Earth Day Read Alouds for Kindergarten

It’s almost Earth Day, and what better way to celebrate in our classrooms than with a read aloud! Whether you’re a kindergarten classroom teacher looking for resources to help your students learn more about recycling and protecting nature or simply a parent wanting to find some fun stories that will empower your little ones to take better care of the environment we all share, we’ve got you covered. From classic tales featuring beloved characters like The Lorax to new favorites like What Does It Mean to Be Green?, there are plenty of options when it comes to finding the perfect story for teaching kids how special our Earth is — so let’s take a look at some of the best Earth Day read alouds for kindergarten!

What Does It Mean to Be Green? by Rana DiOrio

I LOVE This book. The introduction is great and attention grabbing. There are tons of concrete and easy to understand examples of how to be green.

Biscuit’s Earth Day Celebration by Alyssa Satin Capucilli

Biscuit is an lovable character that your students might already know! Biscuit observes and participates in some fun Earth Day celebrations in this quick read aloud.

The Earth Gives More by Sue Fliess

This is a newer addition to my Earth Day read alouds and I think you’ll love it, too! It has beautiful descriptions and rich language, and the rhyming pattern will hold your students‘ interest.

This Class Can Save the Planet by Stacy Tornio

This book quickly captures the students’ attention and makes them feel like they can truly make an impact. There are tons of actionable ideas that lead to good discussions. Plus, the book comes with a link to a free classroom kit!

One Earth by Eileen Spinelli

This is a counting book with exceptional and captivating illustrations. The counting backward portion of the book incorporates fun rhyming that your students will love. It ends with a simple and beautiful message. This is another must-have book by prolific author Eileen Spinelli!

The Life of a Little Cardboard Box by Suzanne Fossey

It’s a safe bet that most kids haven’t thought much about cardboard boxes this much! This adorable book tells the story from the point of view of a cardboard box. Your students will love following along on the box’s journey.

Why Should I Recycle? by Jen Green

This is a fun story about a class learning about why recycling is important. It has lots of ideas on ways kids can help with recycling and reusing items.

Thank You, Earth by April Pulley Sayre

Your students will love the photographs in this book. After reading, you could make a class list of ways to say ‘thank you’ to the Earth!

Compost Stew: An A to Z Recipe for the Earth by Mary McKenna Siddals

This is a creative take on introducing the concept of composting! It is an A-Z book that is both to the point yet informative, making it a great read aloud. I also love the creative illustrations!

Our Planet! There’s No Place Like Earth by Stacy McAnulty

This story is written from the perspective of the Earth. It’s a bit longer and goes more into depth about climate and the impacts on animals and the environment. The cover and beautiful illustrations within will capture your students’ interest from the beginning!

The Lorax by Dr. Seuss

The Lorax is a classic that you should have in your library! Simply put, it tells a story of a man called the Lorax who is a guardian for the trees and animals. When they are threatened by the actions and greed of the Once-ler, the Lorax steps in to speak up on behalf of the environment.

I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing some of my favorite Earth Day read alouds for kindergarten! Need more ideas beyond read alouds? Any of these books would go great with my Earth Day Centers or my Recycling Activities Pack. Be sure to follow me on Facebook and Instagram for more ideas!