Top 5 Children’s Books for Budding Environmentalists

Happy Young Readers Day! Celebrated on the second Tuesday of every November, this holiday is observed by many schools and libraries nationwide. Literacy is one of the most important developmental areas in any education. In fact, students who lack reading proficiency in the 3rd grade are significantly more likely to graduate high school late or without a diploma (source). This is, of course, tied to other factors like socio-economic background; data shows that in 2007, 83-85% of low-income fourth-grade students fell below the “proficiency” standard set by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) reading test.

Young Readers Day aims to improve literacy rates among our nation’s children. One of the key factors to remember when teaching youth to read is that the books offered to them must capture their attention. Our suggestion? The environment is a fascinating and highly relevant topic that most children enjoy delving into. Here is a list of our “Top 5 Children’s Books for Budding Environmentalists” to get you and your kids reading with joy!

1. The Lorax (Dr. Seuss): A time-tested family favorite that became even more popular in 2012 when it was adapted to film, The Lorax follows the story of a creature who “speaks for the trees.” The book was originally published in 1971, yet the narrative of a business magnate destroying an entire ecosystem is still appropriate today. After reading this story with children, you can explain how it relates to real-world habitat destruction, such as the Amazon rainforest.

2. The Thing About Bees: A Love Letter (Shabazz Larkin): This book explains how bees fulfill an integral role in our ecosystems and why we should not be afraid of them. Additionally, children’s books that feature people of color are, thankfully, becoming more common. The Thing About Bees is a great place to start if you want to diversify your child’s library.

3. Earth Squad: 50 People Who Are Saving the Planet (Alexandra Zissu, author & Nhung Lê, illustrator): This illustrated anthology orients children to global leaders who have devoted their lives and careers to the environment. It provides them with role models, inspiring stories, and practical tips that even adults will enjoy reading.

4. Fourteen Monkeys: A Rain Forest Rhyme (Melissa Stewart, author & Steve Jenkins, illustrator): This book explores the lives of 14 different monkeys, playfully documenting their diets, habitats, and appearances. It is a wonderful tool to introduce young readers to the complex and delicate nature of an ecosystem. Fourteen Monkeys is based on the 14 monkey species that coexist in Peru’s Manú National Park, so get ready for an exciting staycation!

5. Ocean Soup: A Recipe for You, Me, and a Cleaner Sea (by Meeg Pincus, author & Lucy Semple, illustrator): This book is a realistic, yet hopeful, description of how our seas have become so polluted and littered with plastics and what we can do to ameliorate that. With rhyming words and illustrations that can occupy children for hours, this book is like diving into the ocean: you’ll always walk away pondering something new.

Happy reading!