Books For Kids About Climate Change and Global Warming
18 Books That Will Explain Climate Change to Kids of All Ages
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There are tons of worldly subjects that can be difficult to introduce to your kids, which is where books can come in. Although your kids may have begun learning about global warming and the dangers of climate change in school, supplement their knowledge and understanding of the concept with books you can read together at home. The best part? Most of these books have some kind of call to action or lesson that your child can take away — that way, they leave feeling empowered to be a part of the solution.
Scroll through to see some of our favourite book picks that will teach your kids of all ages about climate change.
1 The Magic School Bus and the Climate Challenge
Amazon's description: "Like it or not, global warming is a hot topic, and it will affect the younger generation the most. So why not turn to the teacher kids like the most, Ms. Frizzle! Only the Friz can boil all the hoopla down to the scientific facts in a fun and informative way. With trademark simplicity and wit, Joanna Cole explains why the earth is getting warmer, and Bruce Degen's bright, action-filled illustrations make the science easy to understand and fun to learn. This team brings a new, improved understanding to climate change, engageing kids and empowering all. Teachers will cheer!"
Ages it's best suited for: 7-10 years
Buy it here: The Magic School Bus and the Climate Challenge ($8)
2 The Polar Bears' Home: A Story About Global Warming
Amazon's description: "Come along on an Arctic adventure with a little girl and her father and learn all about polar bears! This . . . storybook shows how global warming affects two baby polar bear cubs and their family. Includes tips for kids on what they can do to help slow down global warming."
Ages it's best suited for: 4-6 years
Buy it here: The Polar Bears' Home: A Story About Global Warming ($5)
3 The Fog
Amazon's description: "Warble is a small yellow warbler who lives on the beautiful island of Icyland, where he pursues his hobby of human watching. But on a warm day, a deep fog rolls in and obscures his view. The rest of the birds don't seem to notice the fog or the other changes Warble observes on the island. The more the fog is ignored, the more it spreads. When a Red-hooded Spectacled Female (Juvenile) appears, Warble discovers that he's not the only one who notices the fog. Will they be able to find others who can see it too? And is the fog here to stay? Kyo Maclear's witty story, brought to life with the delicate, misty artwork of Kenard Pak, is a poignant yet humourous reminder of the importance of environmental awareness."
Ages it's best suited for: 4-8 years
Buy it here: The Fog ($13)
4 What Is Climate Change?
Amazon's description: "The earth is definitely getting warmer. There's no argument about that, but who or what is the cause? And why has climate change become a political issue? Are humans at fault? Is this just a natural development? While the vast majority of scientists who study the environment agree that humans play a large part in climate change, there is a counterargument. Author Gail Herman presents both sides of the debate in this fact-based, fair-minded, and well-researched book that looks at the subject from many perspectives, including scientific, social, and political."
Ages it's best suited for: 8-12 years
Buy it here: What Is Climate Change? ($4)
5 The Problem of the Hot World
Amazon's description: "Five forest friends notice they are in trouble. Their world is too hot. Plants and bees are disappearing and their beautiful trees are dying. Bear, fox, deer, mole, and owl set off on an action-packed adventure as they look for a solution to the problem. While the solution they find helps them, is it the best way to deal with climate change? Use this book to start the discussion and help children understand the impacts of global warming."
Ages it's best suited for: 5-8 years
Buy it here: The Problem of the Hot World ($9)
6 Winston of Churchill: One Bear's Battle Against Global Warming
Amazon's description: "Churchill, Manitoba is the polar bear capitol of the world. Every winter, tourists flock to the tiny town to watch the bears hunt and frolic on the frozen waters of the Hudson Bay. This year, though, the tourists are in for a big surprise...Winston! A smart, fierce, brave bear, Winston of Churchill has noticed that their icy home is slowly melting away. He explains to the other bears why the ice is melting then, using the stirring words of his famous namesake, rallies the bears to convince humans to save their Arctic home. However, on the way to the protest march, Winston learns an unexpected lesson and realises that he, too, must change his ways. This timely, funny story draws attention to the polar bears' plight and helps children understand that in the face of global warming, everyone must do their part, no matter how small."
Ages it's best suited for: 4-8 years
Buy it here: Winston of Churchill: One Bear's Battle Against Global Warming ($10)
7 Climate Change: A Hot Topic!
Amazon's description: "Do you know your carbon cycle from your carbon footprint? Can you tell your greenhouse effect from your green house? And what exactly is a tipping point? If any of these questions leave you confused, then Basher Science: Climate Change is the book for you. From El Nino and hurricanes to deforestation and population growth of scale — this is a totally comprehensible guide to a fast-moving, essential topic.
Subjects covered in this book include: ice caps, the greenhouse effect, global warming, the butterfly effect, atmospheric systems, acid rain, ocean systems, acidification, fossil fuels, heat waves, urbanization, carbon footprint, recycling, renewable energy, biofuels, and nuclear power."
Ages it's best suited for: 10-14 years
Buy it here: Climate Change: A Hot Topic! ($9)
8 The Lonely Polar Bear: A Subtle Way to Introduce Young Kids to Climate Change Issues
Amazon's description: "This sweet children's picture book presents a moving story, set in a fragile Arctic world threatened by climate change. A little polar bear wakes up alone after a furious storm and finds himself all alone. With his mother nowhere in sight, he makes friends with a mysterious little girl and other animal friends such as puffins, elks, wolves, whales, and more. All his friends come together, surrounding him in the magnificent polar sky. In the end the little bear sits peacefully, enjoying a winter day lit up by beautiful northern lights."
Ages it's best suited for: 5-8 years
Buy it here: The Lonely Polar Bear: A Subtle Way to Introduce Young Kids to Climate Change Issues ($9)
9 The Tantrum That Saved the World
World Saving Books' description: "A remarkable new picture book about a little girl who stares down the climate crisis, channelling tantrum power into positive action to save the world. An entertaining, empowering, life-affirming story for children (and adults) of all ages."
Ages it's best suited for: 3 years and up
Buy it here: The Tantrum That Saved the World ($11)
10 It's Your World: Get Informed, Get Inspired & Get Going!
Amazon's description: "In a book that tackles the biggest challenges facing us today, Chelsea Clinton combines facts, charts, photographs and stories to give readers a deep understanding of the world around them — and how anyone can make a difference. With stories about children and teens who have made real changes big and small — in their families, their communities, in our country and across the world — this book will inspire readers of all ages to do their part to make our world a better place.
In addition to informing and inspiring readers about topics including Poverty, Homelessness, Food Insecurity, Access to Education, Gender Equality, Epidemics, Non-Communicable Diseases, Climate Change, and Endangered Species, this book encourages everyone to get going! With suggestions and ideas for action, Chelsea Clinton shows readers that the world belongs to every single one of us, and every one of us counts. You can make a difference. You can make a change. It's your world."
Ages it's best suited for: 10 years and up
Buy it here: It's Your World: Get Informed, Get Inspired & Get Going! ($4)
11 Fever at the Poles
MidAmerica Books' description: "Temperatures all over the world are rising due to climate change, especially at the North and South Poles. Provide even the youngest readers information about Earth, the changes in climate and its affects on the poles, and what they can do to help preserve our planet with Fever at the Poles. Bright, colourful illustrations and straightforward text make this topic accessible for even the youngest audience. Hot Facts and Cool Ideas sidebars provide additional information and Dr. Know experiments provide a fun look at climate."
Ages it's best suited for: 9 years and up
Buy it here: Fever at the Poles ($5)
12 Mission: Save the Planet: Things YOU Can Do to Help Fight Global Warming!
Amazon's description: "A how-to companion packed with simple things kids can do to have an impact. From simple measures like turning off the water while you brush your teeth, to bigger challenges like MAKING SOME NOISE in the larger community, this simple guide helps lay a conceptual foundation for kids to become responsible energy consumers in the years to come."
Ages it's best suited for: 10-13 years
Buy it here: Mission: Save the Planet: Things YOU Can Do to Help Fight Global Warming! ($8)
13 National Geographic Kids Almanac 2020
Amazon's description: "It's the 10th anniversary of the world's best-selling almanac for kids! This year the Almanac features all-new content, interviews with explorers in each chapter, a special look at what was going on in the world when the first National Geographic Kids Almanac came out 10 years ago, plus the results of the 2019 Almanac Challenge and a new Challenge for kids who want to get involved with helping our planet."
Ages it's best suited for: 8-12 years
Buy it here: National Geographic Kids Almanac 2020 ($7)
14 Earth's Fever
MidAmerica Books' description: "Temperatures all over the world are rising due to climate change, causing many plants and animals to change the way they behave. Provide even the youngest readers information about Earth, the changes in climate and its [effects], and what they can do to help preserve our planet with Earth's Fever. Bright, colourful illustrations and straightforward text make this topic accessible for even the youngest audience. Hot Facts and Cool Ideas sidebars provide additional information and Dr. Know experiments provide a fun look at climate."
Ages it's best suited for: 9 years and up
Buy it here: Earth's Fever ($5)
15 Under the Weather: Stories About Climate Change
Amazon's description: "From the effects of rising sea levels to changes in animal behaviour and human lifestyles, these powerful stories portray the issues surrounding climate change in personal terms and so bring them vividly to life. Offering warnings and inspiration in equal measure, the stories cover a wide range of localities from Siberia and Canada to Australia, UK, Sri Lanka and the Philippines. Writers include award-winning Linda Newbery as well as exciting newcomers like Australia's George Ivanoff. Whether read from cover to cover or dipped into for one or two stories, this book will enlighten and inspire everyone to consider how climate change will affect us all."
Ages it's best suited for: 10-13 years
Buy it here: Under the Weather: Stories About Climate Change ($9)
16 Fever in the Oceans
MidAmerica Books' description: "Temperatures all over the world are rising due to climate change, [affecting] the marine life around the world. Provide even the youngest readers information about the oceans, the changes in climate and its [effects] on the oceans, and what they can do to help preserve our planet with Fever in the Oceans. Bright, colourful illustrations and straightforward text make this topic accessible for even the youngest audience. Hot Facts and Cool Ideas sidebars provide additional information and Dr. Know experiments provide a fun look at climate."
Ages it's best suited for: 9 years and up
Buy it here: Fever in the Oceans ($5)
17 It's Getting Hot in Here: The Past, Present, and Future of Climate Change
Amazon's description: "Tackling the issue of global warming head-on for a teen audience, Bridget Heos examines the science behind it, the history of climate change on our planet, and the ways in which humans have affected the current crisis we face. It's Getting Hot in Here illustrates how interconnected we are not just with everyone else on the planet, but with the people who came before us and the ones who will inherit the planet after us. This eye-opening approach to one of today's most pressing issues focuses on the past human influences, the current state of affairs, the grim picture for the future—and how young readers can help to make a positive change."
Ages it's best suited for: 12 years and up
Buy it here: It's Getting Hot in Here: The Past, Present, and Future of Climate Change ($17)
18 Fever on the Land
MidAmerica Books' description: "Temperatures all over the world are rising due to climate change, [affecting] the plant and animal life. Provide even the youngest readers information about Earth, the changes in climate and its [effects] on the plants and animals, and what they can do to help preserve our planet with Fever on the Land. Bright, colourful illustrations and straightforward text make this topic accessible for even the youngest audience. Hot Facts and Cool Ideas sidebars provide additional information and Dr. Know experiments provide a fun look at climate."
Ages it's best suited for: 9 years and up
Buy it here: Fever on the Land ($5)
