While the main idea for this list to to provide kid-friendly books that help kids learn about these sometimes complex topics, I am not above admitting that when I am trying to understand a topic I will often start at the kid level to grasp the concept before a full deep dive into a topic.
Dark Skies/Astronomy
- Bright Sky, Starry City
- By: Uma Krishnaswami
- Source: Dark Skies International
- Cassandra and the Night Sky
- By: Amy Jackson
- Source: Dark Skies International
- Dark Matters: Nature’s Reaction to Light Pollution
- By: Joan Marie Galat
- Source: Dark Skies International
- Follow the Moon Home: A Tale of One Idea, Twenty Kids, and a Hundred Sea Turtles
- By: Phillippe Cousteau and Deborah Hopkinson
- Source: Dark Skies International
- Jacob Starke Loves the Dark
- By: Petra Rainford
- Source: Dark Skies International
- Lights Out
- By: Marsha Diane Arnold
- Source: Dark Skies International
- Nature at Night: Discover the Hidden World That Comes Alive After Dark
- By: Charles Hood
- Source: Austin Public Library
- Sophie’s Night Sky Adventure
- By: Jonathan Poppele
- Source: Dark Skies International
- The Stars Just Up the Street
- By: Sue Soltis
- Source: Dark Skies International
- There Once Was a Sky Full of Stars
- By: Bob Crelin
- Source: Dark Skies International
- What if Night?
- By: Paul Bogard
- Source: Dark Skies International
- Who Loves the Dark?
- By: Sheri Phillabaum
- Source: Dark Skies International
Entomology / Insects
- Insect Anatomy: The Curious World of Bees, Beetles, Butterflies, and Bugs
- By: Julia Rothman
- Source: Amazon Suggested Reading
Experiments / STEM
- Experiment with Outdoor Science: Fun projects to try at home (STEAM Ahead)
- By: Nick Arnold (Author), Giulia Zoavo (Illustrator)
- Source: Amazon Suggested Reading
- Nature School: Lessons and Activities to Inspire Children’s Love for Everything Wild (Kid Friendly)
- By: Lauren Giordano (Author), Stephanie Hathaway (Author), Laura Stroup (Author)
- Source: Amazon Suggested Reading
Mammals
- Spectacular Spots / Magníficas manchas
- By: Susan Stockdale
- Source: Amazon Suggested Reading
- Stripes of All Types / Rayas de todas las tallas
- By: Susan Stockdale
- Source: Amazon Suggested Reading
Nature
- Junior Wildlife Rescuer Activity Book: Over 40 Animal Puzzles, Games, and Crafts for Ages 6-12
- By: Mariya Prytula
- Source: Austin Wildlife Rescue
- Nature Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of the Natural World
- By: Julia Rothman
- Source: Amazon Suggested Reading
- Nature Anatomy Notebook: A Place to Track and Draw Your Daily Observations
- By: Julia Rothman
- Source: Amazon Suggested Reading
- Nature’s Paintbrush: The Patterns and Colors Around You
- By: Susan Stockdale
- Source: Amazon Suggested Reading
Oceans
- Don’t Eat the Cleaners!: Tiny Fish with a Big Job
- By: Susan Stockdale
- Source: Amazon Suggested Reading
- Ocean Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of the World Under the Sea
- By: Julia Rothman
- Source: Amazon Suggested Reading
Ornithology / Birds
- GREAT HORNED OWL FACTS: Everything You Didn’t Know About the Great Horned Owl
- By: Raymond Jack Tyler
- Source: Amazon Suggested Reading
- Tiger With Wings: The Great Horned Owl
- By: Barbara Juster Esbensen
- Source: Austin Public Library
Plants
- Fantastic Flowers
- By: Susan Stockdale
- Source: Amazon Suggested Reading
Urban Ecology
- Chasing Bats and Tracking Rats
- By: Cylita Guy PhD
- Source: Austin Public Library
Sources
- Amazon Suggested Reading. I will always try to shop at a local bookstore first, but sometimes the recommendations that come out of Amazon and GoodReads can assist you in finding books you would not have otherwise seen based on your reading history.
- Austin Public Library I feel like we are very lucky in Austin as the library curates some amazing book lists. Don’t forget to browse when you’re in checking out other books or attending an event.
- Austin Wildlife Rescue This non-profit takes care of wildlife in need of help in central Texas. In 2025 they took care of more than 10,000 animals with a mission to rescue and then release those animals back into the wild.
- Dark Skies International This organization is dedicated to fighting light pollution in order to help us fully experience the nighttime hours. They work to ensure that we are creating a safe environment for the plants, animals (including humans), and insects that share the night.
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