A Booklist of Engaging Stories That Teach Kids About Recycling, Conservation, and Taking Action
The Children’s Book Review
According to the UN #YouthStats Report, over 47% of young people are concerned about environmental issues and want the information and resources to take action themselves. That makes books that not only provide information but also guidance on and opportunities for making a difference invaluable.
Today, there are fantastic picture books for even the youngest readers, introducing concepts like recycling, conservation, organic food, and species extinction through innovative publishing designs and engaging stories. Dodos Are Not Extinct, The Extraordinary Book that Eats Itself, and Captain Green and the Tree Machine are three fantastic examples.
Written and Illustrated by Paddy Donnelly
Ages: 4-8 | 40 Pages
Publisher: Yeehoo Press (2022) | ISBN: 978-1-953458-20-9
What to Expect: Science, history, humor, extinction, interactive
Dodos Are Not Extinct is a playful introduction to several of the most well-known extinct species, including dodos, woolly mammoths, Tasmanian tigers, and passenger pigeons. By suggesting that these animals may still be around, blending in with the other animals, the book encourages readers to look closely at the colorful and texture-rich illustrations, recognizing evolutionary similarities as they spot the hiding creatures. An information page at the end of the book tells the story of these extinctions, many of which were caused by human hunting and habitat destruction. Fun to read, the book nevertheless gently teaches readers about the necessity of noticing and treasuring the unique creatures around us.
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Written by Susan Hayes and Penny Arlan
Illustrated by Pintachan
Ages: 6-10 | 64 Pages
Publisher: Earthaware Kids (2021) | ISBN: 978-1681885476
What to Expect: Science, environmentalism, conservation, interactive
The Extraordinary Book That Eats Itself is a treasure trove of projects that recycle the very pages they are printed on (using responsibly sources materials and vegetable inks). The eco-friendly projects, such as making a planter box or planning a plastic-free day, are not only fun ways to get kids out into nature and the community, but also valuable lessons on sustainability in action.
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Written by Evelyn Brooks
Illustrated by Danny Deeptown
Ages: 4-6 | 32 Pages
Publisher: Marshall Cavendish (2020) | ISBN: 978-981-48-9320-6
What to Expect: Science, environmentalism, conservation, superheroes
Last but not least, Captain Green and the Tree Machine takes a superhero stance on saving the planet. As readers follow the titular superhero’s adventures planting trees around the world, they’ll learn about the important role trees play in sustaining wildlife by providing food and habitats, as well as how easily trees and forests can be damaged. The story explores the theme of working together to tackle big problems, and an information page at the end of the book provides suggestions for how readers can be green super heroes themselves.
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The Three Picture Books on Sustainability was curated by Dr. Jen Harrison. Discover more books like these titles by following along with our reviews and articles tagged with Science, Environmental, Humor, History, Interactive, and Superheros.
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