12 Picture Books to Inspire Kids’ Love of Nature and the Great Outdoors

This book happens to be a favorite with my son! It’s a charming story about a young girl determined to spot a fox in the wild. She follows the trail with care, but the fox always seems one step ahead. Little listeners will enjoy the humor as her plan does not quite work. The artwork is clean and expressive, adding clues that kids will love to notice. The story also sparks interest in nature and encourages children to observe the world around them more closely. This book celebrates patience while showing that sometimes we miss what is right in front of us. It’s a warm and engaging choice for sharing and sparking conversation.

When you think of camping, what’s the first thing you think of? It might be tents or campfires, but for me, it’s always s’mores! S Is for S’mores: A Camping Alphabet is an ABC book set in the great outdoors. Each letter highlights a camping word, from hiking to marshmallows, building both vocabulary and excitement for nature. The rhyming text flows well and keeps young listeners engaged. The illustrations are bright and inviting, with details that reward a closer look. This book helps build alphabet knowledge while also encouraging camping and spending time in nature. Bonus: Build a full story time experience by doing this s’more spelling activity after you read!

This series contains three absolutely gorgeous picture books about nature. It includes Above and Below, a lift-the-flap book about animal habitats; Above and Below: Sea and Shore, an exploration of the ocean, and Above and Below: Dusk till Dawn, a look at how plants and animals live across day and night. These books are a quiet invitation to learn about the natural world we can see, as well as all of the magical happenings just beyond our vision. Your child will be engaged and intrigued—and probably pepper you with a thousand fabulous questions. You might even learn some new things too! You can get the boxed set, or buy any of the titles individually.

A Caldecott Honor winner, Berry Song is a stunning book celebrating how family traditions and engaging with nature can intersect. Goade, a Native American author and illustrator from Alaska, shares a story of a child gathering berries with her grandmother while learning to notice the land with care. The text is gentle and lyrical, and the illustrations are rich. This book encourages gratitude and respect for the natural world. It’s a thoughtful choice to help children feel connected to the places around them.

This lovely American Book Award winner recounts a timeless story about finding ways to make the world better. As a child, the main character is told by her grandfather that traveling the world is a wonderful goal, but she must also find a way to make the world more beautiful. At first, she’s not sure how to do that, but as she grows older, she learns that small actions can have lasting impact. The illustrations are soft and detailed, bringing each setting to life. As someone from Texas, where the state flower is the bluebonnet, I’ve always loved seeing lupines fill these pages. I think your little one will, too.

This book offers an adorable introduction to dozens of bug species. The simple rhymes bounce along with a playful rhythm that makes it a delight to read aloud. Each page invites readers to meet new insects and notice their sounds and movements. The illustrations are colorful and full of personality, encouraging close looking and repeat reads. This book sparks curiosity about the small creatures all around us by literally asking children to go explore their gardens in search of bugs. Whether your child is slightly afraid of insects or can’t get enough of the creepy-crawlies, Some Bugs is a fun and friendly way to learn about the tiny creatures that inevitably accompany time outside.

If your child is hesitant about going camping or spending long periods of time in nature, Fatima’s Great Outdoors is the book for you. It’s a warm story about a child learning to enjoy time outside. At first, Fatima is not so sure about camping and misses her usual comforts. As her trip continues, she begins to notice new sights and sounds, finding her own way to connect with nature. What’s more, her family makes the experience unique to their culture, rather than conforming to others’ ideas of camping. The text encourages children to enjoy camping and engage with the natural world in their own unique ways. To top it off, the illustrations are lively and adorable. It makes a strong addition to any list of children’s books about nature.

Written by Pulitzer Prize finalist Susan Choi and illustrated by Caldecott Honor winner John Rocco, Camp Tiger is a lovely story about growing up and trying new things. A young boy goes on a camping trip just before starting school and meets a mysterious tiger who seems to understand his worries. The story gently explores change and independence through this unusual friendship. The illustrations are detailed and atmospheric, drawing readers into the outdoor setting. This book offers a meaningful look at courage and imagination during times of transition.

This thoughtful book invites readers to see themselves as part of the natural world. It is rooted in teachings connected to a Native American tradition, the Anishinaabe Medicine Wheel. The gentle and reflective text explores the deep connection between the human body and the earth, encouraging a sense of belonging and care for the land. The illustrations are rich and immersive, helping each page feel grounded in place. This is a meaningful read to help children understand their place within the world around them.

In this creative book, a young fox is searching for a rare and mysterious golden plant to pick for his botany collection. As he travels by forests, rivers, and mountains, he learns about the natural world and makes friends with different animals. However, when he finds the plant, the fox chooses to leave it where it grows—teaching children to appreciate leaving nature to flourish. The descriptions of what he packs for his hike will educate children on the best ways to prepare for camping and exploring nature, and the illustrations have a warm, calm quality that reflects the feeling of being outside during golden hour.