Books are a great way to learn about nature and amazing resources to help us discover more about the world around us. On World Book Day, what better way to be inspired to get outdoors and enjoy nature than reading a good nature-based book.

Nature-based must read books - World Book Day

Our family are avid readers and regular visitors to the local library. Our bookshelves are brimming with books on nature, wildlife and ways to connect to the great outdoors. Here we share our favourite books on nature.

Great foraging books by Adele Nozedar World Book Day

Hedgerow Handbook & Foraging with Kids by Adele Nozedar

Both of these books are packed full of foraging tips, recipes and facts about wild plants. Take it with you on a country walk and see what plant species you can identify and gather leaves, flowers and stems for your culinary creations.

Wilding - the return of nature to a British farm by Isabella Tree

Charting the transformation at the Knepp project from 2000 until 2018 - a pioneering rewilding experiment in West Sussex to return 3,500 acres back to nature. I found this book incredibly inspiring and promising for the future of the British countryside

The Almanac - A seasonal guide to 2022 World Book Day

The Almanac - A Seasonal Guide by Lia Leendertz

This is a great book for connecting with the seasons on a monthly basis. It includes key dates, moon phases and meteor showers, sunrises and tide times as well as plants that are in season, recipes and traditional celebrations.

Born to be Wild - Hundreds of free nature activities for families by Hattie Garlick

This book is a winner for getting families in nature exploring the great outdoors. It’s divided into seasons with several themes in each such as insects in Spring, flowers in Summer, mud in Autumn and snow in Winter with a variety of different ideas for how to exploring each.

Feral by George Monbiot - World Book Day

Feral - Rewilding the land, sea and human life by George Monbiot

In this book, aclaimed environmental journalist, George Monbiot invites us to join him on his journey to re-engage with nature and discover a new way of living. He shows how, by restoring and rewilding our damaged ecosystems on land and at sea, we can bring wonder back into our lives.

The Unofficial Countryside by Richard Mabel - nature-based book for World Book Day

The Unofficial Countryside by Richard Mabey

Richard Mabey takes us on a seasonal adventure noticing the forgotten elements of wildlife that are found on the fringes of cities and suburbs. This book encourages us to notice nature as part of our daily lives, something we can all benefit from, and credit wildlife and plants for adapting to seemingly inhospitable environments.

The Hidden Life of Trees - World Book Day nature based book

The Hidden Life of Trees - What they feel, how they communicate: Discoveries from a secret world by Peter Wohlleben

Discover the social network of trees that science has recently uncovered, revealing the depth of communication taht happens, much of it below ground. If you were already amazed by trees this brilliant book will take your awe to a whole new level and “a walk in the woods will never be the same again”.

Once you’ve enjoyed reading some of these books, why not take a look at our tips for Embracing the Great Outdoors and enjoy our suggestions for Woodland Activities for all the family.

Our Favourite Nature-based Books