Kids nature books make wonderful references.

One of our favorite things to do after a nature walk is to identify what we’ve found and enter the information in our nature journal. Kids nature books not only make great references, there are some great nature workbooks which offer mini lessons for the home learner or natural enthusiast.

Whether your kids love nature or you’d like to study it for homeschooling, here are some great nature books for kids

I like having multiple books as references if we’re doing a unit study, which are always seasonally inspired.

Our eldest was really into birds for Grade 2, so we turned to the bird pages often. Spring flowers and the observation of bees outside opened up pollinator and flower questions and discussion. A nature walk to gather wildflowers invites a learning opportunity to talk about other wildflowers and conservation. A fishing trip might create curiosity on how fish breathe under water.

Nature truly offers so many questions, which nature books can help answer

I’ll share reference nature books as well as nature journals + workbooks

Please note that these are just a selection of some of the best nature books out there. You can pick ANY nature topic and dive much deeper into it. For example an animal encyclopedia will have a summary of each animal kingdom, but if you wanted to create an ocean unit study then you’d look for more resources.

Favourite Reference Nature Books for Kids

Here are some of our most frequently used nature books in our home for reference or nature journals. I often find it’s great to borrow books then buy if I’m not certain. This is especially true if you’re doing a unit study and you might not want to keep those books. If a child has a strong interest in a subject, say birds or marine animals or bugs, then buying them is best that way they can chase the spark.

*Please note that I link to Amazon where I make a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you decide to purchase any items. You may also find these books at your local book stores, libraries or second hand stores (which often have true gems!).

There have been many nature books that we borrow from the library and eventually ended up buying because we use them SO often.

• • Nature Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of the Natural World 

• • Firefly Encyclopedia of Animals

• • The Tree Book for Kids and Their Grown-Ups

• • Trees, Leaves & Bark (Take Along Guides)

• • Outside Your Window: A First Book of Nature

• • Sibley Backyard Birding Flashcards: 100 Common Birds of Eastern and Western North America

• • The Sibley Guide to Birds, 2nd Edition

• • Curious Kids Nature Guide: Explore the Amazing Outdoors of the Pacific Northwest

• • Birds, Nests & Eggs (Take Along Guides)

• Wildflowers, Blooms & Blossoms (Take Along Guides)

Nature Journal Books + Workbooks

We’ve found that the nature journals and workbooks offer excellent mini lessons in addition to our own nature journaling that we do.

• • The Nature Connection: An Outdoor Workbook for Kids, Families, and Classrooms
  • Tiny Explorers Into the Wild 

• • Hello Nature: Draw, Collect, Make and Grow

• • The Wildflower’s Workbook: A Journal for Self-Discovery in Nature

• • Keeping a Nature Journal: Discover a Whole New Way of Seeing the World Around You

• • Nature Journal For Little Explorers: Kids Nature Journal/Nature Log Activity Book; Fun Nature Drawing And Journaling Workbook For Children

• • The Naturalist’s Notebook: An Observation Guide and 5-Year Calendar-Journal for Tracking Changes in the Natural World around You

• • Laws Guide to Nature Drawing and Journaling

• Nature Journal: A Kid’s Nature Journal

Nature books for advanced nature students

I’ve still used these books for our grade 2 year and they make great visuals. They are more in-depth however and would be suited for older students. Please note that the books below do have evolution undertones, so if you are Christian they likely won’t be preferred.

• Botanicum: Welcome to the Museum
• Animalium: Welcome to the Museum
• Botanicum Activity Book 
• Animalium Activity Book
• Curiositree: Natural World: A Visual Compendium of Wonders from Nature – Jacket unfolds into a huge wall poster!

What is your favorite kids nature book?