Recommended children's booklists sorted by age or topic

Topic: Rainforests

What the Macaw Saw

Picturebook

Told in gentle rhyming verse, this beautiful non-fiction picture book follows the story of a flock of colourful macaws as they live their lives in the Amazon rainforest. Through the voice of one of the macaws, we hear about the bounty of the rainforest, as well as the challenges they have faced – threatened by the destruction of their home through machinery and forest fires to make room for vast plantations. Still, there are some areas where the land is protected and they can live a life of freedom among the trees… perhaps in the future, humans will learn the true value of the forest once again?

Accompanying non-fiction pages at the end of the book include information on on endangered macaws, the importance of the rainforest, and the causes of deforestation, as well as what we can do to help.

Rainforest Warrior

Anita Ganeri & Margaux Carpentier

Non-fiction, Picturebook

The Story of Chico Mendes is a story that is perfect for children in KS2 learning about rainforests, as well as inspirational figures who have changed the world for the better.

Chico Mendes is a hero that everyone should know about. Chico was a rubber tapper who stood up for his community and the importance of preserving the Amazon rainforest. Being an environmental activist, Chico worked tirelessly to help others and was recognised for his efforts by being awarded for his work towards protecting the rainforests by multiple countries. Tragically, Chico was murdered whilst working for this cause due to his efforts to support the rubber tappers, waking up the world to the plight of the rainforest destruction and protesting about the clearing of the forest.

Each page features beautiful coloured illustrations to support the text in each section. It is a recommendable book for use in sharing why it is important to protect the rainforests and also about highlighting the difference one person can make. There are plenty of interesting Amazon rainforest facts and a supporting glossary with technical language.

This is a special book to be shared with a class and an excellent addition to rainforest topic texts or classroom libraries.

The Where on Earth Book of Rainforests

Susie Brooks

Non-fiction

Go on a journey through the world’s rainforests, from the Amazon rainforest to Costa Rica, answering questions such as why on Earth does it rain so much? Where are there forests in the clouds? And how can a tree cure disease? Along with many others. It looks at medicines, monkeys, poisonous snakes, venomous spiders, stinky flowers, enormous trees, and much, much more. Crammed full of amazing animals and astonishing plants, geography has never been so exciting!

Packed to the gills with far-out facts and fascinating information, the Where on Earth? series makes standard KS2 geography topics lively, fun, pacey and interesting.

Let’s Save the Amazon

Catherine Barr & Jean Claude

Non-fiction, Picturebook

Discover why we must protect the Amazon from climate change.

Bursting with all kinds of life, the Amazon is one of the most incredible places on Earth. This richly illustrated picture book brings to life this extraordinary region for young children, exploring its tropical rainforest and scenic landscapes. It showcases the lush wildlife, diverse communities and life-saving medicines that can all be found there and therefore why it is so important that we act to protect this special part of the planet from the impact of climate change.

Rainforests Topic Booklist

Best children’s books about rainforests

Rainforests are warm, wet and dense forest habitats filled with millions of plants and animals (including some yet to be discovered!). Rainforest expeditions can easily capture the imaginations of young readers. From canopies and capybaras to epiphytes and explorers, we’ve got it covered in our selection of the best children’s books for the rainforest topic…

Please note, if you are looking for jungle-themed books for younger readers, try our Jungle EYFS Topic Booklist.

The Rainforest Book

Charlotte Milner

Non-fiction

Step inside the fascinating world of tropical rainforests where you’ll encounter an enormous variety of flora and fauna! This gorgeously illustrated picture book is a wonderful way to introduce children to the world of nature and conservation. In this colour non-fiction text, you’ll discover amazing rainforest animals, learn about the diverse range of life-giving plants, and find out why the Amazon rainforest is known as the “lungs” of our Earth.

Over and Under the Rainforest

Christopher Silas Neal & Kate Messner

Picturebook

Award-winning duo Kate Messner and Christopher Silas Neal take readers on a thrilling tour of one of the most diverse ecosystems on planet earth: the rainforests of Central America. Discover the wonder that lies hidden among the roots, above the winding rivers, and under the emerald leaves of the rainforest. This genle picturebook features animals like the slender parrot snake to the blue morpho butterfly. Readers can explore the canopies, where toucans and pale-billed woodpeckers chatter and call. Other animals include capuchin monkeys who swing from vines and slow-moving sloths who wait out daily thunderstorms.

Running Wild

Michael Morpurgo

Chapter book

This novel, by the popular children’s author Michael Morpurgo, is set in the Indonesian Rainforest. It tells the story of Will, who is left fighting for survival in the rainforest with an enchanting elephant called Oona.

Where the Forest Meets the Sea

Jeannie Baker

Picturebook

Where the Forest Meets the Sea is a hauntingly beautiful picture book that forces the reader to consider what is really lost when humans build upon previously untouched landscapes. The story follows a boy and his grandad as they explore a largely untouched wet-tropical rainforest that meets the sea. The pictures contain hidden images depicting past inhabitants, teaching the reader how the forest has supported life beyond just the modern snapshot. The question mark that hangs over this beautiful landscape is saved for the very last image. As a reader, this book manages to make me feel innocent and guilty at the same time and, in a very accessible way, forces the reader to consider the natural environment and how it should be protected and not just for the sake of the future, but for the sake of the past.

If you are looking for a book to stimulate discussion and debate about the effects human beings can have on the natural world, this is the one for you. The illustrations are so incredibly detailed (there is also a big book edition available on Amazon that is perfect for detail-spotting) that you might be forgiven for thinking that some of them are photographs. The book has won multiple awards and is sparking deep consideration of the past, present and future of the rainforest.

The Secret Explorers and the Rainforest Rangers

Sj King

Chapter book

In this fun, fact-filled children’s science book, we follow rainforest expert Ollie on an exciting mission to rescue a lost baby orangutan in the steamy rainforest of Borneo. Accompanied by engineering expert Kiki, they set out in a glider to search for the friendly ape.

Along the way, they encounter greedy plantation owners who are plotting to destroy the forest to expand a palm oil plantation! They also learn about the threat that endangered animals and plants face due to deforestation. Kids will love turning the pages to find out if the Secret Explorers manage to succeed in their mission!

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Topic: Rainforests

Best children’s books about rainforests

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