← The Children's Library  /  Nature

British Children's Books About Nature

A personal project — every book hand-picked by a London dad 🇬🇧

Stories that celebrate nature — hand-picked from Britain's rich tradition of children's literature.

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27 hand-picked books

How to use this shelf

Use this shelf when you want stories where nature is part of the emotional centre, not just a label. The books span ages 2 to 16, so younger children can meet the theme through picture books while older readers can explore it through longer stories.

Sharing a Shell book cover
Sharing a Shell
Julia Donaldson
Ages 3–6
Sharing a Shell
Julia Donaldson · Lydia Monks
First published in 2004, Sharing a Shell is a picture book by Julia Donaldson for children aged 3 to 6. It is illustrated by Lydia Monks. Its themes include friendship, kindness and nature.
Picture Book2004
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One Snowy Night book cover
One Snowy Night
Nick Butterworth
Ages 3–6
One Snowy Night
Nick Butterworth
One Snowy Night by Nick Butterworth is a picture book for children aged 3 to 6. A useful choice for reading about kindness, family and nature.
Picture Book1989
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After the Storm book cover
After the Storm
Nick Butterworth
Ages 3–6
After the Storm
Nick Butterworth
For readers interested in kindness, nature and resilience, compare After the Storm by Nick Butterworth. It is a picture book for children aged 3 to 6.
Picture Book1992
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The Magic Finger book cover
The Magic Finger
Roald Dahl
Ages 6–9
The Magic Finger
Roald Dahl · Quentin Blake
First published in 1966, The Magic Finger is a chapter book by Roald Dahl for children aged 6 to 9. It is illustrated by Quentin Blake. Its themes include justice, courage and nature.
Chapter Book1966
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Kensuke's Kingdom book cover
Kensuke's Kingdom
Michael Morpurgo
Ages 9–12
Kensuke's Kingdom
Michael Morpurgo
Kensuke's Kingdom by Michael Morpurgo is a novel for children aged 9 to 12. A useful choice for reading about friendship, courage, nature and loyalty.
Novel1999
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Why the Whales Came book cover
Why the Whales Came
Michael Morpurgo
Ages 9–12
Why the Whales Came
Michael Morpurgo
Choose Why the Whales Came by Michael Morpurgo for children aged 9 to 12. This novel is shelved with books about friendship, nature, courage and heritage.
Novel1985
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The Secret Garden book cover
The Secret Garden
Frances Hodgson Burnett
Ages 8–12
The Secret Garden
Frances Hodgson Burnett
First published in 1911, The Secret Garden is a classic by Frances Hodgson Burnett for children aged 8 to 12. Its themes include friendship, nature, perseverance and wonder.
Classic1911
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The Wind in the Willows book cover
The Wind in the Willows
Kenneth Grahame
Ages 7–11
The Wind in the Willows
Kenneth Grahame
The Wind in the Willows, a classic by Kenneth Grahame, is selected for children aged 7 to 11. Compare it with other books exploring friendship, adventure, nature and loyalty.
Classic1908
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The Jungle Book book cover
The Jungle Book
Rudyard Kipling
Ages 8–12
The Jungle Book
Rudyard Kipling
The Jungle Book, a classic by Rudyard Kipling, is selected for children aged 8 to 12. Compare it with other books exploring adventure, courage, nature and loyalty.
Classic1894
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Just So Stories book cover
Just So Stories
Rudyard Kipling
Ages 6–10
Just So Stories
Rudyard Kipling
On the shelf for children aged 6 to 10: Just So Stories, a classic by Rudyard Kipling. It connects with imagination, humour, wonder and nature.
Classic1902
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The Tale of Peter Rabbit book cover
The Tale of Peter Rabbit
Beatrix Potter
Ages 2–6
The Tale of Peter Rabbit
Beatrix Potter
Peter ignores his mother’s warning and enters Mr McGregor’s garden to eat vegetables.
Picture Book1902
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The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin book cover
The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin
Beatrix Potter
Ages 2–6
The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin
Beatrix Potter
The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin by Beatrix Potter is a picture book for children aged 2 to 6. A useful choice for reading about nature, humour and adventure.
Picture Book1903
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Watership Down book cover
Watership Down
Richard Adams
Ages 10–16
Watership Down
Richard Adams
On the shelf for readers aged 10+: Watership Down, a classic by Richard Adams. It connects with courage, loyalty, adventure and nature.
Classic1972
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The Storm Whale book cover
The Storm Whale
Benji Davies
Ages 3–6
The Storm Whale
Benji Davies
The Storm Whale by Benji Davies is a picture book for children aged 3 to 6. A useful choice for reading about kindness, family and nature.
Picture Book2013
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The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck book cover
The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck
Beatrix Potter
Ages 2–6
The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck
Beatrix Potter
First published in 1908, The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck is a picture book by Beatrix Potter for children aged 2 to 6. Its themes include nature and adventure.
Picture Book1908
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Spring Story book cover
Spring Story
Jill Barklem
Ages 3–7
Spring Story
Jill Barklem
For readers interested in family, nature and heritage, compare Spring Story by Jill Barklem. It is a picture book for children aged 3 to 7.
Picture Book1980
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The Wombles book cover
The Wombles
Elisabeth Beresford
Ages 6–9
The Wombles
Elisabeth Beresford
For readers interested in nature, family and humour, compare The Wombles by Elisabeth Beresford. It is a chapter book for children aged 6 to 9.
Chapter Book1968
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Beetle Boy book cover
Beetle Boy
M. G. Leonard
Ages 8–12
Beetle Boy
M. G. Leonard
On the shelf for children aged 8 to 12: Beetle Boy, a novel by M. G. Leonard. It connects with adventure, nature and friendship.
Novel2016
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The Last Wild book cover
The Last Wild
Piers Torday
Ages 9–12
The Last Wild
Piers Torday
For readers interested in nature, courage and adventure, compare The Last Wild by Piers Torday. It is a novel for children aged 9 to 12.
Novel2013
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Journey to the River Sea book cover
Journey to the River Sea
Eva Ibbotson
Ages 9–13
Journey to the River Sea
Eva Ibbotson
Journey to the River Sea by Eva Ibbotson is a novel for children aged 9 to 13. A useful choice for reading about adventure, courage and nature.
Novel2001
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Swallows and Amazons book cover
Swallows and Amazons
Arthur Ransome
Ages 8–12
Swallows and Amazons
Arthur Ransome
For readers interested in adventure, self-reliance and nature, compare Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome. It is a classic for children aged 8 to 12.
Classic1930
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The Story of Doctor Dolittle book cover
The Story of Doctor Dolittle
Hugh Lofting
Ages 7–11
The Story of Doctor Dolittle
Hugh Lofting
The Story of Doctor Dolittle, a classic by Hugh Lofting, is selected for children aged 7 to 11. Compare it with other books exploring nature, kindness and adventure.
Classic1920
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The Wreck of the Zanzibar book cover
The Wreck of the Zanzibar
Michael Morpurgo
Ages 8–12
The Wreck of the Zanzibar
Michael Morpurgo
The Wreck of the Zanzibar, a novel by Michael Morpurgo, is selected for children aged 8 to 12. Compare it with other books exploring courage, family and nature.
Novel1995
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The Iron Woman book cover
The Iron Woman
Ted Hughes
Ages 8–12
The Iron Woman
Ted Hughes
First published in 1993, The Iron Woman is a classic by Ted Hughes for children aged 8 to 12. Its themes include nature, justice and wonder.
Classic1993
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Wolf Brother book cover
Wolf Brother
Michelle Paver
Ages 9–13
Wolf Brother
Michelle Paver
For readers interested in adventure, courage, nature and loyalty, compare Wolf Brother by Michelle Paver. It is a novel for children aged 9 to 13.
Novel2004
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October, October book cover
October, October
Katya Balen
Ages 9–12
October, October
Katya Balen
October, October, a novel by Katya Balen, is selected for children aged 9 to 12. Compare it with other books exploring nature, family and resilience.
Novel2020
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The Last Bear
Hannah Gold
Ages 8–12
The Last Bear
Hannah Gold
Choose The Last Bear by Hannah Gold for children aged 8 to 12. This novel is shelved with books about nature, courage and kindness.
Novel2021
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