The benefits of reading to children are widespread. Reading aloud improves vocabulary, reduces stress, and improves memory and attention span, to name a few. 

As a homeschool mom who thrives in nature and spending time outdoors with my family, these are some of my favorite books to read aloud to children. I created this book list as a springboard for finding new books that spark the imagination of your family and reinforce the elements you love about being outdoors and in nature.

Read about some of my favorite books below and grab the complete booklist of nature read-aloud books for kids at the link below.

In this blog post:

• Read-aloud in our homeschool
• Favorite read-aloud books for nature lovers [Free book list]
• Exploring literature with Treehouse Book Club

Read-aloud in our homeschool

In my homeschool, I have always emphasized reading aloud from a young age. In my family, reading aloud with my children has nurtured a strong family bond, created a love for learning, and allowed us to spend time deep in literature. This started with picture books when my children were small and grew gradually to include more advanced reading and chapter books we now read with all of my children together. We love reading great books together and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

In our homeschool, we have done read-alouds at different points in our daily rhythm over the years. We have done this during Morning Time as part of a curriculum like Treehouse Nature Study.

I have snuggled with my little ones during “Milk and Coffee Hour” where we get a pile of our favorite books and read through them one by one. These days I am reading aloud over lunch on our back porch with our chapter book from Treehouse Book Club. Reading out loud is a foundational part of our learning that has ushered in so many benefits over the years.

Related: How to Develop a Love of Literature in Your Home

Favorite read-aloud books for nature lovers [Free book list]

These are some of my favorite books to read aloud to kids. I love these stories because of the adventure themes and nature woven through these stories. Many of these titles are geared for children ages 4th-8th grade but can be enjoyed by the whole family as read aloud. Some books may contain more mature themes, so I recommend researching each book to ensure it is a good fit for your family.

The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare

The Sign of the Beaver is a children’s historical novel that follows 13-year-old Matt Hallowell, an 18th-century American settler in Maine. After he and his father build a log cabin in the wilderness, Matt goes on many adventures as he is left alone to guard the cabin when his father leaves to retrieve the rest of their family. 

While guarding the cabin, Matt learns how to survive in the wilderness with help from an Indian chief’s grandson, Attean, and his family. As Matt questions whether or not his father will return, he is invited to join the Beaver tribe and move north. 

My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George

My Side of the Mountain is an adventure story about 12-year-old Sam Gribley’s survival in the Catskill Mountains when he leaves his family and their cramped New York City apartment to seek a quieter life. Along the way, Sam learns how to build fires, forage for food, and catch fish as he seeks independence in the woods. 

This book is the first of a five-book series.

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

The Secret Garden is a classic story about Mary Lennox, an only child who becomes orphaned and is forced to move to live under the care of her uncle in northern England. At her uncle’s country home, Misselthwaite Manor, Mary is forced to confront her attitude about life as she makes friends in and around the home. 

Mary learns about a walled garden on the property that has been locked away after a tragedy that occurred in the past. Following her curiosity, she finds her way into the garden and begins to tend to it with the help of her new friends. Along the way, she brings new life to the garden and to those around her. 

Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell

Island of the Blue Dolphins is a historical fiction story about Karana and the turn her life takes when hunters land on her peaceful island and she are forced to leave her village and start over. As the story unfolds, Karana is left on the island as she works to rebuild her home and survive as she faces wild dogs, forages for food, and reunites with her people.

The story is inspired by the true story of the Lone Woman of San Nicolas, who lived during the 1800s. The novel won a Newbery Medal and explores themes of survival, nature, and friendship.

The Cay by Theodore Taylor

 

The Cay is set in World War II and follows 11-year-old Phillip as he learns to survive on a small Caribbean island with the help of an older Black man named Timothy. The novel is about survival, but it is also about unlearning racism. 

 

Phillip and his mother are on a voyage to the United States when their boat is hit by a German missile. Phillip wakes up on a raft at sea with Timothy and is forced to confront his attitude on racism as they work together to survive. The two make their way to an island and learn from each other as they build shelter, gather food, fight off sickness, and more.

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

 

 

Hatchet, a Newbery Award-winning novel, is the story of 13-year-old Brian Robeson and the twist his story takes when he boards a plane to visit his father in Canada. On the flight, the pilot suffers a heart attack and Brian is forced to crash-land the plane. Surviving the plane crash is the first of many challenges Brian will face along the way as he tries to survive in the Canadian wilderness. 

The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame

 

 

The Wind in the Willows is a book for young readers that follows Mole, Rat, and Badger in the woodlands where they live. The animals go boating, picnic, and play throughout the seasons as they encounter one obstacle after another. The stories explore themes of home versus nature, friendship versus ego, and the joy of nature.

To view these titles and more, download the FREE nature read-alouds book list below. 

Download 20 read-alouds for nature lovers complete book list here. [FREE Download]

Exploring literature with Treehouse Book Club

If you love these titles, you will love Treehouse Book Club. Treehouse Book Club is a monthly book club membership designed for families with children ages 6-12. Dive deep into living literature in your homeschool connecting themes to science, nature, geography, history, and language arts. 

The heart of Treehouse Book Club is to bring literature to life with family and community, and let literature be the launching point of discovery, wonder, friendship, inspiration, and a rich education.

Each book offers a four-week study for in-home use and a Book Club Meet-Up Guide. Each week children will compile unfamiliar words in an Illustrated Dictionary, complete a robust Book Report to record their favorite characters, write a book review, copy favorite quotes, and more. There are opportunities for copywork, author study, exploring writing styles, and completing individual creative writing. They will explore themes in history, geography, science, and nature as they read the stories and awaken curiosity and wonder. Learn more about Treehouse Book Club here.

Related: Introducing Treehouse Book Club

Will you read any of these books with your family? Let me know in the comments below.