With climate change, deforestation, pollution, and animal endangerment on the rise, your little ones might be curious about how the world around them is changing. If you’re unsure how to answer their questions in a way that they’ll understand, here are some educational children’s books for varying ages.
Our Planet! There’s No Place Like Earth
Author: Stacy McAnulty
Illustrator: David Litchfield
Ages 4–8
Our Planet! There’s No Place Like Earth is a nonfiction picture book about the Earth, told from the perspective of Earth. This book easily explains that Earth is home to all the plants and all the animals in the solar system, including nearly eight billion people. McAnulty’s book revolves around climate change and how everyone can help “put on the brakes,” encouraging your littles to save Earth together.
The Lorax
Author & Illustrator: Dr. Seuss
Ages 5–9
An evergreen classic, Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax is a picture book about sustainability and protecting the environment. Dr. Seuss’s beloved story teaches kids to treat the planet with kindness and stand up and speak up for others. Experience the beauty of the Truffula Trees and the danger of taking our Earth for granted in a story that is timely, playful, and hopeful. The book’s final pages teach us that just one small seed, or one small child, can make a difference.
Here We Are
Author: Oliver Jeffers
Ages not specified
Originally created for Jeffers’s newborn son, Here We Are is a beautifully illustrated guide to living on Earth and being a good person. Jeffers walks little ones through the infinite wonders of our world — from the land, sea, and sky to people and animals of all shapes and sizes. He ends his tour with a gentle reminder to look after Earth, as we’re all on this planet together and it’s all we have.
Forest
Author & Illustrator: Brendan Kearney
Ages 3–5
Introduce children to the importance of protecting the environment with this illustrated story book about deforestation and its effects on animals. Join fisherman Finn and his dog, Skip, on their second adventure in this illustrated story book for young children, which teaches them about deforestation and what they can do to help. Finn and Skip are on an adventure vacation when they notice that large patches of trees seem to have disappeared. The plot thickens when an unexpected guest arrives at their campsite. It seems something is afoot in the forest, and Finn and Skip set out to discover what’s going on. This book is the ideal introduction to the environmental concerns facing our forests, featuring colorful illustrations and an engaging, light-hearted storyline.
My Friend Earth
Author: Patricia MacLachlan
Illustrator: Francesca Sanna
Ages 3–5
My Friend Earth serves as a celebration of the natural world and a cry for positive action for Planet Earth. Our friend Earth does so many wonderful things; she tends to animals large and small. She pours down summer rain and autumn leaves. She sprinkles whisper-white snow and protects the tiny seeds waiting for spring. Readers of all ages will pore over the pages of this spectacular book. Great opportunities to share life science concepts and amazing facts about the environment with children.
The Bear in the Stars
Author & Illustrator: Alexis Snell
All ages
A timely tale about climate change and the power of kindness. Snell’s book tells a story of a white bear—Queen of Beasts. Her kingdom was a beautiful, cold, glistening place. But over the years, the ice disappeared, slipping away like sand through an hourglass, and slowly, the other animals moved on too. The Great Bear has no choice but to leave her snowy realm to search for food, friends, and a new home. She soon discovers a world that is growing hotter whilst hearts grow colder—until one small act of kindness changes everything. The Bear in the Stars is a story about loss, kindness, and new beginnings.
What a Waste: Trash, Recycling and Protecting Our Planet
Author & Illustrator: Jess French
Ages 6–9
In this informative book on recycling for children, you will find everything you need to know about our environment. From pollution and litter to renewable energy and plastic recycling, this educational book will teach young budding ecologists about how our actions affect planet Earth, and the big impact we can make by the little things we do. This is a lively kid’s educational book with fabulous illustrations and fun facts about the world broken into easy-to-digest, bite-sized bits. Each page can be looked at in short bursts or longer reads for more detail, making it a great children’s book for a range of age groups.
Climate Rebels
Author & Illustrator: Ben Lerwill
Ages 8–11
Lerwill’s Climate Rebels describes Earth as a place of dazzling variety and infinite wonder—and it’s the only world we’ve got. Climate change is happening now. But it’s not too late to change the story. Meet the humans from around the world, who are fighting to save our planet. Lerwill’s children’s book features 25 hopeful stories including Greta Thunberg, David Attenborough, Jane Goodall, Wangari Maathai—as well as lesser-known heroes, such as turtle-protector Len Peters, the guardians of the Amazon rainforest, and the poacher patrollers, The Black Mambas. This book will transport you from the poles, to the oceans, to the rainforests, with iconic illustrations. Read Climate Rebels to be inspired, as we take our future in our own hands, and save Planet Earth—for all the living things that call it their home.
