(English and Spanish versions include different books)

Picture books can be a powerful tool in educating children about the world in which we live, both the wonders it offers and the dangers that face it. The following children’s books expose young readers to global environmental concerns from deforestation to recycling to pollution—and point to some ways that children can help. These books can be used by parents and teachers as a springboard for discussion of things we can do to take care of the earth.

The Great Kapok Tree, story and illustrations by Lynn Cherry. In the Amazonian rain forest, a man begins to chop down a Kapok tree, but soon tires and falls asleep. As he sleeps, groups of animals that live in the tree whisper into his ear, telling him the reasons why chopping down the tree is harmful. A troupe of monkeys tells him about how removing the tree and its roots will help turn the lush rain forest into a desert. The boa constrictors tell him about the generations of their family who’ve lived in the tree. The tree porcupines tell him about how the tree provides oxygen. When the man wakes, he sees all the creatures his axe will affect and leaves the rain forest. Cherry’s story will help children learn about how chopping down a tree affects both the resident animals and the rest of the world. Ages four to seven. (Gulliver Green Books, 1990)

Three Pandas Planting: Counting Down to Help the Earth, story and illustrations by Megan Halsey. This pleasant counting book displays animals in groups from 12 to 1 doing constructive things to help the environment. From 12 crocodiles carpooling to 4 rhinos recharging batteries to 1 elephant enjoying the earth, these animals introduce children to ways in which they can be environmentally-friendly. Halsey also includes a section at the end for readers who want to know more about why these activities are helpful. Ages three to six. (Bradbury Press, 1994)

The Lorax, story and illustrations by Dr. Seuss. In this timeless environmental cautionary tale, the Once-ler tells the story of how he greedily cut down every last Truf-fula tree to make more Thneeds, and how the heroic Lorax tried in vain to stop him. Speaking for the trees, the Truffula-fruit-eating Bar-ba-loots, and Humming Fish, the Lorax warned the Once-ler of the damage he was doing, but he was ignored. The Once-ler’s tale is bleak, but offers a ray of hope in the end. Ages four to seven. (Random House, 1971)

The World that Jack Built, story and illustrations by Ruth Brown. This unique children’s book follows a black cat as he roams past the idyllic stream, woods, hills, and valley next to the house that Jack built. The scene is tranquil and beautiful, but turns more polluted as the cat approaches the next valley over—near the factory that Jack built. Through superb illustrations, Brown’s simple yet provocative story reveals how pollution affects our beautiful countryside. Ages four to seven. (Dutton Children’s Books, 1991)

Just a Dream, story and illustrations by Chris Van Allsburg. Walter litters, doesn’t recycle, and can’t understand why his neighbor wants a tree for her birthday. He looks forward to a future of personal planes and robots. When he goes to sleep though, he finds himself in a future that is much different than he imagined, a future filled with trash, pollution, and smoke. Each of these images, beautifully illustrated by Caldecott-winning illustrator, Van Allsburg, shows Walter the consequences of his actions. When he wakes, he rushes down and sorts the recycling and soon celebrates his own birthday with a tree. Ages five to seven. (Houghton Mifflin Company, 1990)

Extra resources from the Children’s Advocate bulletin

• Books on the Environment, from Earth 911, includes summaries of children's books on environmental issues and tips for teachers about including these books in lesson plans.
  
  
• Keep It Green, from Scholastic, also provides summaries of children's books about environmental issues.

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