Nature Books for 2nd Graders
Literacy changes lives, and we’re dedicated to making quality books accessible to every young reader. Discover nature children’s books designed for 2nd graders ages 6-7. These outdoor picture books feature forests, oceans, wildlife, and environmental discoveries that foster appreciation for the natural world while building reading skills.
In the Deep
Anika wants to explore the sea, but she’s a little scared. With encouragement from her mum, she takes a deep breath and ducks her head underwater. What begins as a nervous first try soon becomes an incredible adventure! She discovers floating algae, a baby turtle, and even a flying fish. When she finds a colorful reef full of amazing creatures, Anika can hardly believe her eyes. What other surprises are waiting for her in the deep?
Make it Rain
Kaa lives in a dry land where nothing grows. His special job is to walk from place to place, singing songs to call the clouds and rain. One day, he hears a mysterious thumping sound behind him. When he turns around, he discovers a dinosaur who loves his music! Together, they sing to the sky. Will their song be powerful enough to bring the rain and change their dry land forever?
The Lost Bee
Bella, a clever princess bee, ventures into the forest to gather nectar for the queen’s special elixir. But when she spots an enormous purple flower high above, she decides to go alone—ignoring her helpers’ safety in numbers. What dangers await Bella in the mysterious flower, and will she learn that friendship and teamwork matter more than doing things alone?
There Are Ants!
Discover the fascinating world of ants in this exciting exploration! Watch as tiny ants work together, communicate with each other, and accomplish amazing feats. How do these small creatures organize themselves and find their way around? Join in as we observe their incredible teamwork and problem-solving abilities up close!
Ned, King of the Bees
Ned discovers a bee and becomes curious about where it lives. Following the bee to a hidden hive in a tree, Ned learns that bees make delicious honey. But how can Ned get the honey without making the bees angry? Join Ned on an exciting adventure to uncover the secrets of the hive and discover what it means to be a good neighbor to nature.
Yum!
It’s mango season on the farm, and there’s so much work to do! The family must climb tall trees, pick ripe fruit, and race against time before the insects get there first. Gran watches from below while everyone works together under the hot sun. But picking is just the beginning—what happens when the baskets are full and it’s time to head to market? Will they trade their mangoes for something special?
Flower Hunt
Beth the little bird is on a special mission to find the perfect flower for her mother’s beautiful nest. Along the way, she meets ladybugs, butterflies, fuzzy bugs, bees, spiders, and fireflies—each with their own ideas about which flower is best. What makes a flower perfect for a nest? Join Beth as she discovers the answer through her garden adventure!
In the Sky
Have you ever seen shapes in the clouds? Join children as they spot a man dancing in the sky, and watch as the clouds transform into an amazing show! What happens when the cloud performers invite everyone to join in the fun? Discover the magic that happens when you look up and let your imagination soar.
Let's Bee Friends
Zom the zombie is tired of hanging out with other zombies. When he discovers a bustling beehive full of busy bees, he’s thrilled! But things don’t go as planned when he gets too curious. Will Zom find a way to become friends with the bees, or will they keep their distance?
No Pals
Tiger likes being alone and doesn’t want any pals. She’s fierce, powerful, and prefers peace and quiet to noisy friends. But when all the animals disappear and Tiger finds herself truly by herself, what will she discover about solitude? Join Tiger on a surprising journey about what it really means to be alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do nature books build background knowledge for 2nd graders?
Nature books for 2nd graders introduce real-world concepts about animals, plants, weather, and ecosystems that become part of a child’s general knowledge base. Scarborough’s Reading Rope (2001) identifies background knowledge as one of the essential strands of skilled reading comprehension, and nature-themed texts are an effective way to build it. On Bookbot, nature picture books for second grade are leveled by phonics patterns like vowel teams and r-controlled vowels, so children expand their knowledge of the world while practicing age-appropriate decoding. To understand how phonics and comprehension work together, see our article on what is phonics.
Can nature stories motivate 2nd graders who prefer being outdoors to reading?
Nature stories for 6 year olds bridge the gap between a child’s love of the outdoors and the world of books by featuring forests, oceans, wildlife, and adventures they can relate to. Stanovich’s (1986) research demonstrates that reading volume is the strongest driver of vocabulary and comprehension growth, so connecting books to a child’s existing interests is one of the best ways to increase how much they read. Bookbot’s nature books for 2nd grade readers are available on the website, with many titles free to read, so families can explore nature-themed stories anytime. For more motivation strategies, see our article on 8 ways to boost reading motivation.
What reading skills do 2nd graders practice with nature picture books?
Nature picture books for second grade help 2nd graders practice decoding multi-syllable words, reading informational text structures, and building domain-specific vocabulary related to science and the environment. Snow, Burns, and Griffin (1998) emphasize that exposure to varied text types, including informational books about nature, strengthens overall reading ability. Bookbot’s nature books for 2nd graders follow a structured phonics scope and sequence so children encounter digraphs, vowel teams, and r-controlled vowels in engaging, content-rich stories.
Are nature books for 2nd graders on Bookbot free to download?
Nature books for 2nd grade readers are available on the Bookbot website, with many titles free to read. A University of Chicago study found that access to a digital library significantly improved literacy skills in young children, and Bookbot makes nature stories for 6 year olds accessible to families.