Jed’s mission started off simply – to write a poem about trees. But Jed’s desire to help the environment spread beyond the message in the poem, prompting the Mayor to improve his carbon rating, more people to re-use paper, recycling of wood and everyone to be much more aware of their environment and their responsibility towards it. What more can you ask for? This easy read could be any child’s typical day to demonstrate just how easy it is to help save our environment by recycling all materials. In the Flying Foxes series, this book is aimed at emerging readers, so the text is short and to the point and the illustrations engaging as well as being a Really Useful Book.
Frog Belly Rat Bone is set in dull, grey, Cementland; a drab place filled with rubbish and piles of junk. Amongst all the detritus a young boy is in search of treasure and sure enough finds it – in the form of colourful packets of seeds. Although disappointed with the contents of the packets he sows them and builds a scarecrow to protect the plants – the titular Frog Belly Rat Bone. The boy brings to life the scarecrow, who encourages the boy in his endeavours to transform Cementland into a wondrous place. Reminiscent of The Tin Forest, this is a joyous take on the topic of environment and sustainability.
Leaf is a truly exceptional picture book. In very few words, Sandra Dieckmann is able to delicately touch upon several global issues. The story revolves around a polar bear who floats on an iceberg unwillingly (and unnaturally) to an island where he is not welcome by the inhabitants. The words tell half of the story, with, ‘the strange white creature carried upon the dark waves towards the shore.’ However, the illustrations manage to portray the significance of the situation, with the polar bear staring face down into the abyss as he floats further away from his natural home. The story doesn’t spell out why the polar bear is floating away from his home, but the message is poignant and delicately hits all of the right environmental notes. As a classroom practitioner, books like this are priceless as they open up conversations that may otherwise be too awkward or taboo.
This is a thought-provoking book that challenges views on cutting down the rainforest. It tells the story of the Yanomami tribe and their views on the ‘nabe’ – white people – who come into the rainforest for different reasons. At first, the white people are perceived as the enemy, and they are only there to cut down trees and make money. As the story progresses, Jane, the scientist, is introduced and we learn how she wants to understand more about the rainforest and she is only there to help protect it. ‘The Vanishing Rainforest’ poses many questions about what is morally right about deforestation. The beautiful illustrations help to engage and encourage readers into understanding and discussing the issue.
When it comes to environmental sustainability, Uno’s Garden by Graeme Base not only tells us about it, but shows us in no uncertain terms. Through stunning illustrations, this picture book demonstrates the exponential impact of unchecked urbanisation, before restoring a more balanced equation. This is a book that plants the seeds of environmentalism for the youngest of readers, but it’s not only for the toddler set. In fact, any age group will dig it. It also doubles as a great resource for mathematical concepts and sparks the imagination with made-up plants, animals and buildings.
Jim Hickory lived in a little log cabin by a forest. Every day started the same – limbering up, hearty breakfast and then chop-choppety-chop! TIMBER! Then he headed back to his cabin. As Jim chopped down more and more trees, more and more animals came to live in his beard. The bird was soon joined by a porcupine and a beaver. After a particularly bad night’s sleep, Jim comes up with a plan which would make everyone happy. A fun picture book with an important environmental message about living sustainably and personal accountability. Jam-packed full of fantastic vocabulary, giggles and big bristly beards! Highly recommended.
The Paperbag Prince is a charming picture book, beautifully written and illustrated by Colin Thompson. The main character determinedly recycles and reuses other people’s discarded items from all across his land, in order to save and repair it throughout the years of it being used as a dump. It is only when the council finally leaves and hands him his land back that the land is able to heal and recover after years of damage. As with all of Thompson’s books, the detailed illustrations add so much to the story and every page could tell a story in its own right. A beautiful book with a beautiful message about sustainability and the impact even one person can have when they are determined.
Many people and creatures lived in the forest, sharing its sanctuary. But they began to notice that something was not quite right. Branches were being cut off. So they set out to investigate. Eventually, they discovered Bear as the culprit. He was so determined to win a paper airplane competition and, needing more paper, he used the wood for the paper to practice. The forest community was not entirely without sympathy, but the chopping of trees had to stop and something done to make up for it. After the Bear started planting new trees to replace the old, his new friends perfected the optimum paper plane to enable him to win the competition and all was well. Oliver Jeffers’ simple, effective drawings portray expression on all his characters with just a few strokes of his pen yet add so much to the message of the book.
Fenn Halflin lives in a world that has been ravaged by floods, where only the elite are allowed to live on the shrinking land that is ruled by the Terra Firma. His adopted grandfather keeps him hidden in a remote location for years until one night he realises that danger is coming and sends Fenn off on a ship that dumps him on the Shanties – a lawless community in the middle of the ocean. A great start to this adventure series, dystopia for younger children with a subtle message about caring for the environment before it’s too late.
Sky Dancer is a fabulous read – an emotionally gripping, totally uplifting, captivating story with an important environmental theme. The novel deals with the pressing issue of decreasing numbers of hen harriers. This is largely due to the ‘management’ of estates and moors to preserve the numbers of grouse for the shooting season. Lewis deals with the issue fairly, without preaching, and both sides of the argument have convincing vehicles in the believable characters of the village of Hartstone. The novel provides plenty of opportunities for pupils to engage with the ongoing UK debate and to research the passions of both sides. Sky Dancer, as you might expect from one of the UK’s leading novelists, is a confident and convincingly told story – with plenty for classes to admire beyond the key storyline. The writing has a classic feel with authentic and gritty characters with whom we can easily empathise. Ultimately Lewis has created a story about finding yourself, your voice and having the courage to speak out.
review
Year group(s) the book is most suitable for:
Year group(s) the book is most suitable for:
Does the book contain anything that teachers would wish to know about before recommending in class (strong language, sensitive topics etc.)?
Does the book contain anything that teachers would wish to know about before recommending in class (strong language, sensitive topics etc.)?
Would you recommend the book for use in primary schools?
yes
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Curriculum links (if relevant)
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