The year is 2020, and all of us should still be fighting to create awareness of the dangers of plastic and helping to reduce our usage in our own homes. Education is key, and teaching our children is the most important job we have so that the leaders of tomorrow can continue to fight for changes to help this enormous problem.
Since it’s Plastic Free July I’ve put together a list of my top picks of children’s books that will help to teach your budding eco-warriors about plastic and which I hope will inspire your children to become young activists too.
A Planet Full of Plastic – Neal Layton
This non-fiction picture book is perfect for nature-loving children aged four to seven who want to help the environment. It helps to explain where plastic comes from, why it isn’t biodegradable and what makes it dangerous for both animals and humans. There are also lots of ideas of how you can help to make a difference.
Kids Fight Plastic – Martin Dorey
This illustrated book shows children how to become a two minute superhero, giving readers the chance to complete 50 missions to fight plastic at home, at school and while out. It will suit children aged seven to twelve who will no doubt embrace the superhero challenge to fight plastic and help save our oceans.
Plastic Planet – Georgia Amson-Bradshaw
This is a great introduction to the plastic crisis that we are facing on Earth. Perfect for children aged eight and up, the book shows young readers what plastic is, how it’s made and highlights how we have become so dependent on it. It also highlights what we can do to help by changing our mindset and offering practical tips.
Plastic Sucks – Dougie Poynter
This is an educational book about the effects that plastic is having on our planet. Aimed at children between the ages of 8 and 12 years this book is a must-have for every household and school. Not only does it provide a wealth of information about the growing epidemic of plastic, but it also inspires us all to make changes in our lives to reduce our own use of plastic and provides tips on how to take positive action.
You can also keep an eye out for The Tale of a Toothbrush: A Story of Plastic in Our Oceans by M.G. Leonard which is new to our shelves. This picture book features a fun cast of plastic characters and shows our children what happens to their plastic toothbrushes after they are thrown out given they never break down. Be Plastic Clever by Amy and Ella Meek will be arriving in bookstores soon too and is a practical guide for ridding the world of single-use plastics. Written by teenage activists who founded Kids Against Plastic in the UK, the book aims to teach our children about the dangers of plastic pollution and climate change. You can read my review here.
Thanks to Pan Macmillan for sharing these books with us.
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