Our own backyards are home to so many interesting plants and animals, making it the perfect place to cultivate a love of nature with your little one! I gathered 10 of the best children’s books about nature for you to dive into while exploring the great outdoors (or the great backyard).

The Backyard Naturalist Family Unit Study

In fact, these 10 Children’s Books About Nature are the suggested books for each topic in my Backyard Naturalist Family Unit Study!

If you’re new here, let me explain. This unit study, like all of our ever-growing library of unit studies, takes one big topic—Backyard Nature—and breaks it down into ten manageable, bite-sized learning topics. This format gives you the freedom to dive into learning at a pace that works for your family.

Each of the ten topics included with a unit study contains everything you need for that topic, including:

• a curated YouTube video,
• suggested information to read,
• a “what’s happening” section,
• an interesting fact,
• a discussion questions
• literacy and math extension questions,
• and an ultimate-can’t-be-beat hands-on activity!

Perhaps you do one topic per day, perhaps one per week. Whatever suits your fancy! You can learn about nature and explore a topic from start to finish in about 1-2 hours.

Grab a sample and take a peek inside my Stars and Constellations Unit Study! You can also see the entire collection of Unit Studies available in my shop right here: https://shop.howweelearn.com/collections/family-unit-studies

10 Children’s Books About Nature

Today, I thought I would share with you the 10 topics we cover in my Backyard Naturalist Family Unit Study and 10 Children’s Books About Nature that beautifully fit each topic. 

I strongly suggest you get these books from the library if you are able to. I have also included my Amazon affiliate links below, in case you would like to add them to your personal library.

Are you ready to see the 10 children’s books about nature?! Here we go!

Topic One: What is Nature?

Nature is all around us. Nature can be grass, flowers, trees, birds, bees, squirrels, and so much more. When we observe nature using our senses we gain a true appreciation for the natural beauty all around us. What do you think about when you hear the word nature. Let’s explore…

Book Suggestion: Backpack Explorer: On the Nature Trail: What Will You Find? by Editors of Storey Publishing

From worms, birds, and spiders to trees, flowers, and clouds, young explorers learn what to look and listen for wherever they are — whether in a nature preserve, an urban park, or a suburban backyard.

Topic Two: Using a Field Journal

Scientists don’t just make observations, they record them carefully, in detail so that they can be shared with other. Throughout this unit, you can record your observations in a field journal, just like a scientist, and share your findings with family and friends. How do you record observations in a field journal? Let’s explore…

Book Suggestion: The Kid’s Guide to Exploring Nature by Brooklyn Botanic Garden Educators

This gorgeously illustrated guide will inspire kids to look closely at the world around them!

Topic Three: Colors in Nature

Nature is filled with so many beautiful and vibrant colors. The red of a robin, the yellow of a sunflower, the green grass. Where else can you find colors in nature? Let’s explore…

Book Suggestion: The Wonders of Nature by Ben Hoare

Uncover awe-inspiring stories behind the natural world with this nature book for curious kids.

Topic Four: Trees

Trees are tall, woody plants with a stem called a trunk. They are some of the largest and oldest living things on Earth and can live for hundreds, even thousands of years. What species of trees are common in your geographical area? Let’s explore…

Book Suggestion: Ultimate Explorer Field Guide: Trees by Patricia Daniels

This fun, photo-filled, and fact-packed guide to trees will make kids stop and look up at the trees towering over them right in their own backyards.

Topic Five: Tree Identification

You’ve spotted a tree on your nature walk. How do you identify what species it is? While all trees share the same basic parts, we can differentiate them based on unique characteristics such as leaves, bark, etc. How can you determine what species a tree is? Let’s explore…

Book Suggestion: The Tree Book for Kids and Their Grown-Ups by Gina Ingoglia

The acclaimed Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s guide answers all kids’ (and their parents’) tree-related questions in an easy-to-understand way.

Topic Six: Birds

Birds are warm-blooded invertebrates with feathers, wings, and beaks. Cardinals, bluejays, and robins are some common backyard birds found in North America. We can identify birds based on their characteristics, such as color, size, and shape, as well as by the sounds they make. Let’s explore…

Book Suggestion: National Geographic Kids Bird Guide of North America by Jonathan Alderfer

Fly into the world of birds in the most complete guide for kids to North America’s birds, featuring range maps, cool facts, fun activities, and detailed descriptions.

Topic Seven: Backyard Birds

Do you know what species of birds live in your neighborhood? One of the best ways to attract birds to observe is by setting out a birdfeeder in your backyard. This way, the birds come to you, and you can observe their features and behaviors up close. What is the best way to attract birds to your backyard? Let’s explore…

Book Suggestion: Backpack Explorer: Bird Watch: What Will You Find? by Editors of Storey Publishing

Bird Watch leads kids aged 4 and up through the basics of birding, from identifying common birds to learning about habitat and migration and listening for bird songs.

Topic Eight: Insects

Insects are the most numerous animal on earth. We can find them in the park, in a forest, in our backyards, and sometimes they even find their way into our homes! How can you tell for certain if a creepy crawly creature is indeed truly an insect? Let’s explore…

Book Suggestion: Everything You Need to Know About Bugs by DK

This interactive read is full of fun insect facts, an insect identification guide, and key information about recognizing bugs and creepy crawlies all around.

Topic Nine: What is a Compass?

North, South, East, and West are called cardinal directions. They are the main points on a compass that help us to tell direction. Knowledge of direction is also important when studying nature, like a scientist, because you can add directions to the observations in your field journal. What exactly is a compass, and how does it work? Let’s explore…

Book Suggestion: How to Use a Compass for Kids (and Adults too!) by Henry D. Bridges

Although we rarely use this awesome little gadget nowadays, it truly changed the world. Best of all, a compass can always be relied on to help you find your way around no matter where you are! This creative guide has everything to help the little explorer in your life learn how to use a compass.

Topic Ten: Nature & Art

Art can be made with anything: paint, clay, recycled objects, and even items found in nature. Andy Goldsworthy is an artist who uses natural materials such as brightly colored flowers, icicles, leaves, mud, pinecones, snow, stone, twigs, and thorns in his creations. Let’s explore…

Book Suggestion: Foraged Art by Peter Cole and Leslie Jonath

Whether you love to look for heartshaped flowers or want to make a peacock made with flower petals, readers will find great inspiration and joy in Foraged Art.

 

There you have it, my friend, 10 of the Best Children’s Books About Nature! I hope you found some new ones to enjoy with your little ones.

The Backyard Naturalist Family Unit Study

For more beautiful backyard nature learning, I invite you to check out the Backyard Naturalist Family Unit Study! You can learn more and see a sample from the unit right here: https://shop.howweelearn.com/products/family-unit-study-the-backyard-naturalist

Thank you so much for reading, sweet friend!

xo
Sarah