17 Sustainability and Gardening Books for Kids to Inspire Young Environmentalists

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Teaching children about sustainability and the environment helps build a foundation for responsible habits that last a lifetime. Books, alongside hands-on gardening and STEM activities, are a powerful way to introduce and solidify concepts like composting, gardening, and earth science in a fun and engaging way!

Whether you are a parent, educator, librarian, or home gardener, finding the right sustainability books for kids can spark curiosity and encourage hands-on learning. This list includes titles that cover worm composting, decomposition, soil health, and gardening activities for kids, making it easier to find the perfect fit for your budding environmentalist.

Colorful children’s book cover titled "The Wild West of Waste," features vivid fruits, flowers, and a pink cartoon worm in a western setting.

1. The Wild West of Waste

Written by Lauren Click, Founder of Let's Go Compost

This book explores the journey of waste and the importance of reducing, reusing, and recycling. It offers a clear look at how trash affects the environment and what kids can do to help. We also provide free activities and printables that go with the Wild West of Waste book, and book proceeds support our nonprofit, making it a great choice for families and classrooms interested in hands-on science activities kids compost.

Illustrated book cover titled "An Invitation to the Botanical Gardens." Features people exploring plants. Vibrant colors, greenery, and a "VIP Access" label.

2. An Invitation to the Botanical Gardens

Written by Marta McDowell

This beautifully illustrated book invites children to explore the wonders of botanical gardens. It encourages observation and appreciation of plants, making it a wonderful kids gardening book that supports outdoor learning and screen-free science activities.

Stack of children’s books on wood. Top book has a vibrant flower design with text “Flowers Are Pretty Weird!” Authors: Rosemary Mosco, Jacob Souva.

3. Flowers Are Pretty Weird!

Written by Rosemary Mosco

With humor and fun facts, this book reveals the strange and surprising world of flowers. It’s perfect for young readers interested in earth science books for kids and those curious about plant life.

Illustrated book cover of "Goodnight, Veggies" shows two beets with faces under a night sky. A worm in a hat tunnels between them.

4. Goodnight, Veggies

Written by Diana Murray

A gentle bedtime story that introduces children to vegetables and gardening. This book encourages kids to appreciate fresh food and the process of growing it, fitting well with gardening activities for kindergarten.

Children's book "How to Say Hello to a Worm" with illustration of child, plants, and worm. Ezra Jack Keats Award sticker on cover.

5. How to Say Hello to a Worm: A First Guide to Outside

Written by Kari Percival

This guide helps children connect with nature by learning about worms and soil. It’s an excellent resource for worm composting for kids and books about worms for kids learning about the environment.

6. Inside the Compost Bin

Written by Melody Sumaoang Plan

This book explains what compost is for kids in a simple way, showing how food scraps turn into rich soil. It’s a great children’s book about composting and supports easy composting at home with kids.

Book cover titled "Jane Goodall" shows an illustration of Jane with a chimpanzee. Background includes floral designs on a wood table.

7. Jane Goodall

Written by Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara

A biography that introduces children to the life and work of Jane Goodall, inspiring young readers to care for animals and the environment. It fits well within environmental books for children collections.

Book cover of "Mossy" by Jan Brett featuring a turtle with colorful flowers and plants on its shell, set on a woven and wooden background.

8. Mossy

Written by Jan Brett

A story an Eastern box turtle whose shell grows a beautiful garden of moss, ferns, and flowers, this book encourages curiosity about plants and habitats. It’s a charming addition to sustainability books for kids focused on nature exploration.

Child on tricycle with flowers, toy monkey, and black cat. Book cover with "Oscar's Tower of Flowers" and building in background.

9. Oscar’s Tower of Flowers

Written by Lauren Tobia

This wordless picture book is about a boy who, while staying with his grandmother, starts growing plants and sharing them with neighbors, slowly building connection and community.

Book cover titled "The Compost Coach" featuring a smiling person in a red sweater holding compost. Text promotes gardening and composting.

10. The Compost Coach: Make Compost, Build Soil and Grow a Regenerative Garden - Wherever You Live!

Written by Kate Flood

This practical guide teaches how to compost and build healthy soil in any setting. It’s ideal for how to teach people of all ages about composting.

Cover of "The Dirt Book" by David L. Harrison, illustrated by Kate Cosgrove. Features trees, children playing, and text about animals beneath us.

11. The Dirt Book: Poems About Animals That Live Beneath Our Feet

Written by David L. Harrison

A collection of poems that celebrate creatures and their role in the ecosystem. This book supports soil science activities and encourages appreciation for the tiny helpers.

Cover of the book "The Dirt! Wild Life Under the Soil's Surface" by Lindsey Leigh depicts underground creatures, worms, and fungi in vibrant colors.

12. The Dirt!: Wild Life Under the Soil’s Surface

Written by Lindsey Leigh

This book provides a close look at the creatures living underground and their importance to soil health. It’s a great resource for worm composting for kids and Montessori environmental activities.

Children's book cover titled "The Girl Who Loves Bugs" shows a smiling girl in glasses surrounded by colorful flowers and insects.

13. The Girl Who Loves Bugs

Written by Lily Murray

A story about a girl fascinated by insects, this book encourages curiosity and respect for all creatures. It fits well with eco-friendly kids books and screen-free outdoor activities.

Children gardening among colorful flowers on a book cover titled "We Are the Gardeners" by Joanna Gaines. Art by Julianna Swaney.

14. We Are the Gardeners

Written by Joanna Gaines

This family story shows how gardening brings people together and teaches responsibility. It’s a perfect kids gardening book for families wanting to start their own garden projects.

Yellow book cover titled "What About Worms!?," with a surprised tiger illustration, set on a floral background.

15. What About Worms!?

Written by Ryan T. Higgins

A humorous and educational book about worms. While it's not directly about sustainability, it’s an excellent book for kids who may be nervous around worms.

Book titled "World of Rot" with colorful fungi and insects on cover. Text: "Learn about decomposers." Warm, earthy tones. Illustrations by Bruno Valasse.

16. World of Rot: Learn All About the Wriggly, Slimy, Super-Cool Decomposers We Couldn't Live Without

Written by Britt Crow-Miller

This book introduces children to decomposers and their vital role in the environment. It’s a useful resource for hands-on science activities and understanding natural recycling.

Children's book cover "Worms Are Our Friends" with vibrant flowers, a smiling worm, and a rainbow. Authors: Toni D'Alia, Mimi Purnell.

17. Worms Are Our Friends

Written by Toni D’Alia

This book explains why worms are important for soil and gardens. It’s a helpful kids composting book that supports how to start a worm bin with kids and encourages care for the earth.

Supporting Young Environmentalists with Learning Resources

At Let's Go Compost, we believe in empowering children with knowledge and practical skills to care for the planet. Our free K-12 curriculum and downloadable resources include composting activities for kids, gardening lesson plans, and science projects that bring sustainability to life. Whether you want to introduce composting for kids, explore earth science books for kids, or find a classroom composting kit book, our materials support educators and families in creating meaningful learning experiences. Explore our free K-12 composting curriculum to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards.

About Let’s Go Compost

Let’s Go Compost is a national nonprofit making composting simple, affordable, and accessible. Our programs bring hands-on composting to communities, helping people turn food and plant waste into healthy soil that supports food systems, native plant ecosystems, and pollinators. Learn more at letsgocompost.org and support our work at letsgocompost.org/donate.