Calling all Early Climate Optimists! Our ECO Bookworms book club invites parents, caregivers and educators to start conversations about climate change and the environment with their little ones.
Knowing how to talk about climate change with children can be difficult. We all want to nurture the next generation and encourage a sense of hope and personal power.
Reading stories about climate change and our changing planet is a great place to start. Check back the second Tuesday of each month for a new featured book.
Free books for educators!
APHA’s ECO Bookworms book club is coming to your classroom! Educators who are looking to inspire climate action can choose one of our six book picks, and we will mail it to you for free. These books focus on climate change or the environment and offer many ways to take action. Select your book and encourage your students’ reading skills and awareness of the environment.
Sign up for your free book
We look forward to seeing how you incorporate the book into your classroom. Create a class project based on the book and share on social media with the tag #ECOBookworms. At the end of the year, we will feature the projects on APHA’s social media.
Be creative! Need some inspiration? Read about some of the activities from last year.
April 2024 ECO Bookworm
This April, our ECO Bookworms selection is “The World is Ours to Cherish” by climate writer Mary Annaise Heglar and illustrated by Vivian Mineker. This author writes an honest, open letter to children about climate change and urges them to band together to help the planet. She underscores that the world is beautiful, but changing. Climate change has already had a devastating effect on the planet, but it's not too late if we work together. Published by Random House Books for Young Readers, this book is for children ages 4-9.
Discussion questions:
- What parts of the planet do you think are the most beautiful?
- What steps can we take together to prevent climate change?
- Who can you ask to help you protect the land where you live?
March 2024 ECO Bookworm
This March our ECO Bookworm selection is “We are All Connected” by Gabi Garcia and illustrated by Natalia Jimenez Osario. This charming book in verse begins with “We all live on one blue dot spinning in space. We are all a part of one human race.” Throughout the book, the author underscores that everyone on earth is connected and thus we need to care for one another and our planet. She identifies that children can take strong stands for the climate, including protecting water, land and animals on earth. Published by Skinned Kneed Publishing, this book is for children 3-8.
Discussion questions:
- What is one thing you can do today to protect our land?
- How can you help others care for the Earth?
- Can you write a poem about protecting the planet?
February 2024 ECO Bookworm
“How to Change Everything: The Young Human's Guide to Protecting the Planet and Each Other,” by Rebecca Stefoff and Naomi Klein is our ECO Bookworms Book Club pick for February. Adapted from the author’s book for adults, the author reminds children, ages 10 and up, that this is a time of great opportunity—an opportunity to change everything. Children are not just part of the climate change movement, but many are leading the way.
Full of empowering stories of young leaders from all over the world, this book offers young readers a comprehensive look at the state of the climate today and how we got here, while also providing the tools they need to join this fight to protect and reshape the planet they will inherit. Published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers.
Discussion Questions:
- What are some activities can you participate in to increase awareness of climate change?
- Why are climate and justice related issues?
- What tools do you already have to protect our planet?
January 2024 ECO Bookworm
This month, our ECO Bookworms Book Club pick, “The Artivist,” encourages children to use their talents for change! When the young boy in this book uses art to highlight social justice issues, like environmental negligence, he is both raising awareness and encouraging others to take action.
The author writes, “They say I’m an Artist. They say I’m an activist. I think it’s time to combine both parts of who I am: to take ACTION with my ART. It’s time to become … the ARTIVIST.” Written and illustrated by Nikkolas Smith. Published by Kokila. Intended for children ages 4-8.
Discussion Questions:
- What is an Artivist and how do they encourage change?
- What did the Artivist inspire when he painted what people deserved to have?
- What talents do you have that can encourage change in your neighborhood?
November 2023 ECO Bookworm
In honor of America Recycles Day on Nov. 15, our ECO Bookworms book pick is “The Big Beach Cleanup,” written by Charlotte Offsay, illustrated by Katie Rewse and published by Albert Whitman & Company.
This book follows the story of Cora who was excited to compete in a sandcastle building contest, but the event is canceled because of all the litter that washed up on the beach. Cora is determined to get her community together and clean up the beach and she will not stop there. Intended for children ages 4-8.
Discussion Questions:
- What are Cora’s big plans after the beach cleanup?
- Have you noticed litter in your community? How can you help your community stay clean?
- What are single-use plastics?
October 2023 ECO Bookworm
This October, check out our ECO Bookworms Book Club pick, “Rise Up and Write It,” written by Nandini Ahuja, illustrated by Anoosha Syed and published by Harper Festival. This interactive book includes different envelopes with letters, postcards and more. Make sure to open them and follow along as Farah Patel brings her community together to help make her neighborhood greener! Intended for children ages 4-8.
Discussion Questions:
- What motivated Farah to write to Mayor Khan?
- How did the community garden benefit Farah’s community?
- How does Farah’s story inspire you to take action in your community?
September 2023 ECO Bookworm
APHA’s ECO Bookworms Book Club wants to ensure our conversations about climate, health and equity start with respect for all and a curiosity to discover more. Check out our September Book Club pick, “Melanin Brown Discovers America,” written by Candice Davis and illustrated by Benedicta Buatsie. This book reminds us that when we are kind to one another and care about people and the planet, we can stand up to bullies and overcome challenges. Let’s work together to address climate change and help heal our planet! Intended for children 8-12.
Discussion Questions:
- What are some ways you can show love and kindness to yourself, others and the Earth?
- Name three things you like to find out about other people.
- Why is it important to treat each other and the Earth with respect?
Books can convey big and scary subjects like climate change in ways that inspire young people to act with optimism. Our stories focus on solutions to help young readers feel empowered, rather than overwhelmed.
Our selected books target readers 8 years old and younger, but we encourage everyone to follow along and read. Let’s empower our young climate optimists by equipping ourselves with the right tools to start a conversation. Check with your local library or bookstore to find a copy of each month’s book.
We are excited to be on this book club journey with the APHA community and friends. Tell us about your favorite environmental or climate change children’s book.