One topic I wish I had learned more about as a kid was the environment. I knew to love the Earth and to recycle, but I didn’t fully understand how my choices affected the world around me or how I could make a meaningful difference. Now more than ever, it’s essential to encourage younger generations to develop an early interest in the environment. Climate change can feel daunting at any age, but the sooner people become aware of their impact, the sooner they can feel empowered to take positive action.
This week’s edition of Three To Read Jr. highlights titles that introduce young readers to environmental issues in thoughtful, engaging, and hopeful ways while also showcasing practical actions they can take. Let’s dive in!
EARLY READERS
The Night Before Earth Day by Natasha Wing, Illustrated by Amy Wummer
SYNOPSIS:
The Night Before Earth Day by Natasha Wing, illustrated by Amy Wummer, is a picture book that introduces young readers to the importance of caring for the planet. Written in the style of ’Twas the Night Before Christmas, it follows a community as families prepare for Earth Day by recycling, planting trees, cleaning up trash, and finding creative ways to reuse items. Neighbors come together to share books and clothes, start a garden, and observe nature, showing how small everyday actions can make a big difference.
WHY:
Introducing kids to Earth Day is a fantastic way to teach them how their everyday choices affect the world around them. This book demonstrates that even small actions like spending time in nature or starting a garden can make a real difference. It keeps things positive and fun, focusing on simple ways children can care for the planet without overwhelming them with the bigger issues of climate change. It’s a gentle reminder that you’re never too young to start giving back to the Earth.
ELEMENTARY READERS
History Smashers: Earth Day and the Environment by Kate Messner
SYNOPSIS:
This nonfiction book explores the real story behind Earth Day and the history of environmentalism. While many people think environmental awareness began in 1970, Messner shows that concern for the planet stretches back much further, highlighting the practices of Indigenous peoples, early conservationists, and scientists who recognized the impact of human activity on nature. The book examines issues like pollution, fossil fuels, pesticides, and climate change, while also celebrating the millions of people who’ve joined together to protect the Earth.
WHY:
When I was a kid, my favorite way to learn about real events was through graphic stories, and I know I would’ve loved this one growing up. History Smashers is a series that takes big moments in history and makes them fun and approachable for kids. Graphic elements help keep young readers engaged while they learn about important topics, and this book, in particular, offers an exciting introduction to the history of environmentalism. It not only explains how people have cared for the planet in the past but also encourages kids to think about how they can make a difference today and in the future.
MIDDLE GRADE READERS
Save Our Forest! by Nora Dåsnes, Translated by Lise Lærdal Bryn
SYNOPSIS:
Save Our Forest! is a graphic novel about a 12-year-old girl named Bao who learns that the beloved forest near her school is going to be destroyed to make way for a parking lot. Determined to protect the bog, Bao and her friends, Tuva and Linnéa, rally together to protest, organize, and try to convince adults of the forest’s value for both kids and the environment. As they fight to save the woods, Bao struggles with the challenges of being taken seriously at her age while also finding her own voice as an activist.
WHY:
The graphic illustrations in this novel make it a fun read. They bring a lot of warmth to the story, even as it tackles a serious issue. The book shows that, while our own actions matter, many environmental problems come from corporate greed and that activism is seen as a roadblock to financial success. By portraying this tension, Save Our Forest! encourages readers to think about bigger changes while also building empathy for both people and the natural world.
Thanks for tuning in to this week’s Three To Read Jr.! Exploring books at different life stages helps cement important ideas during formative years and can inspire new generations to take part in protecting the planet. Climate change remains an ever-looming threat, but it’s one we can help mitigate if people care enough to act.
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