World Environment Day falls on June 5 each year, a day dedicated to our mother Earth, who deserves our attention, our respect, and most importantly, our action.
Summers have become terrible; temperatures are spiking. Glaciers are melting, species are vanishing, and the planet is changing faster than we can keep up. Every day we have a new statistic, a new issue. In 2015, world leaders agreed on 17 Sustainable Development Goals to build a better, sustainable future for all. But as we know, goals and policies alone are not enough. Real transformation starts at the dinner table, in the classroom, or in the neighbourhood, and it always starts with conversation.
Why the Conversation Must Start Young?
The environmental values acquired in childhood remain with us through adulthood. A child that understands the sorrow of seeing a tree chopped down, who sees the wonder in a mudskipper’s way around a mangrove, and understands that there is no waste in a banana tree is a child that will become an adult who takes that first step towards a tangible change. Knowledge is power. Exposure to crucial topics at a young age help shape the way children look at this world. A good book shows you that path. Stories do that. Stories give kids the tools of empathy.
Here is a selected list of stories from the boardroom to picture books, all different ways of entering into the discussion of sustainability. Read one aloud. Read one together. Leave one on the coffee table and see what questions it sparks.
10 Books Worth Reading This World Environment Day
Note: These ten books are a mix of ones I’ve read and others I selected based on the reviews on this website and excerpts that resonated with me.
Author: Vaishnavi Giri | Illustrator: Pallavi Jain Publisher: Karadi Tales | Pages: 36 | Age: 5 years+
Review: In her picture book, Pallavi Jain shows the Sundarbans to the children through the eyes of Paro, a mud skipper who is stranded away from her family in the mangroves. While seeking help from the animals she encounters, such as the macaque, the snake, the kite, the terrapin, and the Bengal tiger, the story incorporates important aspects of wildlife conservation. This is evident in an interesting revelation by Terrapin, who states that his family has been extinct for generations, raising important questions among young readers. There is even an appendix with pictures of the plants and animals of the Sundarbans. Read Pooja’s review here.
Sustainability conversation starter: Why do some animals lose their families? What happens when a forest disappears? What can we do in our own homes to help the Sundarbans?
2. Nami and Jhalak: Stinkypur Guardians
Author: Varsha Seshan | Illustrator: Priyankar Gupta Publisher: Scholastic India | Pages: 80 | Age: 6–9 years
Review: This is an engaging, action-packed chapter book about the adventures of two friends as they clean up a garbage-filled canal in their neighbourhood park. This is an inspiring tale of action rather than just compassion, as one girl jumps into the canal after seeing a lapwing trapped in plastic garbage. Read Sindhuja’s review here.
Sustainability conversation starter: Is there a park, lake near your home that needs attention? What would you do if you saw a bird tangled in plastic?
3. The Lorax
Author & Illustrator: Dr. Seuss Publisher: Random House | Pages: 72 | Age: 4–8 years
Review: More than half a century later, this masterpiece remains a timeless tale within children’s literature. The Once-ler does not destroy the Truffula Trees out of selfish intent but simply because he has failed to manage his own business, and that is precisely why he is scary. He was warned by the Lorax, but it was too late. The ending is vividly striking—one tree, one boy, one hope.
Sustainability conversation starter: Can you think of a place that used to be a park or a forest? What does it look like now? What happened?
4. Go Wild! Stories, Essays and Comics that Celebrate our Earth
Editor: Bijal Vachharajani | Cover Design: Prabha Mallya & Samar Bansal Publisher: Puffin Books | Pages: 200 | Age: 10 years+
Review: An anthology packed with some of India’s best nature writers and illustrators, from stories to comics and even essays through photographs, without a single written word. There is nothing more unusual than an essay on ants, or a tale of a wheelchair in a forest. Each of them takes a unique look at nature. You can read Seethalakshmi’s review here.
Sustainability conversation starter: Which piece in the book surprised you the most? Did anything make you angry? What would you change about the way you live after reading it?
Author: Mita Bordoloi | Illustrator: Tarique Aziz Publisher: Tulika Publishers | Pages: 32 | Age: 5 years+
Review: The story is set in Assam, where there is a serene picture book about Bumoni, whose family coexists in perfect harmony with nature, utilising every part of the banana tree without wasting any. When elephants start attacking their grove, Bumoni finds a way that benefits all. You can read Archana’s review here.
The most impressive element: The NGO in Assam actually replicated the idea mentioned in the book to manage human-elephant conflicts in reality.
Sustainability conversation starter: What does zero waste mean in your own home? Are there things you throw away that could be reused? How do we share space with animals whose habitats we have taken?
Author: Sonia Mehta | Publisher: Puffin Publishers | Pages: 64 | Age: 5 years+
Review: This book is a thoughtful and engaging story that introduces young readers to the harmful effects of plastic on the environment. Through the adventures of “The Econuts,” the story combines curiosity, friendship, and environmental awareness in a simple yet meaningful way. You can read Arundhati’s review here.
Sustainability Conversation Starters: What plastic items can we replace with eco-friendly ones? How can we help keep Earth clean every day?
Author: Tanushree Podder | Illustrator: Papiya Saha Singha Publisher: Om Books International | Pages: 112 | Age: 7 years+
Review: Boo-Boo beautifully weaves environmental awareness into an entertaining mystery adventure for children. Through Boo-Boo’s missions the story gently encourages young readers to care for nature, protect their surroundings, and understand the importance of eco-friendly habits. The book makes environmental lessons fun, relatable, and inspiring, showing children that even small actions can help make the Earth a better place. You can read Achira’s review here.
Sustainability Conversation Starters: Why should we care for trees and animals? What small thing can you do to help nature today?
8. The Miracle on Kachhua Beach
Author: Nandita da Cunha | Illustrator: Priya Kuriyan l Publisher: Kalpavriksh | Pages: 28 | Age: 6 years+
Review: The Miracle on Kachhua Beach is an inspiring story about how one small idea can help bring big environmental change. Through the main character’s journey, the book teaches children about teamwork, recycling, and caring for nature. The hopeful story and beautiful illustrations encourage young readers to believe that even small actions can help protect the Earth and its animals. You can read Spriha’s review here.
The Miracle on Sunderbaag Street is the first book in this series.
Sustainability Conversation Starters: Why is it important to keep beaches clean? How can children help protect animals and nature?
Author: Bijal Vachharajani | Publisher: Talking Cub | Pages: 256 | Age: 9 – 14 years
Review: A Cloud Called Bhura is a powerful and imaginative story that helps children understand climate change in a simple and engaging way. Through the adventures of four friends facing a giant polluted cloud over their city, the book highlights the effects of pollution, global warming, and environmental neglect. You can read Aditi’s review here.
Sustainability Conversation Starters: What causes pollution in our cities? What can we do to keep the air clean?
10. Banian Buddies
Author: Vibha Batra| Illustrator: Isha Nagar I Publisher: Scholastic India | Pages: 160 | Age: 7 – 10 years
Review: Banian Buddies is a lively and engaging children’s story set around a bustling banyan tree that becomes the heart of a neighbourhood. It follows two very different children who start off as rivals but slowly learn to work together when their street and the tree they love are under threat. You can read the complete review here.
Sustainability Conversation Starters: Why are trees like banyan trees important for our cities and communities?
Of course, there are myriad ways we can celebrate this day—plant a sapling, say no to plastic, clean up the beach, or raise awareness in your community. What better way to celebrate this special day than by taking some time to sit with your kid and read one of these books? Feel free to answer the questions posed at the end. Go with the flow of the discussion and see where it goes.
Why? Because the kids who are reading now will be the leaders, scientists, farmers, and changemakers of 2040. Planet B is not an option for us. However, the above mentioned books just might help us protect Planet A.
Many thanks to all the other kbcians who have originally reviewed these books.
[Note from Team Kids Book Café: For your convenience, affiliate links (MARKED IN PINK) to some of the book titles & images have been added to enable you to buy the books from AMAZON, should you wish to! A very small amount of money comes to kidsbookcafe.com when you purchase a book via the amazon affiliate link provided (at absolutely no extra cost to you!). Do let us know if you need information about other children’s books by writing to asha@kidsbookcafe.com.]
