The 8 Most Engaging Books About Recycling for Preschoolers
The importance of recycling is something all parents can teach their children from a young age. It’s never too early to talk to kids about the little steps we all can take to make a big impact in helping to save the environment. Enjoy reading these books and encourage your little ones to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle!
You may also find our existing books on timebanking guide interesting for further reading!
1. One Plastic Bag by Isatou Ceesay
Author Isatou Ceesay, affectionately called the ‘Queen of Recycling’ writes a truly inspiring book about the importance of recycling. Perfect for preschoolers and adults alike! Her story follows a Gambian woman who begins to realize the negative effects unrecycled plastic bags are having on her community.
After her revelation the woman makes an effort to recycle the bags which in turn dramatically transforms the environment around her. The books show how one person’s acts can really make a difference in the world. This could be something that time banking organisations could organise using the (one:many) concept or (many:many) concepts explained here in our Timebanking Definition Explained blog.
2. The Adventures of a Plastic Bottle: A Story About Recycling by Alison Inches
Learn all about the recycling process from the point of view of a plastic bottle with this fun and educational children’s book.
The Adventures of a Plastic Bottles is written as a series of diary entries as readers follow the journey of a bottle from a refinery plant to the manufacturing line and beyond. Perfect for preschoolers.
This book may even teach adults a thing or two about the recycling process.
3. I Can Save the Earth by Alison Inches
Another popular story by Alison, I Can Save the Earth introduces environmental nightmare - Max the Little Monster on his journey of transformation.
Max has the bad habits of leaving on all the lights, blasting his TV and using way too much toilet paper. Eventually his excessive behaviors cause a power outage in his home. He leaves the house and discovers there is a big and beautiful world outside.
He learns everything he can on how he can make a positive difference in the environment, encouraging other youngsters to do the same.
4. Celebrate Earth Day by Amy Hayes
This beautiful picture book teaches children all about why and how we celebrate Earth Day and why we should make an effort to recycle more than most already do (Source 1).
Earth Day is a movement that has become an annual tradition which is celebrated by people in over 190 countries (Source 2). It is never too early to teach your children about why the day is so important and Amy Hayes book is the perfect way to do it!
5. Michael Recycle by Ellie Bethel
Preschoolers love superheroes and what better than a recycling superhero to teach kids all about the process.
Entertaining, Michael Recycle will encourage all kids to become real life superheroes by recycling in their own hometowns. Education is so important to convince children to do their part, but this book is so great because it helps persuade people to get involved in environmental initiatives themselves (Source 3).
6. Recycling is Fun by Charles Ghigna
This book lets you rhyme along with children as they sort through various items to recycle.
Charles Ghigna takes the reader on an adventure where they learn that recycling and reusing materials are good for the environment, but it is also fun for you! Turning something that is seemingly boring and redundant into something that is fun and exciting is a great way to encourage kids and even adults to recycle.
7. We are Extremely Very Good Recyclers by Lauren Child
The Lola and Charles series are incredibly popular childrens books.
This one in particular is great in that it highlights the importance of collective teamwork in helping to try save the planet. The book follows Lola and her schoolmates as they enter a recycling competition Working together to accomplish something really special and win a grand prize. They all become “very good” recyclers in the process.
Fun and interactive to read, this book is a great way to teach kids how to work together and help save the planet with the prize being a healthy world we can all live in.
8. Compost Stew: An A to Z Recipe for the Earth by Mary McKenna Siddals
The author of this book goes through the alphabet with all the ingredients you can use to make the perfect compost pile.
Great for preschoolers this children’s book is both educational and fun! Learn all about the household items that can be used to create a beautiful garden instead of thrown away and wasted instead. The tools in this book are brilliant because we can use them at home.
All of these children’s books will make a great addition to any home, school or library. Teaching kids as early as preschool is a good way to help make sure that future generations will grow up having an appreciation for our planet and understanding that they play an important role in preserving it.
Recycling is also important for time banking communities that not only use the community to swap time but to also improve the community as a whole. With the advantage of having contact with a large or small group of like-minded individuals, organising recycling events and getting children involved too can not only teach kids about recycling but also bring them together inside the timebanking club.
Download the Nomos app to get involved in a time banking community near you, or to start your own time banking community. You can learn how to create a timebank community here.
Sources:
3. https://www.nomos.net/post/6-important-reasons-to-recycle-more-than-we-do