It’s officially April, which means Earth Day is right around the corner! In addition to our usual Earth Day activities, I love to fill our week with picture books. This blog post is packed full of the very best Earth Day books for kids!
These earth day books are the perfect way to integrate social studies throughout the day. you don’t even have to plan an entire lesson! just pull out one of these picture books for a quick and meaningful Earth Day read aloud.
You are reading: Earth day books for first grade
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the book of the land of todd parr
If you like the simple, colorful style of other Todd Parr books, you’ll love The Land Book! In this book, each page featured a different way to conserve resources or protect the earth. There’s only one sentence on each page, along with bright and colorful illustrations, which means it’s perfect for preschool and kindergarten. bonus: the book itself is made from recycled materials!
every day earth day by lisa bullard
every day on earth day is a short picture book perfect for kindergarten and first grade. this story does a great job of explaining how humans damage the earth and how we can help fix it. Even though this earth day book is simple enough for early grades, it packs a lot of information into a small package!
this class can save the planet by stacy tornio
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The best thing about this class that can save the planet is how the author made the words almost a part of the picture. they are fun and colorful and almost remind me of a comic book. your children will surely love it! This is another one of those earth day books that gives kids a list of ways they can help save the earth.
the adventures of a plastic bottle by alison inches
In The Adventures of a Plastic Bottle, students will follow the journey of a plastic bottle as it passes through a recycling plant. This book is a bit more verbose than the suggestions above, but it’s a great way to get a glimpse of the recycling process without having to visit a recycling center.
we are stewards of the water by carole lindstrom
we are protectors of water is inspired by the stories and movements of indigenous peoples. This is not your typical earth day book, but it is absolutely beautiful, with poetic words and beautiful illustrations. it is a great reminder of why water is so important to us, as well as how we are called to protect and conserve it. There are some images used in this book that may be difficult for young readers to understand (a snake represents what humans have done to harm water), but it would be a great lesson to discuss how storytellers use symbolism.
a plastic bag: isatou ceesay and the women waste pickers of the gambia by miranda paul
if you’re looking for nonfiction books about earth day, add this one to your list! This is a true story about a woman named Isatou Ceesay. when she noticed that plastic bags were contaminating her community, she took action. this is a great story to show how one person can make a big difference. it’s a meatier read, but I think even kindergartners would be captivated by this story.
why should I recycle? by jen green
why should I recycle? it’s just a book is the why should i? series and they are all a great addition to your earth day collection! These picture books are simple enough for kindergarten, but they provide great information. they not only explain how to help the earth, but also why it is important. I personally love that each book in this series focuses on a different aspect of helping the earth. allows us to delve deeper into each topic.
compost stew by mary mckenna siddals
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Compost Stew is not your typical warth day book! This alphabet book goes from A to Z through the items you can put in your compost bin. It doesn’t explain why you should compost or how to do it, but it is a great introduction to what you can put in your compost bin. I would read this book before starting a class composting bin as an earth day project!
the pout fish cleans up the ocean by deborah diesen
Everyone’s favorite pouting book character is back for Earth Day in this picture book of the ocean. In this story, the pouty fish and his friends notice that his home in the ocean has become a mess with garbage and garbage. they work together to clean it up. This picture book is perfect for preschool – first grade!
heal the earth by julian lennon
healing the earth is fun and interactive for kids, but has a simple yet powerful message. In this book, kids will fly around the world to help people and the earth, from bringing medicine to people who don’t have access to conserving the rainforest. The ideas and messages in this story can also go beyond Earth Day!
cookie land day celebration by alyssa satin capucilli
Everyone’s favorite dog is back and he’s headed to school to learn about Earth Day! This earth day story is perfect for preschool and kindergarten because it is told as a shorter narrative story. There’s still a lot of information about Earth Day here, but this book is great for an entertaining Earth Day read aloud.
what a waste: garbage, recycling and protecting our planet by jess french
This nonfiction book isn’t a story, but it’s packed with quick information and fun facts. Check out this book as you discuss certain topics during Earth Week. For example, when talking about pollution, you can pick up this book and read the quick facts about what pollution is and the different types, from water pollution to air pollution.
earth day activities for kids
Are you looking for earth day activities that are practical and cover a wide variety of topics to accompany these earth day books? I have you covered! This Earth Day unit includes an original nonfiction book that covers a variety of topics, Earth Day crafts, emerging readers, writing activities, picture sorting, and much more! has everything you need for earth day at k-2. take the earth day unit here.
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