Tamariki climate change curriculum resources

Reliable resources

These resources support you to effectively integrate environmental education for sustainability across the curriculum, and strengthen the focus on hauora and wellbeing within the framework of Te Whāriki, upon which we stand. In doing so we will naturally be educating for a climate changing future.

Website links with activities for tamariki

Kids Greening Taupo

Kids Greening Taupō have created the Online Nature Classroom to connect tamariki to nature and help them to understand the importance of biodiversity.

This website includes a range of resources for tamariki and educators based on climate change education.

https://www.kidsgreeningtaupo.org.nz/online-nature-classroom/climate-change

The Circular Economy, a new way to design, make, and use things

This link is to an animation video on the website The kid should see this created by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.

https://thekidshouldseethis.com/post/circular-economy-ellen-macarthur-design-make-reuse-animation

Two tamariki reading together on synthetic grass.

Image caption: What is the environment tamariki experience teaching them about a sustainable future?

Pukapuka | Books

You can download this list of books as a PDF.

Climate change books to use with tamariki (1MB PDF)

	Title: A climate in chaos Author: Neal Layton Neal Layton explains what climate change is, what's causing it, and why it's dangerous for animals and humans alike. The book has a lot of ideas for how we can help.
	Title: Aroha knows Author: Rebekah Lipp and Craig Phillips Aroha knows that nature is there for you and for me. Throughout Aroha knows, Aroha and her friends experience our amazing world, and this picture book explores how nature can benefit our wellbeing.
	Title: Change starts with us Author: Sophie Beer This board book celebrates small acts of green living that can have a big impact on the environment.
	Title: Climate change, the choice is ours: The facts, our future, and why there’s hope! Author: David Miles A lively encyclopedia. This reference book explains topics related to climate change, such as deforestation, the greenhouse effect, sea levels, and agriculture. The language is more advanced, but key terms are defined throughout.
	Title: Compost stew Author: Mary Elizabeth McKenna Siddals A lyrical guide to turning the bits and pieces from our homes and gardens that we no longer need into rich, nutritious compost stew – a treat for the earth.
	Title: Dear earth Author: Isabel Otter This picture book celebrates the wonders of our world and reminds us that if we all work together to spread the message that earth is special and worth saving, we can keep our planet beautiful.
	Title: Does earth feel? Author: Marc Majewski This picture book asks fourteen critical questions to encourage active thinking and discussion about our planet. This narrative follows the planet’s relationship with humans and engages with themes around empathy and environmentalism. A book to spark conversations and inspire a new generation of young leaders.
	Title: E is for environment Author: Lucy Curran This concept book uses the alphabet to connect to the natural world around us and how to protect it.
	Title: Five little men in a flying saucer Author: Child’s Play International Ltd When five little men come to visit earth from outer space, they don't like what they see. By the end of this much-loved counting song, the world becomes a better place to visit.
	Title: How we can reduce pollution Author: Emmaline Marvig The story and illustrations in this big book will inspire us all to work together on ways to reduce pollution and make our planet cleaner and healthier.
	Title: If polar bears disappeared Author: Lily Williams An illustrated, narrative, non-fiction picture book that imagines the consequences of a world without polar bears. The Arctic is home to many different kinds of animals. But now their habitat is melting at an alarming rate.
	Title: Looking after our planet Author: Katie Daynes This book explains simply and effectively what's going wrong with our planet and what we can all do to help – from reducing greenhouse gas emissions and farming responsibly to protecting our forests, oceans, and endangered animals.
	Title: Moth: An evolution story Author: Isabel Thomas Using a moth species in 19th century England as a true example, this picture book showcases why living things need the environment to survive, and what happens when that environment changes.
	Title: My forest is green Author: Darren Lebeuf A boy explores his urban forest, then interprets it through his art. The boy is a keen observer who uses poetic, rhythmic language to describe the diversity he finds through all four seasons.
	Title: My friend earth Author: Patricia MacLaclan My friend earth is an introduction to earth’s seasonality as well as her countless creatures, as the personification of earth wakes in spring to wonder at and watch over the animals in her care.
	Title: New Zealand nature heroes Author: Gillian Candler Although written for a slightly older audience than the 0-6 age, this locally-grown book includes a wealth of imagery and facts about native animals, plants, habitats, and activities to support children’s interest and involvement in conserving their local environment.
	Title: Nā wai ēnei? (Who do these belong to?) Author: Sharon Holt This book prompts tamariki to think about why are Tangaroa and his tamariki feeling angry and upset? The ocean is filling up with rubbish – who can help? It incorporates te reo Māori and English and comes with a sing along CD and downloadable audio.
	Title: Ngā Atua Māori Author: Sharon Holt This book connects the Māori Gods with children as guardians of the environment, using beautiful illustrations and a captivating song. It incorporates te reo Māori and English and comes with a sing along CD and downloadable audio.
	Title: Old enough to save the planet Author: Loll Kirby This book looks at young, climate change activists who are changing the world.
	Title: One world Author: Michael Foreman A picture book about the threat of pollution to the environment, particularly the seashore. It focuses on siblings who create their own tiny marine world in a bucket.
	Title: Our environment Author: Jacques Pasquet The environment is an essential but sometimes tough and weighty concept to grasp. This non-fiction book takes readers back to the basics, offering an accessible overview of what makes-up our environment, how those parts work, and why they matter.
	Title: Our planet: The one place we all call home Author: Matt Whyman This book explores ways that we can work together to protect the natural wonders of our world through photography, artworks, and information that complements David Attenborough’s award-winning documentary series, Our planet.
	Title: Our planet! There's no place like earth Author: Stacy McAnulty What is in store for earth now and in the near future? In answer to the call for ways to talk with kids about climate change, this is not a book about fear, but about hope, cooperation, and human resourcefulness.
	Title: Our wriggly worm farm Author: Emmaline Marvig An educational and fun big book all about worm farms and how they support our environment.
	Title: Papatūānuku has a tummy ache! Author: AJ Copping This book introduces tamariki to the issue of filling our landfills with rubbish and how, if we listen to Papatūānuku (Earth Mother), we can help make a difference to benefit the environment.
	Title: Please help planet earth! Author: Ladybird For young children, this book is an introduction to help them understand and engage with the issue of climate change. It contains simple, easy tips for children to follow and is an eco-friendly product itself – made from recycled board, with plant-based inks and glues with minimal plastic content.
	Title: Polar bear, why is your world melting? Author: Robert E. Wells The book introduces the greenhouse effect with illustrations showing how the sun’s light gets trapped, before progressing into different types of fossil fuels and why we rely so heavily on them for electricity and transportation.
	Title: Protecting the planet Author: Louise Spilsbury A picture book about the effects of littering, pollution, and global warming, and how we can care for the earth.
	Title: Saving water Author: Emmaline Marvig An educational and fun big book all about learning that saving water is a vital and rewarding part of living sustainably.
	Title: Stand up! Speak up! Author: Andrew Joyner This is a story of hope, and how children can change the world by making greener life choices for themselves and their families.
	Title: Taihoa, e hoa! Author: Sharon Holt This book encourages us to think differently about rubbish, by looking at new ways to reuse, repurpose, and recycle. It incorporates te reo Māori and English and comes with a sing along CD and downloadable audio.
	Title: Te taiao Author: Sharon Holt This book encourages us to sit, listen, and look at the natural world all around us. It incorporates te reo Māori and English and comes with a sing along CD and downloadable audio.
	Title: Thank you, earth: A love letter to our planet Author: April Pulley Sayre This photography book captures plants, animals, landscapes, and weather in vivid colours and textures. From up close images of tiny insects and flower buds, to panoramic vistas of towering forests and mountain ranges, the pages introduce children to the diversity of the planet in a simple but effective way.
	Title: Tale of a toothbrush Author: M.G. Leonard This is the story of Sammy the toothbrush going from a useful household item to just another piece of plastic rubbish polluting our earth and the ocean. The book gives ideas for how to reuse items such as toothbrushes.
	Title: The giant and the sea Author: Trent Jamieson This story centres around climate strike action and the dangers of industrialisation. It is a lyrical and moving story about climate change, standing up for what you believe in, and the power of hope.
	Title: The Lorax Author: Dr Seuss This classic story warns of the dangers of exploiting the planet’s natural resources. Thanks to its rhyme and whimsical illustrations, the cautionary tale is appropriate for younger audiences who are learning about the scarcity and fragility of natural resources.
	Title: The magic school bus and the climate challenge Author: Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen Part of the Magic school bus series, this book follows Ms. Frizzle’s class on one of her eccentric field trips – this time to survey all the places on earth that are changing due to global warming.
	Title: The mess that we made Author: Michelle Lord This book explores the environmental impact of trash and plastic on the ocean and marine life, and it inspires children to do their part to combat pollution.
	Title: The story of climate change Author: Catherine Barr and Steve Williams Children will learn about the causes of climate change and the effects that climate change has on humans and animals across the world. It also explores practical ways we can work together to solve it.
	Title: The tantrum that saved the world Author: Megan Herbert and Michael E. Mann This part environmental story, part ode to community action, and part blueprint for building a better world – together, for all of us.
	Title: The waterhole Author: Graeme Base As seasons bring forth drought and flood, they gather there as one. This a fusion of counting book, puzzle book, storybook, and art book. Through a journey of discovery, from the plains of Africa, the jungles of the Amazon, to the woodlands of North America and the deserts of outback Australia.
	Title: To change a planet Author: Christina Soontornvat The text and pictures invite readers on a journey that gently illuminates the causes of climate change as well as how our individual and collective actions can make the world better.
	Title: Uno’s garden Author: Graeme Base This book is about how we all unknowingly affect the environment around us, just by being there, and how we can always learn from our mistakes and find ways of doing things better. It is a blend of storybook, puzzle book, and maths book.
	Title: We are water protectors Author: Carole Lindstrom This book weaves a narrative poem through illustrated pages, paying homage to the indigenous tribal nations that are working to protect earth’s natural resources.
	Title: We planted a tree Author: Diane Muldrow This poetic picture book with environmental themes, follows two young families in two very different parts of the world who each plant a tree. As the trees flourish and help clean the air, enrich the soil, and give fruit and shade, so do the families.
	Title: What does it mean to be green? Author: Rana DiOrio In this empowering book, a young boy and girl discover amazing facts and explore all the different ways they can help protect the earth's most precious resources to save the planet and live "green" lifestyles.
	Title: What is climate change? Author: Gail Herman Learn more about what climate change means and how it's affecting our planet. The earth is definitely getting warmer. There's no argument about that, but who or what is the cause?
	Title: Willodeen Author: Katherine Applegate This chapter book explores how ecosystems are interconnected. The story follows a young girl who loves all creatures. Though written for older children, this book is appropriate for younger children as a read-aloud.
	Title: You can save the world Author: Lucy Bell This practical guide is designed to empower children to make changes in their lives to help make a difference in the world. Filled with information, ideas, activities, and interspersed with features on children from around the world.