“The Earth is what we all have in common.”

—Wendell Berry 

These ten books have one thing in common. They all entertain and teach children about the many reasons we should be grateful for our planet Earth and the many ways we have the power to improve it.

Thank You, Earth: A Love Letter to Our Planet by April Pulley Sayre

The absolutely stunning photographs, simple yet sophisticated text, and variety of topics explored make this book a powerful choice to read aloud to any elementary grade level. The author’s note at the end is a valuable resource, suggesting many ways kids (and grown-ups too) can turn their thank you into action.

Compost Stew: An A to Z Recipe for the Earth by Mary McKenna Siddals

This is such a fun book! I love how Ashley Wolff's collage-style illustrations, made from newspaper, tea bags and other recycled materials, echo writer Mary McKenna Siddals's message of reducing waste. The verse is so delightful and bouncy, yet doesn’t leave out any information about what’s right and what’s not fit for a compost bin.

Not for me please!: I choose to act green by Maria Godsey

The main character, Luke, is on a journey to protect what he loves within this engaging children's picture book about sustainability and acting green. After noticing the damage caused to the environment and animals due to trash and waste, Luke decides to take action. He believes he can have a big impact on the world around him and invites his readers to join him! 

Using his phrase, ‘Not for me, please!’ Luke role models how children can harness their inner super-hero and help protect the environment. He introduces the concept of Recycle, Reduce, and Reuse through many examples children can understand.

Let's choose to recycle, reduce, and reuse; 
and with my strong phrase, there's no way we lose! 
Here are some examples to show what I mean, 
and how you can join me and begin to act green. 

Their are little boxes with information throughout the book that give parents and teachers many opportunities to engage in discussions on sustainability, choices, and change at home and in school.

Earth Ninja by Jelena Stupar

This book is part of the awesome ‘Ninja’ series from Grow Grit Press, and the goal of the series is to empower children in these ways:

• Promote a growth mindset and problem-solving

• Cultivate self-confidence

• Help them deal with difficult emotions and feelings

• Prepare them for life's challenges

In Earth Ninja,  the main character shows his friend how one little ninja can make a difference in the world by practicing 3 simple life habits. It’s easily relatable and also provides lots of important information for elementary aged children.

Seeds of Change: Wangari’s Gift to the World by Jen Cullerton Johnson

This story is the inspiring biography of Wangari Maathai. As a young girl in Kenya, Wangari was taught to respect nature. She grew up loving the land, plants, and animals that surrounded her -from the giant mugumo trees her people, the Kikuyu, revered to the tiny tadpoles that swam in the river. Although most Kenyan girls were not educated, Wangari, curious and hardworking, was allowed to go to school. There, her mind “sprouted like a seed.” She excelled at science and went on to study in the United States. After returning home, Wangari blazed a trail across Kenya, using her knowledge and compassion to promote the rights of her countrywomen and to help save the land, one tree at a time. This book beautifully brings to life the empowering story of Wangari Maathai, the first African woman, and environmentalist, to win a Nobel Peace Prize.

The Earth Book by Todd Parr

I love this quote from The Earth Book:

“I take care of the earth because I know I can do little things every day to make a BIG difference..."

This eco-friendly picture book features a circular die-cut Earth on the cover, and is printed entirely with recycled materials and nontoxic soy inks. It includes lots of easy, smart ideas on how we can all work together to make the Earth feel good - from planting a tree and using both sides of the paper, to saving energy and reusing old things in new ways. 

It also includes an interior gatefold with a poster with tips/reminders on how kids can "go green" everyday. This sweet homage to our beautiful planet will definitely inspire children of all ages to do their part in keeping the Earth happy and healthy.

The Water Princess by Susan Verde and Peter Reynolds

The Water Princess was inspired by the childhood of African–born model Georgie Badiel. As a child in Burkina Faso, Georgie and the other girls in her village had to walk for miles each day to collect water. This brilliant engaging picture book sheds light on this struggle that continues all over the world today, instilling hope for a future when all children will have access to clean drinking water.

Kenya’s Art by Linda Trice

Kenya’s class is on spring vacation and their teacher asked them to write a report about how they spent their time. But vacation is almost over and Kenya hasn't done anything worth noting. A late visit to a museum's recycling exhibit and a walk through her neighborhood with her daddy inspire Kenya to use her old, broken toys and other items to make art with her family. Now she's prepared to teach her whole class how to Recycle! Reuse! Make Art! 

This is a great book to use to introduce children to a MakerSpace or to simply encourage them to look for new creative ways to use things they would otherwise throw away.

My book Educate the Heart: Screen-Free Activities for Grades PreK-6 to Inspire Authentic Learning includes a chapter on Collaborative Integrated Art. It suggests many ways to ‘Recycle, Reuse, and Make Art’ that will also build community, encourage creativity and improve critical thinking skills.

If you are looking for ways to encourage creativity and collaboration at home or in the classroom, look for Educate the Heart at the library or anywhere books are sold.

City Green by DyAnne DiSalvo-Ryan

This is the 25th anniversary of City Green! It is an environmentally and community-conscious classic that shows the wonderful things kids can do when they put their minds to it, and is available in a new paperback edition.

Right in the middle of Marcy’s city block is a vacant lot, littered and forlorn. Sometimes just looking at it makes Marcy feel sad. Then one spring, Marcy has a wonderful idea: Instead of a useless lot, why not a green and growing space for everyone to enjoy?

The author combines heartwarming text and gorgeous detail-filled illustrations to show how an entire neighborhood blossoms when people join together and get involved.

10 Things I Can Do to Help My World by Melanie Walsh

I love the bright illustrations and unique shape of the tabs, pages, and sentences throughout this book. Walsh convinces children make changes that will help the world in an entertaining and memorable way.

Children will remember to turn off the tap while they brush their teeth and also remember to use both sides of the paper when drawing or writing. Planting seeds, walking to school, and feeding the birds in winter are some of the other suggestions in this super creative book.

Thank you so much for visiting the blog today. I hope you found this post worthwhile and the list of books both helpful and inspiring.

Whether you are looking for literature ideas for your own children, students, or as gifts for kids you love, I strongly recommend each of the above ten titles, especially if you are trying to promote earth-friendly habits at the same time.

I selected each of the books when I created this DonorsChoose project: Let’s Save the Earth with Books! and I’m so grateful that it was fully funded by a group of anonymous donors, Nick Ruffilo from NJ, Susan from VT, and an anonymous donor in RI!

Find out more about DonorsChoose here on this blog post and feel free to contact me if you have any questions about creating a project.

I’m always available and would love to connect and collaborate on ways to better ‘Educate the Hearts’ of children and make everyday life more delightful and meaningful.

Yours truly,

Jennifer

“Like music and art, love of nature is a common language that can transcend political or social boundaries.”

—Jimmy Carter