Fifty years after the first Earth Day celebration, the environment is still an urgent concern. Global climate change is melting glaciers, accelerating a rise in sea levels, and resulting in longer heat waves and more intense storms. All of these changes are having a significant impact on animal habitats and the diversity of species—and scientists warn of the threat to humans as well.

But environmental activism remains alive and well, and a new generation of young people is leading the charge. Motivated by concern for the planet and what they see as a failure of adults to take meaningful action, many young people are getting involved. At age 15, Greta Thunberg of Sweden became a global symbol for the youth environmental movement. Other youth-led organizations, such as Zero Hour and the Youth Climate Strike, are demanding change through marches, rallies, and lobbying efforts. Colleges and universities have seen a rise in the number of students majoring in environmental studies and other subjects related to the environment.

Publishers are taking note of this trend. Recognizing the appeal of environmental topics among youth, many publishers are releasing works that tap into this interest. Environmental titles include fiction books with stories that cultivate an appreciation for the natural world, as well as nonfiction books that help youth understand the science behind issues they see in the news.

A common theme is giving young people actionable information they can use to make a difference in their communities. “Teens are at the forefront of the environmental movement today,” says Shaina Olmanson, associate editorial director for Lerner Publishing Group’s Twenty-First Century Books imprint. “We want to help them get involved and show that they have a voice.”


Nomad Press

Nomad Press is an educational publisher dedicated to sparking young readers’ interest in the world around them. “We want to make science relevant for kids,” says senior editor Andi Diehn, “and the environment is a topic that fits with that idea. It’s something that young people are passionate about and want to learn more about.”

Biodiversity: Explore the Diversity of Life on Earth with Environmental Science Activities for Kids, written by Laura Perdew, illustrated by Tom Casteel, March 2019, ISBN 9781619307483, introduces readers ages 9-12 to the evolution of life on Earth. It includes hands-on activities and critical thinking exercises—such as designing a water filtration system and exploring sustainable seafood—that encourage students to consider the threat to biodiversity and think of how they can be part of the solution.

Climate Change: The Science Behind Melting Glaciers and Warming Oceans With Hands-On Science Activities, written by Joshua Sneideman and Erin Twamley, illustrated by Alexis Cornell, March 2020, ISBN 9781619308992, is a new release that helps readers ages 9-12 understand the science behind global climate change and how the decisions they make every day affect the planet. QR codes in the text provide links to outside resources such as citizen science sites, so students can do actual science and contribute to the world’s body of knowledge.

“This is a way for students to learn more about a critical topic they hear about in the news every day, along with actions they can take so they don’t feel powerless,” says marketing director Rachel Benoit.


Lerner Publishing Group

The environment is “definitely something that’s top of mind for young people today, and there are many angles to explore within this topic,” says Olmanson, of Lerner’s Twenty-First Century Books imprint. Twenty-First Century Books has three titles coming out this spring with a focus on the environment and what students can do to protect it.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, the company is releasing Earth Day and the Environmental Movement: Standing Up for Earth, by Christy Peterson, March 2020, ISBN 9781541552814. This 120-page book for students in grades 8–12 documents the history of the environmental movement in the United States, including its successes (laws passed, policies adopted) and shortcomings (like the unfortunate reality that environmental policy has become an increasingly partisan issue).

Also by Peterson is Into the Deep: Science, Technology, and the Quest to Protect the Ocean, April 2020, ISBN 9781541555556. Into the Deep looks at how scientists are using modern technologies to better understand the mysteries of the ocean—and how these discoveries have important implications for our planet’s future. Each chapter also profiles actual scientists working in the field, so students can see the diversity of career paths available to them.

In Where Have All the Bees Gone?: Pollinators in Crisis, February 2020, ISBN 9781541534636, author Rebecca E. Hirsch notes that bees pollinate 75 percent of the fruits, vegetables, and nuts grown in the United States. Around the world, bees pollinate $24 billion worth of crops each year. But the number of bees worldwide is falling, and that has scientists worried. This 104-page book looks at what’s behind the decline and what students can do to help, such as planting native flowers that attract pollinators and making strategic choices in what foods to buy.

In fact, all of the company’s books include practical information to help students take action in their communities. “Teens want to be involved. They’re searching for ways they can help the environment,” Olmanson says. “It’s important for them to know that their choices matter—right down to the choices they make in the grocery store. There are simple things they can do in their everyday lives that can make a big difference.”


Flowerpot Press

Flowerpot Press was founded by a brother-and-sister team in 2005. They started out by publishing board and picture books for value stores such as Dollar General but now sell to schools and libraries as well. The company is releasing two new titles with an environmental focus this spring in honor of Earth Day.

The Forest Man: The True Story of Jadev Payeng, by Anne Matheson, illustrated by Kay Widdowson, April 2020, ISBN 9781486718160, tells the true story of Jadav Payeng, who grew up on a river island in India that became a barren sandbar after years of harsh monsoons. Determined to reclaim the land, Jadav began planting trees at age 14.

“He essentially rebuilt an entire ecosystem,” says Flowerpot cofounder Patrick Hayes. “With the trees came birds, and with the birds came other animals. We thought it was incredibly powerful to show how one person could make such a difference.”

This Raindrop: Has a Billion Stories to Tell, by Linda Ragsdale, illustrated by Srimalie Bassani, April 2020, ISBN 9781486718177, is a “lyrical walk through the history of water on our planet,” Hayes says. The story follows a raindrop’s journey on Earth from the time of dinosaurs to the present, inspiring children ages 5-8 to think about where water comes from and how to conserve this precious resource.

With each sale of these books, the company will plant a tree in a community of need through the nonprofit Trees for the Future. “Going forward, we’ll continue to release a few environmental titles around Earth Day every year and tie their sales to the planting of trees,” Hayes says. “I’m a parent. The future matters. We want to leave the planet in a better position than we inherited it.”


National Geographic Kids Books

National Geographic has been a leading advocate of environmentalism for more than a century. In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, the organization is utilizing all of its storytelling platforms to champion at-risk species and their habitats. Throughout April, Nat Geo is joining with Disney to highlight 50 species that the two iconic brands will focus their efforts around.

In conjunction with this initiative, National Geographic Books is releasing two special edition books with photographer Joel Sartore to bring the wonder of these animals to life. Each includes a poster highlighting animals at risk. National Geographic: The Photo Ark Limited Earth Day Edition, March 2020, ISBN 9781426221583, is for adults. National Geographic Kids Photo Ark Limited Earth Day Edition, words by Kwame Alexander and photos by Joel Sartore, March 2020, ISBN 9781426372070, is for children and read-aloud. Pairing Sartore’s stunning photography with the poetry of Newbery Medal winner Alexander, this picture book celebrates the beauty and diversity of the animal world, while calling on readers to help protect each species.

Sartore captured each animal in detail as part of his lifelong mission to photograph every captive species in the world, particularly endangered ones. “This close-up perspective offers a very intimate view of each animal,” says Laurie Hembree, director of library marketing. The accompanying website includes detailed information about each animal, as well as actions that kids can take to help save them, such as standing up for “scary” animals. “We’re providing kids with concrete ways they can make a difference in the lives of endangered animals,” Hembree says.

Extreme Ocean: Amazing Animals, High-Tech Gear, Record-Breaking Depths, and More, by Sylvia Earle, March 2020, ISBN 9781426336850, draws on the knowledge of Earle, a world-renowned National Geographic Explorer who has been deep-sea diving for decades. “She has no fear,” Hembree says. “As a young girl, she was pushed underwater by a rogue wave while vacationing at the ocean. When she managed to escape and emerged from the water laughing, her mother knew she had a different kind of child.”

In this paperback book for children ages 8-12, Earle describes her daring dives, the exotic species she has encountered, and the high-tech gear used to study the ocean. She also discusses the effects of rising sea temperatures on the planet. “The book’s theme is how important the ocean is for our survival,” notes Hembree.


Arbordale Publishing

South Carolina-based Arbordale Publishing was founded in 2004 to provide high-quality picture books about science, nature, and conservation. Most of the books are written for children ages 4-8. They tell a compelling story that inspires children to learn, says public relations manager Heather Williams—and the last few pages include fun facts and activities that support the story in a special section called “For Creative Minds.”

New this year, Creek Critters, by Jennifer Keats Curtis, illustrated by Phyllis Saroff, February 2020, ISBN 9781643517483, tells the story of two siblings as they explore a local creek. They’re looking for certain kinds of stream bugs (aquatic macroinvertebrates) that need clean water to survive. The book was written with input from Stroud Water Research Center in Pennsylvania, and the back pages encourage children to go out and explore their own environment.

Scheduled for release this fall, River Otter’s Adventure, by Linda Stanek, illustrated by Shennen Bersani, September 2020, ISBN 9781643517513, is about an otter who sneaks into a zoo and wonders if she should be more like the other animals she meets. As she imagines having a trunk like an elephant or is ferocious like a tiger, she realizes that she likes being an otter after all. Not only does the story have an important theme—learning to appreciate oneself—but children also learn about adaptation in the animal world and how the different characteristics of each species help it survive.

All books and activities are aligned with the Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards, and the Arbordale website includes free supplemental learning materials that are printable and compatible with interactive whiteboards.


Blue Dot Kids Press

Blue Dot Kids Press is a brand new, mission-driven children’s book publisher making its debut this month. Founder and Publisher Heidi Hill says the company takes its name from astronomer Carl Sagan’s ode to planet Earth, a “pale blue dot” as seen from space.

“His message is that there is no plan B for our planet,” Hill observes, “and so we all have to work together to save it.” That’s the ethos of the company as well, which aims to publish stories that connect children with each other and the planet they share.

Under My Tree, by Muriel Tallandier, illustrated by Mizuho Fujisawa, April 2020, ISBN 9781733121231, is a modern take on an old favorite, Shel Silverstein’s The Giving Tree. When Susanne leaves her city home to visit her grandmother, she finds a special tree in the forest. Each time she returns to the tree, she notices something new about it—from the shelter of its branches to the scratchy surface of its bark. Aimed at children ages three to eight, the story fosters an appreciation of the natural world.

Ivy Bird, by Tania McCartney, illustrated by Jess Racklyeft, April 2020, ISBN 9781733121217, is another celebration of the natural world, as well as the joy of imaginative play. It’s the story of a girl who pretends to be different birds during the course of a day. A two-page spread at the end includes rich details about each bird species.

Blue Dot publishes nonfiction as well. Who Will It Be? How Evolution Connects Us All, written by teacher and biologist Paola Vitale, illustrated by Rossana Bossù, April 2020, ISBN 9781733121200, introduces children ages 5-8 to the concept of evolution and how deeply we’re connected to all creatures. The book approaches its subject matter as a mystery, engaging children with a riddle they have to solve.

“We hope our books spark important discussions in the classroom and at home,” Hill says. “We want to engage young readers’ innate sense of empathy, which is a critical skill for creative problem solving.”


Spreading Hope

A unifying thread that runs throughout these new titles is a focus on hope for the planet’s future. “Kids can feel overwhelmed by all the negativity they hear about the environment,” says Nomad’s Benoit. “We want to give them positive messages that empower them to become responsible global citizens. “It’s not all gloom and doom,” Lerner’s Olmanson agrees. “Young readers should know that it’s not too late for them to make a difference.”


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