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Best Books on Nature

Explore the great outdoors through the written word with this compilation of the best books on nature. These titles have been frequently recommended by leading book blogs and publications, each one appearing in multiple articles for their enlightening perspectives on the natural world.

Recommendations from 42 articles, Barack Obama, Bill Gates, Emma Watson and 57 others.
Best Books on Nature
100 books on the list
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A Seed Is Sleepy book cover
A Seed Is Sleepy
(Nature Books for Kids, Environmental Science for Kids)
Dianna Aston - 2007-03-01
Goodreads Rating
Discover the captivating world of seeds with this beautifully illustrated and educational book. Written in poetic language, the guide introduces children to a variety of fascinating plant facts. Whether reading with a parent or in a classroom setting, A Seed Is Sleepy is the perfect way to spark curiosity and inspire a love for nature.
Nature Anatomy book cover
Nature Anatomy
The Curious Parts and Pieces of the Natural World
Julia Rothman - 2015-01-27 (first published in 2014)
Goodreads Rating
Explore the wonders of the natural world with mesmerizing illustrations and fascinating insights in this captivating book. From the intricacies of mineral formation to the anatomy of a jellyfish, every page is a delightful journey that celebrates the beauty and diversity of nature.
The Overstory book cover
The Overstory
A Novel
Richard Powers - 2019-04-02 (first published in 2018)
Goodreads Rating
Discover a world unseen by human eyes in this stunning, passionate work of activism and resistance. Richard Powers's twelfth novel weaves together interlocking fables spanning centuries and continents, from antebellum New York to the Timber Wars of the Pacific Northwest. Immerse yourself in this breathtaking paean to the natural world and follow the journey of a few individuals who learn to see the invisible forces at play in our world, as they become entangled in a catastrophic unfolding. A New York Times Bestseller.
Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt book cover
Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt
(Nature Book for Kids, Gardening and Vegetable Planting, Outdoor Nature Book)
Kate Messner - 2015-03-03
Goodreads Rating
Explore the secret world of a garden with Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt. Follow a young girl and her grandmother as they journey through a year of planning, planting, and harvesting. Discover the busy world down in the dirt as earthworms dig, snakes hunt, and skunks burrow. Stunning illustrations in dark earthy tones mixed with pops of color bring nature to life, while a glossary of garden animals enriches the reading experience. Perfect for families and classrooms, this educational and engaging storyline emphasizes the complexities and joys of sustained engagement with the land.
Beyond the Pond book cover
Beyond the Pond
Joseph Kuefler - 2015-10-06
Goodreads Rating
A boy named Ernest D. decides to explore the depths of his pond, only to find a world beyond his imagination. This discovery changes him forever in a heartwarming tale that reminds us all to never stop exploring.
Over and Under the Pond book cover
Over and Under the Pond
(Environment and Ecology Books for Kids, Nature Books, Children's Oceanography Books, Animal Books for Kids)
Kate Messner - 2017-03-07
Goodreads Rating
Explore the vibrant ecosystem of a mountain pond in this captivating children's book. Written by Kate Messner and illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal, readers will discover the hidden world of aquatic plants and animals. From minnows to beavers, tadpoles to dragonflies, the intricate and interconnected world of the pond comes to life. A stunning companion to other nature-focused titles by the same authors, this book will inspire a curiosity and appreciation for the natural world in young readers.
My Side of the Mountain book cover
My Side of the Mountain
Jean Craighead George - 2004-04-12 (first published in 1959)
Goodreads Rating
Venture into the wild with Sam Gribley as he leaves his city life behind and sets up home in the Catskill Mountains. With a falcon and a weasel for company and only his wits to survive, Sam learns to live off the land in this spellbinding, funny, and touching account. Along the way, he battles blizzards, hunters, loneliness, and fear, all while discovering his desire for freedom, independence, and adventure. Jean Craighead George's My Side of the Mountain is a Newbery Honor Book that has inspired generations of young readers to explore the great outdoors.
The Big Book of Bugs book cover
The Big Book of Bugs
Yuval Zommer - 2016-04-18 (first published in 2015)
Goodreads Rating
Explore the fascinating world of bugs with this fact-filled children's book, full of colorful illustrations and surprising facts about moths, beetles, worms, spiders, and more. Learn about the different groups of bugs and their unique features, from how they hide and show off to their life cycles and habitats. Perfect for young bug spotters looking to dive deeper into the world of creepy-crawlies that share our Earth.
A Walk in the Forest book cover
A Walk in the Forest
(ages 3-6, hiking and nature walk children's picture book encouraging exploration, curiosity, and independent play)
Maria Dek - 2017-04-04 (first published in 2015)
Goodreads Rating
"Explore the magical world of the forest with A Walk in the Forest, an invitation to discover nature through imaginative play and contemplation. Take a walk and collect treasures, listen to the sounds of nature, and build a shelter. Admire Maria Dek's charming watercolor illustrations and poetic text, as the forest comes alive in all its mysterious glory."
The Lorax book cover
The Lorax
Dr. Seuss - 1998-01-01 (first published in 1971)
Goodreads Rating
A timeless cautionary tale about the dangers of mindless progress and the importance of preserving our natural beauty. With his character the Lorax, Dr. Seuss delivers an important message about caring for the earth that is as relevant today as it was when it was first published. This mini-edition is the perfect on-the-go read for those passionate about Arbor Day, Earth Day, and living a sustainable lifestyle.
Recommended by
Amy Cuddy
Here We Are Notes For Living On Planet by Illustrated Oliver Jeffers Oliver Jeffers
Animalium by Jenny Broom
Tree by Britta Teckentrup
Birds, Nests & Eggs by Mel Boring
A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
The Tree Book for Kids and Their Grown-Ups by Gina Ingoglia
The Little Gardener by Emily Hughes
The Lost Spells by Robert Macfarlane
Vesper Flights by Helen Macdonald
Outside Your Window by Nicola Davies
Finding Wild by Megan Wagner Lloyd
Trees, Leaves & Bark by Diane Burns
A Butterfly Is Patient by Dianna Aston
Walden by Henry David Thoreau
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
Owl Moon by Jane Yolen
The Invention of Nature by Andrea Wulf
A Nest Is Noisy by Dianna Hutts Aston
Fun With Nature by Mel Boring
You Belong Here by M. H. Clark
The Magic and Mystery of Trees by Jen Green
The Wonder Garden by Jenny Broom
Howl like a Wolf! by Kathleen Yale
Botanicum Postcards by Kathy Willis
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
The Wild Robot by Peter Brown
Caterpillars, Bugs and Butterflies by Mel Boring
The Hike by Alison Farrell
Planting a Rainbow by Lois Ehlert
Have You Heard the Nesting Bird? by Rita Gray
Strange Trees by Bernadette Pourquie
Flowers Are Calling by Rita Gray
The Salt Path by Raynor Winn
Wilding by Isabella Tree
The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben
The Tree Lady by H. Joseph Hopkins
A Rock Is Lively by Dianna Hutts Aston
Little Owl's Night by Divya Srinivasan
The Street Beneath My Feet by Charlotte Guillain
Does It Fart? by Nick Caruso
Sing a Song of Seasons by Nosy Crow
Moon by Britta Teckentrup
A River by Marc Martin
Curious Kids Nature Guide by Fiona Cohen
Wildflowers, Blooms & Blossoms by Diane Burns
Because of an Acorn by Lola M. Schaefer
The Wondrous Workings of Planet Earth by Rachel Ignotofsky
The Curious Garden by Peter Brown
An Egg Is Quiet by Dianna Hutts Aston
Wild by Cheryl Strayed
Underland by Robert MacFarlane
The Forest Unseen by David George Haskell
The Big Book of Birds by Yuval Zommer
Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer
All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot
World of Wonders by Aimee Nezhukumatathil
This Moose Belongs to Me by Oliver Jeffers
How to Be a Good Creature by SY Montgomery
How to Be a Wildflower by Katie Daisy
The Brilliant Deep by Kate Messner
The Big Book of the Blue by Yuval Zommer
The Wonders of Nature by Ben Hoare
Get Your Boots On by Alex White, Chris Packham
Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney
The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
Silent Spring by Rachel Carson
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
Water Is Water by Miranda Paul
The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert
The Dharma Bums by Jack Kerouac
Tiny Creatures by Nicola Davies
Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake
The Wild Robot Escapes by Peter Brown
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
Sam and Dave Dig a Hole by Mac Barnett
Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte Mcconaghy
Owls of the Eastern Ice by Jonathan C Slaght
The Laws Guide to Nature Drawing and Journaling by John Muir Laws
National Parks of the USA by Kate Siber
Farm Anatomy by Julia Rothman
Food Anatomy by Julia Rothman
Curiositree by Aj Wood
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr.
The Animal Book by Steve Jenkins
Bonkers About Beetles by Owen Davey
The Book of Wilding by Isabella Tree
Watership Down by Richard Adams
The Night Gardener by Terry Fan
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner