Young activists (11 and above)

World Without Fish Author: Mark Kurlansky Publisher: Workman Publishing

“CAN you imagine a world without fish? It’s not as crazy as it sounds. Because if we keep doing things the way we’ve been doing things, fish could become extinct within fifty years.” The book provides compelling reasons why we need to change the way we do things by connecting all the important dots of biology, economics, evolution, politics, climate, history, culture, food, and nutrition – and doing it in a way that kids can appreciate.

For example, it makes you aware that the fish we commonly eat is not an endless resource and could disappear within 50 years, and the domino effect the disappearance would have.

Eyes Wide Open: What’s Behind The Environmental Headlines

Author: Paul Fleischman Publisher: Candlewick Press

THE author gives tweens and teens “an environmental wake-up call and a useful toolkit to decode the barrage of conflicting information confronting them”. The downside of our modern lifestyles are only now becoming more apparent – cars, fast food, cheap single-use products and the like that are not sustainable.

The book rationalises that “because money is as important as molecules in the environment”, science needs to be discussed in tandem with politics, history and psychology. This useful resource helps young adults dissect the issues behind the headlines to fully understand the problems of our times.

Children are never too young to begin learning about the planet they live on and the dangers threatening it. Provide them a start with good reads and they will become mindful citizens, caring activists, and educated stewards who could one day solve the environmental problems besieging the world.