Signs of climate change seem to be everywhere. Our summers are warmer than ever. Our winters are colder. Hurricanes and wild fires seem more prevalent and ferocious. It is hard to escape little signs of the changing climate wherever we go. For our children, this is an even more necessary topic to understand. They are the ones who will be most impacted as Earth becomes a harsher place to live.
Children’s books about climate change and caring for the environment have exploded in the past decade. Writers and illustrators are broaching this topic in a multitude of child-friendly ways. Explaining climate change, empowering kids to care for their environment, and more. Below is a list of my favorite books for kids about Climate Change and caring for our planet.
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Children’s Books about Climate Change &
Caring for the Environment
Harold the Iceberg Melts Down
by Lisa Wyzlic
illustrated by Rebecca Syracuse
This one wins for one of the best premises I’ve read in a long time. Harold is an iceberg lettuce who worries. When he watches a documentary about icebergs melting he panics thinking he too is melting. This is a funny picture book but also weaves in lessons about handling worrying and ways to be a supportive friend and information about icebergs. I think it’s genius.
Ocean Soup
by Meeg Pincus
illustrated by Lucy Semple
Conservation is a popular topic in children’s books right now (rightfully so) but not all books can really pull you in. Meeg Pincus uses rhyming text and a relatable metaphor to draw in her young audience and speak to their daily lives and choices. Paired with the cheerful illustrations by Lucy Semple, this is a pleasant read aloud with an excellent message. It manages to be both pointed and factual, while retaining an feeling of empowerment and hope.
Crab Cake
by Andrea Tsurumi
The ocean creatures are going about their business when suddenly their home is overrun by trash one night. Faced with overwhelming disaster, they come together. I love the humorous ending to this book that is comical and light, while communicating a strong message.
The Last Zookeeper
by Aaron Becker
Caldecott honor-winning creator Aaron Becker is back with his gorgeous watercolors to sweep us away on another wordless adventure. Flooding has overtaken the world where a robot, named NOA, has been working. He takes it upon himself to save the animals at the nearby abandoned zoo. It a noah’s ark-esque tale with a futuristic twist that remarks on the dramatic weather of our current world and the need for everyone to lend a hand in caring for the natural world. It is as stunning and adventurous as we’ve come to expect from this incredible storyteller.
Scrap Metal Swan: A River Clean Up Story
by Joanne Linden
illustrated by Estrellita Caracol
This is a fun read aloud with rhyming words and lots of action as a community comes together to clean their river and then artists create with the trash. The layered collage artwork by Estrellita Caracol adds lovely texture to the book. Don’t miss the awesome backmatter that includes more about the true story that inspired the book and project ideas for kids.
The Last Tiger: A Story of Hope
by Becky Davies
illustrated by Jennie Poh
Tiger’s story has a gentle tone and feel. It’s about the endangered tiger that is being threatened by deforestation and climate change. It has text that works for a read aloud and makes you feel all the emotions of the tiger. It ends on a note of hope with solid back matter with more info, stats and resources to learn more.
Super Manny Cleans Up!
by Kelly DiPucchio
illustrated by Stephanie Graegin
Manny and Gertie are two best friends with huge imaginations that love to play superhero. They are busy chasing away space alien turtles at the park one day when they see a real call for superheroes. They notice there is trash everywhere and these two superheroes are on it. In all honesty, I found this book just a teensy bit too preachy, but I adored the imaginative play that was infused throughout. The minds of these dear little ones came through in the creative illustrations that played well with the text. I also love the moment when one of the friends stands up and “said the noblest, most important thing she ever could have said. ‘We have to do something.'” That moment won me over. What an empowering message for little kids who will identify so well with these two characters.
Oil
written by Jonah Winter
illustrated by Jeannette Winter
Based on the true events of an oil spill that happened in Alaska in 1977, this book is beautiful and powerful and frightening. I think books like this are needed. Kids need to understand the darkness in the world sometimes and this is described lyrically, wonderfully and appropriately for kids to understand. There is no uplifting joyful lesson at the end and I think that’s okay. It doesn’t read as depressing or scary, but it is a firm example about the dangers of transporting oil and how human impact other life on this planet. Incredibly well written and beautifully illustrated this is a must read story.
Our House Is On Fire: Greta Thunberg’s Call to Save the Planet
by Jeanette Winter
This is Greta Thunberg’s call to save the planet and it’s an inspiring one. If you or your child haven’t yet heard of little Greta from Stockholm prepare to be amazed. Greta’s story is one of how anyone, even a child, can make a huge different in the world. Greta was horrified when she learned about climate change in school and decided she had to do something about it. She decided to go on strike from school on Fridays for climate change and it grew into a movement. I hope this book helps to spread Greta’s message even further because it is one that children need to hear. They need to hear that their voices, their opinions matter. They also need to hear that our planet needs our help and that their generation more than any other right now will be most effected by our decisions today. A powerful nonfiction book for the youngest generation.
When the Sky Glows
by Nell Cross Beckerman
illustrated by David Litchfield
WHEN THE SKY GLOWS An absolutely breathtaking book. On the surface this is a gorgeous picture book with stunning artwork that glows from the page and simple poetic text that is wonderful for reading aloud. Each sentence of the poem that carry us through several pages also refers to a specific kind of sky “glow” and this is described in a few short additional sentences before the poetic language continues. Together they draw connections between weather events and other natural phenomena and then compare them to light pollution in the backmatter. An ingenious structure to communicate a quiet message to the next generation, brilliantly executed.
Planet Power: Explore the World’s Renewable Energy
by Stacy P. Clark & Annalisa Beghelli
There is a ton of information about renewable energy in the lengthy backmatter of this book. The first half is a great intro that would work well for reading aloud. Together this book gives teachers, librarians and families a lot of ways to use this book for exploring renewable energy with kids.
The Tale of the Whale
by Karen Swann
illustrated by Padmacandra
THE TALE OF THE WHALE weaves so many lovely threads together. On the surface it’s a nice story with lyrical language and gentle illustrations that read nicely as a soothing goodnight story. For ocean animal fans, it carries a little boy through a magical journey through the sea where he encounters many ocean creatures. Lastly, the author weaves in a message about the dire situation of ocean pollution. It is a plea to do better and invites the reader to join the cause. It is powerful, but gentle. Poetic, but firm. A great read aloud for a myriad of situations and audiences.
When the Earth Shook
words by Lisa Lucas
pictures by Laurie Stein
Books about helping the environment or taking notice of the devastating effects of climate change seem to pop up every few weeks these days. They are needed. I don’t think there’s a more timely issue or more pressing concern for our children’s generation. This, however, must be the most unique book about the environment I have read yet. It is a mythical framing to help kids understand what is happening to the earth and how they can help. Perfect for an elementary school audience, it is powerful and clear but childlike and empowering. A unique and timely book.
Every Second
by Bruno Gibert
What happens in one second? How many bolts of lightening strike earth? How many text messages are sent? How many babies are born? How many chickens hatch? Books that use numbers like this to help kids grasp the enormity of our world and our actions are powerful. From the seemingly insignificant to the earth changing statistics, this book covers a wide range. I will admit I paused when I opened the book and saw a gun in front of my face. There is a stat about the amount of money invested in humanitarian aid on a page facing the amount spent on arms and weapons. I think stats like that are important but there is a judgement being made there by the author that I can see some people taking issue with. I read this as a revealing book about climate change and the choices we as humans make. I think it was even more powerful because it never states a single opinion, just facts. I believe that better opens the door for conversation and the best books do just that – invite us to discuss and perhaps understand our world a little bit better.
Last: The Story of a White Rhino
by Nicola Davies
The story of endangered animals is told through the eyes of a white rhino. It is based on Sudan, the last male Northern White Rhino. Through his eyes you see how things you used to be, a love for his mother, and what happened when he was captured and brought to the zoo. It personalizes extinction and conservation, but the author delicately balances being honest with being child appropriate. The contrast between the gray modern world and the brilliant colors of how life in the wild is depicted is bold and pointed. A sad, heart filled story that ends on a note of hope.
We Are Water Protectors
by Carole Lindstrom
illustrated by Michaela Goade
Visually stunning is the best way to describe this book. The illustrations are truly breathtaking works of art. This is the story of the Indigenous-led movements throughout North America to protect the Earth’s water from pollution, pipelines, and other harm. It speaks poetically about the importance of water and of protecting it for future generations. A powerful book about modern day Native Americans and their efforts to protect the world’s water that we all share.
One Little Bag: An Amazing Journey
by Henry Cole
A message about reusing things threaded into a darling tale about one paper bag and a beautiful life. A simple, but lovely wordless book that makes you look closely and think about the things you use every day a little differently.
Except Antarctica
by Todd Sturgell
EXCEPT ANTARCTICA! is a laugh out loud funny book. The narrator is stating facts about animals, but the animals on the page have other ideas. What ensues is ridiculous and hilarious. This is cheeky, informative, and fantastic fun to read aloud. At the end the backmatter also includes information about the animals in the book, Antarctica, climate change and ways that the readers can help save our planet. Delightful and still informative – my kids love this one.
Also Read: Antarctica Storytime
The Last Straw
by Susan Hood & Christiane Engel
A collection of poems and information about plastics for kids. This growing issue is well catalogued on these pages with engaging poems, bright visuals and colorful illustrations. There is great wealth and depth of information paired with cheerful, bright illustrations. A wonderful and timely book for kids.
Climate and Weather
by Rosie Cooper
illustrated by Harriet Russell
This book, billed as “the brainiac’s book’ on climate and weather, is not just about climate change. It is an in depth look at a huge range of topics related to both climate and weather. Also included are a range of simple activities and experiments for kids to try. It does address why the Earth is heating up, ways you can help, alternative energies and more that relates to this issue of climate change. Have a mini-meteorologist in your midst? A budding scientist? This is such a fun collection of information about climate and weather.
Climate Action: What Happened and What We Can Do
by Seymour Simon
Seymour Simon has long been known for writing thorough, fact based, interesting nonfiction books for kids. We own several of them in our house, but this is my favorite. This is an excellent book about climate change and what we can do about it, cover to cover. It starts with the title: Climate Action. I love that we’re not just explaining climate change anymore. This isn’t just what happened and how that’s devastating and gosh, we should do something. This is what happened and the action steps we know we need to take. That children can help take to save our planet. This is as informative as it is inspiring.
Plasticus Maritimus: An Invasive Species
by Ana Pego
This book from Greystone Kids is an impressive, engaging and informative book about plastics in our oceans. It is written like a field guide, introducing you to the “species” of plastic. It has interesting facts, great examples and encouraging information about how we can make changes. This is a highly readable book for MG readers who like nonfiction and love our oceans.
