the climate crisis. 

In Leave the Trees Please master wordsmith Benjamin Zephaniah writes a powerful love letter to the natural world with his characteristic propulsive rhythm. Accompanied by resplendent illustrations from Melissa Castrillon, Leave the Trees Please is sure to be an instant classic. 

Recommended for ages 0-4 

Art meets poetry and science in Hannah Pang's resplendent 'Seasons'. Through a series of sumptuous fold out pages and hidden flaps illustrated by Clover Robin, your little ones will be taken on an enchanting journey through nature's breathtaking transformations. 

Whether you’re cosying up at home or seeking inspiration outdoors, this book promises to captivate your imagination and encourage a love for the natural world.

Recommended for ages 0-4

Wild was one of the first children's books that I fell in love with when I started my bookselling career, so it had to make the list!

This heartwarming tale follows an unruly young girl who has spent her life in the wilderness, being taught to talk by birds, to eat by bears and to play by foxes! When our protagonist is suddenly taken to live in the human world, she struggles to make sense of her new grey and gloomy surroundings. 

Emily Hughes' energetic and verdant illustrations perfectly capture the chaos of the natural world and what it means to truly be free.

Recommended for ages 0-4

Rachel Ignotofsky's densely illustrated book will take you and your child on a captivating quest to understand and appreciate the incredible ecosystems that sustain life on Earth! From the a drop of rain in an English country garden to a coral found in the Mediterranean basin, The Incredible Ecosystems of Planet Earth is jam-packed with facts about life on our amazing planet. 

Recommended for ages 5+

The World to Come is a breathtaking collaboration between bestselling author Robert Macfarlane, acclaimed actor Johnny Flynn, and talented illustrator Emily Sutton. Celebrity accolades aside, it has made my top ten list because of its gorgeous illustrations and hopeful message.

Follow a father and son as they walk through our ever changing world, finding reasons to hope and to dream as they go. 

Recommended for ages 0-4

Fly is an absolute treat for budding bird boffins. With over 150 beautifully illustrated bird species to discover, this guide not only teaches birdwatching basics but is sure to ignite a passion for conservation and nature appreciation in your little one.

Whether it’s diving beneath the waves with the Adélie penguin or spotting the white tern's unique nesting habits, Fly is a treasure trove of avian knowledge, practical spotting tips, and cultural insights that will leave young readers inspired and ready to take flight into the world of birds.

Recommended for ages 5+

Talking to your children about the climate crisis and what the future might hold isn't easy. In Future Hopes, nine authors have come together to help you start the conversation. 

Combining real climate solution with compelling and empowering fictional tales, this unique short story collection allows us to imagine a future where our planet can thrive. 

Recommended for ages 9-12+