Nothing shapes the minds of children as much as reading a good book. And studies have shown that spending time outdoors helps children develop a more positive attitude and become better learners. It just seems logical that combining the two, by offering up books about nature, can lead to even greater rewards.
As outdoor adventurers ourselves, we strive to pass down to our children an equal or greater adoration of and respect for everything that being outside has to offer. Foster a love of reading and exploration with these 26 children's books about nature.
"Maisy Goes on a Nature Walk" by Lucy Cousins
Candlewick
Age range: 3 to 7 years
This adorable picture book follows Maisy the Mouse and her friends, introducing young kids to a myriad of creatures. As Maisy and her fellow animals ramble through the park, they investigate the animals and plant life in the pond and later in the woods. When Maisy and her companions search the forest, they even pull out a pair of binoculars for a closer look at the treetops. In the process, "Maisy Goes on a Nature Walk" gives little adventurers a look at the different habitats in nature and introduces them to how much fun nature walks can be.
"I Hear You, Forest" by Kallie George and Carmen Mok
Greystone Kids
Age range: 3 to 7 years
While some books teach about what you can see in the forest, "I Hear You, Forest" gives little ones some insight into what sounds abound when they venture out into the wild. The story follows a little girl as she explores and, more importantly, listens to what the wilderness has to share with her: a creak of a branch, the rustle of leaves, and so much more.
"Summer Days And Nights" by Wong Herbert Yee
Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Age range: 2 to 6 years
Young children get to explore the finer parts of the hottest season with "Summer Days and Nights." The book describes a young girl who looks for ways to stay entertained and keep cool on a hot summer day. Your mini nature lover can follow along while the main character picnics, swims, and catches butterflies during the day. Then, as the sun sets, she sees nature in a different light: owls in the trees, frogs in the pond, and the sounds of the wind gently flowing through the trees. The book focuses on seeing the beauty in the little things that are most enjoyable about being outdoors during the hottest season of the year.
"Finding Wild" by Megan Wagner Lloyd
Knopf Books for Young Readers
Age range: 3 to 7 years
Sometimes, all kids need to experience nature is a beautifully illustrated picture book and an easy-to-follow storyline, which is exactly what "Finding Wild" has to offer. You and your young reader will follow two kids as they adventure away from their city home to discover nature. The duo are amazed at what they discover in their own backyard, and how close they really are to the wild.
"Little Witch Hazel: A Year in the Forest" by Phoebe Wahl
Tundra Books
Age range: 3 to 5 years
Your preschooler gets a tour of the seasons in the woods from "Little Witch Hazel." Her adventures include visiting those who live in the forest, rescuing an egg, sailing rafts, and solving mysteries. Little readers will learn all about the outdoors, adventure, friendship, and what each season brings.
"The Camping Trip" by Jennifer K. Mann
Candlewick
Age range: 3 to 7 years
Have a hesitant camper? "The Camping Trip" may open their eyes to the wonders of camping in the great outdoors. The story follows Ernestine as she heads out on a camping trip with her aunt and cousins. While she's never gone out before, she is excited to pack up her new supplies. Ernestine feels ready for her adventure, but nothing could quite prepare her for the weekend that unfolds. She learns that camping isn't always easy, but it helps when you're open to new experiences.
"The Hike" by Alison Farrell
Chronicle Books
Age range: 2 to 5 years
Preschoolers join an illustrated walk in the forest through the eyes of three young friends in "The Hike." The girls head out with their own personal supplies to make their experience their own: One packs a sketchbook, another a poetry notebook, and the third brings along some feathers and keeps ahold of their dog. With each page turn, they learn to use a map, see wildlife up close, and have a few misadventures.
"Up The Mountain Path" by Marianne Dubuc
Princeton Architectural Press
Age range: 3 to 7 years
An avid hiker and nature lover, Mrs. Badger spends her Sundays climbing "Up The Mountain Path" that begins at the edge of her garden. On her way, she stops to gather mushrooms and chat with other creatures. On one outing, she meets a little cat, Lulu, who despite her small size wants to go with Mrs. Badger up the mountain path. Readers follow the pair on their adventures, and experience Lulu's growth when she strikes out on her own.
"When Grandma Gatewood Took a Hike" by Michelle Houts
Ohio University Press
Age range: 4 to 10 years
Hiking can teach kids about strength, perseverance, and determination. In "When Grandma Gatewood Took a Hike," littles learn about a legendary hiker and what it takes to achieve great feats. It tells the true story of Emma Gatewood, the first woman to solo hike the Appalachian Trail in a single thru-hike. It took her two attempts—but in 1955, at the age of 67, she completed the over-2,000-mile journey. The kids adaptation gives insight into the challenges, people, and wildlife she encountered during her time on the trail.
"The Not-So Great Outdoors" by Madeline Kloepper
Tundra Books
Age range: 3 to 7 years
When a kid only knows their urban scenery and their e-tablet, it can be hard to convince them that there is a whole 'nother world out there ready for them to explore. It's even harder when they're convinced that a camping trip isn't going to be any fun, as was the little girl in "The Not-So Great Outdoors." However, as the story goes on, nature wins her over with its beauty and wildness.
"Fatima's Great Outdoors" by Ambreen Tariq and Stevie Lewis
Kokila
Age range: 4 to 8 years
Some kids love the allure of the outdoors but have a hard time when it's time to go home. "Fatima's Great Outdoors" follows the title character on her family's weekend camping trip at a local state park. Fatima is ready for the challenge of setting up tents, building fires, and dealing with errant bugs. However, the one thing she wasn't prepared to face was leaving the magical weekend behind. With the help of her sister, she learns that the memories made are almost as important as the experience itself.
"I Love the Mountains" by Haily Meyers
Gibbs Smith
Age range: 3 to 8 years
Lyrically minded kids will enjoy the delights of the mountains with the sing-songy "I Love the Mountains." The beautiful illustrations and creative rhymes give little ones a fun way to relate to camping in the outdoors, while adults will love the nostalgia of sharing rhymes from their childhood with the next generation.
"Explorers of the Wild" by Cale Atkinson
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Age range: 4 to 8 years
When a bear and a boy meet in the woods, neither is sure what to make of one another. Initially, both are afraid of the other, and rightly so. Whoever heard of a bear and a boy being friends? But in "Explorers of the Wild," the two learn how to find common ground while adventuring in the great outdoors.
"If I Were a Park Ranger" by Catherine Stier
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Age range: 4 to 8 years
Ever wonder what it would be like to be a park ranger? "If I Were a Park Ranger," by author and avid traveler Catherine Stier, offers an inside look into what life is like as a steward of our national parks. Between the beautiful illustrations and the easy-to-follow storyline, kids will come away with an understanding of what our rangers do and just how important their jobs are.
"The Campground Kids" by C.R. Fulton
C.R. Fulton
Age range: 8 to 10 years
The seven-book "The Campground Kids" series follows a brother, sister, and their cousin as they explore and camp in national parks around the country. Each book brings a new park, adventure, and a mystery to solve. The first one is set in Grand Teton National Park, where the kids experience a stampede, leading to a deeper mystery. Their adventures in the Great Smoky Mountains in the second book open the gang's eyes to the dangers of the forest and put their bear training to good use. The other five books in the series take the kids on adventures in Zion, Rocky Mountains, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and Yosemite.
"My Side of the Mountain" by Jean Craighead George
Puffin Modern Classics
Age range: 8 to 11 years
Kids delve into a journey of self-discovery while following the main character, Sam Gribley, as he ventures off on his own in "My Side of the Mountain." Sam needs space away from the crowded city and his family's tiny apartment. His plan: to make a new life for himself in the Catskill Mountains, learning every skill needed to survive through the seasons. While he learns a lot about life in the woods, he learns even more about himself.
"Mystery in Rocky Mountain National Park" by Aaron Johnson
Aaron Johnson
Age range: 8 and up
The first book of a three-novel series, "Mystery in Rocky Mountain National Park" takes main character Jake on an adventure following in his late grandfather's footsteps to solve an ancient mystery. He recruits his two friends to help him decipher the clues left behind, and the trio delve deep into the park following riddles, codes, and more. They also learn about survival skills, history, and the importance of friendship. Young readers won't be able to put this one down and will certainly want to continue to the second and third books of the National Park Mystery Series, "Discovery in Great Sand Dunes Park" and "Adventure in Grand Canyon National Park."
"Great Adventurers" by Alastair Humphreys
Big Picture Press
Age range: 7 and up
Have a young explorer in the making? "Great Adventurers" covers the truly epic adventures of 20 different world explorers, from a 14th century Arabic traveler to one of the astronauts from the Apollo moon mission. The book highlights stories from adventurers of all ages, times, and locations. These trailblazers believed that anything was possible and didn't let anything stand in their way. Their stories can inspire a whole new generation to do the same.
"50 Things to Do Before You're 11¾" by Tom Percival
Candlewick Press
Age range: 8 to 12 years
If your child is more of a doer than a reader, then "50 Things To Do Before You're 11¾" is the ideal companion piece to a great time outdoors. The guide is full of activities, facts, and tips on what to do in nature, including activity checklists. It also has plenty of space for writing down observations, preserving memories, and making sketches. It even takes into account rainy days, with activities to prevent a wasted day.
"Brian's Saga" by Gary Paulsen
Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers
Age range: 10 to 13 years
The five-book series "Brian's Saga" follows 13-year-old Brian Robeson on his adventures in the Canadian wilderness. The acclaimed first book, "Hatchet," starts with him headed out to visit his father on an ill-fated plane ride. After the plane crashes in the wilderness, Brian must learn the skills he needs to survive alone. All he has with him are the clothes on his back, a ripped windbreaker, and a hatchet his mother gave him as a gift. Brian learns plenty about survival during his 54 days in the wilderness, but (spoiler alert!) by the time he is rescued, he's learned a great deal about himself as well.
"The Trail" by Ethan Gallogly
Sierra Nevada Press
Age range: 8 to 12 years
Set in the High Sierra, "The Trail" is a multi-faceted tale set against the true backstory of the John Muir Trail. After Gil's father's death and the loss of his job, Gil accompanies his dad's old hiking buddy out on the trail for a monthlong adventure. Gil never liked camping and quickly realizes he's in over his head. The book leads readers through his trials and tribulations, with accurate details of the trail pulled from author Ethan Gallogly's own experiences. The book also includes 43 maps and sketches by Jeremy Ashcroft.
"National Parks of the USA" by Kate Siber and Chris Turnham
Sierra Nevada Press
Age range: 6 to 10 years
Offer a more educational approach to nature with "National Parks of the U.S.A.," which covers the history and natural wonders of 21 national parks throughout the United States. Kids learn more about Acadia in Maine to Yosemite in California, and many locations in between, offering a closer look at the sights, animals, and special features of the parks.
"No Summit out of Sight" by Jordan Romero with Linda LeBlanc
S&S Books for Young Readers
Age range: 9 to 12 years
The Earth's tallest mountain, Everest, is one of the most difficult climbs in the world: Adults prepare for years, and many struggle (and even fail) to reach the top. Yet 13-year-old Jordan Romero was able to reach the summit, making him the youngest person to do so. Two years later, he became the youngest person to reach the tallest summits on all seven continents. In his memoir, "No Summit Out of Sight," Jordan writes about what inspired him to begin this mission and how he did it all.
"Downriver" by Will Hobbs
Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Age range: 10 and up
In "Downriver," troublemaker Jessie gets sent to an outdoor adventure program at age 15. In true reckless, teenage fashion, she and six other attendees hijack one of the camp's rafts, taking it on an adventure down the Colorado River. At first, the group is having a blast on their own in the Grand Canyon. But soon, it takes a turn and they learn that rafting down through the canyon is not for the faint of heart. The stunning details of the novel are drawn from Will Hobbs' own experiences white-water rafting.
"A Girl's Guide to the Wild: Be an Adventure-Seeking Outdoor Explorer!" by Ruby McConnell
Little Bigfoot
Age range: 9 to 12 years
Preteen girls who want to learn more about adventuring in nature will love this guide to the outdoors, especially if they aren't sure where to start. "A Girl's Guide to the Wild" gives a rundown of basic outdoor skills along with camping recipes and activities to do while you're in the wilderness. Your budding explorer will also learn about the outdoorswomen who've come before her, such as Arunima Sinha, Juliette Gordon Low, and more.
"The Hidden Life of Trees" by Peter Wohlleben
Little Bigfoot
Age range: 12 and up
Ever wonder if trees talk to one another? Author and forester Peter Wohlleben's book makes the case that forests are the original social networks. "The Hidden Life of Trees" leans heavily on scientific discoveries showing that trees live in family units, much as we do. They communicate with one another, help when a tree is sick, and warn each other of impending danger. Wohlleben also shares his love for forests in his local area, discussing the natural life cycles he's observed.
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