1. Outside Your Window: A First Book of Nature by Nicola Davies, illustrated by Mark Hearld
Ages 3-7
This beautifully illustrated collection of poetry celebrates many aspects of nature, and since it's organized by seasons, kids can read it all year long. Highlights include "Five Reasons to Keep Chickens" and "The Loaf that Jack Baked," and the book even includes planting and baking activities for families. Find it at NYPL or buy it on amazon.


2. Muncha! Muncha! Muncha! by Candace Fleming, illustrated by G. Brian Karas
Ages 3-6
After years of dreaming about it, Mr. McGreely decides to plant a delicious edible garden but some sneaky bunnies keep destroying his veggies. So McGreely must come up with a really big idea if he’s to see his garden successfully grow. Fun sounds and repetition make this story a blast for young children. The book is also available in Spanish. Find it at NYPL or buy it on amazon.

3. Wake Up, It’s Spring! by Lisa Campbell Ernst
Ages 4-6
In this delightful story, everyone (and everything) celebrates the coming of spring. Starting with the sun, the worms and the seeds, the book chronicles the world's awakening process and ends with a family nature walk. The cartoon illustrations are perfect for this fun read. Find it at NYPL or buy it on amazon.


4. My Garden by Kevin Henkes
Ages 2-5
A young girl spends time planting with her mother but her mind wanders to the garden she'd like to grow, filled with chocolate rabbits, flowers that change color and jellybean bushes. The book's wonderful for inspiring wild imaginations. Find it at NYPL or buy it on amazon.


5. Planting a Rainbow by Lois Ehlert
Ages 3-5
Kids learn how to plant a "rainbow garden" featuring flowers of different hues. The tale starts with planting in the fall, waiting through the winter, watching in the spring and enjoying in the summer, so it's a great read for every season. The colorful pictures really pop and make you want to go out and plant something. Find it at NYPL or buy it on amazon.


6. Quiet in the Garden by Aliki
Ages 3-5
A young boy silently observes the sounds and sights of a garden filled with flowers, fruit, vegetables and creatures looking to nibble on nature's treats. Adorable illustrations and instructions for creating your very own quiet garden make this a lovely read for little naturalists. Find it at NYPL or buy it on amazon.
 

7. Playground Day! by Jennifer J. Merz
Ages 2-4
Now that it's spring, NYC kids will be spending a lot of time romping in playgrounds, which is why this book should really speak to them. A little girl hits her local park, and pretends to play the way animals might. She imagines herself as a monkey, penguin, bunny and other feisty creatures. The detailed illustrations created from torn and cut paper, and found materials are appropriately playful. Find it at NYPL or buy it on amazon.
 

8. Counting in the Garden by Kim Parker
Ages 3-5
This counting book by acclaimed textile designer Parker features bright illustrations of animals and insects hidden in a gorgeous garden. It's a perfect choice for little ones who are learning how to recognize numbers and colors. Find it at NYPL or buy it on amazon.

9. Yucky Worms by Vivian French, illustrated by Jessica Ahlberg
Ages 4-7
Are worms really yucky? A little boy finds out all about these creepy crawlies—where they live, how they move, what they eat and how they help plants grow— with his grandma's help. The book is filled with interesting and fun facts, as well as tips on how to become a "wormologist." Find it at NYPL or buy it on amazon.
 

Read about some of our other favorite children's books.

Thanks to The New York Public Library for providing this book list. You can find all of these titles at the library.