Books about the environment for babies and toddlers

Every young child will adore joining in with Bo and his duck for a day’s adventure at the farm, as they round up animals, pick fruit, harvest corn, and comfort a farm cat who’s just had kittens. A brilliant and absorbing gateway to longer picture books that will help build up attention span. 

A wiggly, slippery fish, a knobbly spiny starfish and swaying rubbery seaweed are just a few interesting words to listen to and shapes to look at in this seaside-inspired book for babies.

If anyone can talk simply and clearly to little ones about endangered animals and conservation, it’s Rod Campbell, the famed author of Dear Zoo. This lovely flap book is a great one to read together.

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

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.

A charming picture book suggesting ten practical ways to help the planet. A positive and simple introduction to the need for conservation for the very young.

Pete the badger likes to keep everything neat and tidy, but his over-zealous cleaning begins to have a damaging impact on the forest. This entertaining picture book, with its rich illustrations, carries an important environmental message.

The great beauty and diversity of the coral reef is explored in this stunningly beautiful picture book, which is a true work of art. The rhyming non-fiction text scans well and the information about coral reef conservation is pitched at the right level.

This charming, funny, sweet picture book combines concerns about arctic erosion, animal conservation and immigration in a lovely story about polar bears. It’s sure to be a favourite with little ones, who will love Sheibani’s illustration.

Clem loves going to the beach and tries hard to keep the coastline clean, but soon realises she needs the help and enthusiasm of her classmates, too. An uplifting and inspiring picture book that demonstrates that lots of small actions can have a big impact. The uplifting story is accompanied by beautiful illustrations, which bring the seascape to life.

This fabulous lift-the-flap book subtly encourages everyone to plant lots of bee-friendly flowers and is a fun-filled introduction to conservation for young children.

Colin the crisp packet finds himself on the ground, outside in the leafy garden. The problem is that he doesn’t really belong there… This sweet rhyming book teaches children about some of the perils that litter can cause in the natural environment. 

A beautiful picture book following the life of Little Turtle, as she watches her beloved ocean become home to more and more plastic waste. There’s also lots of helpful information on conservation and how we can help save marine wildlife.

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.