BOOK NOOK
Curating a climate-friendly bookshelf
With September’s focus on sustainability and building the climate activists of the future, we share a selection of books to get you on track
There’s no escaping the fact that the world and its climate are changing – and that there are even more drastic changes ahead.
Children are more aware of this emergency than ever before, with many young activists at the helm of fighting for climate protection by aiming to alter human behaviour and opinion – from Greta Thunberg to the armies of young litter pickers.
As crucial as it is to educate and induct children into climate conversations, knowing the right language to use can be tricky. ‘Eco anxiety’ has risen in recent years, with children seeing and hearing more about the perils the environment faces each day. This is why finding the right words, stories and perspectives is important: to boost their drive to help save the planet by building understanding of the issues we face, suggest actions, and offer hope.
Look After Us by Rod Campbell
The Last Tree by Emily Haworth-Booth
The Lorax by Dr. Seuss
When The Bees Buzzed Off! by Lula Bell and Stephen Bennett
Clean Up! by Nathan Bryon and Dapo Adeola
Meet The Oceans by Caryl Hart and Bethan Woollvin
Fish by Brendan Kearney
Eco Baby: Oceans by Lorna Freytag
Little Explorers: In The Rainforest by Little Explorers
Noa and the Little Elephant by Michael Foreman
Tidy by Emily Gravett
A Song of Gladness by Michael Morpurgo and Emily Gravett
Tiny Crab is a Tidy Crab by Paula Bowles
Can We Really Help the Polar Bears? by Katie Daynes
Somebody Swallowed Stanley by Sarah Roberts and Hannah Peck
There’s A Rang-tan In My Bedroom by James Sellick and Frann Preston-Gannon
Wild Wild Wood by Anna Kemp and Natelle Quek
Charlie and Lola: Look After Your Planet by Lauren Child
Please note that each of these books has a varied suggested age range that balances interest with reading age; in some cases, sharing the books and stories together is better for understanding. While some of the text may be too grown up, each has lots of images that are age-appropriate, and content can be adapted to make it more suitable to share with the children at your setting!