Best Rainforest Books for Kids, As Chosen by Educators (2025)

Table of Contents
Rainforest books to read aloud: 1. Secrets of the Rainforest by Carron Brown 2. Yara’s Tamari Tree by Yossi Lapid 3. Sloths Don’t Run by Tori McGee 4. Way up High in a Tall Green Tree by Jan Peck 5. A Is for Anaconda: A Rainforest Alphabet by Anthony D. Fredericks 6. Tree of Wonder: The Many Marvelous Lives of a Rainforest Tree by Kate Messner 7. Amazon Rainforest: A Guide in Rhyme by Eve Heidi Bine-Stock 8. We’re Roaming the Rainforest by Laurie Krebs 9. The Great Kapok Tree by Lynne Cherry 10. If I Ran the Rainforest: All About Tropical Rain Forest by Bonnie Worth 11. Don’t Let Them Disappear by Chelsea Clinton Rainforest books to use for research: 12. Animals of the Rainforest by Dana Sadan 13. The Amazon Rainforest: Animal Facts & Photos by KC Adams 14. Animals of the Rainforest: Wildlife of the Jungle by Baby Professor 15. 3D Explorer: Rainforest by Joe Fullman 16. The Amazon by DK Eyewitness Books 17. A–Z Amazing Animals of the Amazon Rainforest of South America by Mindy Sawyer 18. Who Am I? Rainforest Animals by Read With You 19. Step into the Rainforest by Howard Rice 20. Real-Life Monsters: Creatures of the Rainforest by Matthew Rake 21. 21 Strange Animals That Live in the Rainforest by Selena Dale 22. Animal Babies in Rain Forests by Kingfisher Books 23. Magic Tree House Fact Tracker: Rain Forests by Mary Pope Osborne 24. Rainforest Animal Adaptations by Lisa J. Amstutz 25. A Rainforest Habitat by Molly Aloian Books about rainforest mammals: 26. Howler Monkey ( A Day in the Life: Rain Forest Animals)by Anita Ganeri 27. Amazing Animals: Jaguars by Valerie Bodden 28. Cats of the Wild: Ocelots by Henry Randall 29. Sloths by Josh Gregory 30. Capybara: Fun Facts & Cool Pictures by Flavio Gonzales 31. Spider Monkeys by Vicky Franchino 32. Anteater by Cindy Matheson 33. Kinkajous by Rachel Lynette Books about birds of the rainforest: 34. Exploring Nature: Parrots & Rainforest Birds by Tom Jackson 35. Toucan by Rob Ryndak 36. Quetzals and Other Latin American Birds by Zella Williams 37. Macaw by Anita Ganeri 38. Harpy Eagle by Ellen Lawrence References

Rainforest books are often some of the first to be pulled off my classroom shelf. Students love learning about rainforests and the animals that live in them. They’re fun to teach about too! Rainforests are among the world’s oldest living ecosystems. And though they only cover roughly 6 percent of the earth’s surface, they contain over half of the world’s plant and animal species!

Here are 49 rainforest books to help you introduce your students to the beauty and powerful diversity of this amazing region of the world.

Just a heads up, WeAreTeachers may receive a small commission when you purchase through our links, at no cost to you. All books are selected by our editorial team.

Rainforest books to read aloud:

1. Secrets of the Rainforest

by Carron Brown

Best Rainforest Books for Kids, As Chosen by Educators (1)

This story is a wonderful introduction to the environment of the rainforest. With its bold colorful artwork and “see-through” pages, it’s a great way to kick-start a unit.

2. Yara’s Tamari Tree by Yossi Lapid

Best Rainforest Books for Kids, As Chosen by Educators (2)

Yara loves her beautiful rainforest home. When she becomes ill, her mother finds a cure from the tawari tree. This story drives home the point that humans need the rainforest as much as the rainforest needs them.

3. Sloths Don’t Run by Tori McGee

Best Rainforest Books for Kids, As Chosen by Educators (3)

A story of friendship and courage unfolds as two rainforest creatures embark on an unlikely adventure—running The Great Rainforest Race.

4. Way up High in a Tall Green Tree by Jan Peck

Best Rainforest Books for Kids, As Chosen by Educators (4)

The main character of this sweet story wishes good morning to all the creatures of the rainforest as she climbs a tall, tall tree. “See you later!” she says. As night falls, she climbs back down and wishes them all good night.

5. A Is for Anaconda: A Rainforest Alphabet by Anthony D. Fredericks

Best Rainforest Books for Kids, As Chosen by Educators (5)

This alphabet book showcases the wonders of the rapidly diminishing rainforest in hopes of inspiring a new generation of readers toward conservation.

6. Tree of Wonder: The Many Marvelous Lives of a Rainforest Tree by Kate Messner

Best Rainforest Books for Kids, As Chosen by Educators (6)

From macaws and toucans to vipers, bats, and howler monkeys, this gorgeous story introduces kids to the almendro tree, home to more than 1000 organisms.

7. Amazon Rainforest: A Guide in Rhyme by Eve Heidi Bine-Stock

Best Rainforest Books for Kids, As Chosen by Educators (7)

The rainforest is filled with fascinating flora and fauna. Explore a sampling in this colorful rhyming story.

8. We’re Roaming the Rainforest by Laurie Krebs

ADVERTISEMENT

Best Rainforest Books for Kids, As Chosen by Educators (8)

Three friends embark on a day-long journey through the rainforest. Along the way the friends encounter many exotic creatures in their native habitat.

9. The Great Kapok Tree by Lynne Cherry

Best Rainforest Books for Kids, As Chosen by Educators (9)

Lynne Cherry wrote her intricately illustrated cautionary tale to “let the world know what happens to the rainforest creatures and the entire planet when rainforests are destroyed.”

10. If I Ran the Rainforest: All About Tropical Rain Forest by Bonnie Worth

Best Rainforest Books for Kids, As Chosen by Educators (10)

The Cat in the Hat takes two little friends on a tour through the layers of the rainforest and introduces them to the fascinating plants, animals, and people within.

11. Don’t Let Them Disappear by Chelsea Clinton

Best Rainforest Books for Kids, As Chosen by Educators (11)

This new book by Chelsea Clinton introduces kids to some of the world’s most endangered animals, sharing what makes them special and also what threatens them.

Rainforest books to use for research:

12. Animals of the Rainforest by Dana Sadan

Best Rainforest Books for Kids, As Chosen by Educators (12)

Come along with Reading Rocks and “visit the steamy jungles and soaring canopy of the rain forest and meet some of Earth’s most amazing creatures!”

13. The Amazon Rainforest: Animal Facts & Photos by KC Adams

Best Rainforest Books for Kids, As Chosen by Educators (13)

Get to know some of the “beautiful, bizarre and dangerous critters” of the Amazon rainforest.

14. Animals of the Rainforest: Wildlife of the Jungle by Baby Professor

Best Rainforest Books for Kids, As Chosen by Educators (14)

From strange amphibians to fascinating primates and colorful birds, your students will marvel at the diversity of life in the rainforest.

15. 3D Explorer: Rainforest by Joe Fullman

Best Rainforest Books for Kids, As Chosen by Educators (15)

Explore the beauty of the rainforest with the spectacular photos and 3-D scenes in this engaging book.

16. The Amazon by DK Eyewitness Books

Best Rainforest Books for Kids, As Chosen by Educators (16)

A perennial favorite of fact-loving kids everywhere, DK presents this beautifully illustrated profile of one of the most biodiverse ecosystems in the world.

17. A–Z Amazing Animals of the Amazon Rainforest of South America by Mindy Sawyer

Best Rainforest Books for Kids, As Chosen by Educators (17)

Did you know the rainforest is home to a three-eyed lizard, a fish that barks, and a bird with an umbrella on its head? This book showcases some of the most amazing and bizarre creatures of the rainforest—from A to Z.

18. Who Am I? Rainforest Animals by Read With You

Best Rainforest Books for Kids, As Chosen by Educators (18)

Published by the Read With You Center for Language Research and Development, this book encourages kids to get curious about the world around them with fun facts and photos about the animals of the rainforest.

19. Step into the Rainforest by Howard Rice

Best Rainforest Books for Kids, As Chosen by Educators (19)

This TIME for Kids informational text explores the lush rainforest of the world, using maps, charts, and incredible photographs.

20. Real-Life Monsters: Creatures of the Rainforest by Matthew Rake

Best Rainforest Books for Kids, As Chosen by Educators (20)

Take a closer look at some of the strange and fascinating creatures of the rainforest. With chapter titles like “Pure Poison,” “Hairy Horror,” and “Totally Toxic,” your students will be absolutely mesmerized.

21. 21 Strange Animals That Live in the Rainforest by Selena Dale

Best Rainforest Books for Kids, As Chosen by Educators (21)

“The world is filled with glorious, beautiful and sometimes weird creatures.” So begins this in-depth look at the diversity of life in the rainforest.

22. Animal Babies in Rain Forests by Kingfisher Books

Best Rainforest Books for Kids, As Chosen by Educators (22)

This adorable book for young readers looks at some the cutest, cuddliest creatures of the rainforest.

23. Magic Tree House Fact Tracker: Rain Forests by Mary Pope Osborne

Best Rainforest Books for Kids, As Chosen by Educators (23)

After their Afternoon on the Amazon, main characters Jack and Annie return home and do some serious research about all they’ve seen.

24. Rainforest Animal Adaptations by Lisa J. Amstutz

Best Rainforest Books for Kids, As Chosen by Educators (24)

Discover how animals not only survive but thrive in the extreme environment of the rainforest.

25. A Rainforest Habitat by Molly Aloian

Best Rainforest Books for Kids, As Chosen by Educators (25)

A habitat is a place where organisms make their home. Discover what makes the habitat of the rainforest unique.

Books about rainforest mammals:

26. Howler Monkey ( A Day in the Life: Rain Forest Animals)by Anita Ganeri

Best Rainforest Books for Kids, As Chosen by Educators (26)

Follow this fascinating creature as it swings from branch to branch under the rainforest canopy, yelling its distinctive cry.

27. Amazing Animals: Jaguars by Valerie Bodden

Best Rainforest Books for Kids, As Chosen by Educators (27)

From the popular Amazing Animals series, this title explores the enigmatic jaguar.

28. Cats of the Wild: Ocelots by Henry Randall

Best Rainforest Books for Kids, As Chosen by Educators (28)

These powerful hunters are about twice the size of an average house cat but live a very different life.

29. Sloths by Josh Gregory

Best Rainforest Books for Kids, As Chosen by Educators (29)

The Nature’s Children series teaches children about some of the most fascinating creatures on Earth. Follow along as we learn about the charming sloth, from its birth to adulthood.

30. Capybara: Fun Facts & Cool Pictures by Flavio Gonzales

Best Rainforest Books for Kids, As Chosen by Educators (30)

Is it a beaver without a tail? A hairy pig without a snout? No, it’s a capybara, the largest rodent in the world!

31. Spider Monkeys by Vicky Franchino

Best Rainforest Books for Kids, As Chosen by Educators (31)

Students will learn all about these fascinating monkeys, with their long skinny limbs, from what they eat and how they socialize to how they are related to other primates.

32. Anteater by Cindy Matheson

Best Rainforest Books for Kids, As Chosen by Educators (32)

A close relative to the sloth, anteaters spend their days searching out ants and termites in the rainforest.

33. Kinkajous by Rachel Lynette

Best Rainforest Books for Kids, As Chosen by Educators (33)

Learn more about this adorable relative of the raccoon, with big round eyes and a long, powerful tail.

Books about birds of the rainforest:

34. Exploring Nature: Parrots & Rainforest Birds by Tom Jackson

Best Rainforest Books for Kids, As Chosen by Educators (34)

Did you know there are more than 1500 species of birds in the Amazon rainforest basin? Filled with engaging facts and stunning photographs, this book explores many of them.

35. Toucan by Rob Ryndak

Best Rainforest Books for Kids, As Chosen by Educators (35)

Learn all about one of the most widely recognized birds of the rainforest.

36. Quetzals and Other Latin American Birds by Zella Williams

Best Rainforest Books for Kids, As Chosen by Educators (36)

This resplendent bird, treasured for its beautiful feathers, holds a revered place in Mayan history. Learn all about the quetzal and some of its relatives.

37. Macaw by Anita Ganeri

Best Rainforest Books for Kids, As Chosen by Educators (37)

Learn all about the colorful macaw—from how its bright colors help it survive to all the details about how it thrives in the rainforest.

38. Harpy Eagle by Ellen Lawrence

Best Rainforest Books for Kids, As Chosen by Educators (38)

This giant predator hunts from the tops of trees, taking down everything from small rodents to monkeys.

This book, published by the World Wildlife Fund, is packed with 48 pages full of facts and photographs of reptiles and amphibians of the rainforest.

This colorful frog is loaded with lethal poison that it uses to protect itself in a world of predators.

The semiaquatic anaconda (also called the water boa) is one of the largest snakes that inhabit the rainforest.

This powerful predator lurks in the muddy waters of the Amazon, pouncing on unsuspecting prey as they come to the water’s edge.

Did you know that the powerful boa constrictor gives birth to live babies, who slither away independently within minutes of birth? Get a close-up look at this fascinating reptile in this title by Bumba Books.

Learn more about the appearance, daily life, and habitat of the highly recognizable red-eyed tree frog.

Dr. James L. Castner is a tropical biologist, entomologist, biological photographer, and educator. In this book, he examines the insects of the Amazon.

From the large blue morpho to the tiny glasswing, this engaging guide provides close-up photographs and myriad facts about the butterflies of the rainforest.

Costa Rica is famous for its incredible diversity of plants and animals, including an astounding variety of creatures that are only active at night, like moths. This book examines the diversity of the species with their “peculiarly shaped wings, striking patterns, impressive antennae and fabulous colors.”

The Goliath beetle is the heaviest insect in the world—sometimes coming in at over 4 inches and weighing over 100 grams! This title provides all the super-size facts.

Equipped with armored bodies and razor-sharp jaws, army ants are among the most sophisticated insects in the rainforest. Get all the facts, including how army ants work together to build nests and bridges.

Do your students love learning about the rainforest and the animals that live there? Check out this collection of our favorite rainforest-animal-habitat resources.

Best Rainforest Books for Kids, As Chosen by Educators (2025)

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Ms. Lucile Johns

Last Updated:

Views: 5467

Rating: 4 / 5 (41 voted)

Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Ms. Lucile Johns

Birthday: 1999-11-16

Address: Suite 237 56046 Walsh Coves, West Enid, VT 46557

Phone: +59115435987187

Job: Education Supervisor

Hobby: Genealogy, Stone skipping, Skydiving, Nordic skating, Couponing, Coloring, Gardening

Introduction: My name is Ms. Lucile Johns, I am a successful, friendly, friendly, homely, adventurous, handsome, delightful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.