Our favourite kids books that have an environmental message

November 5, 2020 Biome

Here at Biome we have a beautiful range of books for kids that offer meaningful messages about nature, recycling, environmental activism, and more. As with all of the books in our collection, we focus on uplifting reads that inspire kids to live with compassion for all who share our planet, curiosity, mindfulness, resourcefulness, and a deep love for nature. Read on as we share some of our favourites, including kids books by Australian authors and illustrators, as well as classics like The Lorax. Biome's book collection is curated by our founder, Tracey.

Change Starts With Us

Change starts with us | Kids books that have an environmental message | Biome Eco Stores

Change Starts With Us is a timely and uplifting picture book written and illustrated by award-winning Brisbane-based illustrator, Sophie Beer. It is fun and informative, full of small changes we can make to protect our beautiful planet. From saving water to walking more, reusing and recycling around the home, there are many ways our small actions can collectively make a big difference. Suitable for ages 3+.

Your Wild Imagination books

In 2016, Brooke Davis established an award-winning nature play program in Adelaide called Wild Imagination, and has since gone on to write two books, spreading the joy of nature even further: Your Wild Imagination and Your Wild Child: More Nature Play Activities For Kids. The beauty of nature play is that it meets you exactly where you are at that point in time. The materials are open ended and can be transformed by your unique creativity. The books are all about using materials that you have available to you, and what is within you - your imagination! Inside you'll find activities like leaf crowns, nature wings, boats and rafts, stick frames, nature weaving, a bug journal, leaf art and much more. Suited to ages 2-12.

Your Planet Needs You!

Where does waste come from? Where does it end up? What can we do to help our planet? Renowned Queensland picture book creator, Philip Bunting, answers all of these questions and more in this optimistic guide to walloping waste and reducing rubbish. Your Planet Needs You! is packed with simple and entertaining ways kids and their families can reduce, reuse, recycle, renew and really get involved in cleaning up our planet. Learn how to start a compost bin, how to use an old egg carton to sprout seedlings, and discover how long different things take to decompose - from an apple core to a gumboot to a plastic bag. This exciting book shows that taking care of our environment really can be both fun and rewarding! For ages 4+.

The Lorax

“Mister! He said with a sawdusty sneeze, I am the Lorax. I speak for the trees.” The Lorax is the original eco warrior and his message still rings loud today in this fable about the dangers of destroying our forests, told in the trademark rhyme of the irrepressible Dr. Seuss. This special eco-friendly slipcased edition is printed on 100% recycled paper, and contains some easy tips to follow to help the Lorax save the planet. This children's classic is suited to ages 5+.

Rivertime

Rivertime is a tender and beautifully illustrated tale of a boy and his bird-watching uncle, on a paddling trip on Australia's Glenelg River. It is a story about slowing down, growing up, and connecting with the land and its creatures. Written and illustrated by Australian author Trace Balla, Rivertime has won and been shortlisted for numerous prestigious awards. 'All children need an Uncle Egg to open up the magical world of nature. We all need to get outside, away from television, computers and mobile phones, and what better way than a canoeing-camping trip? This is a delightful story about the joy of the outdoors.' David Suzuki Suited to ages 8+.

Old Enough To Save The Planet

In Old Enough To Save The Planet, meet kids from all over the world taking action against climate change. Read their stories, learn about the work they do and discover how they became campaigners for the future of our planet. Meet 11-year-old Shalise from Australia, the world's youngest ocean activist; or 9 year old Fink Feinbeiner, a rainforest activist from Germany. Old Enough To Save The Planet is written by Bristol based author, teacher and forest school leader, Loll Kirby. Inspired by the children she teaches, she wrote this book for anyone who wants to make a difference. Recommended for ages 7+.

Going Bush

In 2005 author Nadia Wheatley and artist Ken Searle developed a Harmony Project with sixteen students from eight infant and primary schools in Sydney - some Muslim, some Catholic, some government schools. As well as experiencing the harmony of the natural environment, the children were encouraged to learn about harmony between the traditional owners and the land, and to find harmony in friendship and collaboration. Going Bush is the story of the children's simple but inspirational journey, and is a model for the way harmony can be shared across Australian society. Suited to primary aged children.

Never Get Bored Outdoors

Whoever opens this book will unearth an amazing hoard of fun things to do outdoors, throughout summer - and the other seasons too. Whether you're in a garden or at the park, up a hill or by the sea, walking through a forest or down a city street, there'll never be a dull moment outdoors again if you have this book. Never Get Bored Outdoors is full of colour illustrations, and jam packed with suggestions of how to not just pass time outdoors but to really make the most of it. Games, experiments, guides for observing wildlife, artistic endeavours and so much more. A must have for kids who say "I'm bored!" Great for ages 6+.