Best Picture Books About Trees (2026): 8 Compared

A child who stops under every big tree on the walk home is ready for the best picture books about trees. This list is for parents, teachers and gift-givers buying for young nature lovers. We compared eight tree books using only the figures their listings publish: reading age, grade level, page count and publication date.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Tell Me, Tree by Gibbons	9.8/10	Buy on Amazon
2	A Tree Grows Up by Delano	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	Tall Tall Tree by Fredericks	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Trees, Leaves & Seeds by DK	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
5	Wise Trees by Cook	9.3/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Tell Me, Tree by Gibbons

Gail Gibbons·9.8/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Suits readers 4 to 8 wanting a nonfiction picture book about how trees work.

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Pros

• Reading age 4 - 8 years and grade level Preschool - 3 stated
• Explains photosynthesis and includes a tree-identification activity
• 32 pages from Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Cons

• 2002 edition
• Guide format suits learning, not bedtime reading
• No series stated

2

A Tree Grows Up by Delano

Marfe Ferguson Delano·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Suits ages 3 to 5 wanting a photographed acorn-to-oak story.

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Pros

• Reading age 3 - 5 years and grade level Preschool - Kindergarten stated
• Photographed acorn-to-oak story
• 32 pages from National Geographic Kids

Cons

• Only 32 pages
• Acorn-to-oak focus only
• No backmatter activities stated

3

Tall Tall Tree by Fredericks

Anthony D. Fredericks·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Suits young readers wanting a rhyming counting book about redwood habitats.

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Pros

• Rhyming counting format with redwood habitat facts
• Backmatter with STEAM activities and an explore-more section
• Grade level Preschool - 3 stated

Cons

• Reading age marked as from customers
• Redwood-only focus
• No series stated

4

Trees, Leaves & Seeds by DK

DK·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 192-page visual plant encyclopedia with more than 1,000 images for children curious about how plants grow, eat and survive.

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Pros

• More than 1,000 images, diagrams and infographic text boxes
• At-a-glance panels give quick stat references for each plant
• Covers the plant kingdom from the smallest seeds to the tallest trees

Cons

• Reading age 5+ is marked as from customers, while the description says ages 9 to 12
• Published September 3, 2019, the earliest publication date of the five picks
• Plant-only scope leaves out animals, weather and Earth science

5

Wise Trees by Cook

Diane Cook·9.3/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Suits adults wanting a photography book of historic trees.

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Pros

• 192 pages of color photography of historic trees
• Illustrated edition from Abrams Books
• Tree stories span five continents and 59 sites

Cons

• Aimed at adults, not young children, per the description
• No reading age or grade level stated
• Long length suits browsing, not a short bedtime read

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More picks to compare

• Picture a Tree by ReidSuits young readers wanting a 32-page seasonal tree book in paperback.Check on Amazon
• Trees! by AicherSuits readers 5 to 9 wanting tree facts with real-life photographs.Check on Amazon
• A Family of Trees by ThomasSuits ages 2 to 4 wanting a fold-out forest board book.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 22 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for a young reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or grade level. Three picks list a reading age and a grade level, though the Tall Tall Tree age is marked as from customers; the other two state neither.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best picture books about trees

Match the reading age to the child

Reading ages here run 1 – 5 years to 4 – 8 years: Tell Me, Tree lists 4 – 8 years with grade level Preschool – 3. Use the listed figures as a starting point; our picture books shelf has more lists by age.

Story or nonfiction

Some picks tell a story and some teach facts: A Tree Grows Up follows an acorn becoming an oak, while Tell Me, Tree explains photosynthesis. Tall Tall Tree mixes both with rhyming counting text and STEAM activities; fact lovers can also try our picture books about gardening list.

Before you buy

• Check the edition year: Tell Me, Tree is the 2002 edition, the oldest here.
• Confirm the reading age and grade level; the Tall Tall Tree age is marked as from customers.
• The DK listing states no page count or reading age.

Frequently Asked Questions

What age are these tree picture books for?

Reading ages run 1 – 5 years to 4 – 8 years; match the listed age and grade level to the child.

Which book teaches how trees grow?

A Tree Grows Up follows an acorn becoming an oak; Tell Me, Tree explains photosynthesis and tree identification.

Are any of these books part of a series?

No listing states a series position or name; each is standalone.

Still deciding? Our top pickTell Me, Tree by Gibbons

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Related lists

See every picture books list and all kids and teens lists.

More lists: browse picture books about farms, picture books about gardening and picture books about dragons.