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Reading is an incredibly important part of children’s development. Helping to develop focus and vocabulary as well as putting ideas into perspective, allowing children to better understand the world around them.
Reading is also a great opportunity for bonding, taking time with your little one to make memories that will last a lifetime.
So this week we’ve listed 12 wonderful picture books to help inspire your little one to head outdoors and engage with nature (which also comes with a range of amazing benefits for children’s development - click here to find out more).
Let’s jump right in!
Sunny and the Birds
By Wendy Meddour & Nabila Adani
Perfect for children 3 years +
This beautifully illustrated book follows the story of Sunny and his family, who have recently moved to a new country. Sunny’s dad struggles to see their new house as home and Sunny works to help him find joy. This story is all about belonging with amazing scenes of nature that will make your little one want to head outdoors!
Click here to check it out on Amazon.
Bugs
By Patricia Hegarty & Britta Teckentrup
Perfect for children 3 years +
Peek through the holes and explore a bustling world of bugs in this beautifully illustrated book. Your child can learn all about bugs before heading out to observe them in real life!
Click here to check it out on Amazon.
We Planted a Pumpkin
By Rob Ramsden
Perfect for children 3 years +
Follow the journey from seed to giant pumpkin in this lovely picture book. As the children tend to their plant throughout the seasons, we get to explore their emotions from anxiety to joy and finally a sense of achievement.
This is a great way to get your child interested in heading outdoors to get gardening!
Click here to check it out on Amazon.
50 Words about Nature: Animals
By Lily Holland & Debbie Powell
Perfect for babies & toddlers
Discover dolphins, gorillas, alligators, and lots more, and some interesting words to describe them. This is a great way to encourage your little one to get outside for wildlife watching whilst teaching them new vocabulary.
Click here to check it out on Amazon.
The Extraordinary Gardener
By Sam Boughton
Perfect for children 3 years +
This is a charming story about the importance of nature and community. It teaches us that if we work hard enough our dreams really can come true! A wonderful story with beautiful scenes of plants to get your child interested in gardening.
Click here to check it out on Amazon.
Run Wild
by David Covell
Perfect for children 3 years +
Get your little one excited to head out to the park with this beautiful book - all about heading outdoors and exploring all the wonders of nature.
Click here to check it out on Amazon.
The National Trust: ABC: A Walk in the Countryside
By Rosalind Beardshaw
Perfect for babies & toddlers
This wonderfully illustrated board book is an ABC book of things to spot in the countryside. It’s a great way to get your child excited about interacting with nature.
Click here to check it out on Amazon.
Make it Grow
Debbie Powell
Perfect for children 3 years +
Lift the flaps to make plants and creatures grow whilst learning all about different colours! Fun rhyming text introduces your little one to different habitats and asks to lift the die-cut flaps to make the various wildlife grow.
Click here to check it out on Amazon.
Botany for Babies
Jonathan Litton and Thomas Elliott
Perfect for babies & toddlers
Your child will love learning all about plants and trees and what makes them grow! This engaging board book is a great introduction to all things nature.
Click here to check it out on Amazon.
Moon: A Peek-Through Picture Book
by Britta Teckentrup
Perfect for children 3 years +
Over deserts and forests, Arctic tundra and tropical beaches, the moon shines down on creatures around the world.
Your little one will love discovering changes from day to day as the lunar cycle is shown through peek-through holes! A lovely book for junior stargazers.
Click here to check it out on Amazon.
The Tiny Seed
by Eric Carle
Perfect for children 4 years +
A much-loved classic from the creator of The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
This is the story of how a tiny seed travels from its parent plant and blows across seas, deserts, and mountains. Braving many hazards along the way, before finally finding a place to settle and grow into a beautiful flower so that the story can start again.
Click here to check it out on Amazon.
The Little Gardener
by Emily Hughes
Perfect for children 3 years +
This beautifully illustrated book teaches the importance of working hard and persevering whilst showcasing the wonders of nature and gardening.
Click here to check it out on Amazon.