10 Climate Change Books for Kids of All Ages, from Toddler to Young Adult
Children’s books are more than just bedtime tales. They teach kids how to think about, interpret, and interact with the world around them. Unfortunately, today’s youth are inheriting a world in crisis.
We’ve pulled together our favorite children’s books about climate change for 2023 for kids from toddlers to young adults. These powerful reads will help kids of all ages understand what’s happening, get curious, and take action.
Picture Books About the Environment
Nibi is Water / Nibi Aawon Nbiish
By Joanne Robertson
Best for Ages 1-4
This delightful board book introduces children to how we experience nibi, which means water in Anishinaabemowin. This is the language of the Ojibwe people, a Native American group who live in what is now Canada and North America.
Nibi gives us many things: we swim in it, we watch it fall as rain, we drink it up and get refreshed. In return, we should respect it, love it, and care for it. Because nibi is water – and water is life.
Written by Joanne Robertson, an Anishinaabe water protector, this dual-language book contains words in Anishinaabemowin and English, with a pronunciation guide for new learners.
Buy Nibi is Water / Nibi Aawon Nbiish →
Seeds of Change: Planting a Path to Peace
By Jen Cullerton Johnson
Best for Ages 2-6
This vibrant picture book follows the life of scientist Wangari Maathi, the first African woman and first environmentalist to win a Nobel Peace Prize.
Wangari was raised in Kenya, where she grew a deep love for nature. Although most girls in Kenya didn’t go to school, curious Wangari was allowed to get an education. Her mind sprouted like a seed.
After studying abroad as a young woman, Wangari returned to Kenya. There, she advocated for women’s rights and founded the Green Belt Movement, which has planted millions of trees throughout the country.
Buy Seeds of Change: Planting a Path to Peace →
Children’s Books about Climate Change and the Environment
The Tantrum That Saved the World
By Megan Herbert and Dr. Michael E. Mann
Best for Ages 4-8
If you inherited a humongous problem caused by grownups, you’d throw a tantrum too. Then maybe, just maybe – you’d save the world.
This children’s book about climate change is broken into three parts: first, a story about the tantrum that saved the world; second, a kid-friendly explanation of the forces behind climate change; and third, an action plan for making a difference in our own stories.
The Tantrum that Saved the World is printed on 100% recycled materials using soy ink and renewable energy, zero landfill waste, and carbon offset shipping.
Buy the Tantrum that Saved the World →
Rainbow Weaver / Tejedora de Arcoiris
Linda Elovitz Marshall
Best for Ages 4 - 8
Young Ixchel wants to learn the ancient art of weaving Guatemalan textiles, but her mother says she’s too little. Besides, there’s no spare thread for her to practice. So Ixchel decides to collect the colorful plastic bags scattered throughout her village and turn them into thread for her loom.
Ixchel’s story is told in Spanish and English, with colorful illustrations and real photographs of Mayan textiles. A portion of the proceeds benefit the Mayan weaving cooperatives that inspired and informed the book.
Buy Rainbow Weaver/Tejedora del Arcoiris →
Not for Me, Please! I Choose to Act Green
By Maria Godsey
Best for Ages 4 - 8
This children’s book about climate change teaches us about the little choices that make a world of difference. Join Luke on his mission to Recycle, Reduce, and Reuse and help change the world with a simple phrase: “Not for me, please!”
After reading, kids and parents can reflect on what they’ve learned with dialogue prompts about sustainability, zero-waste, and the environment.
Buy Not for Me, Please! I Choose to Act Green →
Buzzing with Questions
By Janice N. Harrington
Best for Ages 7 - 10
Buzzing with Questions tells the story of an inquisitive scientist who never stopped asking questions, even in the face of racial prejudice.
The book follows a young Charles Henry Turner as he reads, explores, and experiments his way to becoming the first Black entomologist. (That’s someone who studies bugs.)
Jam-packed with research and information, Buzzing with Questions will inspire kids to get curious and use science to make sense of the world.
Operation Redwood
By S. Terrell French
Best for Ages 8 - 12
“Sibley Carter is a moron and a world-class jerk!”
After stumbling upon an angry email, Julian Carter-Li and his friends band together to stop his mean uncle Sibley from logging an ancient Redwood grove in California. Operation Redwood shows kids how determined people of any age can stand up against injustice and protect the environment.
Old Enough to Save the Planet
By Loll Kirby
Best for Ages 8 - 12
Kids didn’t cause the climate crisis. But if global youth-led protests have shown us anything, they’re not afraid to speak up and help solve it.
This children’s book about climate change shares the stories of young people worldwide working to raise awareness and create a greener future. Because it doesn’t matter how old you are: you’re old enough to save the planet.
Buy Old Enough to Save the Planet →
Climate Change Books for Teens and Pre-teens
Mission: Save the Planet
Sally Ride and Tam O'Shaughnessy
Best for Ages 12 - 15
Co-authored by Sally Ride, the first American woman to visit outer space, this climate change book teaches kids about how our planet’s atmosphere and ecosystems function.
Through an astronaut’s point of view, young readers will discover how climate change and human activity threaten Earth’s delicate systems. Next, they’ll learn practical steps they can take to help fight climate change.
Buy Mission: Save the Planet →
One Earth: People of Color Protecting Our Planet
By Anuradha Rao
Best for Ages 12 - 17
One Earth shares the stories of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color who are protecting our fragile planet. Packed with environmental role models, this book follows 20 individuals from all backgrounds as they grow from curious kids into community leaders.
Buy One Earth: People of Color Protecting Our Planet →
The Omnivore's Dilemma: Young Readers Edition
Michael Pollan
Best for Ages 12 - 17
Michael Pollan’s famous book taught adults about the serious health and global impacts of their food choices. Now, kids can learn the secrets behind what they eat, too!
The Omnivore’s Dilemma takes a look at different food systems around the world and encourages tweens and teens to think deeper about the decisions they make at mealtime.
Buy The Omnivore’s Dilemma: Young Readers Edition →
Bonus: Climate Change Podcasts for Kids
Ecolution
Follow youth climate activist Evie Kenny as she explores the cloudy waters of our changing planet. This kid’s climate change podcast features interviews with environmental icons like Dr. Jane Goodall, visits to youth-driven climate events, and deep dives into kids’ most pressing questions about climate change.
Listen to Ecolution on Spotify →
Generation Carbon
What is food waste? Why is there so much plastic in the ocean? Is it normal to feel anxious about our planet’s future? Generation Carbon is a podcast about climate change for kids. It breaks big questions like these into bite-sized episodes that make it easy to listen, learn, and take action.
Listen to Generation Carbon on Spotify →
Wow in the World
Wow in the World is a podcast about science, tech, and innovation for kids and their grownups. This episode teaches us how to be cool to a planet that’s heating up.
More WOW: A Sunbrella for the Planet →
Join the community
