17 Environmental Advocacy Picture Books

The Secret Of Black Rock by Joe Todd-Stanton 

Too often, we often don’t appreciate nature when we can’t understand it. Such is the case when a seemingly large rock formation routinely creates apparent danger for local fishermen. The town residents decide to destroy the rock, but a little girl advocates saving the rock after discovering how much life it supports just below the surface of the water.

The book encourages children to respect our environment and look beyond what something might initially appear to be. It’s also a great reminder that children can have the power and influence to protect and care for what matters to them.

Ages 3 – 7 | Pages 40

Amara and the Bats by Emma Reynolds

After finding a bat in her attic and falling in love with them, Amara was sad to see that there were no more bats at her local park. She knew from her studies of bats that they were important in the ecosystem.

She decided to work with her family and friends to advocate for restoring the bat population in her community. At school, she encouraged friends to help her raise money to build bat houses. Eventually, the neighborhood came together to create a bat sanctuary in their local park, and the bats returned. Amara’s voice made all the difference.

Ages 4-8 | Pages 48

A Vote Is A Powerful Thing by Catherine Stier

Children can’t vote, but this book helps children understand voting by following the story of a young girl who is campaigning for a different type of vote in her classroom.

Callie’s class is voting on the upcoming class field trip. Through the campaign process, Callie and her classmates learn the power of even one vote and why it’s important to participate in community elections. In this particular case, Callie is advocating for her class to take a field trip to a local nature center so her peers can experience and better appreciate the magic of spending time outdoors.

Ages 4 – 7 | Pages 32

A Voice for the Spirit Bears by Carmen Oliver

A young boy who is very shy and stutters learns about a subspecies of black bears, called spirit bears, that are in danger due to the destruction of their habitat. Despite his nerves and fear of being mocked or ridiculed, he advocates for the spirit bears in many ways. Sometimes, his peers at school make fun of him for his dedication, but he persists. This book is based on a true story.

Ages 6 – 9 | Pages 32

Stand Up! Speak Up! by Andrew Joyner

It’s a very quick read but highlights how children might experience and lead the climate change revolution. The illustrations are all in black and white, except the child who has shades of green on her. As her influence spread, more people and places in the book come to life in green and other colors. This book gives kids a simple reminder that they can be advocates for climate change and inspire others in their life to take action too.

Ages 4-8 | Pages 40

Arthur Turns Green by Marc Brown

I love all the Arthur books and think they are such a fun and light series that always has a good message for kids. My boys seem to really enjoy them as well. In this book, Arthur and his class receive assignments from their teacher to find ways to make our planet a better place. Arthur and his classmates share lots of ways children can create an impact on the environment and help encourage our communities to take better care of the Earth. 

Ages 6-9 | Pages 32

Greta and the Giants by Zoe Tucker

Inspired by Greta Thunberg’s activism, this story shows the power of small children and animals to protect their forests from the onslaught of giants. Without being scary or overwhelming, the giants represent big governments and corporations who are destroying the environment through the pursuit of endless growth and advancement without realizing the collateral damage they are causing. This is a great book to inspire children to stand up for their space. 

Ages 4 – 7 | Pages 32

Follow The Moon Home by Philippe Cousteau and Deborah Hopkinson

As one little girl learns about the baby turtles that hatch on the beach in her community, she realizes that many turtles are dying because the lights from homes on the beach are confusing turtles and causing them to travel in the wrong direction to find water and home. She leads her community to educate and spark action among her neighbors to help solve this problem. This is another story that encourages children to be activists in their community without making activism feel too large to tackle. 

Ages 5-8 | Pages 48

The Streets are Free by Kurusa 

A group of young children growing up in a poor neighborhood in San Jose, Venezuela really want a playground in their community. They fight for it and the town leaders agree to create a playground in an open area. However, this does not happen. Eventually, the community gathers together and the children get the playground that they deserve.

Ages 7-8 | Pages 48

Our House Is On Fire: Greta Thunberg’s Call to Save the Planet by Jeanette Winter

This book shares the story of who Greta Thunberg is and how she came to lead a world of young people in advocating to save the Earth. It highlights several of the key moments she has experienced to date as an international icon for young climate activists. 

Ages 3 – 8 | Pages 40

If Polar Bears Disappeared by Lily Williams 

Starting with the polar bears, this book travels through the food chain in the Arctic discussing what would happen if the polar bear disappears. It discusses how certain impacts of global climate change are hurting the polar bears’ homes and causing them to suffer. It’s a little technical for young children but is a great introduction for elementary-aged children to the chain of events that can happen from climate change matters that may not seem all that meaningful in our everyday lives. 

The author has also written If Elephants Disappeared and If Sharks Disappeared.

Ages 4-8 | Pages 40

The Tree Lady: The True Story of How One Tree-Loving Woman Changed a City Forever by H. Joseph Hopkins 

A leader and change-maker in so many ways, Kate Sessions grew up loving nature and the trees around her. When she moved to San Diego, she found a dry dessert as well as a handful of trees surviving quite well in the arid conditions. She wanted to change the landscape of San Diego, so she quit her teaching job to become a gardener and began planting trees around the city.

Her efforts led to many city parks, the most notable of which is the current Balboa Park that spans a large part of the city. This book shares the true story of her journey in a fun and enlightening way for children and adults alike.

Ages 5-10 | Pages 32

Earth Feeling The Heat by Brenda Z Guiberson 

Each page tells a simple story of one animal around the world who is facing trouble from climate change and poses the question of who can help this animal. The book ends by placing the power to help in the hands of the people, and even children. Hopefully, this story can help highlight for children how climate issues are harming animals around the globe and empower them to be the force of change. 

Ages 4-8 | Pages 32

Miss Fox’s Class Goes Green by Eileen Spinelli

In this story, a school teacher shares with her students all the ways they can be more green. Then each child shares the idea they tried with their family to make a small but meaningful impact on the environment.

As the students practice being green, others join in the fun and the whole school community gets involved. I liked that it creatively offered lots of actionable ideas that kids can implement in their own homes.

Ages 4-8 | Pages 32

The Mess That We Made by Michelle Lord

This book explores the environmental impact of trash and plastic on the ocean and marine life, and it inspires kids to do their part to combat pollution. The first half of the book portrays the growing magnitude of the issue, and the second half rallies children and adults to make the necessary changes to save our oceans.

Ages 5 – 7 | Pages 32

Jingo in the Jungle: Saving the Jewels of the Earth by Serena Lane Ferrari

Venture deep into the rainforest to meet an orangutan who loves his beautiful jungle habitat. One day, he sees bulldozers arrive and gathers together his friends to protect their precious home from destruction. Parents will enjoy an engaging story that speaks directly to kids showing what deforestation can do to animals and wildlife habitats. 

Ages 3 –12 | Pages 35

We Are Protectors by Carole Lindstrom

Inspired by the many Indigenous-led movements across North America, this book issues an urgent rallying cry to safeguard the Earth’s water from harm and corruption. Clean water is paramount to health and wellness, and we need to be sure we are protecting our clean water around the country and the globe. 

pages 3-6 | Pages 40

Greta’s Story: The Schoolgirl Who Went on Strike to Save the Planet by Valentina Camerini

This book shares the story about how Greta Thunberg became frustrated with the lack of political action for environmental protection, started protesting in front of the Parliament building, and eventually become a world figure for youth participation in climate action.

Do you have any favorite picture books for kids about environmental advocacy and climate action driven by children and teenagers? If so, share them in the comments so we can all read them and pass along the important message to our children. 

Pages 8 – 12 | Pages 144