The Best Nature Books for Kids and Homeschoolers
Published:
June 9, 2022
Contributor:
Jeannette Tuionetoa
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you decide to make a purchase via my links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. See my disclosure for more info.
If you are a nature-lover and you just cannot get enough of nature books, be sure to take a look at our list of the best nature books for kids. You are sure to love some of our favorite nature books that you can add to your collection.
Nature Books for Kids
Are you looking for some great books for homeschoolers about nature that you can read with your kids? The great thing about homeschooling is you can use this list of nature books for science with young children.
Different Types of Nature Books
There are many children’s books about different forms of nature, from weather and seasons to animals, plants, trees, and insects. You can learn so much about science just by studying God’s creation.
You can teach creation appreciation through a nature study using nature books right from home and in your own backyard, even.
Children’s Books About Nature
Take a look at these nature books for your young readers and find some new ones to add to your homeschool library today!
Backyard by Donald Silver
Age 6-9 years old | Nature Topic: Zoology
Your backyard is the perfect place for a journey through science discovery of insects, crawlers, climbers, singers, and birds of all types. Backyard by Donald Silver is the perfect book to help children look, listen, touch, and smell the world through the convenience of their very own backyard.
There are several other books in the One Small Square Series: Woods, Pond, Seashore, Coral Reef, Cactus Desert, Arctic Tundra, African Safari, Tropical Rain Forest, Cave, Swamp, and The Night Sky.
You can learn more about birds with our Bird Notebook. We also have a birding notebook, perfect for bird walks!
Because of an Acorn by Lola M. Schaefer
Ages 2-5 years old | Nature Topic: Systems Biology
A tree is able to grow, a bird is able to nest, and seed can become a flower, all Because of an Acorn. This book is filled with beautiful illustrations showing how creations like animals, flowers, trees, and plants all are connected to one another in the circle of life.
Have You Heard of The Nesting Bird? By Rita Gray
Ages 4-7 years | Nature Topic: Zoology (Birds)
The book Have You Heard of the Nesting Bird? is a great bedtime read with the kids and the whole family. This special book explores different bird sounds that make reading fun for your children. This book has both visual and sonorous aids that will brighten up your child’s love for learning about nature.
Children’s Nature Books
Here are some sweet nature books for children that have great illustrations and factual information.
A Seed Is Sleepy by Dianna Aston
Ages 5-8 years | Nature Topic: Seed Science
Award-winning artist Sylvia Long makes beautiful illustrations for A Seed Is Sleepy. Share the fascinating world of plant and seed facts for your young kids and older kids alike. Teach your kids all about germination, flowering and fruit, pollination, seed parts, photosynthesis, and more as the first step in your spring and summer lessons.
Get the most out of this book with the World Of Seeds, a Notebook Companion™ for A Seed Is Sleepy by Dianna Hutts Aston. |
Nature Books for Kids
Keep scrolling for even more nature books that your kids will love.
Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey
Ages 3 – 7 years | Nature Topic: Ecology
Ecology is the relationship between organisms to one another and to their physical surroundings. The Blueberries for Sal book for young readers goes through a fictional ecology between an adventurous girl and a baby bear as they hunt for blueberries with their moms on a summer day.
The Moon Book by Gail Gibbons
Ages 4-8 years | Nature Topic: Geoscience
Learn about the moon in a simple and fun way. The Moon Book is a great way to introduce your children to a fascinating fact or two about the moon. Explore facts like why the same side of the moon always faces the earth and how the moon affects the ocean tides.
Be sure to download out free moon printable and learn all about the phases of the moon.
Get the most out of this book with the Learning About the Moon, a Notebook Companion™ for The Moon Book by Gail Gibbons. |
The Reasons for Seasons by Gail Gibbons
Ages 4-8 years | Nature Topic: Earth Science
This new and updated The Reasons for the Seasons book introduces your students to the wonders of nature that cause the seasons like the solstices, the equinoxes, and the tilt on Earth’s axis. The book includes simple diagrams of the planet Earth that include critical vocabulary words and explanations.
Get the most out of this book with the Learning About the Seasons, a Notebook Companion™ for The Reasons for the Seasons by Gail Gibbons. |
Weather Words and What They Mean (New Edition) by Gail Gibbons
Ages 4 to 6 years | Nature Topic: Weather and Forecasting
Students experience weather but need information about what the weather actually means. Explaining Weather Words and What They Mean is one of the best ways to introduce important things about the weather to kids. Even in this young kids’ age group, they can learn about fog, clouds, frost, thunderstorms, snow, fronts, hurricanes, and more.
If you are studying weather, students can learn so much by putting together a weather notebook.
Get the most out of this book with the Learning About Weather, a Notebook Companion™ for Weather Words and What They Mean by Gail Gibbons. |
From Seed to Plant by Gail Gibbons
Ages 4-8 years | Nature Topic: Botany
Want to explore a seed-growing project? Are you looking for a book full of interesting facts about plants, seeds, and flowers? This From Seed to Plant book will swiftly become one of your child’s favorite books to explore how a tiny seed becomes a plant.
Get the most out of this book with the Learning About Seeds and Plants, a Notebook Companion™ for From Seed to Plant by Gail Gibbons. |
Fun With Nature: Take-Along Guide by Mel Boring
Ages 7-10 years | Nature Topic: Ecology
Grab these beautiful books, Fun with Nature: Take-Along Guide. The beautiful picture books are six nature field guide books in one. It has six different sections that include Caterpillars, Bugs and Butterflies”; “Frogs, Toads, and Turtles”; “Rabbits, Squirrels and Chipmunks”; “Snakes, Salamanders, and Lizards”; “Tracks, Scats and Signs”; and “Trees, Leaves and Bark.
If you prefer, you can purchase the books in the Take Along Series separately: Caterpillars, Bugs and Butterflies; Trees, Leaves & Bark; Birds, Nests & Eggs; Berries, Nuts, And Seeds; Tracks, Scats and Signs; Rocks, Fossils & Arrowheads; Wildflowers, Blooms & Blossoms; Frogs, Toads & Turtles; Planets, Moons and Stars; Snakes, Salamanders & Lizards; Seashells, Crabs and Sea Stars and Rabbits, and Squirrels and Chipmunks.
If you enjoy taking nature walks, check out this nature walk activity sheet you can use!
Over and Under Pond by Kate Messner
Ages 5-8 years | Nature Topic: Ecology, and Marine Biology
You will be blown away by the Over and Under Pond beautifully-detailed illustrations of the interconnected ecosystems of a pond above and under the water. The book has an easy-to-follow storyline that takes students through the observation of nature and amazing animals in a pond ecosystem.
Our Favorite Nature Books for Kids
The Big Book of Bugs by Yuval Zommer
Ages 3-5 years | Nature Topic: Entomology
Entomology is the scientific way of saying, the study of bugs. The world is crawling with wonderful tiny creatures that creep, crawl, fly, bite, jump, and much more. The Big Book of Bugs is full of fun facts and is a great read for children who love to explore bugs.
Get the most out of this book with the The Notebook of Bugs, a Notebook Companion™ for The Big Book of Bugs by Yuval Zommer. |
The Big Book of Blooms by Yuval Zommer
Ages 3-5 years | Nature Topic: Botany
Your young readers will enjoy learning about all the various types of flowers that bloom across the globe. The Big Book of Blooms helps students explore some endangered flowers, different flower fragrances, and colors, and even find out about carnivorous or poisonous flowers.
Love flowers? Check out these parts of a flower printables.
Get the most out of this book with the The Notebook of Blooms, a Notebook Companion™ for The Big Book of Blooms by Yuval Zommer. |
The Big Book of the Blue by Yuval Zommer
Ages 3-5 years | Nature Topic: Marine Biology
Amazing animals live under the sea. The vast water wonder of the natural world is explored in the The Big Book of the Blue. This kind of book is an under-the-sea masterpiece with fascinating information about wonderful creatures like sea turtles, whales, sharks, stingrays, coral reefs, and more.
Get the most out of this book with the The Notebook of The Blue, a Notebook Companion™ for The Big Book of The Blue by Yuval Zommer. |
The Big Book of Birds by Yuval Zommer
Ages 6-8 years | Nature Topic: Zoology
The big beautiful books like The Big Book of Birds are perfect for introducing kids to new animals and species of our environment worldwide. The fun book takes us through a closer look at birds like bald eagles, puffins, red-crowned cranes, peacocks, and more.
Get the most out of this book with the The Notebook of Birds, a Notebook Companion™ for The Big Book of Birds by Yuval Zommer. |
The Big Book of Beasts by Yuval Zommer
Ages 3-5 years | Nature Topics: Zoology
The beasts of the world leave many of us in awe and wonder. The Big Book of Beasts explores incredible beasts like bears, tigers, and the Tasmanian devil, or larger-than-life mythical beasts like Ice Age beasts or beasts on the verge of extinction.
Get the most out of this book with the The Notebook of Beasts, a Notebook Companion™ for The Big Book of Beasts by Yuval Zommer. |
Natural World by AJ Wood
Ages 3-6 years | Nature Topic: Earth Science
The Curiositree: Natural World is a visual compendium of wonders from nature; the jacket unfolds into a huge wall poster. The poster shows the adaptations of many animals, animal habitats, ecosystems, migrations, life in the rain forest, types of biomes, and so much more.
Get the most out of this book with the Drawing & Discovering Nature, a Notebook Companion™ for The Curiositree: Natural World. |
A Butterfly Is Patient by Dianna Hutts Aston
Ages 3-6 years | Nature Topics: Entomology
Introduce your children to the world of butterflies with this gorgeous book, A Butterfly is Patient. The book has an array of butterflies to learn about, from the Western Pygmy Blue (the tiniest creature in the species of butterflies) to the Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing (the largest butterfly).
Get the most out of this book with the World Of Butterflies, a Notebook Companion™ for A Butterfly Is Patient by Dianna Hutts Aston. |
Nature Anatomy by Julia Rothman
Ages 6+ | Nature Topic: Earth Science
The anatomy of nature seeks to help children understand how the world around us works. Nature Anatomy helps your children learn about the curious parts and pieces of the natural world around them. From learning how sunsets work to monarch butterfly migration, kids will enjoy the information and learning about nature.
Get the most out of this book with the Nature Notebook, a Notebook Companion™ for Nature Anatomy by Julia Rothman. |
Ocean Anatomy by Julia Rothman
Ages 6+ | Nature Topic: Marine Biology
Discover how the oceans formed, learn about ocean zones for kids, why the sea water is salty, and the mystery behind phenomenon in natural environments. Ocean Anatomy: The Curious Parts & Pieces of the World Under the Sea helps kids discover sea life under the ocean that kids never knew existed.
Get the most out of this book with the Ocean Notebook, a Notebook Companion™ for Ocean Anatomy by Julia Rothman. |
Farm Anatomy by Julia Rothman
Ages 6+ | Nature Topics: Living Science
Farm living can be divided into an entire unit itself. There are quirky details about rural living, and Farm Anatomy can teach your students all about them. Students can learn interesting things like crop rotation patterns and how a barn is instructed with beautifully illustrated images. If your kids love learning about farms and animals, then they will love our farm coloring pages too.
Get the most out of this book with the Farm Notebook, a Notebook Companion™ for Farm Anatomy by Julia Rothman. |
Kid’s Nature Books
If your kids love getting outside and exploring nature, these nature books for kids will be a hit with them!
Exploring Nature Activity Book for Kids by Kim Andrews
Ages 5-9 years | Nature Topic: General Nature Study
The Exploring Nature Activity Book includes 50 creative projects for your students. The activities are intended to spark curiosity in the outdoor environment in fun but educational ways. Outdoor play while exploring nature is a great way for kids of all age ranges to enjoy learning.
Deserts by Gail Gibbons
Ages 4-8 years | Nature Topic: General Nature Study – Biomes
Deserts are some of the most interesting biomes. The coldest desert can be as low as -89°C and the hottest desert can get as high as 134.1°F. Introduce your students to what makes up a desert and explore the plants and animals that call it home. It’s fun to learn about deserts around the world!
Flowers by Gail Gibbons
Ages 4-8 years | Nature Topic: Botany
Flowers are truly one of the marvels in this world. Explore Flowers in your homeschool with this nonfiction book full of labeled diagrams, infographics, and simple language for your younger and older children to enjoy. It shares information about flower care, flower cultivation, flower anatomy, and more.
Get the most out of this book with the Learning About Flowers, a Notebook Companion™ for Flowers by Gail Gibbons. |
Nature Books Kids Love
Some classic nature books never go out of style. The nature books for kids below will bring a wide range of topics into your study of nature.
The Burgess Bird Book for Children by Thomas W. Burgess
Ages 6-8 years | Nature Topic: Zoology
Do you have bird lovers at home? The Burgess Bird Book for Children is a special reprint of a classic book written over 80 years ago that shares knowledge about bird physical appearances, eating and nesting habits, songs, and calls.
Botanicum: Welcome to the Museum by Kathy Willis
Age 8-12 years | Nature Topic: Botany
The Botanicum is a detailed and fun guide to the wonderful life of plants. This is one of the most beautiful books your children will ever read. The factual and scientific information provided in the text makes for great book reports or projects.
Handbook of Nature Study by Anna Botsford Comstock
Age 18+ years | Nature Topic: General Nature Study
Need a guide to your homeschool nature study? The Handbook of Nature Study will help teachers and parents, as it’s done since 1911, seek information on natural history for a foundation in your nature study. You don’t need knowledge of nature topics before using the handbook as it will guide you through a nature study seamlessly.
Keeping a Nature Journal by Clare Walker Leslie
Ages (Nature Study for Homeschool) | Nature Topic: Ecology
Discover easy-to-learn techniques for capturing the splendor of the environment around us. Keeping a Nature Journal has interactive exercises and thinking prompts to increase observational skills and gather thoughts about the environment around them.
If you enjoy keeping a nature journal and want to teach your kids to do so as well, check out these nature journals for kids.
Pocketful of Pinecones by Karen Andreola
Ages (Suited to Parents) | Nature Topic: General Nature Study
Grab this nature study that promotes the gentle art of learning with a Pocketful of Pinecones. In the form of a heartwarming simple story, this nature study is a teacher’s guide to a nature study with 200+ examples of things to look for on a nature walk. Learn Latin names for living things, a nature poem, and more.
God is in Nature by Jessica Doebler
Ages 6-9 years | Nature Topic: Christian Science
Nature itself is a testament to God’s glory. His creation is evidently seen all around us and a nature study is incomplete without talking about a Creator. God is in Nature is a great nature devotional for children.
The Nature Connection by Claire Walker Leslie
Ages 6-10 years | Nature Topic: Environmental Science
The Nature Connection is an outdoor workbook for kids to enjoy alongside their nature study lessons. This engaging workbook prompts students to sketch wildlife, observe constellations, collect leaves, keep a weather journal, and watch various bird migrations.
In Conclusion
Nature studies bring attention to a creator beyond imagination. It truly is a blessing to study God’s creation at home by appreciating the beauty of our world.
The meticulous order and intricacies of God’s design testify to his glory and sovereignty. Reading about nature is a reminder of His control over the heavens and earth. Books about nature give your kids knowledge about creation that lasts a lifetime.