Plastic Free July

Be Plastic Clever

Author: Amy and Ella Meek
Publisher: DK
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+

An empowering book by the founders of Kids Fight Plastic on how we can live a more eco-friendly lifestyle and reduce our everyday plastic use.

Kids Fight Plastic

Author: Martin Dorey Illustrator: Tim Weeson
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 6-11
Reading age: 8+

By 2050 there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean. Kids Fight Plastic presents powerful facts about how oceans and their inhabitants are suffering from our over-reliance on plastic and features fifty bitesize missions to chomp through, from a #2minutebeachclean to how to fight plastics in lunchboxes.

Plastic Sucks! You Can Make a Difference

Author: Dougie Poynter
Publisher: Macmillan
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+

Plastic is one of the problems of our age, but what can we do about reducing how much we use? There’s a great mix here, from advice to learning about eco-entrepreneurs and experts. An excellent guide for older primary kids that is useful and timely.

This Book is Not Rubbish: 50 Ways to Ditch Plastic, Reduce Rubbish and Save the World

Author: Isabel Thomas Illustrator: Alex Paterson
Publisher: Wren & Rook
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+

There are some worrying realities in the world at the moment when it comes to the environment. Luckily, this readable gem is full of ideas for kids to take charge of their home’s impact on the environment. 

Clean Up!

Author: Nathan Bryon Illustrator: Dapo Adeola
Publisher: Puffin
Interest age: 4-8

Rocket loves visiting her Grammy and Grampy in the Caribbean, especially splashing in the waves with her cool surfing Grammy - but when Rocket finds a baby turtle washed up on the shore, tangled in plastic, she decides something must be done. It's time to clean up!

Little Turtle and the Sea

Author: Becky Davies Illustrator: Jennie Poh
Publisher: Little Tiger
Interest age: 4-5

A beautiful picture book following the life of Little Turtle, as she watches her beloved ocean become home to more and more plastic waste. There's also lots of helpful information on conservation and how we can help save marine wildlife.

The Tindims of Rubbish Island

Author: Sally Gardner Illustrator: Lydia Corry
Publisher: Zephyr
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 7+

Combining eccentric characters, short chapters and lively illustrations, this delightful new series from a talented mother-daughter team is ideal for confident, independent readers

Somebody Swallowed Stanley

Author: Sarah Roberts Illustrator: Hannah Peck
Publisher: Scholastic Children’s Books
Interest age: 4-7
Reading age: 5+

Written by an animal behaviourist and environmental campaigner, this gentle tale subtly educates children about the damage a simple plastic bag can do to wild animals. Lively illustrations accompany the rhythmic, repetitive text, which is perfect to read aloud.

Hope Jones Saves the World

Author: Josh Lacey Illustrator: Beatriz Castro
Publisher: Andersen Press
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+

Hope has managed to convince her dad to switch to eco-friendly products to save the planet - but getting her sister to ditch her favourite over-packaged make-up is trickier. When Hope begins protesting outside the supermarket, she quickly attracts lots of media attention - but when she's invited to meet the CEO, will she be able to make a difference?

100 Things to Know About Saving the Planet

Author: Various
Publisher: Usborne
Interest age: 9-13
Reading age: 9+

An excellent introduction to the environmental problems facing us and our planet today.

After a brief overview on why the planet needs saving in the first place, the book focuses on what can and is being done to tackle these challenges, from small everyday changes that anyone can take to big, international missions.

There’s a lot to unpack here, from general…