10 Kids’ Books for Earth Day!

On April 22, we celebrate Earth Day around the world. Here is a roundup of 10 books that celebrate this beautiful planet and its living creatures, as well as inform and empower kids to make a difference in their own way. Happy Earth Day!

BOOKS FOR PRESCHOOLERS (AGES 2 TO 5)

The Wildlife 123 by Jan Thornhill
This concept book, companion to The Wildlife ABC, combines the wonderfully detailed illustrations by Jan Thornhill with basic numeracy skills. The Wildlife 123 introduces 24 animals from around the world in groupings of 1 to 10, then 25, 50, 100 and 1000. Young readers will enjoy counting to all 50 flamingos! Information about each animal is included in the back.

The Busy Beaver by Nicholas Oldland
Beaver is very, very busy, and he doesn't always think things through. As a result, he ends up making a mess of the forest and winds up in hospital. While he's laid up, he realizes how careless he's been and decides to make things right when he returns to the forest. This light-hearted picture book is a cheerful fable highlighting the importance of taking care of the world around us.

Compost Stew: An A to Z Recipe for the Earth by Mary McKenna Siddals; illustrated by Ashley Wolff
In a delightful rhyming text, Compost Stew tells us all about the things we can collect to make ourselves a lovely "compost stew." With vibrant collage illustrations, readers will want to get going and start their own compost heap. This joyful book is a purely fun approach to doing something that's good for the Earth without actually preaching about it.

Lessons from Mother Earth by Elaine McLeod; illustrated by Colleen WoodFive-year-old Tess is visiting her grandmother and, for the first time, she visits the garden. Along the way, Tess's grandmother tells her the rules of the garden: "You must always take good care of our garden." "Never throw rubbish around." "There is plenty for everyone to share if we don't destroy the soil." Readers eventually understand that "the garden" is our planet, though it's not explicitly stated. The story is beautifully told as a caring conversation between a young child and her grandmother.

Picture a Tree by Barbara Reid
"There is more than one way to picture a tree," begins this enchanting picture book. In her signature Plasticine art and lyrical text, Barabara Reid encourages us to take another look at the trees around us. Taking readers through the four seasons, Picture a Tree is a love story to our beloved friends and a celebration of the imagination.

BOOKS FOR THE SCHOOL-AGED (AGES 6+)

The Little Hummingbird by Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas, with a message from Wangari Maathai
When the big forest catches fire, all the animals run for their lives. All but the little hummingbird, who carries water, one drop at a time, to the fire. The other animals watch and offer excuses for why they can't do anything to help until one asks the little hummingbird what she's doing. The hummingbird replies, "I'm doing all that I can." This touching fable, which originates with the Quechua people of Peru, is made more powerful by the note that accompanies it from Wangari Maathai, founder of the Green Belt Movement, who tells us that it isn't always the largest creatures who make the biggest difference, but those who are willing to act. 

If the World Were a Village by David J. Smith; illustrated by Shelagh Armstrong
The world's population has reached 7 billion. That's a pretty huge number to wrap your head around. But in If the World Were a Village, we're invited to think of the world as a village of 100 people. In that village, 9 are children under 5, 18 are between 10 and 19, 12 are between 40 and 49 and 1 is over 79. The book provides statistics on our planet's nationalities, languages, food, school and work, and much more. Each spread offers readers activities relating to the vibrant illustrations that accompany the text. It's a fabulous introduction to the global village.
 

This Is My Planet: The Kids' Guide to Global Warming by Jan Thornhill
This book is a great reference guide to help kids understand what global warming really means and what can be done about it. In kid-friendly language and accompanying photography, it breaks down the topic into digestible segments that explain what climate is, how its change affects different parts of the planet, where changes can be seen now and, of course, our role in all this as humans. It ends with some simple ways we can all do our part, and includes resources for further information.

Luz Sees the Light by Claudia Dávila
This book - the first in Claudia Dávila's series of graphic novels featuring spunky heroine Luz - introduces readers to ideas of energy conservation, community involvement and self-sufficiency. When Luz's community experiences a series of black outs, she quickly comes to understand the need to conserve energy and find alternative ways of doing things. With the help of her friends and neighbours, she creates a community garden and park that everyone can use. The text is energetic and real, and the illustrations fresh and appealing for young readers. Kids at the top end of the 6 to 9 age range, and beyond, will get the most out of it.

 

The Lorax by Dr. Seuss
Originally published in 1971, The Lorax is a Dr. Seuss classic that was ahead of its time yet still holds up today. In Seuss's typical rhyming text and fanciful illustrations, a young boy learns of the role of the Lorax as protector of the trees, and how his home became polluted and devoid of nature. A sort of fable warning of the threat posed by over-consumerism, as well as highlighting the fragility of ecosystems, the story ends on a hopeful and empowering note. Share your thoughts on these or any other environment-themed books in the comments.