Some places to find our suggestions –
- CareerOneStop, managed by the U.S. Department of Labor, allows you to find your nearest local, free public library by entering your (or your school’s) zip code.
- IndieBound has a bookstore finder tool that helps you find local, small book shops to support if you choose to purchase a copy.
1. The Earth Book
Author: Todd Parr
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Year of publication: 2010
ISBN 13: 9780316042659
Recommended age range: 3 – 5 year olds
Description (from publisher): “With his signature blend of playfulness and sensitivity, Todd Parr explores the important, timely subject of environmental protection and conservation in this eco-friendly picture book. Featuring a circular die-cut Earth on the cover, and printed entirely with recycled materials and nontoxic soy inks, this book 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.”
2. The Lorax
Author: Dr. Suess
Publisher: Penguin Random House
Year of publication: 1971
ISBN 13: 9780394823379
Recommended age range: 5 – 9 year olds
Description (from publisher): “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. “
3. The Magic School Bus and the Climate Challenge
Author: Joanna Cole
Publisher: Scholastic
Year of publication: 2014
ISBN 13: 9780545655996
Recommended age range: 7 – 10 year olds
Description (from publisher): “Trust the bestselling science series of all time to get down to the facts on global warming, so kids can understand the crisis and how they can help solve it.Like it or not, global warming is a hot topic that will affect the younger generation more than anyone. So why not turn to the teacher kids love most, Ms. Frizzle! Only the Friz can boil all the hoopla down to the scientific facts in a fun and informative way. With trademark simplicity and wit, Joanna Cole explains why the earth is getting warmer, and Bruce Degen’s bright, action-filled illustrations make the science easy to understand and fun to learn. This team brings a new, improved understanding to climate change, engaging kids and empowering all.”
4. Fever at the Poles
Author: Stephen Aitken
Publisher: Looking Glass Library, Mid America Books
Year of publication: 2o11
ISBN 13: 9781616416713
Recommended age range: 5 – 9 year olds
Description (from publisher): “Temperatures all over the world are rising due to climate change, especially at the North and South Poles. Provide even the youngest readers information about Earth, the changes in climate and its affects on the poles, and what they can do to help preserve our planet with Fever at the Poles. Bright, colorful illustrations and straightforward text make this topic accessible for even the youngest audience. Hot Facts and Cool Ideas sidebars provide additional information and Dr. Know experiments provide a fun look at climate.”
5. Fever on the Land
Author: Stephen Aitken
Publisher: Looking Glass Library, Mid America Books
Year of publication: 2o12
ISBN 13: 9781416967873
Recommended age range: 5 – 9 year olds
Description (from publisher): “Temperatures all over the world are rising due to climate change, affecting the plant and animal life. Provide even the youngest readers information about Earth, the changes in climate and its effects on the plants and animals, and what they can do to help preserve our planet with Fever on the Land. Bright, colorful illustrations and straightforward text make this topic accessible for even the youngest audience. Hot Facts and Cool Ideas sidebars provide additional information and Dr. Know experiments provide a fun look at climate.”
6. Fever in the Oceans
Author: Stephen Aitken
Publisher: Looking Glass Library, Mid America Books
Year of publication: 2012
ISBN 13: 9781616416720
Recommended age range: 5 – 9 year olds
Description (from publisher): “Temperatures all over the world are rising due to climate change, affecting the marine life around the world. Provide even the youngest readers information about the oceans, the changes in climate and its effects on the oceans, and what they can do to help preserve our planet with Fever in the Oceans. Bright, colorful illustrations and straightforward text make this topic accessible for even the youngest audience. Hot Facts and Cool Ideas sidebars provide additional information and Dr. Know experiments provide a fun look at climate.”
7. The Polar Bears’ Home
Author: Lara Bergen
Publisher: Little Green Books, Simon & Schuster
Year of publication: 2o08
ISBN 13: 9781416967873
Recommended age range: 4 – 6 year olds
Description (from publisher): “Come along on an Arctic adventure with a little girl and her father and learn all about polar bears! This 8 x 8 storybook shows how global warming affects two baby polar bear cubs and their family. Includes tips for kids on what they can do to help slow down global warming.”
8. Our House Is On Fire: Greta Thunberg’s Call to Save the Planet
Author: Jeanette Winter
Publisher: Beach Lane Books, Simon & Schuster
Year of publication: 2o19
ISBN 13: 9781534467781
Recommended age range: 3 – 8 year olds
Description (from publisher): “Learn the story of Time Person of the Year Greta Thunberg, the sixteen-year-old climate activist who has sparked a worldwide student movent and is demanding action from world leaders who refuse to address climate change—from acclaimed picture book creator Jeanette Winter.
When she was fifteen years old, Greta Thunberg’s teacher explained to her class that our climate is changing—the earth is getting warmer, the polar ice caps are melting, and life on earth is threatened. Greta was devastated. What could she do? If the grown-ups weren’t doing enough to save the planet, Greta would have to demand change herself.
So she went on strike, skipping school every Friday to sit outside of the Swedish Parliament building with a sign that read “School Strike for Climate.” At first, Greta was the only one. But gradually, more and more students joined her, until her lone protest had sparked a worldwide student movement for action on climate change.
Now, a year later, Greta is speaking to audiences of world leaders at important meetings like the United Nations Climate Conference and the World Economic Forum. She is leading the conversation on climate change and sparking worldwide conversation on how to save our planet. Greta is showing everyone that even the smallest person can make a big difference, and this picture book informs and inspires young readers who are beginning to learn about the world around them.”
9. The Problem of the Hot World
Author: Pam Bonsper
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Year of publication: 2o15
ISBN 13: 9781514648544
Recommended age range: 5 – 8 year olds
Description (from Abe Books): “Five forest friends notice they are in trouble. Their world is too hot. Plants and bees are disappearing and their beautiful trees are dying. Bear, fox, deer, mole, and owl set off on an action-packed adventure as they look for a solution to the problem. While the solution they find helps them, is it the best way to deal with climate change? Use this book to start the discussion and help children understand the impacts of global warming.”
10. How We Know What We Know About Our Changing Climate: Scientists and Kids Explore Global Warming
Author: Lynne Cherry
Publisher: Dawn Publications, Source Books
Year of publication: 2o10
ISBN 13: 9781584691303
Recommended age range: 10 – 14 year olds
Description (from publisher): “Learn more about what climate changes means and how it’s affecting our planet in this climate book for kids! Climate change is a critical and timely topic of deep concern, here told in an age-appropriate manner, with clarity and hope. This activist book for kids shows children that they too can make a difference! When the weather changes daily, how do we really know that Earth’s climate is changing? This climate change book for kids shows the science behind the headlines—evidence from flowers, butterflies, birds, frogs, trees, glaciers and much more, gathered by scientists from all over the world, sometimes with assistance from young “citizen-scientists.” And here is what young people, and their families and teachers, can do to learn about climate change and take action!”