5 Perfect Picture Books for Earth Day

Hello, I hope you had a fantastic Easter break! Spring is now well underway in the Northern Hemisphere (even if it’s sometimes hard to tell because of the weird and wacky weather that April brings), and this Friday, 22nd April, is… Earth Day!

Ideally every day should be Earth Day because we should be constantly thinking up ways to protect the environment and save our planet. But on this day there are concerted actions around the globe to bring more attention than ever to the plight of the Earth and ways we can help it.

In honour of the occasion, I’ve selected some of my favourite environment-themed picture books. Enjoy!

Clean Up!
Author: Nathan Bryon
Illustrator: Dapo Adeola
Age: 2-5

In an environment-themed follow up to the non-environment-themed (but equally powerful) story Look Up!, Rocket visits her grandparents in the Caribbean, and discovers beaches littered with plastic. Shocked by this pollution, she sets to work clearing up the mess, and motivates others to do the same.

This Little Environmentalist
Author: Joan Holub
Illustrator: Daniel Roode
Age: 3-5

In this board book, the readers can meet influential and inspirational environmentalists and learn about the important work that they do. The fun facts and bright illustrations are suitable for very young children.

Captain Green and the Plastic Scene
Author: Evelyn Bookless
Illustrator: Danny Deeptown
Age: 3-6

What child doesn’t like superheros? And so, what could be more exciting than a superhero, straight out of Superhero School, who saves a dolphin and other sea creatures from plastic waste? This delightful story will teach kids can learn how important (and fun!) it is to protect the environment!

Captain Green and the Tree Machine
Author: Evelyn Bookless
Illustrator: Danny Deeptown
Age: 3-6

Ok, some might find it strange that I’ve included two books by the same author-illustrator team with the same main character, but I just couldn’t resist! In this exciting sequel (which can also stand alone), Captain Green is back, fighting for the planet. This time, when some animals need his help because their homes and food sources are being destroyed, he invents a machine that pops out trees. But things don’t exactly go according to plan. What will our hero do now to save the animals?

Mermaid Kenzie: Protector of the Deeps
Author: Charlotte Watson Sherman
Illustrator: Geneva Bowers
Age: 4-8

In this beautiful seaside story, Kenzie discovers a shocking amount of plastic waste in the sea. Determined to do something about it, she dons her tail and becomes Mermaid Kenzie, Protector of the Deeps!

I hope you and your little ones enjoy these lovely books. Have a great Earth Day!

Akil Mazumder

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