It's all about stories!: Books about...helping to save the planet

This last few months we have been battling across the world a new virus that has, as I write, killed 260,000 and infected 3 million people worldwide already. [Update - I wrote this a few of weeks ago, and as of today, 8th June 2020 the virus has infected almost 7 million and killed almost 400,000 people.] The coronavirus Covid-19, shocked individuals and governments with its virulence and effects on parts of our lives that we could not have imagined. In the UK where I am, 21,678 people have died (at least) of the virus since the first case. BUT, I don't want to dwell on the sad bits, there is hope. A vaccine will be found, hopefully we will get better at testing and tracing contacts of new cases, and we will be able to see our relatives again. AND, the skies are clearer, the bird song is more obvious, there are less cars on the road, air pollution has improved, less planes are flying and people are finding new ways to connect, meet and socialise - who had even heard of Zoom before this...

Meanwhile, the planet is still in a climate emergency. The climate is not on hold like our furloughed jobs, the ice is still melting, the polar bears are still struggling, there are wild fires and extreme weather events. But we can still, in these locked-down virus times, actively campaign for changes to policy, and make changes ourselves in our own homes and communities. So I have picked a selection of books to inspire us, and to help us to inspire our children, as we hopefully join together across the world to save the planet from climate change.

We are all Greta, Be Inspired to Save the World by Valentina Giannella and illustrated by Manuela Marazzi. Thanks to Laurence King Publishers (@lkpchildrens, @LaurenceKingPub).

Recommended for ages 11+, but could be shared in small chunks with younger children, after all lots of children who joined in the climate strike movement over the last year with their schools and families were much younger than 11, and incredibly articulate in describing the problem and their actions. The author is a journalist whose aim is to disseminate scientific facts, warnings and solutions, and the illustrator has worked on several projects promoting environmental protection. In her introduction the author describes the book as setting out "the basic ideas required to understand climate change, explained in a scientific and accessible way and drawn from the most authoritative sources." She encourages children to ask about global warming, the greenhouse effect, fossil fuels, biodiversity, sustainable development, and how to find reliable sources and take action.

She covers renewable energy, water, recycling, plastic, agriculture and farming, food, education and life in cities; all laid out in small chunks, beautifully illustrated, and typographically engaging and punchy. Great for children who can read alone, but also great for families to share. And gorgeously printed on lovely sustainable paper.

How to Save the World for Free by Natalie Fee. Thanks to Laurence King Publishers (@LaurenceKingPub)

This is a practical guide to saving the planet without costing individuals a lot. Natalie Fee is an award-winning environmentalist, author, speaker and founder of City to Sea, a UK based organisation running campaigns to stop plastic pollution at source (@CitytoSea_ citytosea.org.uk https://nataliefee.com/my-story/). She shows us how it is possible to begin ourselves to tackle big worldwide problems like climate breakdown, rising sea levels,biodiversity loss, and ongoing pollution without descending into a spiral of despair - although we do need to feel these feelings to spur us on - rather with an attitude of hope for the creation of a better world and a community spirit. All of Natalie's suggestions in the book are free (although some have an initial cost such as a safety razor rather than disposables, saving money over time). It's about a journey rather than an "overnight fix". I've said to myself "enough is enough" and made some small changes over time - shampoo bars, bar soap, toothpaste tablets, safety razor, refilling at the zero waste shop etc. An example she gives in her introduction shows the difference a small change can make - "if 100,000 readers aged around 25 decided never to buy plastic-bottled water again, that would be around 1.14 billion plastic bottles saved and around 86,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions stopped". She talks about the Seven Things we need to Save (see the image above), and then goes on to give us ideas for changing things as we eat, drink, travel, bank, vote and dress.... there is more.... and there is a lot we can each do. She ends by showing us how we can maximise the impact of our changes by embracing activism, lobbying government, naming, shaming & giving thanks, and petitioning. A brilliant practical handbook for anyone who wants to start, or get even better at, saving the world for free. (@LaurenceKingPub)

Picture Books about saving the world and sustainability. This is not an exhaustive list, the library is shut... so I raided my bookshelves.

Window by Jeannie Baker. There are no words in this book. But I am struck by the powerful images. As the baby grows to be a boy then a young man, the view from the window slowly changes from countryside to built up city. And we realise how the slow drip, drip of ever-expanding building and development is not so noticeable at the time, but is a shock to see in comparable images. I see the same in my city, as I have lived in the same place for more than 30 years. The city becomes bigger, the trees and farmland on the outskirts getting eaten up by bulldozers and tarmac. Food for thought. See also Belonging by Jeannie Baker) Published by Walker books, @WalkerBooksUK

George saves the world by lunchtime by Jo Readman and Ley Honor Roberts. Grandpa helps George in his mission to save the world. They save electricity, recycle, repair, donate, compost, and cycle instead of taking the car. A brilliant introduction to saving the world for young children. Published by Penguin Books and Eden Children's Books, @PenguinUKBooks

There's a Rang Tan in my bedroom written by James Sellick for Greenpeace, and illustrated by various illustrators. Totally absorbing and emotional, the plight of the orangutan simply explained and illustrated for children of all ages. A must read for everyone. There's an introduction from Emma Thompson encouraging us to share the message - big companies are tearing down the world's rainforests for palm oil, killing orangutans and destroying their habitat, and we must fight for their protection. Published by Greenpeace - @rangtanforest @greenpeace

Recycling Fun with Peppa Pig. The children love Peppa and her family and friends, so this is a great way to get them interested in all things recycling. Published by Ladybird books @ladybirdbooks

What planet are you from Clarice Bean? by Lauren Child. From the creator of Charlie and Lola, Clarice Bean is learning about planet earth at school. Lauren Child's books are quirky, humorous and wonderfully illustrated, and this Clarice Bean story is no exception. She's learning about nature, holes in the sky (because her sister Marcie uses too much hairspray), recycling and trees being chopped down. Clarice and her friends join her brother on a mission to save the trees, making posters and joining a protest. It's inspiring stuff and teaches us why this is so important as well as just what is important. Published by Hachette @HachetteKids

It's your world now by Barry Falls. I love this one. Across the beautifully illustrated pages, Mums and Dads show their little ones the marvellous world, inspire them to become whatever they want to be, reassure them that they won't always live the dream or be the best, or know it all; but whatever they choose they will be loved. "So go and play and live and learn, it's your world now, this is your turn, to think and ask and make and do, this world is magic, just like you." Not strictly about sustainability or saving the world, but we have to start by inspiring our children that anything is possible, and that the magnificent world is worth saving. Published by Pavilion books @PavilionKidsBks

The Lorax by Dr Seuss. Did you know that this was once banned as it was thought to be against the logging industry... ? Well I guess it is, and the Lorax send us a powerful message about the consequences of cutting down trees. And a message that resonates in these times - the trees can't speak for themselves so we must speak up for them. "I am the Lorax. I speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongues. And I'm asking you Sir at the top of my lungs..." @HarperCollinsUK

And lastly some other great titles to inspire our youngest readers and listeners to become sustainable, protect the planet, and be inspired. There are many more - check out the local library when it re-opens.

The Green Giant by Katie Cottle Amazing illustrations. A lovely story about sowing seeds and greening the city. Beautifully relevant. Share it with your children (and her new title The Blue Giant) and inspire them to clean and green the world for the future. @PavilionKidsBks @katiecottle_

The Blue Giant by Katie Cottle The new title from Katie Cottle. Meera and her Mum are having a day at the beach with their little boat when the Blue Giant stops them in their tracks and asks for their help to clean up all the rubbish in the ocean. It's too much just for them to tackle on their own, but the message is that if we all join in, we can make the world and the oceans better for all living things. @PavilionKidsBks @katiecottle_ @PavilionBooks See https://www.katiecottle.com/ for more gorgeous illustrations.

The Last Tree by Emily Haworth-Booth. When a group of friends settle in the unspoiled forest to live, there was dappled shade, a gentle breeze and beautiful trees. However, once they start to cut down trees for their bigger and bigger homes and fires and a wall to protect them form the wind, soon there is only one tree left. The Last Tree. But it's outside the wall, and only the children venture there, when the adults ask them to fetch more wood. But the children treasure the Last Tree, and soon realise the beauty it creates, and how they could begin again, taking down their wall and planting more trees and eventually a new forest. @PavilionKidsBks @emilyhb See https://emilyhaworthbooth.com/ for more.