Sustainable habits are of the utmost importance when it comes to eco-friendly, healthy communities, but habit-building doesn’t develop overnight; it comes with daily practice, whether you’re 8 or 80. We know that kids learn by watching their role models engage with the world. When parents and caregivers act in an environmentally-responsible way, their kids learn and develop similar eco-friendly habits.
There are many ways to teach kids how to live a more sustainable lifestyle, from gardening activities to bike rides to reading about the environment. The medium doesn’t matter as long as the message is clear: we all need to do our part in protecting our planet.
Engaging with books about the environment can be a great way to teach kids about sustainability. In fact, there are lots of great children’s books that approach sustainable practices in a fun way. Here are a few of our recommendations:
Compost Stew: An A to Z Recipe for the Earth (Ages 3-7)
Compost Stew is a fun picture book that teaches its readers how to compost. The author’s note at the beginning of the book explains the benefits of returning materials to the Earth to become part of the soil. As readers make their way through the alphabet, they will learn about different materials that can be composted and the steps of the composting process.
Earth Day: An Alphabet Book (Ages 2-5)
Earth Day: An Alphabet Book celebrates Earth’s diverse species, from apricots to groundhogs to junebugs, with bright and whimsical illustrations that will keep the kids engaged through the last page.
Thank You, Earth: A Love Letter to Our Planet (Ages 4-6)
Acclaimed children’s book author and photographer April Pulley Sayre’s Love Letter to Our Planet is a stunning exploration of the beauty and complexity of the world around us. Remarkable photographs and a rich, layered text introduce concepts of science, nature, geography, biology, poetry, and community. This nonfiction picture book is an excellent choice to share during homeschooling, in particular for children ages 4 to 6.
Gorilla Gardener (Ages 3-6)
In this book, the little Gorilla Gardener shows us how to sprout flowers and green the city one seed at a time. Gorilla Gardener goes even farther, building a delightful world where nature rules and humans of all ages enjoy life outdoors, while having creative fun and adventure! This book comes with instructions for making your own seed-burst, with a glossary of gardening terms.
The Down-to-Earth Guide to Global Warming (Ages 3-7)
Irreverent and entertaining, this book is filled with facts about global warming, loads of photos and illustrations as well as suggestions for how kids can help combat global warming in their homes, schools, and communities. This book was designed to educate and empower, leaving readers with the knowledge they need to understand this problem and a sense of hope to inspire them into action.
