Earth Day Book Recommendations

Earth Day is on the 22nd April 2024.

The first Earth Day was in 1970. Earth Day is an environmental movement, which activates billions of people across 192 countries to safeguard our planet and flight for a brighter future.

Earth Day: The Official Site | EARTHDAY.ORG

Sharing thought provoking books with children is an excellent way to spark discussions and ideas around this topic. Our wonderful team of Literacy Specialists would like to recommend their chosen books to really champion Earth Day!

Amy's recommendation is Dear Earth by Isabel Otter. A beautifully illustrated book that encourages children to use their imagination. The book tells the story of Grandpa and Tessa. Grandpa recalls his days as an explorer and tells Tessa stories from his past about the Earth. Tessa imagines she is an explorer too and is inspired to write a letter to celebrate her love of the Earth. The story introduces young children to some wonderful facts about the Earth and new vocabulary.  It sends the reader the message that our Earth is special, we should take care of it and do everything we can to save it. I love the suggestion that the reader writes their own letter to the Earth at the end of the story and the practical ways to save the Earth.  This book is inspiring, imaginative and majestic. 

Maria's recommendation is Counting in Green by Hollis Kurman. I would really recommend this book which I have used with very young children. I love the book as it takes the very big issue of how every small action can make a difference when it comes to saving our planet and makes it accessible for the youngest readers. This book is great to share in class but also a fabulous book for children to take home and share with their adults to talk about simple changes they can make.  The counting element of the book means it can be used as a count along book if parents wish to not go into detail about climate changes. Although designed for the youngest children this book could easily be adapted and used with older pupils as a basis for discussion and activities for Earth Day. A great book that I will definitely share with children in my family. 

Kelly's recommendation is Here We Are by Oliver Jeffers. I love Oliver Jeffers, but this has to be one of my favourites of his.  I really love how the message is about being kind. Not just to the planet itself, but everyone and everything that lives on it.  It is written in such a way that this book is thought provoking to adults and children. I particularly like the line that says 'make sure you look after it as it is all we have got'.

Mary's recommendation is The Extraordinary Gardener by Sam Boughton. The book celebrates the idea that even starting with the tiniest seed, great things can happen. I love the illustrations and how a grey looking world becomes something very beautiful with some care, hard work and teamwork. The book also shares the idea that we must keep on trying even if at first we do not succeed. I think that this book can be enjoyed by children and adults of all ages. 

Rachel's recommendation is Clean Up by Nathan Bryan and Dapo Adeola. This is the second book (Look Up! being the first) about the main character, Rocket. She is a really engaging character that children relate to straight away. The book has a really positive message about everyone working together to help improve our world and the impact that just one person can have!

Rebecca's Recommendation is The Big Blue by Yuval Zommer. The 'Big Book of the Blue' is one of many books in Yuval Zommer's 'The Big Book of' series. Not only is the book packed full of the most beautiful artwork, there are also many amazing facts (I definitely learnt some new ones!). While reading the book, there is also a fun challenge to find a sneaky sardine that has made its way onto fifteen pages. The book also offers a timely reminder of the damage faced by our oceans from pollution.  

Helen's recommendation is My Friend Earth by Patricia MacLachlan. This is a beautifully illustrated book, each page is die-cut and entices young readers to explore each page. It tells the story of how many wonderful things the earth does. She tends the animals of all shapes and sizes. She provides the seasons sending the spring showers, the summer sun, autumn leaves and the gentle snow of winter. The book reminds the reader to be a good friend to the earth.

Cordy's recommendation is Somebody Swallowed Stanley by Sarah Roberts. This is a beautifully written book full of wonderful illustrations. It's a perfect book to re-aloud with rhythm and repeated refrains. Follow Stanley on his journey through the ocean as he get mistaken for a tasty treat. It's a powerful story about plastic pollution from environmental expert Sarah Roberts.

Lucy's recommendation is The Emerald Forest by Catherine Ward. This is a story about a mother orangutan and her children and the dangers they face with the destruction of the rainforest. This story highlights the plight facing many animals and communities in the rainforest and helps raise awareness of what we can do to help. 

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