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If 10,000 Biters get just one little Biter interested in eco-things, just think of all the positive impact they will create throughout their lives.

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home ›   tip library ›   Environmental Education for Kids

What's the best way to plant a good seed with the kids?

The Bite

Get 'em while they're young - instill kids with green values through books that inspire an appreciation for nature instead of a dodgy love for all-things-material.

The Benefits

  • "Girl goes to the mall. Girl buys dress. Girl lives happily ever after." There are A LOT of bad children's books out there - why not choose ones that will make them feel good without the new dress?
  • 53% of kids surveyed in a 2002 poll said buying certain products makes them feel better about themselves. Through positive children's books, let kids know that more isn't always better.
  • Time and again, studies show that when kids read, they do better in school.

Personally Speaking

He can't talk yet, much less read... However, Heather's gotten her 6-month old nephew every book in this tip, and recently read him The Lorax (although he wanted to chew the book more than read it).

Wanna Try?

  • Bamboo Zoo - hip self-acceptance and sustainability series that includes computer games and coloring books ($18).
  • Gaia Girls - teacher and grade schooler-approved and printed on recycled paper, this book follows four girls approached by an Earth in-need ($13).
  • There Once Was a Sky Full of Stars - teaches starry-eyed kids all about light pollution in the prettiest way possible ($13).
  • The Precious Present - for parents and young'uns, it's about a boy who gets everything for Christmas but wants something that you can't put under a tree ($11).
  • The Gift of Nothing - as soon as they leave the womb, kids are bombarded with the message that they need more stuff. This classic sets 'em straight ($10).
  • Dawn - huge collection of books to get kids started on the eco-friendly path (prices vary).
  • Ideal Bite's "I Speak for the Trees!" Tip - another classic - this time from Dr. Seuss - The Lorax.
This tip submitted by Joel Makower.

Jan 04,2007


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All editorial suggestions in this tip are the result of testing and a preference for the tip topic. No advertiser has paid to have its company referenced in the tip. For more information, please read our Editorial Policy.


I May Speak for the Trees, but I Don’t Speak French

2 am in Paris, scheduling this blog, and while that may seem a little late to be up, truly, I live the life of a bat while here - nocturnal hunting and eating, radar signal communications in clubs and over glasses of wine...

Quite the different scene to my early-to-bed life over the Christmas holiday in San Diego, where I spent hours on end, staring at my 6-month-old nephew, Quinn, imagining the world he will inhabit (and - for whatever reason - picturing him becoming a rock star and letting me be the cool aunt who comes backstage after the show.  Don't judge me - I have no idea where these visions come from).

But really, what world WILL he inhabit?  And what role will he/you/I play in it?

I'd like to think that by the time Quinn is a rockstar, not only will we have solved the problem of climate change, but I will also be able to speak French.  Seeing how completely, utterly, painfully shy I am about even trying (yes, me - shy about French, for whatever reason), I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

And in the meantime, we should probably read our kids some books on healthy living.

-Heather... off to pack for a marathon flight sequence tomorrow...


Biter Comments...
Reading is great and these seem like great books. But, Iwant to tell you the story of my grandmother. She was a green-queen from way back when. She composted, she had an organic garden, she loved and respected the land AND she rescued Irish Wolfhounds before breed rescue groups were a thing (pre-www - how?!?). Anyway, I summered at her house in VA every year. We took long walks in the woods where she would point this and that out to me. We gardened together. We cooked together. We didn't have a bunch of processed snacks to eat. That stuck! I watch my footprint. I am a vegetarian although she was not. I am the ND of a breed rescue group (www.rrus.org) and I owe it to her. And, I am a FNP and try to teach my patients to do therapeutic lifestyle changes to help them increase their vitality. This is all because my grandma took the time to teach me that my actions matter - for good or for bad - and I had to make choices so that they were for good. This has turned into a little tribute to my grandma (may she rest in peace!), but the point is: books are fine, but one-on-one time spent walking the walk and explaining the walk and making the walk fun makes an incredible, lasting witness.

Posted by: Evelyn | January 04, 2007 at 05:28 AM

Older children may enjoy "The Last Boy" by Robert Lieberman.

Posted by: G | January 04, 2007 at 06:33 AM

Another good book that should be on your list is The Giving Tree by Sidney Sheldon. Perfect for pre-school children, but great for adults too. Fabulous story.

Posted by: June | January 04, 2007 at 08:40 AM

Don't forget about the LIBRARY!! It is a wonderful way to save trees because we are all sharing the books rather than buying them all. I take my kids (3 and 8 yr old) to the library once a week. They love getting "new" books, it's free, and it saves trees!! Now I have to search our library's catalog for the great books you suggested. Ok Ok, so we DO buy books sometimes,too. Here are a few of our faves for young kids- "Why Should I Protect Nature" and "Why Should I Recycle" by Jen Green and Mike Gordon. My kids love them. But don't forget about our LIBRARIES!!

Posted by: Katie | January 04, 2007 at 10:18 AM

My mother read me Bill Peet books when I was little. His books are really captivating, humorous, and well-written with great pictures. I have no doubt that they influenced my future renewable energy career choices. Some favorites: The Wump World Farewell to Shady Glade Chester the Worldly Pig http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/102-3497742-0079369?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Bill+Peet

Posted by: Sarah | January 04, 2007 at 11:17 AM

I would like to suggest 2 books. The first Whose Coat? by John Luksetich, Imagion Nation Press, P.O. Box 172, Lakewood, California 90714, is about animal rights. The second is Once Upon a Recipe by Karen Greene, published by New Hope Press in New Hope, Pa. This is, obviously, a cookbook and teaches about healthy cooking and is great fun. It contains more than 50 recipes with allusions to works of children's literature and valuable cooking tips, plus delightful illustrations. Also, just remembered The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Junk Food, by Stan and Jan Berenstain. Enjoy!

Posted by: Sally | January 04, 2007 at 05:11 PM

Thank you for the "Gift of Nothing" shoutout in your email! We've bookmarked you and are enjoying your tips very much!

Posted by: Mutts Comics | January 05, 2007 at 06:41 AM

Trying to not eat cheese???? Try chReese. It's a dairyfree cheese alternative and comes packaged with pasta or in other forms. Check out www.chreese.com. I think you'll like it lots. And it will help you keep the earth safe because it's all organic.

Posted by: Susan | February 13, 2007 at 06:55 PM

I recommend several of Stan and Jan Berenstain's books, for helping to raise green-conscious kids: The Berenstain Bears Get the Gimmies, The Berenstain Bears and Too Much TV, The Berenstain Bears Don't Pollute (Anymore), The Berenstain Bears Count Their Blessings. These are inexpensive, well written books, that are true-to life, even though the characters are talking bears! ;-)

Posted by: Tarodin | March 25, 2007 at 06:34 PM

FYI Shel Silverstein wrote "The Giving Tree", which is, indeed, a good book.

Posted by: kay | August 13, 2007 at 11:32 AM

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