Inspiring Picture Books About People Protecting Our Planet

by Miranda Paul; illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon

Tells the story of a Isatou Ceesay, a Gambian woman who came up with a way to recycle the plastic bags that had littered the landscape in her nation, an act that saved the environment and transformed her community.

by Hayley Rocco; illustrated by John Rocco

As a boy, David loved exploring the wild places near his home in England, collecting fossils, rocks, and newts. When he grew older, he got a job in television, where he had an idea for a new kind of show: He would travel to wild places all over the world to film animals in their natural habitats. Over the span of seven decades, David's innovative documentaries have been treasured by millions of people.But as time went on, he noticed the wild places he loved were shrinking. What could David do to help? What could we all do? 

by Joanne Robertson

Explains how Nokomis Josephine Mandamin, an Ojibwa from Canada, inspired by her traditional respect for water, founded the Mother Earth Water Walkers, who walk around the Great Lakes and in other areas to call attention to water conservation.

by Philip Hoelzel; illustrated by Renato Alarcão

This stunning picture book biography about Brazilian photojournalist, humanitarian and environmental advocate Sebastião Salgado shows how he used his pictures to tell the stories of people who might not otherwise be seen and photographed the beauty of the world to save it. 

by Jonah Winter; illustrated by Jeanette Winter

Discover the true story of Billy Barr who lived alone in the mountains with a hobby of measuring snowfall that led to groundbreaking data tracking in climate change studies.

by Sophia M. Gholz; illustrated by Kayla Harren

As a boy, Jadav Payeng was distressed by the destruction deforestation and erosion was causing on his island home in India's Brahmaputra River. So he began planting trees. What began as a small thicket of bamboo, grew over the years into 1,300 acre forest filled with native plants and animals.

by Stephanie Roth Sisson

As a child, Rachel Carson lived by the rhythms of the natural world. Spring after spring, year after year, she observed how all living things are connected. And as an adult, Rachel watched and listened as the natural world she loved so much began to fallsilent. Spring After Spring traces Rachel's journey as scientist and writer, courageously speaking truth to an often hostile world through her book, and ultimately paving the way for the modern environmental movement.

by H. Joseph Hopkins; illustrated by Jill McElmurry

Documents the true story of the nature pioneer and activist who, after becoming the first woman to earn a science degree from the University of California, took a teaching position in the desert region of San Diego and single-handedly launched a movementto transform the area with trees and gardens.

by Vicki Conrad; illustrated by Ibon Adarne and Rachel Yew

The Florida Everglades are made up of nine different ecosystems supporting an astonishing variety of wildlife, but for years, the Everglades were threatened. They needed a voice to speak up for them. Marjory Stoneman Douglas became that voice. Her book A River of Grass helped the world see the irreplaceable beauty and value of the Everglades. Marjory's activism led to the creation of a national park and dedicated conservation efforts, and throughout her long life she inspired countless people to use their voices to make a difference.

by Heidi Tyline King; illustrated by Ekua Holmes

A biography of MaVynee Betsch, an African American opera singer turned environmentalist who worked to preserve American Beach, Florida as a historical landmark.

by Patricia Gualinga and Laura Resau; illustrated by Vanessa Jaramillo

Reminding readers of the importance of nature conservation, perseverance and standing up for your community, this inspiring true story follows Patricia (Paty) Gualinga, a human rights and indigenous rights defender, as she works to protect and preserve her people’s sacred lands and forests in the Amazon of Ecuador.

by Gwendolyn Hooks; illustrated by Margaux Carpentier

Tells the inspiring story of Wangari Maathai, women’s rights activist and one of the first environmental warriors. Wangari began the Green Belt Movement in Kenya in the 1960s, which focused on planting trees, environmental conservation, and women’s rights. She inspired thousands across Africa to plant 30 million trees in 30 years and was the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.
 

by Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw

Once there was a redwood tree—one of the world's largest and tallest trees, and one of the oldest. And once there was a girl named Julia, who was called Butterfly. When exploring her beloved forest, Butterfly wandered into a grove of ancient trees. One tree had broken branches and a big blue "X" on the side. It was going to be chopped down. Butterfly climbed up into the tree. A tree wouldn't be cut down if it had a person living in it. This is the story of Julia Butterfly Hill and Luna, the redwood tree she lived in for two years, never once coming down. That is, not until Luna's future was safe.

by Andrea D'Aquino

As a young girl, Florence Merriam Bailey fell in love with the outdoors, especially birds, whose songs and flight captivated her. She listened, waited, and watched to better understand her feathered friends, and wrote many books, including one of the first field guides to American birds. Her work ultimately led to better protection for birds and to the scientific study of birds in nature instead of in a lab.

by Baptiste Paul and Miranda Paul; illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon

Documents the inspiring story of environmental champion Tantoh Nforba, describing how he was teased in childhood for his interest in gardening before he organized programs to bring clean water and bountiful gardens to the central African nation of Cameroon. 

by Carole Lindstrom; illustrated by Bridget George

Indigenous women have always worked tirelessly to protect our water—keeping it pure and clean for the generations to come. Yet there was a time when their voices and teachings were nearly drowned out, leaving entire communities and environments in danger and without clean water. But then came Grandma Josephine and her great-niece, Autumn. Speak for the water. Sing for the water. Dance for the water. 

by Lori Alexander; illustrated by Jenn Ely

Recounts the true story of how Minerva Hamilton Hoyt, an artist, activist and environmentalist, saved what came to be known as Joshua Tree National Park in California, and saved hundreds of thousands of plants and animals along with it. 

by Claire A. Nivola

A picture book biography tells the story of Sylvia Earle's growing passion for the wonders of the sea and how her ocean exploration and advocacy have made her known around the world.
 

Meg Lowman was always fascinated by the natural world above her head — the colors, the branches, and, most of all, the leaves and mysterious organisms living there. Meg set out to climb up and investigate the rain forest tree canopies — and to be the first scientist to do so. But she encountered challenge after challenge. Male teachers would not let her into their classrooms, the high canopy was difficult to get to, and worst of all, people were logging and clearing the forests. Meg never gave up or gave in. She studied, invented, and persevered, not only creating a future for herself as a scientist, but making sure that the rainforests had a future as well.