Raising environmentally responsible children is not a choice anymore. It is a necessity. Children of today are going to inherit this damaged earth from us although we hope we can rectify that somehow. Needless to say, it is never too early to start them on environmentalism.
Over the last few months, I have shared recommendations for Indian books on the environment through Blogchatter’s #CauseAChatter Environment Talks series. Today, I share with you books for environmentally aware young children. Books that discuss serious issues such as global warming and plastic waste without being all dull and “textbook stuff”. Books that appeal to young minds. And not so young minds.
The Ouch & Moo Book Set
by Trupti Godbole, Govind Mukundan and Poonam Bir Kasturi
Banning plastic bags. Avoiding single-use water bottles. But these have not really helped the menace of plastic waste and its damaging effect on the environment.
The Ouch & Moo Book Set includes two illustrated books – The Yellow Ouch & Moo book for younger children and the Red Ouch & Moo book for older children. With fun games and simple activities (such as trying to decompose a banana peel versus a plastic bag), this is a series that will have kids reaching out again and again. A fun book that guides children on how to reduce, reuse and recycle plastic.
Thinkbook Series
by Geeta Dharmarajan
For years, children’s books at Katha Publications have been using the power of storytelling to spark curiosity and compassion. Their Thinkbook Series continues the tradition with an anthology of short stories, folktales, poetry, and quotes.
My Big Book of Earth is a collection of poems, short stories, and fun facts about Mother Earth and our relationship with the environment.
My Big Book of Global Warming explores environmental protection and conservation as well as the effects of global warming.
Don’t miss the other books in the series – My Big Book of Girls, My Big Book of Dogs, and My Big Book of Kindness. Not related to the environment but interesting must-reads nonetheless.
India & The Environment: Children's Books for Young Environmentalists #CauseAChatter #EnvironmentalTalks #BookChatter @blogchatter #BohoPonderings Share on X
So You Want to Know About the Environment
by Bijal Vachharajani
Buy on Amazon | Add to Goodreads
Grab a pen or pencil. Don your Sherlock Holmes deerstalker hat, and get those grey cells working. So You Want to Know About the Environment is a delightful read that would appeal not just to kids but adults too.
The book explores climate change, food, waste, water, and wildlife in simple terms. Interspersed with some interesting nuggets and activities, this book is a must-read. A book that would get kids to not just explore but analyze the environment too.
Water Stories
by Tulika Publishers
Buy on Amazon | Add to Goodreads
Water is a life source. But who owns the water? How are droughts caused?
Water Stories is a rich collection of stories from mythology and folklore from 11 countries including Ivory Coast, China, India, Greece, Australia, North America, Spain, Nigeria, and Botswana. With some interesting facts and a timeline from the earliest times. What water signifies to different cultures. The need to protect, conserve and value water.
I hope my recommendations help you pick the right books to help your child become more environmentally aware. Do you have a recommendation for similar books? I would love to check them out. Do share in the comments below.
This post is part of Blogchatter’s CauseAChatter
This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with VoxBox.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a very small percentage of the sale at no cost to you.
Image by Canva
November 26, 2021 @ 12:42 pm
You’ve given me just what I was looking for! I wanted to explain concepts like climate change, global warming, environment-friendly, and recycling to my 5-year-old but couldn’t quite find the right words. Will pick up some of these picture books soon.
January 28, 2022 @ 7:03 pm
I am so glad to know that, Satabdi 😊. Hope he enjoys them.
November 26, 2021 @ 6:35 pm
Such books are good as it helps children to understand the importance of protecting and Saving the environment.
January 28, 2022 @ 7:04 pm
Exactly Ghazala
November 27, 2021 @ 12:52 pm
Thanks for sharing this, Ritu. I will get it for my grandson who loves nature. I am sure he will like the book
January 28, 2022 @ 7:04 pm
My pleasure, Harjeet. Hope he enjoys them. 😊
November 28, 2021 @ 1:38 am
I love the sound of the Ouch & Moo books. Iam sure they will make great gifts for my friends’ kids or a great addition to our community library.
January 28, 2022 @ 7:05 pm
Completely agree, Vasumathi. 😊
November 28, 2021 @ 1:24 pm
The books sound interesting The bachcha party is too old for these. But they will be great gifts for younger kids.
January 28, 2022 @ 7:05 pm
Exactly. They make perfect gifts. 😊
November 28, 2021 @ 5:18 pm
You are right in saying that we have no option but to raise environmentally aware children. I hope these books instil apt values in them.
January 28, 2022 @ 7:06 pm
Hope so too, Aditi. As is, we are leaving a majorly damaged earth for them.
November 28, 2021 @ 10:23 pm
Great recommendations for kids. I will check them for my daughter.
January 28, 2022 @ 7:07 pm
Thank you, Abha. 😊 Hope she enjoys them.
November 28, 2021 @ 10:35 pm
It’s good to see these books becoming mainstream. When I was a kid, there was hardly any mention of environment.
January 28, 2022 @ 7:07 pm
I agree, Raghav. Not that there was a dearth of such books. But they weren’t promoted enough.
November 28, 2021 @ 11:53 pm
I guess I am lucky today, I have been searching for books which I can share with my neices to read. Earlier I found a post of 30 awesome books and this list is really a good to go.
January 28, 2022 @ 7:08 pm
I am so glad to know that, Monidipa. 😊
November 29, 2021 @ 9:54 pm
I always love to introduce new books to my students. I will add your list to mine.
January 28, 2022 @ 7:08 pm
Thank you Meenu 😊
January 18, 2022 @ 11:14 pm
My all time favourite kids book about the environment is The Lorax by Dr Suess. I’ve also read many other western authors on this theme, but it’s a pleasure to be introduced to some Indian writing on the subject. Always amazed at the sheer range of your book recommendations!
January 28, 2022 @ 7:10 pm
Thank you so much, Noor 😊. We have grown up reading western authors. Really glad that kids these days can read books that they can relate to.