Reading Green

Gallimaufry - Leaning Green

by Jessica Wood

Jessica Wood.

Kids learn what we teach them, and that applies to what they think of the environment as much as to anything else. Setting a good example is crucial, of course, but sometimes a little outside help can be useful as well. Here are some children's books that can serve as great introductions to environmental issues, and get kids started on thinking green.

  • The Wump World by Bill Peet tells the story of the whimsical creatures called Wumps, whose peaceful planet is invaded by nasty polluters. The story isn't complicated, but it's great for very young children, and the Wumps are just too cute!
  • The Why Should I...? Series is a collection of four non-fiction books, again for young children, that explains in simple terms the importance of saving energy, recycling, and other actions we can take to help the environment. The books focus on positives, so kids can learn not to take our resources and the environment for granted without getting scared.
  • This next book, for slightly older readers, is just the opposite. Just a Dream by Chris van Allsburg is intended to be a little bit scary. It's about a careless, non-eco-sensitive boy who dreams of a future in which no one has taken care of the environment and the nightmarish things he sees there. When he wakes up, he realizes that he is responsible for his own actions. Like all van Allsburg books, this one has wonderful illustrations.
  • Finally, the best environmental book I have ever read is The Lorax by Dr. Seuss. I'm even asking for it for Christmas this year! It's classic Seuss in style--every sentence in rhyme, every page popping with neon-bright colors--with a sad but hopeful story about what happens when you cut down all the trees. I don't know what it is about this book, but there's something about it that makes it great for kids and adults alike.

One last note: with the holidays approaching it's tempting to go out and shop 'til you drop, but remember, you don't need to own a book to enjoy it. Consider taking the kids in your life to the library to borrow these books, or share them with friends, and you'll be using fewer resources even as you read about important environmental lessons.