Outstanding Science Trade Books for Environmental Literacy

By William Straits

Abstract 

In this article, I describe a very useful resource for teachers of all grade-levels: the “Outstanding Science Trade Books” list produced annually by the National Science Teaching Association. The list regularly includes books that address environmental or conservation topics. I describe four of these books and list several others from the past few years of awardees. 

Outstanding science trade books for environmental literacy

I love science and the natural world. I also love children’s literature. So, I am always on the lookout for quality picture books that support young children’s science learning — particularly when that science learning helps to build environmental stewardship. Although there are many online book lists for teachers, one of the most helpful is the annually produced “Outstanding Science Trade Books,” offered by the U.S.-based National Science Teaching Association (NSTA)1 in collaboration with the Children’s Book Council. The titles included on the list are geared for school children from Kindergarten through High School and cover topics across the sciences. And each year, several of the award-winning books address environmental or conservation topics. Below, I describe four Earth-minded books, each appropriate for children of different ages, and list several others from the past few years of awardees. 

If You Take Away the Otter by Susannah Buhrman-Deever. Illustrated by Matthew Trueman. Candlewick, 2020. Ages 5–8.

This beautiful book begins by touring the diversity and interdependence of living things found in one of North America’s most fascinating ecosystems, the Pacific kelp forest. Then, If You Take Away the Otter focuses on the integral role the sea otter plays in maintaining the health of this forest and describes the true and tragic story of how hunting this keystone species led to a destructive cascade of cause-and-effect interactions — removing sea otters caused sea urchin populations to grow; overcrowded sea urchins turned to the holdfasts of kelp as food, leading to the destruction of kelp forests. But, with joy and optimism, this book concludes by sharing that the successful protection of sea otters has led to the reestablishment of these majestic forests and the organisms that depend upon them. 

Mario and the Hole in the Sky: How a Chemist Saved our Planet by Elizabeth Rusch. Illustrated by Teresa Martinez. Charlesbridge, 2019. Ages 7–10.

In 1995, Mario Molina, Sherwood Rowland, and Pail Crutzen were awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their work identifying the role of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in the destruction of the ozone layer. This intriguing book begins with an eight-year-old Mario receiving a microscope as a birthday present. Mario shouts, “¡Increíble!” as he views salt crystals, filthy water, toothpaste, and more through his microscope. This moment of wonder sets him on a life-long love of science, ultimately leading to his collaboration with “Sherry” Rowland. With beautiful illustrations, Mario and the Hole in the Sky takes the reader through their work together, describing one of our great successes in environmental science and, hopefully, inspiring readers to pursue and solve the problems facing our planet today.

Old Enough to Save the Planet by Loll Kirby. Illustrated by Adelina Lirius. Magic Cat Publishing, 2021. Ages 8–12.

Conservation is for all of us. This empowering book celebrates twelve conservation efforts from around the world, all spearheaded by young, everyday activists, aged 7–16. The children you share this book with will be inspired by conservation efforts great and small, such as those of Felix in Germany combating deforestation, Amy and Ella in the UK promoting plastic recycling, Adeline in Indonesia restoring native habitat, Eunita in Kenya protecting bees, and many more. The back matter of this beautiful and motivational book includes ten actions all children can take to “help to save the planet” and ten ways to “make your voice heard.” Let Old Enough to Save the Planet inspire your students to identify causes and opportunities at your school and in your community, and to create change.

Plasticus Maritimus: An Invasive Species by Ana Pêgo with Isabel Minhós Martins. Illustrated by Bernardo P. Carvalho. Greystone Books Ltd., 2021. Ages 12 and up. 

Nine million tons (8 million metric tons) of plastic enters the Earth’s oceans — every year! In this insightful book, biologist Ana Pêgo sheds light on this enormous problem and, “aims to turn you into a specialist in ocean plastic… so that together we can confront [this problem] in the best and most effective way.” Plasticus Maritimus describes various efforts to understand, identify, and safely remove plastics from our oceans and provides useful and realistic advice for how others might help. Along the way, readers learn about the science of plastics, the importance of the world’s oceans, and the vast consequences of plastic pollution in our oceans. This book is meaningful reading not just for people who love the ocean, but for all of us who use, and dispose of, plastic.

These four represent just a small sample of the wonderful and inspiring books named as Outstanding Science Trade Books. Additional examples from the past few years of award-winners can be found in the table below. The complete list of the winning titles, since 1996, is available at https://www.nsta.org/outstanding-science-trade-books-students-k-12 and includes dozens of books to inspire children of all ages to love, understand, and protect the diverse natural environments of our beautiful planet. 

Endnotes

1. NSTA works to supply resources for educators across science disciplines, including environmental science. Their position statement on environmental education is available at https://www.nsta.org/nstas-official-positions.

William Straits is a professor of science education at California State University Long Beach, director of the National Center for Science in Early Childhood (sci4kids.org), and author of A Head Start on Life Science: Encouraging a Sense of Wonder by NSTA Press.