Environmental Books

Below is a list of Canadian children’s books with environmental themes. Learn how our actions have affected the planet we live on and the steps we are taking to improve it.

50 Climate Questions: A Blizzard of Blistering Facts
(50 Questions)
Written by Peter Christie
Illustrated by Ross Kinnaird
Annick Press, 2012
ISBN 978-1-55451-374-1
Ages 10-12 / Grades 5-7
Review

Amazing Things Animals Do
Written by Marilyn Baillie
Illustrated by Romi Caron
Maple Tree Press, 2003
ISBN 978-1-894379-57-1
Ages 8-10 / Grades 3-5
Review

Animal Defenses: How Animals Protect Themselves
(Animal Behavior)
Written by Etta Kaner
Illustrated by Pat Stephens
Kids Can Press, 1999
ISBN 978-1-55074-421-7
Ages 7-12 / Grades 2-7
Review

Animals Hibernating:How Animals Survive Extreme Conditions
(Animal Behavior)
Written by Pamela Hickman
Illustrated by Pat Stephens
Kids Can Press, 2005
ISBN 978-1-55337-663-7
Ages 7-11 / Grades 2-6
Review

Animals Migrating: How, When, Where and Why Animals Migrate
(Animal Behavior)
Written by Pamela Hickman
Illustrated by Pat Stephens
Kids Can Press, 2005
ISBN 978-1-55337-548-7
Ages 7-10 / Grades 2-5
Review

Animal Senses: How Animals See, Hear, Taste, Smell and Feel
(Animal Behavior)
Written by Pamela Hickman
Illustrated by Pat Stephens
Kids Can Press, 1998
ISBN 978-1-55074-425-5
Ages 7-11 / Grades 2-6
Review

Backyard Birds: An Introduction
Written by Robert Bateman with Ian Coutts
Illustrated by Robert Bateman
Scholastic Canada/Madison Press, 2005
ISBN 978-0-545-99743-0
Ages 7-10 / Grades 2-5
Review

Bears: Polar Bears, Black Bears and Grizzly Bears
(Kids Can Press Wildlife Series)
Written by Deborah Hodge
Illustrated by Pat Stephens
Kids Can Press, 1996
ISBN 978-1-55074-355-5
Ages 5-10 / Kindergarten-Grade 5
Review

Big Bear Hug
(Life in the Wild)
Written and illustrated by Nicholas Oldland
Kids Can Press, 2009
ISBN 978-1-55453-464-7
Ages 6-8 / Grades 1-3
Review

The Big Green Book of the Big Blue Sea
Written by Helaine Becker
Illustrated by Willow Dawson
Kids Can Press, 2012
ISBN 978-1-55453-747-1
Ages 9-12 / Grades 4-7
Review

Brilliant! Shining a Light on Sustainable Energy
Written by Michelle Mulder
Orca Book Publishers, 2013
ISBN 978-1-4598-0221-6
Ages 8-13 / Grades 3-8
Review

The Busy Beaver
Written and illustrated by Nicholas Oldland
Kids Can Press, 2011
ISBN 978-1-55453-749-5
Ages 5-8 / Kindergarten-Grade 3
Review

Claire and the Water Wish
Written and illustrated by Janice Poon
Kids Can Press, 2009
ISBN 978-1-55453-382-4
Ages 7-10 / Grades 3-4
Review

Climate Change
(Groundwork Guides)
Written by Shelley Tanaka
Groundwood Books, 2006
ISBN 978-0-88899-784-5
Ages 14 and up / Grades 7-9
Review

Cobra Strike
(Orca Sports)
Written by Sigmund Brouwer
Orca Book Publishers, 2007
ISBN 978-1-55143-725-5
Ages 10 and up / Grades 3-4
Review

Counting on Fall
(Math in Nature)
Written by Lizann Flatt
Illustrated by Ashley Barron
Owlkids Books, 2012
ISBN 978-1-926973-36-4
Ages 5-7 / Kindergarten-Grade 2
Review

The Delicious Bug
Written and illustrated by Janet Perlman
Kids Can Press, 2013 ©2009
ISBN 978-1-77138-034-8
Ages 4-7 / Preschool-Grade 2
Review

Earth-Friendly Buildings, Bridges and More: The Eco-Journal of Corry Lapont
Written by Etta Kaner
Illustrated by Stephen MacEachern
Kids Can Press
ISBN 978-1-55453-570-5
Ages 8-12 / Grades 3-4
Review

The Eco-Dairy of Kiran Singer
Written by Sue Ann Alderson
Illustrated by Millie Ballance
Tradewind Books, 2007
ISBN 978-1-896580-47-0
Ages 8 and up / Grade 3
Review

Exceptional Women Environmentalists
(Women’s Hall of Fame)
Written by Frances Rooney
Second Story Press, 2007
ISBN 978-1-897187-22-7
Ages 11 and up / Grades 6-7
Review

Ghosts of the Pacific
(Submarine Outlaw, Book 4)
Written by Philip Roy
ISBN 978-1-55380-130-6
Ages 10-13 / Grades 5-6
Review

Go Green, Canada!
Written and illustrated by Jeff Sinclair
Scholastic Canada, 2008
ISBN 978-0-545-99406-4
Ages 8-11 / Grades 3-4
Review

Have You Ever Seen a Duck in a Raincoat?
(Have You Ever Seen?)
Written by Etta Kaner
Illustrated by Jeff Szuc
Kids Can Press, 2009
ISBN 978-1-55453-246-9
Ages 5-8 / Kindergarten-Grade 3
Review

Have You Ever Seen a Hippo with Sunscreen?
(Have You Ever Seen?)
Written by Etta Kaner
Illustrated by Jeff Szuc
Kids Can Press, 2010
ISBN 978-1-55453-337-4
Ages 4-8 / Preschool-Grade 2
Review

Have You Seen Birds?
Written by Joanne Oppenheim
Illustrated by Barbara Reid
Scholastic Canada, 2004
ISBN 978-0-439-95725-0
Ages 5-8 / Kindergarten-Grade 3
Review

In My Backyard
Written by Margriet Ruurs
Illustrated by Ron Broda
Tundra Books, 2007
ISBN 978-0-88776-775-3
Ages 6-8 / Grades 1-3
Review

The Intrepid Polly McDoodle
Written by Mary Woodbury
Coteau Books, 1998
ISBN 978-1-55050-133-9
Ages 9-12 / Grade 5

Is This Panama? A Migration Story
Written by Jan Thornhill
Illustrated by Soyeon Kim
Owlkids Books, 2013
ISBN 978-1-926973-88-3
Ages 5-8 / Kindergarten-Grade 3
Review

It’s Moving Day!
Written by Pamela Hickman
Illustrated by Geraldo Valério
Kids Can Press, 2008
ISBN 978-1-55453-074-8
Ages 7-9 / Grades 2-4
Review

Justine McKeen, Queen of Green
(Orca Echoes)
Written by Sigmund Brouwer
Illustrated by Dave Whamond
Orca Book Publishers, 2011
ISBN 978-1-55469-927-8
Ages 7-9 / Grades 2-4
Review

Kids Do, Animals Too
Written by Deborah Pearson
Illustrated by Nora Hilb
Annick Press, 2005
ISBN 978-1-55037-922-8
Ages 3-6 / Preschool-Grade 1
Review

Kitten Series
Written and illustrated by Eugenie Fernandes
Kids Can Press, 2010/2011
Ages 1-5 / Preschool-Kindergarten

Kitten’s Autumn
ISBN 978-1-55453-341-1
Review

Kitten’s Spring
ISBN 978-1-55453-147-9
Review

Kitten’s Summer
ISBN 978-1-55453-342-8
Review

Kitten’s Winter
ISBN 978-1-55453-343-5
Review

Ladybug Garden
Written and illustrated by Celia Godkin
Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 1997
ISBN 978-1-55041-092-1
Ages 7-11 / Grades 2-6

Leo’s Tree
Written by Deborah Pearson
Illustrated by Nora Hilb
Annick Press, 2004
ISBN 978-1-55037-844-3
Ages 3-6 / Preschool-Grade 1
Review

Lessons from Mother Earth
Written by Elaine McLeod
Illustrated by Colleen Wood
Groundwood Books, 2010 ©2002
ISBN 978-0-88899-832-3
Ages 6-9 / Grades 2-4
Review

The Little Hummingbird
Written and illustrated by Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas
Greystone Books/D&M Publishers, 2010
ISBN 978-1-55365-533-6
Ages 5 and up / Kindergarten and up
Review

Loon
Written by Susan Vande Griek
Illustrated by Karen Reczuch
Groundwood Books, 2011
ISBN 978-1-55498-077-2
Ages 6-9 / Grades 1-4
Review

Luz Makes a Splash
(The Future According to Luz)
Written and illustrated by Claudia Dávila
Kids Can Press, 2012
ISBN 978-1-55453-769-3
Ages 8-11 / Grades 3-6
Review

Luz Sees the Light
(The Future According to Luz)
Written and illustrated by Claudia Dávila
Kids Can Press, 2011
ISBN 978-1-55453-766-2
Ages 8-11 / Grades 3-6
Review

Maria’s Wish
Written and photographed by Kathy Knowles
Osu Children’s Library Fund, 2008
ISBN 978-0-9809437-0-2
Ages 8-10 / Grades 3-4

Mixed Beasts
Written by Kenyon Cox
Illustrated by Wallace Edwards
Kids Can Press, 2013 ©2005
ISBN 978-1-77138-035-5
Ages 4 and up / Kindergarten and up
Review

Mr. King’s Things
(Mr. King)
written and illustrated by Geneviève Côté
Kids Can Press, 2012
ISBN 978-1-55453-700-6
Ages 3-7 / Kindergarten-Grade 2
Review

My Arctic 1,2,3
Michael Kusugak, illustrated by Vladyana Krykorka
Annick Press, 2005 ©1996
ISBN 978-1-55037-504-6
Ages 3-7 / Preschool-Grade 2
Review

A New Duck
(My First Look at Series)
Written by Pamela Hickman
Illustrated by Heather Collins
Kids Can Press, 1999
ISBN 978-1-55074-613-6
Ages 3-8 / Preschool-Grade 3
Review

Not Your Typical Book about the Environment
Written by Elin Kelsey
Illustrated by Clayton Hanmer
Owlkids Books, 2010
ISBN 978-1-897349-84-7
Ages 10-13 / Grades 5-8
Review

One Well: The Story of Water on Earth
(CitizenKids)
Written by Rochelle Strauss
Illustrated by Rosemary Woods
Kids Can Press, 2007
ISBN 978-1-55337-954-6
Ages 8-12 / Grade 3
Review

Other Goose: Recycled Rhymes for Our Fragile Times
Written and illustrated by Barbara Wyn Klunder
Groundwood Books, 2007
ISBN 978-0-88899-829-3
Ages 10 and up / Grade 4
Review

Our Earth: How Kids are Saving the Planet
Written and illustrated by Janet Wilson
Second Story Press
ISBN 978-1-897187-84-5
Ages 7-12 / Grades 4-5
Review

Over in the Meadow
Written and illustrated by Jan Thornhill
Maple Tree Press, 2004
ISBN 978-1-897066-08-9
Ages 4-8 / Preschool-Grade 3
Review

Picture a Tree
Written and illustrated by Barbara Reid
North Winds Press, 2011
ISBN 978-1-4431-0761-7
Ages 3-5 / Preschool-Grade 1
Review

Plants Are Alive!
Written by Molly Aloian
Crabtree Publishing, 2012
ISBN 978-0-7787-4224-1
Ages 6-8 / Grades 1-3
Review

Rachel Carson and Her Book That Changed the World
Written by Laurie Lawlor
Illustrated by Laura Beingessner
Holiday House
ISBN 978-0-8234-2370-5
Ages 6-10 / Grades 3-4
Review

Reducing Your Footprint: Farming, Cooking, and Eating for a Healthy Planet
(Energy Revolution)
Written by Ellen Rodger
Crabtree Publishing
ISBN 978-0-7787-2936-5
Ages 8-12 / Grades 4-5

Sandy’s Incredible Shrinking Footprint
Written by Carole Carpenter and Femida Handy
Illustrated by Adrianna Steele-Card
Second Story Press, 2010
ISBN 978-1-897187-69-2
Ages 5-7 / Kindergarten-Grade 2
Review

Sea Otter Inlet
Written and illustrated by Celia Godkin
Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 1997
ISBN 978-1-55041-080-8
Ages 5-11 / Kindergarten-Grade 6
Review

Shaping Up Summer
(Math in Nature)
Written by Lizann Flatt
Illustrated by Ashley Barron
Owlkids Books, 2014
ISBN 978-1-926973-87-6
Ages 5-7 / Kindergarten-grade 2

Sizing Up Winter
(Math in Nature)
Written by Lizann Flatt
Illustrated by Ashley Barron
Owlkids Books, 2013
ISBN 978-1-926973-82-1
Ages 4-7 / Kindergarten-Grade 2
Review

Skydiver: Saving the Fastest Bird in the World
Written and illustrated by Celia Godkin
Pajama Press, 2014
Ages 6-9 / Grades 1-4
ISBN 978-1-927485-61-3

Slither, Slide, What’s Outside?
Written by Nora Hilb, Simon Shapiro and Sheryl Shapiro
Illustrated by Nora Hilb
Annick Press, 2012
ISBN 978-1-55451-386-4
Ages 4-6 / Preschool-Grade 1
Review

Something from Nothing: 20th Anniversary Edition
Written and illustrated by Phoebe Gilman
Scholastic Canada, 2012 ©1992
ISBN 978-1-4431-1946-7
Ages 2-7 / Preschool-Grade 2
Review

Sorting Through Spring
(Math in Nature)
Written by Lizann Flatt
Illustrated by Ashley Barron
Owlkids Books, 2013
ISBN 978-1-926973-59-3
Ages 4-7 / Preschool-Grade 2
Review

This is My Planet: The Kids’ Guide to Global Warming
Written by Jan Thornhill
Maple Tree Press, 2007
ISBN 978-1-897349-07-6
Ages 9-13 / Grades 4-5
Review

There’s a Barnyard in My Bedroom
Written by David Suzuki
Illustrated by Eugenie Fernandes
Greystone Books / David Suzuki Foundation, 2008
ISBN 978-1-55365-329-5
Ages 6-8 / Grades 1-3
Review

Try This at Home: Planet-Friendly Projects for Kids
Written by the Editors of OWL Magazine
Owlkids Books, 2008
ISBN 978-2-89579-192-8
Ages 9 and up / Grades 4-5
Review

The Twelve Days of Summer
Written by Jan Andrews
Illustrated by Susan A. Joliffe
Orca Book Publishers, 2005
ISBN 978-1-55143-365-3
Ages 4-8 / Preschool-Grade 3
Review

Water Pollution
(Science Matters)
Written by Melanie Ostopowich
Weigl Publishers Inc., 2006
ISBN 978-1-59036-313-3
Ages 8 and up / Grades 4-5
Review

Weird Weather: Everything You Didn’t Want to Know About Climate Change But Probably Should Find Out
Written and illustrated by Kate Evans
Groundwood Books
ISBN 978-0-88899-841-5
Ages 12 and up / Grades 6-7
Review

Who Needs a Jungle? A Rainforest Ecosystem
(Ecosystems)
Written and illustrated by Karen Patkau
Tundra Books
ISBN 978-0-88776-992-4
Ages 7-10 / Grades 3-4
Review

Who Needs a Swamp? A Wetland Ecosystem
(Ecosystems)
Written and illustrated by Karen Patkau
Tundra Books
ISBN 978-0-88776-991-7
Ages 7-10 / Grades 3-4
Review

Who Needs an Iceberg? An Arctic Ecosystem
(Ecosystems)
Written and illustrated by Karen Patkau
Tundra Books
ISBN 978-0-88776-993-1
Ages 7-10 / Grades 3-4
Review

The Wildlife 123: A Nature Counting Book
Witten and illustrated by Jan Thornhill
Owlkids Books, 2012 ©1989
ISBN 978-1-926973-46-3
Ages 3-6 / Preschool-Grade 1
Review

What is a Living Thing?
(The Science of Living Things)
Written by Bobbie Kalman
Crabtree Publishing, 2000
ISBN 978-0-86505-891-0
Ages 7-10 / Grades 2-5
Review

What the Snakes Wrote
Written by Hazel Hutchins
Illustrated by Tina Holdcroft
Annick Press, 2013
ISBN 978-1-55451-472-4
Ages 4-7 / Preschool-Grade 2
Review

Who Lives Here? Forest Animals
(Who Lives Here?)
Written by Deborah Hodge
Illustrated by Pat Stephens
Kids Can Press, 2009
ISBN 978-1-55453-071-7
Ages 4-7 / Preschool-Grade 2
Review

Wolf Island
Written and illustrated by Celia Godkin
Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2006 ©1989
ISBN 978-1-55455-008-1
Ages 5-11 / Kindergarten-Grade 6
Review

Whoosh! A Watery World of Wonderful Creatures
Written by Marilyn Baillie
Illustrated by Susan Mitchell
Owlkids Books, 2014
ISBN 978-1-926973-98-2
Ages 3-6 / Preschool-Grade 1

You Are Stardust
Written by Elin Kelsey
Illustrated by Soyeon Kim
Owlkids Books, 2012
ISBN 978-1-926973-35-7
Ages 4 and up / Grade 9 and up
Review

You Are the Earth: Know Your World So You Can Help Make It Better
David Suzuki and Kathy Vanderlinden, illustrated by Wallace Edwards
Greystone Books / David Suzuki Foundation, 2010
ISBN 978-1-55365-476-6
Ages 9-12 / Grades 4-6