It's sad to admit, but the world as we remember it from our childhood is gone. We might ask ourselves if there is a point in continuing to create environmental texts for children or if reading these texts can make any difference. I believe that books can illuminate environmental issues, propose strategies, and suggest actions that can bring about change. Children’s environmental literature has a lasting impact because it addresses children’s emotions and appeals to their intellect.

Despite numerous critics focusing on children’s literature and environmental education, some delve into questions about how we can ensure that environmental books for children make a difference. One way is by connecting the books with actions. Greta Gaard (2008)*, a critic who has written about children's environmental literature, encourages us to act. She provides examples of simple things that can be done in a classroom setting, such as using the other side of a used paper. She advocates for teaching about, in, and through the social and natural environment, essentially involving and engaging children with the environment as much as possible.

This practical approach can be utilized by teachers and caregivers to increase the impact of children’s environmental books and potentially create a better future. Children's environmental texts have the capacity to present current environmental issues, explain their causes, and suggest ways to respond. Combining this with being physically in the natural environment allows children to reconnect and reassess their relationship with it. This can be achieved by teaching children outside of the classroom, whether it's going to a park, exploring streams, or venturing into the woods so they can see and feel the environment. Adapting class assignments and projects can further help involve children and motivate them to create a strong connection with nature because it's not enough to just talk about it.

Here are four environmental books for children that can be read in a class setting or at home, along with a few possible activities to connect the text with actions:

1. Belonging / Jeannie Baker:

This wordless picture book presents a picture of the same window, looking out over the front yard and streetscape on every page. The book follows Tracy and shows how she, together with the community, gradually changes the urban environment to a greener one. Children can learn about the importance of nature and the impact of small-scale changes starting with one individual in their private garden. Engaging activities can include spotting differences in each picture, and asking thought-provoking questions, such as, which front yard would you prefer to have? What is the impact of nature on the street and on the people that live there? Do we need to change our behaviors too? If so, what does this book suggest we do? Another activity can be to encourage children to think of ways to change what they see outside their window for the better. Children can look outside their class window (or their bedroom/living room window) and think of ways to change what they see for the better - pick up trash, plant, paint over disturbing graffiti, etc. They can take a before and after picture (of their window) and present the process in class and influence others, or they can create a garden in the schoolyard– where they plant some seeds or plants and take care of it during the year.

2. This Moose Belongs To Me / Oliver Jeffers:

This book revolves around the topic of ownership and assumptions about nature. Wilfred owns a moose named Marcel, but to his surprise, others claim Marcel as their own.
Reading it outside, if possible, can prompt discussions about how being in nature makes us feel, the power of nature, and the concept of ownership. Questions to prompt these discussions can be:

Does nature have power?
If so, what is the power of nature?
Do you own a pet?
What does it mean to own a pet?
What makes it your pet?
How do you treat your pet?
What are the rights and responsibilities of ownership?
Can we own nature?
Can animals own people?
Does the moose know that he is a pet?

etc.
Another fun activity can be retelling the story from the moose's point of view. Activity perhaps for older children can be organizing debates about the pros and cons of owning a pet.

3. The Mess That We Made / Michelle Lord

This book addresses the outcome of using unrecyclable products and teaches about recycling and ways to reduce the use of plastic. While reading the book, readers can identify daily-use objects they use at home and see the impact of this use in the following pages. Children can engage in or initiate cleaning projects at school or nearby parks or request to have recycling bins at school. Additional projects can involve decorating the class/school with recycled objects that the class collected together, raising funds for reusable items like reusable straws and water bottles for the class /school, or using recycling money to support those in need, etc.

4. Oi! Get Off Our Train / John Burningham

This book teaches children about endangered animals and consumerism. While dreaming, a boy travels around the world in his model train. During his travels, he meets endangered animals that are seeking refuge. This book is a great way to raise awareness of the nonhuman world and the importance of empathy towards it. Children will learn about the impact of what we consume on the animals - cutting forests, cutting animals’ fur/tusks, etc. They will also learn about pollution and its impact on nature.

Possible activity can be a role-play activity. Children can volunteer and choose an animal from the book, read aloud their part, and act out their part of the story. The rest of the class can join in with the repeating phrases.

In groups, children can choose one animal from the story, look up more information about the animal and its habitat, and think about questions such as, is this animal still endangered? How many of them are left in the wild? And later to share it with the rest of the class.
With an older group of children, the teacher can talk about debate techniques and ask the children to think of other endangered animals and write an argument about why should these animals get on the train (and convince the class).

Inspiring Action: Children’s Books on the Environment and Activities for Educators

The White Darkness / Geraldine McCaughrean

A Guide to Becoming an Early Riser