Books about finding nature on your doorstep for 0 to 5

Children love discovering the animals and plants that live close by – whether it’s a tree on a pavement, a duck in the local park or flowers in someone’s garden. There is so much to spot when you’re out and about! Here’s a selection of books to inspire little nature lovers.

  • Listen to the Birds

    by Marion Billet 

    2017 0 to 4 years 

    • Board books
    • Interactive
    • Non-fiction

    Listen to the calls of six different garden birds in this beautiful little book. From blackbirds to pigeons, just press the button on each page to hear what they sound like – and then perhaps step into your garden or park to see if you can hear them in the wild.

  • The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s Hide & Seek

    by Eric Carle 

    2021 0 to 6 years 

    • Board books
    • Interactive

    An interactive board book with cut-out finger trails and sturdy flaps that encourage youngsters to explore the forest in the company of the very hungry caterpillar.

  • First 100 Nature Words

    illustrated by Jean-Claude 

    2022 2 to 4 years 

    • Board books

    This bright board book introduces babies and toddlers to the wonderful world around them.

  • Rosa’s Big Sunflower Experiment

    by Jessica Spanyol 

    2020 2 to 6 years 

    • Picture books
    • Disability

    Rosa and her friends are growing sunflowers. The industrious team of children fill pots with soil, tenderly plant seeds and then carefully label and position their plants. This is one of a series of books following Rosa and her friends as they undertake a range of simple but inspiring projects guaranteed to stimulate children’s interest in STEM subjects.

  • Little Life Cycles: Frog

    by Maggie Li 

    2023 2 to 4 years 

    • Board books

    Follow Frog from egg to tadpole to frog in this tactile introduction to life cycles. With peep-through holes and friendly illustrations, this is perfect for toddlers.

  • Maya’s Walk

    by Moira Butterfield, illustrated by Kim Geyer 

    2022 2 to 4 years 

    • Non-fiction
    • Picture books

    Maya loves walking. There are so many different types of walk to enjoy: walks where she and her parent listen to the sounds around them: birds singing, people talking, dogs barking. Then there are walks where Maya can smell the different smells: the earthy goodness of soil, the perfume of flowers and a blade of grass rubbed in your hand.

  • We’re Off To Find a Fairy

    by Eloise White and Cory Reid 

    2020 2 to 6 years 

    • Picture books
    • Disability

    A family sets off in the countryside to find a fairy – surely they won’t be too difficult to find? A lovely rhyming tale that introduces children to a range of endangered British species.

  • Mad About Minibeasts!

    by Giles Andreae, illustrated by David Wojtowycz 

    2011 2 to 9 years 

    • Picture books
    • Poetry and rhyme

    These simple, cheerful and humorous rhymes about all the familiar insects you might encounter in your garden are great fun to read together

  • Little Snail’s Book of Bugs

    by Yuval Zommer 

    2024 4 to 6 years 

    • Board books
    • Non-fiction

    Join Little Snail as he meets all the bugs, insects and other tiny creatures in the garden. A stylish, yet child-friendly guide to the tiny creatures that are so vital to our planet. 

  • Ranger Hamza’s Eco Quest

    by Ranger Hamza, illustrated by Kate Kronreif 

    2024 4 to 6 years 

    • Historical
    • Non-fiction
    • Picture books

    Ranger Hamza takes readers on a wonderful quest to discover a variety of brilliant natural elements, from rainwater to lichen, dead wood, snails, acorns and seaweed. 

  • Number Garden

    by Isabel Otter, illustrated by Sophie Ledesma 

    2024 4 to 6 years 

    • Board books
    • Interactive
    • Non-fiction
    • Picture books

    Nature and numeracy are seamlessly combined in this fun, colourful and informative board book for young readers. Guided by Marigold the tortoise, young children will visit a variety of gardens and practise counting up to ten. 

  • The Oak Tree

    by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Victoria Sandøy 

    2023 4 to 6 years 

    • Picture books

    This is the story of an oak tree, told in Julia Donaldson’s trademark rich rhyme, with beautiful illustrations showcasing the diversity of life in and around the tree.

  • Errol’s Garden

    by Gillian Hibbs 

    2018 4 to 9 years 

    • Mobility/​wheelchair
    • Visual impairment

    Errol loves gardening, but he doesn’t have a garden. Then he comes up with a creative solution, thanks to the discovery of a disused area at the top of his apartment block. A heartwarming book with universal appeal that’s a delight, from beginning to end. 

  • A Good Place

    by Lucy Cousins 

    2022 2 to 9 years 

    • Picture books

    Four friends including a ladybird, a bee, a beetle and a dragonfly search for a new home and finally find the perfect place in a little boy’s garden. 

  • Let’s Go For A Walk

    illustrated by Katy Kronreif 

    2022 4 to 12 years 

    • Interactive
    • Non-fiction
    • Picture books

    Wherever you live, in a town, by the sea or in the countryside, this vividly illustrated picture book by CBeebies favourite Ranger Hamza will make any walk more interesting and exciting. 

  • A Little Dose of Nature

    2023 6 to 9 years 

    • Interactive

    This book is both calming and fun, suggesting over 25 activities to do while enjoying being outside. Brilliant for young children and families. 

  • Pedro Loves Saving the Planet

    by Jess French, illustrated by Duncan Beedie 

    2023 6 to 9 years 

    • Non-fiction

    Pedro and his friends are at the eco cabin, discovering lots of eco-friendly activities. Fact-filled and friendly, this is a useful book for sharing with young school children.