My 10 Favorite Children’s Nature Books To Inspire Learning

Our world is in such a crazy place right now.  Never in my life have I seen such unsettling times like we’re living in at this moment.  With the stay-at-home orders and self-isolation becoming our new normal from the recent Corona Virus pandemic, it’s no wonder that people are more anxious than never before.  But amid all the frenzy and fear I see possibility.  We have an amazing opportunity to take these extra moments we’ve been given and spend quality time with our children.   By reading books to our littles about nature and taking them outside to experience it, we teach them to not only enjoy nature but also to appreciate it.

I have a list of my favorite children’s books on nature that I read to my grandchildren when they come over to Mimi and Papa’s house for a visit.  I don’t think it’s ever too early to read to our babies and I believe with my whole heart it’s never too soon to inspire a love for nature.  

Below is my list of kids picture books about nature that I think you would enjoy spending time reading to your children and grandchildren:

1. BECAUSE OF AN ACORN by Lola M. Schaefer

2. AN EGG IS QUIET by Diana Aston

3. RUN WILD by David Covell

4. THE CURIOUS GARDEN by Peter Brown

5. UP IN THE GARDEN AND DOWN IN THE DIRT by Kate Messner

6. THE BACKYARD BUG BOOK FOR KIDS by Lauren Davidson

7. I’LL FOLLOW THE MOON by Stephanie Lisa Tara

8. GOOD NIGHT LITTLE TURTLE by David Cunliffe

9. THE ADVENTURES OF THOMAS THE TURTLE by Stuart Samuel

10. IT WILL BE OKAY: TRUSTING GOD THROUGH FEAR AND CHANGE (LITTLE SEE AND LITTLE FOX) by Lysa Terkeurst

Reading books to our children is such a small but important way that we can teach them about nature.  Not only are they learning how to listen but those little ears are also comprehending what’s being read to them.  When you reinforce that with spending time in the outdoors, putting into practice what they’ve learned, you instill into their little hearts experiences that they’ll never forget and will hopefully, last a lifetime.

Don’t miss this opportunity to spend quality time with your kids by taking them outside and teaching them about this great big wonderful world that we live in.  Before we know it, things will settle back in and we’ll have a new normal to gauge our lives by and the chaos of life will creep back in.  Go on a walk.  Let them breathe in that fresh air and teach them how to quiet their minds and really listen to the birds sing and the wind blow.  You’ll never regret instilling that peace inside them and when they get older, they’ll remember back at who it was that took the time to give them that simple gift.  And they’ll remember who opened that book and read them those words.

xoxoxo

Kelly