How to Teach Grown-Ups About Climate Change
The cutting-edge science of our changing planet
Age 8+
Science & Technology: General Interest Wildlife Social Issues: Environment & Green Issues
A witty guide to the science behind climate change, which puts kids in charge
Never has there been a more perfect time to empower children to take the lead and educate their grown-ups about climate change. Featuring a foreword by internationally renowned climate scientist Dr Michael E. Mann and bursting with fabulous original illustrations, this delightfully witty book deals with the pressing topic of our changing planet in an uplifting, positive manner. Interwoven amongst the more serious questions – why is Earth so special in the first place? How do we know about climate change? What causes it? How can we recognise false information? – are fun-filled facts about cow burps, woolly mammoths, panda-shaped solar panels, and much more. Crucially, this book also equips children and adults alike with the practical tools they need to tackle climate change in their everyday lives.
And there’s a handy quiz at the end so that you can check your grown-up has been paying attention!
Listed as a California Eureka Nonfiction Award Honor Title
Longlisted for the Nature Generation's 2025 Green Earth Book Award
Creators
Patricia Daniels has written more than a dozen books for adults and children, most of them about science, history, or a combination of the two. A frequent contributor to National Geographic’s publications, she has covered everything from astrophysics to Zuniceratops. Pat lives in Pennsylvania, USA, with her husband, a college professor, and has two grown sons and two grown cats.
Dr Michael Mann is Presidential Distinguished Professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Science at the University of Pennsylvania. His research focuses on climate science and climate change, and with his colleagues Michael Mann created what became known as the ‘hockey stick’, the graph which shows the rapid rise in global temperatures since around 1900. He has received numerous awards, including the Friend of the Planet Award from the National Center for Science Education, U.S.A., the Stephen H. Schneider Award for Outstanding Climate Science Communication from Climate, the Climate Communication Prize from the American Geophysical Union and the Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement 2019. He is co-founder of RealClimate.org, has written books including The Hockey Stick and the Climate Wars, The Tantrum that Saved the World, and The New Climate War, and is the author of more than 200 peer-reviewed publications, op-eds and commentaries.
Aaron Blecha is a Brighton-based artist and author who designs funny characters and illustrates humorous books. Aaron has illustrated over 40 books, including the popular George Brown, Class Clown and Shark School series. He is also the author and illustrator of Goodnight, Grizzle Grump! and Good Morning, Grizzle Grump! published by HarperCollins. In addition to illustrating children’s books, Aaron works as a character designer in TV development for studios such as Disney, Curious Pictures and eOne Family.
Reviews
Designed to be read alone or with the grown-up, it is an excellent introduction to the concept of climate change to captivate the thoughts of both children and adults alike. A copy of this in every school library would also be beneficial, who knows, it could inspire the next Greta Thunberg?
School Reading List
This practical and helpful book has lots of great ideas for saving the planet.
BookTrust
Kids will feel empowered to take the lead in what is an increasingly urgent conversation and, more importantly, take action, giving lots of practical ideas as well as inspirational stories from around the world.
All Done Monkey
This book is full of attitude and spunk…This is a serious topic, with real science, intermingled with hilarious and brilliant facts, making this an easily digestible read.
YA Books Central
Well illustrated and has a myriad of infographics…
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