One of the advantages young people have growing up into day’s world is they won’t encounter as many single-use plastics.

With several countries banning the use or reducing the instances where it’s appropriate, we should start seeing a reduction in plastic pollution. But the material is still incredibly pervasive: in our clothes, homeware, food containers, etc.

But it may not eliminate them entirely, and it will be up to the next generation to continue campaigning to reduce the world’s reliance on plastic further. In our book, Ally & Bibi: Back to the Jungle, our story explores how we can build a cleaner environment and promote more sustainable ways of living. 

Fortunately, there are other children’s books on plastic pollution that share this message. Here are some of our favourites.

7 Children’s Books Explaining Plastic Pollution

We recommend adding these books on plastic pollution to your kid’s bookshelf.

1.   The Adventures of a Plastic Bottle - Alison Inches

  • Print Length: 24 pages
  • Reading Age: 4 - 6 years
  • Amazon Rating: 4.6 out of 5 (505 reviews)

Follow the journey of a plastic bottle as it travels from the refinery plant, to a store shelf, into a garbage can, and finally to a recycling factory. The story is told via diary entries so children get a first-hand experience of the adventure while learning about the importance of recycling and the benefits it provides to the world.

“This is a good factual book which helps children (and adults!) understand what happens to plastic bottles when recycled,” one reviewer wrote.

2.   Clem and Crab - Fiona Lumbers

  • Print Length: 32 pages
  • Reading Age: 2 - 5 years
  • Amazon Rating: 4.8 out of 5 (101 reviews) 

While Clem is treasure hunting, she comes across a crab with its claw stuck in a plastic bag. She thinks taking it to the big city is thebest solution, but is it? The story explores why keeping our beaches clean is so important as well as some actions readers can take to keep animals in theirnatural habitats.

“We love Clem and Crab! It’s inspired our daughter to help keep our local area clean and tidy and to always look after nature. The moral and the message of the story are great for young readers and parents to read aloud, and it’s a really, really beautifully illustrated book,” said one reviewer.

3.   A Planet Full of Plastic - Neal Layton

  • Print Length: 32 pages
  • Reading Age: 6 - 8 years
  • Amazon Rating: 4.7 out of 5 (324 reviews)

A Planet Full of Plastic demonstrates how pervasive our plastic problem is. Through lovely illustrations and eye-opening facts, this book shares plenty of ideas on how you can save our world from drowning from this harmful material. 

“My daughter has been learning about plastic and pollutionat school. I wish I'd seen this book then, it teaches it all wonderfully. Sucha brilliant book. Now we are going on a beach clean,” wrote one reviewer.

4.   Somebody Swallowed Stanley - Sarah Roberts

  • Print Length: 32 pages
  • Reading Age: 3 - 5 years
  • Amazon Rating: 4.8 out of 5 (886 reviews)

 This stunningly illustrated book tells the tale of how ocean creatures mistake Stanley for a delicious treat. But Stanley isn’t a fellow animal ) it’s a plastic bag. The story has a powerful message about the impact plastic pollution has on the entire ecosystem.

One review read, “A lovely little story that highlights the impact of plastic being left in our seas, done in a sweet and informative way.”

5.   One Plastic Bag - Miranda Paul

  • Print Length: 32 pages
  • Reading Age: 5 - 9 years
  • Amazon Rating: 4.8 out of 5 (582 reviews) 

A true story about an inspiring African woman, Isatou Ceesay, who started a recycling movement after plastic bags began piling up on the sides of roads in her community. Isatou started recycling and transforming them into valuable items that also helped provide income for other women in her neighbourhood.

“So inspiring. It made me cry. People making accessories out of rubbish is such a strong message,” one person shared.

6.   Ducks Overboard! A True Story of Plastic in Our Oceans

  • Print Length: 32 pages
  • Reading Age: 6 - 12 years
  • Amazon Rating: 5 out of 5 (8 reviews)

What happens when a shipping container filled with 28,000 plastic ducks falls overboard? You’ll find out in this story, which takes a different look at the plastic pollution crisis and its impact on our oceans. 

“This book is great, so beautifully illustrated and such an important message told in a way that is easy to understand for my 6 year old,” said one review.

7.   Ally & Bibi: Back to the Jungle - Dario Berrebi & Hannah Warsame (that's us!)

  • Print Length: 45 pages
  • Reading Age: 3 - 7 years
  • Amazon Rating: 4.8 out of 5 (8 reviews)

The story of Ally & Bibi: Back to the Jungle is more than a tale about a young girl who gets a pet monkey for her birthday. It’s an adventure story that explores the environmental challenges the world is facing, like air, water, and plastic pollution.

But it also shares solutions you can implement today to fight climate change and help the world achieve theSustainable Development Goals. All through an epic adventure set in a fictional Brazil!

One reader shared, “The Sustainable Development Goals are very well explained for both the child and the parent. Small tips to improve in everyday life at the end of the book. I recommend!”

Stories That Inspire Kids to Fight Plastic Pollution: Tailored by Age Group

Telling the right stories can inspire children to take meaningful actions against plastic pollution. Here’s how to craft and choose stories based on their developmental stage:

For Preschoolers (Ages 3–5): Simple and Interactive

  1. Animal Helpers: Stories about animals impacted by plastic, such as a turtle trapped in plastic rings, who is saved by a group of kids.
  2. Colourful Picture Books: Visuals showing the difference between polluted and clean beaches to emphasise the impact of cleaning up.
  3. Interactive Storytelling: Stories where kids are encouraged to mimic actions, like picking up trash or rescuing animals, to connect storytelling with real actions.

For Early Primary School (Ages 6–8): Relatable Adventures

  1. Superhero Kids: Tales where children act as superheroes to clean up their neighbourhood or a local beach.
  2. Adventure Stories: Narratives where young explorers discover a plastic island in the ocean and come up with solutions to clean it.
  3. Problem-Solving Stories: Stories that highlight simple actions, like using reusable bottles or saying no to plastic straws, as heroic deeds.

For Late Primary School (Ages 9–12): Problem-Solving and Collaborative Tales

  1. Mystery Solvers: Stories where children investigate the source of pollution and lead clean-up drives.
  2. True Tales of Young Activists: Sharing real-life accounts of kids making a difference, like organising recycling campaigns or speaking out against plastic use.
  3. Community Efforts: Narratives about schools or towns coming together to solve a plastic problem, inspiring teamwork.

For Teenagers (Ages 13–18): Impactful and Realistic

  1. Dystopian Stories: Stories showing the devastating effects of unchecked plastic use on future generations, encouraging critical thinking.
  2. Inspirational Biographies: Tales of young environmentalists who have achieved global recognition for their efforts to fight plastic pollution.
  3. Science-Driven Fiction: Narratives that combine scientific solutions with activism, such as inventing biodegradable materials to replace plastics.

Ways Kids Can Help Fight Plastic Pollution

In addition to stories, empowering kids with actionable ways to combat plastic pollution can make a huge impact:

  1. Say No to Single-Use Plastics: Encourage the use of reusable bottles, bags, and straws.
  2. Organise Clean-Up Drives: Help them gather friends or classmates to clean local parks or beaches.
  3. Start a Recycling Program: Teach them to recycle at home and school.
  4. DIY Projects: Use plastics creatively, turning waste into crafts or practical items.
  5. Spread Awareness: Encourage kids to talk about the issue with friends or even start a social media campaign.
  6. Advocate for Change: Help them write letters to local leaders or businesses, urging reductions in plastic use.
  7. Learn Composting: Teach them about composting as an alternative to plastic-heavy waste management.
  8. Engage with Technology: Encourage participation in apps or programs that track plastic waste reduction.
  9. Volunteer for Environmental Organisations: Involve them in projects led by local eco-friendly groups.
  10. Be Role Models: Lead by example, practising sustainable behaviours at home and sharing your experiences.

Understanding Plastic Pollution

Before delving into the influence of children's books, it is crucial to comprehend the gravity of plastic pollution. Plastic pollution refers to the accumulation of plastic products in the environment, particularly in our oceans and landfills. It poses a significant threat to marine life, ecosystems, and even human health.

The global impact of plastic waste cannot be underestimated. With over 8 million metric tons of plastic entering our oceans every year, the crisis reaches far beyond our shorelines. From choking marine animals to releasing harmful chemicals, plastic waste disrupts the delicate balance of our ecosystem.

Plastic pollution has become a pressing environmental issue in recent years. The widespread use of plastic in our daily lives, coupled with inadequate waste management systems, has led to a rapid increase in plastic waste. This waste takes hundreds of years to decompose, resulting in long-lasting damage to the environment.

One of the most concerning aspects of plastic pollution is its impact on marine life. Marine animals often mistake plastic debris for food, leading to ingestion and suffocation. Sea turtles, for example, frequently mistake plastic bags for jellyfish, a staple in their diet. This misunderstanding can have fatal consequences for these majestic creatures.

Furthermore, plastic waste releases harmful chemicals into the environment. When exposed to sunlight and seawater, plastic breaks down into microplastics, tiny particles that are easily ingested by marine organisms. These microplastics can accumulate in the food chain, posing a potential risk to human health when consumed through seafood.

Plastic pollution also has far-reaching consequences for ecosystems. Coral reefs, often referred to as the "rainforests of the sea," are particularly vulnerable to plastic waste. The presence of plastic debris can inhibit the growth and reproduction of coral, leading to the degradation of these vital ecosystems.

Addressing plastic pollution requires a multi-faceted approach. Governments, businesses, and individuals all have a role to play in reducing plastic waste. Efforts such as banning single-use plastics, promoting recycling, and investing in sustainable alternatives are crucial steps towards mitigating the impact of plastic pollution.

Education and awareness are also essential in combating plastic pollution. By teaching children about the importance of reducing, reusing, and recycling plastic, we can instil environmentally conscious habits from a young age. Children's books, in particular, have the power to educate and inspire the next generation to become stewards of the environment.

References

  1. Henderson, L., & Green, C. (2020). Making sense of microplastics? Public understandings of plastic pollution. Marine Pollution Bulletin. Retrieved from ScienceDirect.
  2. Thompson, R. C., & Pahl, S. (2015). Marine litter education boosts children's understanding and self-reported actions. Marine Pollution Bulletin. Retrieved from ScienceDirect.
  3. Sarmento, M. J. (2020). The voices and actions of child activists against the climate crisis. E-Methodology. Retrieved from Ceeol.
  4. Periáñez-González, M. (2024). Once upon a time, inspiring true stories for climate action. Retrieved from CREA Ujaen.
  5. Akande, M. (2023). Sustainable solutions for plastic waste management and education campaigns. Retrieved from Liberty University.
  6. Sobel, D. (1996). Beyond Ecophobia: Reclaiming the heart in nature education. Retrieved from Kinder Nature.
  7. Chiras, D. (2005). EcoKids: Raising children who care for the earth. Retrieved from Google Books.
  8. Freinkel, S. (2011). Plastic: A toxic love story. Retrieved from Google Books.
  9. Jankeliowitch, A. (2014). Kids who are changing the world. Retrieved from Google Books.
  10. Lack, B. (2022). The children of the Anthropocene: Stories from young people at the heart of the climate crisis. Retrieved from Google Books.

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