This study identified the number of natural environment picturebooks read by young children in Chinese and Korean picturebook libraries and analyzed their content from an ecocritical perspective. The findings indicate that, first, although the number of natural environment picturebooks read by children is higher in Korea than in China, in both countries, these books make up a small proportion of all books read. Second, the covers and endpapers of these picturebooks concisely represent the stories, stimulating children's curiosity. Additionally, the analysis using the chronotope showed that natural environment picturebooks enabled children to experience changes in time while emotionally empathizing with the protagonists. This study reveals that natural environment picturebooks read by young children in China and Korea provide cognitive and emotional content but lack in actionable content. Therefore, parental, educational, and societal support is necessary to enhance children's practices in environmental conservation.