There are many ways to teach children to take care, respect and understand more about the natural world, and one simple yet powerful approach is through books.
On this page we're putting together our favourite inspirational books that offer meaningful messages about nature, environment and how we can address climate change.
Happy reading!
P.S. On the Suntrap You tube channel watch our Storytime videos!
Author Katherine Kellog
Published by Hachette Chidren's Group
Age range: 9 - 11 years
Our planet is in danger! It's time to make a difference to ensure its future by taking up the zero-waste challenge.
Author Jess French
Published by D K Childrens Publisher
Age range: Seven - nine years
In this informative book on recycling for children, you will find everything you need to know about our environment. The good, the bad, and the incredibly innovative.
Author Carole Lindstrom Illustrator Michaela Goade
Published by Roaring Book Press
Age range: Three - six years old
Inspired by the many Indigenous-led movements across North America, We Are Water Protectors issues an urgent rallying cry to safeguard the Earth's water from harm and corruption.
Author Sue Stauffacher Illustrator Sarah McMenemy
Published by Random House
Age range: Five – eight years old
Sue Stauffacher's lively text and Sarah McMenemy's charming illustrations tells the story of one woman who wouldn't let society's expectations stop her from achieving her dream.
Author Stacy Clark Illustrator Annalisa Beghelli
Published by Barefoot Books
Age range: Four - eight years old
Accessible verse and lush illustrations introduce children to important information about how we can harness the planet's natural resources including wind, water and sun.
Author Elizabeth Laird
Published by Macmillan Children's Books
Age range: Nine - eleven years old
A gritty, deeply moving story that shows how the human spirit can triumph in the harshest of worlds.
Written by Deborah Chancellor Illustrated by Diane Ewen
Published by Wayland Publishers
Age range: Five to seven years old
In this environment education story Amara finds out what happens to waste food, what can go in a compost bin and how to reduce the amount of food we throw away.
Author Franck Prevot and illustrated by Aurelia Fronty
Published by Charlesbridge
Age range: Seven to ten years old
Wangari Maathai received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004 for her efforts to lead women in a non-violent struggle to bring peace and democracy to Africa through its deforestation.
By Nicola Davies and illustrated by Laura Carlin
Published by Walker Books
Age range: Five years upwards
'Inspired by the belief that a relationship with nature is essential to every human being'.
Written by Jennifer Bell and illustrated by Alice Lickens
Published by Walker Books
Age range six to eight years old
'Fun-packed young fiction with wildlife conservation themes'.
Authors Anna Taylor, Loll Kirby Illustrator Aledina Lirius
Published by Magic Cat Publishers
Age range Six to eleven years old
Written and illustrated by Melanie Walsh
Published by Candlewick
For age range: Three - seven years old
Discover how to reduce, reuse, and recycle and conserve energy through vibrant illustrations and simple ideas.
Written by Martin Waddell and illustrated by Patrick Benson
Published by Walker Books Board Book
Age range: Three to five year olds
Touchingly beautiful ... Drawn with exquisite delicacy ... The perfect picture book. ― The Guardian
Published by Millbrook Press
Age range: Four - nine years old
Crack, crack...animal babies are hatched all over the place. Can you figure out who's who?
Written by Robert Macfarlane and illustrated by Jackie Morris
Published by Hamish Hamilton
Age range: Five years upwards
It’s a celebration of the nearby wild. If there is a message there, it is simply wonder and awe at the beautiful complexity of the non-human. And respect, for the wisdom of trees, the shape of a bird, the wild of the fox.”
Written by Julia Donaldson illustrated by Axel Scheffler
Published by Alison Green Books
Age range: Two - seven year-olds
Superworm is a must for all Julia Donaldson fans, it really is a lovely story about the power of friendship.
Written and illustrated by Mary Woodin
Published by Search Press Ltd
For all ages
Will help you turn simple steps into beautiful nature images in just ten steps.
Written by Merlin Sheldrake
Published by Vintage Books
Age range: Adult
'A mind-bending journey into the hidden universe of fungi'
By Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
Published by Penguin Random House
Age range: Nine - twelve years old
Inspirational and memorable concoction of hilarious childhood anecdotes of the natural world.
Retold and illustrated by Helen Ward
Published by Millbrook Press
Age range: Readers five years upwards
Watch Sasha the Suntrap tortoise reenact this story on the Suntrap You Tube channel.
By Mike Unwin, illustrated by Tony Sanchez
Published by Bloomsbury Press
Age range: Five years-old +.
Take a journey through the garden and discover the bugs that are living there.
By Charlotte Voake
Published by Random House
Age range: Five years-old +
Discover the names of the flowers that you see every day.
Written and illustrated by Owen Davey
Published by Flying Eye Books £12.99 (h/b)
Reading age 7+
Interest 5 - 9 years old
Shortlisted for the 2020 Blue Peter Book awards.
By AA Milne, illustrated by EH Shepard
Published by Egmont UK Ltd
Pooh is the bear for all ages
'You can't stay in your corner of the Forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes'. Winnie-the-Pooh
Author Vivian French Illustrated by Charlotte Voake
Published by Walker Books Ltd
Age range five years upwards
'A great book for any children who love learning about nature'.
Written by Michael Holland, illustrated by Philip Giodano
Published by Flying Eye Books
Age range: Nine to fourteen years old
By Nathan Bryon and illustrated by Dapo Adeola
Published by Puffin
Age range: Three to seven years
Bursting with energy and passion about science and space.
By Mark Kurlansky, illustrated by Frank Stockton
Published by Workman Publishing
Age range ten upwards
This book issues a call to action to kids by outlining what will happen due to ill effects of over-fishing, pollution and climate change.
By Emily Gravett
Published by Two Hoots
Age range: Three to seven years old
Funny, rhyming woodland story with an environmental message.
By Nicola O'Byrne
Published by Nosy Crow
Age range two to five years old
Watch our storytime video on the Suntrap You Tube channel.
By Jeanne Willis
Published by Puffin Books
Age range two to six year olds
Story to explain how animals have to live in different places.
Compiled by Fiona Waters and illustrated by Frann Preston-Gannon
Published by Big Picture Book
Age range: Seven-to-ten-year-olds to read alone.
Anthology of poems about the natural world.
Written by John Lewis-Stempel
Published by Transworld
Age range: For young adults
Story of English woodlands as they change with the seasons.
Illustrated by Alison Jay
Published by Old Barn Books
Age range: Two - five years old
Introduction for small children to the ecology of the natural world.
Written by Zoe Tucker and illustrated by Zoe Persico
Published by Francis Lincoln Children's Books
Age range: Four - seven years old
Inspired by Greta Thunberg and role in environmental activism in the climate and ecological emergency.
Author Micha Archer
Published by Amazon
Age range: Five to eight years old
'Poetry and nature belong to city children too..'
Author Ben Hoare
Published by Dorling Kindersley
Age range: Seven to nine years old
Discover the wonders of planet Earth
Author Madeline Kloepper
Published by Tundra Books
Age range: Four to seven years old
Reminder of the beauty and magic that can be found away from the city and our screens.
Authors Robert MacFarlane and Jackie Morris
Published by Hamish Hamilton
Age range: 3 up for adults to read (or sing) with children
'Book of spells' which seeks to conjure back the magic and strangeness of the natural world...
Written by Mary McKenna Siddals illustrated by Ashley Wolff
Published by Random House Children's Books
Age range Three - seven years old
'An imaginative and engaging introduction to the concept of composting'.
Written by Joe Harkness
Published by Unbound Publishing
Age range: Adult
'This joyous journal celebrates the redemptive power of nature'.
Written by Robert MacFarlane
Published by Penguin Books
Age range: Adult
The Guardian 100 Best Books of the 21st Century
By Christine Evans, illustrated by Yasmin Imaura
Published by Innovation Pres
Age range Five to nine years old
'Great messages about doing what you love, overcoming obstacles and taking care of this world'...
Written and illustrated by Ruth Orbach
Published by National Trust Books
Age range: Two to five years old
A timeless classic this beautifully illustrated tale of an apple tree that grows too many apples.
Written by Julia Donaldson illustrated by Axel Schiffler
Published by Alison Green Books
Age range: Three to seven-year-olds
A heart-warming rhyming tale of family, courage and adventure from the creators of The Gruffalo.
Written by Brett Westwood and Stephen Moss
Published by John Murray Press
Age range: Adult
‘A beautifully written love letter to the astonishing variety of Britain's wildlife, animal, vegetable and fungal. Although such an elegantly written book can be read cover to cover, it could also function as a day-to-day reference.' Sunday Times
Written by Paul Wood
Published by Safe Haven Books
Age range: Adult
It will make everyone who lives in this amazing city look at their own street in a new way.
Written by Richard Louv
Published by Atlantic Books
Age range: Adult
This timely book shows how our children have become increasingly alienated and distanced from nature, why this matters and how we can make a difference.
Written by Rob Dunn
Published by Hatchett
Age range: Adult
From Microbes to Millipedes, Camel Crickets and Honeybees, the Natural History of Where We Live
Edited by Melissa Harrison
Published by Elliot and Thompson
Age range: For all ages
Be inspired on a winter walk by writers who adore the frosty season
Written by Mark Hamer
Published by Vintage
Age range: Adult
A captivating, life-affirming memoir of a life in nature that celebrates finding wonder in our world. The perfect gift for nature lovers.
Written by Dara McAnulty
Published by Little Toller Books
Age range: Young adults
Like reading William Black or Ted Hughes, it really is a strange and magical experience.
