Eco Reads for Kids

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In a world where it’s more important than ever to teach your kids about caring for the earth, many sources exist to help out parents, especially when it comes to subjects they themselves don’t know much about.

Books are a great way to get kids involved and thinking about what they can do to make a difference, while learning and having fun at the same time. Here is a smattering of what’s out there:

Avid Readers

Fiction
Nonfiction
Magazines
Websites

Fiction

The Gaia Girls series by Lee Welles – Enjoyable and eco-conscious chapter books about four girls granted supernatural powers having to do with earth, wind, water and fire are sent on missions to help save the earth, or Gaia.

Rising Above Global Warming by B. J. DeFrancesco and illustrated by Shari Lynn Myers – A picture book that empowers kids to fight global warming and addresses denial in adults.

Hoot by Carl Hiaasen – Winner of the Newberry Honor, this often hilarious eco-mystery adventure is perfect for the middle school set. Check out Hiaasen’s Flush as well.

Compost, By Gosh: an Adventure with Vermicomposting by Michelle Eva Portman – A cute story in rhyming couplets, accompanied by How To and Resource sections for further exploration.

William is Going Green by James Martin II – The first in a series about William the Garbage Truck and Crew, a fleet of hybrid garbage and recycling trucks.

Nonfiction

50 Simple Things Kids Can do to Save the Earth by the EarthWorks Group – An older standby, this read is nevertheless full of great suggestions and activities.

Acting for Nature: What Young People Around the World Have Done to Protect the Environment by Sneed Collard III and Action for Nature – Inspiring reading for kids wondering what they can do to make a difference.

Dr. Art’s Guide to Planet Earth by Dr. Art Sussman – An engaging guide to how the planet works. The website has activities designed to compliment and enrich the book.

Magazines

Your Big Backyard (ages 3 to 7)

Ranger Rick (ages 7 & up)

National Geographic for Kids

Websites to Frequent

Chelsea Green – From the fictional Gaia Girls series to Gunter Pauli’s ZERI science series, this is a varied list of some good reads for kids.

Discover Life’s Green Kids Books – A great, varied compilation of green books for kids, organized by author.

Eco Child’s Play – A green parenting site that does frequent reviews of green books for kids.

EcoBrain – Look under EcoBrain Kids for some suggestions.

Global Warming Kids – A nice collection of global warming-focused kid reads.

Eco Savvy Kid’s Book Nook – Suggestions from eco-savvy parents.

EnviroMom – A green parenting site based in Portland, OR, they sometimes have reading suggestions for kids as well.

Posted on Sep 16, 2008

Tags:

Art Sussman, Carl Hiaasen, Chelsea Green, Crew, EarthWorks Group, green parenting site, Gunter Pauli, James Martin II, Lee Welles, Michelle Eva Portman, Oregon, Portland, Shari Lynn Myers

About the Author

GLI Editors

Green Living Ideas provides ideas, tips, and information to help you improve the environmental sustainability of every aspect of your life: home energy, green building and remodeling, cars, food, waste recycling—and everything in between. GLI's editorial voice is driven by founder Sean Daily and Editor-In-Chief Adam Shake, and written by an amazing staff of author and interns.