Climate Kids Book Club: Reading Guide

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Reading Guide THIS READING GUIDE BELONGS TO:

WELCOME! HELLO CLIMATE KIDS! We are so glad you are here. As you may have heard, the Earth needs our help. Our global climate is changing and this will impact our communities, both human and natural. This is a big problem and it will take all of us thinking creatively to come up with solutions.

In this Climate Kids Book Club Reading Guide, you will find a list of recommended books and reflection sheets, a place to review the books you've read, and fun activities including a do-it-yourself bookmark, coloring pages, games, and more!

about the climate kids book club As a Climate Kid, you have three very important jobs:

FIND THE PROBLEM

DISCOVER SOLUTIONS

TELL YOUR STORY!

The Climate Kids Book Club has matched books and activities with actions that you can take to help the Earth. By completing this Reading Guide, you will gain a better understanding of climate change impacts (Find the Problem), learn new ways that you can help (Discover Solutions), and get inspired to Tell Your Story—by talking with a friend, sending a family member a "zine", or hanging up artwork for the world to see.

now, let's get going!

BOOK CLUB READING GUIDE

PAGE NUMBER:

Read the 10 Things You Can Do to Help and select which climate commitment you'd like to learn more about.

2

3-6

Choose a recommended book from the Living Library to expand your knowledge related to the climate commitment.

Check out your book from a nearby Climate Kids Hub or a local library.

7

8-9

Learn about climate change and how it impacts your community.

10 - 11

Fill out a Reading Reflection sheet by taking notes while reading and answering prompts when you're finished.

12 - 13

Write your Book Review to share your thoughts with other Climate Kids.

C

s t ! a r g on

You

did it!

Share your reflections and reviews with us at info@climatesciencealliance.org If your book included Accelerated Reading points, be sure to tell your teacher.

14 - 15

Create your own bookmark and use it as a reminder of your climate commitment.

16 - 31

Dive deeper with fun, hands-on activities to learn more about your climate commitment.

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10 THINGS YOU CAN DO TO HELP As Climate Kids, we’re all responsible for taking actions that help support people and our planet in the face of a changing climate. Here are 10 Things You Can Do to Help, a list of actions you can take to make a difference!

A BOOK FOR EVERY CLIMATE COMMITMENT Learn more about these climate commitments by checking out one of our recommended titles in Climate Kids Book Club, listed on the next few pages!

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K-2 3-5

The Magic School Bus and the Electric Field Trip

by Joanna Cole

6-8

Buried Sunlight

by Penny Chisholm, Molly Bang

K-2

We are Water Protectors

by Carole Lindstrom

3-5

The Water Lady: How Darlene Arviso Helps a Thirsty Navajo Nation by Alice B. McGinty

6-8

Young Water Protectors: A Story About Standing Rock

by Aslan Tudor

K-2

Rainbow Weaver

by Linda Elovitz Marshall

3-5

Stella Diaz Never Gives Up

by Angela Dominguez Can I Recycle This?

by Jennie Romer

Why Should I Protect Nature?

by Jen Green

The Problem of the Hot World

by Pam Bonsper

What a Waste

by Jess French

All the Way to the Ocean

by Joel Harper

3-5

Manfish: A Story of Jacques Cousteau

by Jennifer Berne Creek Critters

by Jennifer Keats Curtis

6-8

K-2

Why Should I Save Energy?

by Jen Green

6-8

CHOOSE A BOOK

Find your chosen climate commitment, and then select a book for your grade level. Go to page 5 to find books near you!

Cast Away

by Naomi Shihab Nye

Squidtoons by Garfield Kwan, Dana Song

3

K-2 3-5

Oil Spill

by Melvin Berger

6-8

Greta's Story

by Valentina Camerini

Listen, Listen

by Phillis Gershator, Alison Jay

One Little Bag

by Henry Cole

The Mess That We Made

by Michelle Lord

This Class Can Save the Planet

by Stacy Tornio You Can Change the World

by Lucy Bell

Turn the Tide

by Elaine Dimopoulos

Before We Eat: From Farm to Table by Pat Brisson

Little Pea by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, Jen Corace

Save the Scraps

by Bethany Stahl Cooking the Native Way

by Chia Café Collective

K-2

3-5

My Magical Foods by Becky Cummings

6-8

K-2

3-5

A House for Hermit Crab

by Eric Carle

6-8

K-2

Tiny, Perfect Things

by M.H. Clark

Watercress

by Andrea Wang

We are the Gardeners

by Joanna Gaines

Lessons from Mother Earth

by Elaine McLeod

Hurry and the Monarch

by Antoine O'Flatharta

The Honeybee

by Kirsten Hall

3-5 4

Be Love (Can Be Hard)

by Alan Paige, Kaimie Page, David Geister

6-8

Up in the Garden & Down in the Dirt by Kate Messner

Bugs in Danger

by Mark Kurlansky

The Girl Who Drew Butterflies

by Joyce Sidman

K-2

My Friend Earth

by Patricia MacLachlan The Lorax

by Dr. Seuss

Waa'aka: The Bird Who Fell in Love with the Sun by Cindi Alvitre

3-5

Song for the Snow

by Jon-Erik Lappano

Follow that Map!

by Scot Ritchie

Our World Out of Balance by Andrea Minoglio The Tantrum that Saved the World

by Megan Herbert, Michael E. Mann It's Getting Hot in Here

by Bridget Heos

6-8

If You Come to Earth

by Sophie Blackall

Rez Dogs

by Joseph Bruchac

Paradise on Fire

by Jewell Parker Rhodes The Wondrous Workings of Planet Earth by Rachel Ignotofsky

Urgent Message from a Hot Planet by Ann Eriksson

6-8

3-5

K-2

We Rise: The Earth Guardians Guide to Building a Movement the Restores the Planet

by Xiuhtezcatl Martinez

Sea Change

by Joel Harper

Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story by Kevin Noble Maillard

Ten Little Rabbits by Virginia Grossman, Sylvia Long

A is for Acorn by Analisa Tripp, Lyn Risling

A Whale of the Wild

by Rosanne Parry

A Wolf Called Wander

by Rosanne Parry

The Line Tender

by Kate Allen

Hoot

by Carl Hiaasen

Strange Birds

by Celia C. Perez

One Small Hop

by Madelyn Rosenburg

Everywhere Blue by Joanne Rossmassler Fritz A Snake Falls to Earth by Darcie Little Badger

FIND MORE BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS FROM OUR LIVING LIBRARY! These are just a few of the titles we recommend—access the full list of recommended books in our living library and share your book suggestions at www.climatekids.org/book-club

5

TRIBAL PERSPECTIVES BOOK LIST

6-8

3-5

K-2

It's important to recognize that climate change impacts Indigenous communities in different, and often more extreme, ways. The selection of books listed below share Indigenous voices and perspectives, discuss climate challenges faced by Tribal communities, and uplift stories of resilience in the face of climate change.

We are Water Protectors

by Carole Lindstrom

The Water Walker

by Joanne Robertson

Rainbow Weaver

by Linda Elovitz Marshall

Waa'aka: The Bird Who Fell in Love with the Sun by Cindi Alvitre

Plate Full of Color

by Georgia Perez

Lessons from Mother Earth

by Elaine McLeod

Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story by Kevin Noble Maillard

My Ancestor's Village

by Robert Labastida

Ten Little Rabbits

by Virginia Grossman, Sylvia Long

A is for Acorn

by Analisa Tripp, Lyn Risling

The Water Lady: How Darlene Arviso Helps a Thirsty Navajo Nation by Alice B. McGinty Buffalo Song

by Joesph Bruchac Young Water Protectors: A Story About Standing Rock by Aslan Tudor

Healer of the Water Monster

by Brian Young

Cooking the Native Way by the Chia Cafe Collective

Rez Dogs

by Joseph Bruchac

We Rise: The Earth Guardians Guide to Building a Movement the Restores the Planet

by Xiuhtezcatl Martinez A Snake Falls to Earth

by Darcie Little Badger

FIND MORE BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS FROM OUR LIVING LIBRARY! 6

These are just a few of the titles we recommend—access the full list of recommended books in our living library and share your book suggestions at www.climatekids.org/book-club

CHECK OUT YOUR BOOK climate kids hubs Check out sets of books, sorted by grade level, at one of our three Climate Kids Hubs:

FOR TRIBAL PARTNERS AND EDUCATORS

SAN DIEGO HUB

NORTHERN HUB

SOUTHERN HUB

San Diego Natural History Museum

Pala Band of Mission Indians Environmental Department

Manzanita Band of the Kumeyaay Nation Environmental and Natural Resources Department

1788 El Prado, Balboa Park San Diego, CA 92101 (619) 255-0236 loanprogram@sdnhm.org

Contact us at info@climatesciencealliance.org

your local library Many of the books that we recommend are available for checkout at your local library.

Here's how to check out books from your local library: Identify the closest library to you.

Sign up for a free library card.

Find the availability of the book you want by asking a librarian for help or searching their online catalog.

Check out your book!

Be sure to return your book on time so that other Climate Kids can read the book too.

EBOOKS & AUDIOBOOKS If you are unable to get to a Hub or a Library, you can access many of our books without leaving your home.

When looking at books on the library's website, you often have the option to check it out at an ebook or audiobook—for free!

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LET'S TALK CLIMATE CHANGE Climate change is caused by the increased levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

These greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide (CO2 ), methane (CH 4 ), and nitrous oxide (N 2 O), and they act like a heat-trapping blanket around the Earth. The more greenhouse gases, the thicker the blanket, and the warmer Earth gets.

Since the Industrial Revolution, human activities have caused an increase in greenhouse gases, which causes the systems that regulate heat and climate—such as oceans, soils, and forests—to become unbalanced.

Scientists have observed and documented warming average temperatures around the world, which coincides with the increase in greenhouse gases. As we continue to use non-renewable energy sources for electricity, transportation, industry, commercial and residential activities we contribute to the increase of greenhouse gases and our warming planet.

CAN YOU CONNECT THE DOTS TO CREATE THE HEAT TRAPPING BLANKET AROUND THE EARTH? This heat-trapping blanket causes the atmosphere to warm and puts the Earth’s system out of balance. Though there are global consequences to climate change—such as polar ice melting, rising seas, and warming temperatures—these changes impact us differently depending on where we live.

what you need to know The Earth’s climate is changing.

Climate change is caused by humans burning fossil fuels and releasing greenhouse gases into the environment.

Over time these molecules build up and begin to act as a thick blanket that traps heat around the Earth.

Climate change is impacting Earth’s natural balance and is causing more extreme events across the world.

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Humans can take actions to help protect our communities, plants, and animals.

how does climate change impact your community?

The impacts of climate change will look and feel different depending on where you live.

Some places will be hotter and drier, while other places may experience storm surges and flooding. Different ecosystems, animals, plants, and people will be affected in different ways.

To learn more about climate change impacts please visit: www.climatesciencealliance.org/give-wildlife-a-break

TEMPERATURE Annual and daily average temperature ranges are increasing and will become more extreme.

Warming may cause timing mismatches for plants and animals that rely on each other for food and pollination.

More frequent and intense heat waves will impact wildlife and people.

WILDFIRE Large, high-intensity fires will increase in frequency.

Climatic extremes may dry out vegetation, increasing the amount of fuel available to burn.

Circle the climate impacts you have observed in your community

PRECIPITATION Precipitation events (such as rain) will become more intense and variable.

Spring and fall will be drier, causing longer drought seasons.

DROUGHT The number of dry days will increase and become more intense.

More intense, frequent droughts will result in changes to plant communities and the species they can support.

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I

SHEET

REFLECT

ON

Book Title :

Author :

Date :

find the problem What is the challenge or problem in this book?

How does this challenge or problem impact Earth's climate, people, plants, and animals?

pause and reflect What did you learn?

Before I read the book, my thoughts were:

After I finished the book, my thoughts were:

discover the solution Brainstorm ideas on how you would have solved the challenge or problem in the book.

Would you have done something differently than the characters did?

10

tell your story What stood out to you in this book?

What do you have in common with the characters in this book?

notes and sketches

Dra w

it of one of the tra ch r a po

rs cte ra

a

While you read, write down new words, phrases, or concepts that you would like to learn more about and any questions that you have.

Draw the setting of the book

11

CLIMATE KIDS BOOK REVIEWS Let your friends, family, and classmates know what you thought of the books you read!

Following the example below, write down what made you think, what you connected with, and what you would have done differently.

Name of Book :

We are Water Protectors

Rating :

I loved this book! I think the illustrations were beautiful. It was a good metaphor and made me feel hopeful and powerful. I felt very connected to the main character. Her community reminded me of mine.

Review :

Name of Book : Rating : Review :

Name of Book : Rating : Review :

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Name of Book : Rating : Review :

Name of Book : Rating : Review :

Name of Book : Rating : Review :

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CLIMATE COMMITMENT BOOKMARK Make a commitment to help protect the Earth today! Create your own Climate Commitment Bookmark using the instructions below: Write or draw your climate commitment in the bookmark templates on the next page.

Cut along the lines to create your unique bookmark.

Punch out the holes at the top of the bookmark.

Loop string through the hole and tie a knot to make a loop.

Optional: Decorate your string with colorful beads!

All done! Use this bookmark often as a reminder of your commitment to helping the earth in the face of a changing climate.

Need another bookmark to share with friends or family?

Print more Climate Commitment Bookmarks at: www.climatekids.org/book-club

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Grow plants for the bees, butterflies, and birds

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CLIMATE ACTIVITY OVERVIEW Match each Climate Activity to the climate commitment, then choose the activity that connects to chosen book. Complete as many as you want, and check them off of the list as you go.

1. lightbulb reminders

read more about climate change and share what you learn

2. red-legged frog coloring sheet 3. upcycled puzzle 4. trash-sorting matching game

choose reusable bags and water bottles

recycle walk or ride your bike

5. scavenger hunt

start an earth-friendly project with your friends or family

6. lunch bag doodles 7. summer treat recipe

eat your veggies

8. butterfly coloring sheet

9. zine template

pick up trash

save water 10. climate kids bingo

grow plants for the bees, butterflies and birds

ANSWERS: 1 = use less electricity, 2 = save water, 3 = recycle, 4 = pick up trash, 5 = walk or ride your bike, 6 = choose reusable bags and water bottles, 7 = eat your veggies, 8 = grow plants for the bees, butterflies and birds, 9 = read more about climate change and share what you learn, 10 = start an earth-friendly project with your friends and family

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use less electricity

CLIMAT

E

AC

TIVITY

1

lightbulb reminders CLIMATE COMMITMENT: Use less energy It sounds like a simple commitment to use less energy, but sometimes we need a reminder to help us learn new habits.

Fill in the lightbulb templates on the next page with actions you can take to use less energy (see examples below) or color them in with your favorite color to stand out.

Once your lightbulbs are decorated, carefully cut them out and place them around the house. Here's what we recommend: Attach them to your fridge with a magnet Tape it next to a light switch Make a door hanger by adding a hole with a hole punch and tying a loop of string

er rememsabve to g y ener

tu r n w h e n o ff in u s n o t e

unplug ou y b e fo r e e v a le

There are many ways you can use less energy.

Here are some ideas to get you started: Unplug appliances or chargers that are not in use.

Check out the light bulbs in your house. Are they LED? Save energy by replacing them with energy efficient LED bulbs.

Open the blinds during the day to use natural light.

Use less hot water.

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CLIMAT

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2

red-legged frog coloring sheet CLIMATE COMMITMENT: Save water

The California Red-Legged Frog (Rana draytonii) is a rare frog found primarily in California and Baja California that can grow up to 5 inches long. They live in slow moving, shallow water, and stay protected from heat by grasses and shrubs.

The frogs are significantly threatened by the loss of their wetland habitat, invasive species, and changes in water usage. Climate change is going to increase the variability of rain events making it harder to predict when and how much it will rain.

To help keep these frogs safe, save water by reducing your water use and avoiding using chemical fertilizers or pesticides that may pollute their water.

Color the frog on the next page using crayons, pencils, markers, or paints!

Artwork by Audrey Carver

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20

CLIMAT

E

AC

TIVITY

3

upcycled* puzzle CLIMATE COMMITMENT: Recycle

* "Upcycling" means giving

something a different use than it had before, rather than recycling, donating, or throwing it away.

Color in the template below, cut it out along the dotted line, and then glue it to a piece of cardboard or cereal box. Cut out the puzzle pieces and mix them up. See how long it takes you to put them back together!

CLIMAT

TIVITY

4

trash-sorting matching game CLIMATE COMMITMENT: Pick up trash Practice your sorting skills by putting each item into the correct bin.

Draw a line from each item on the left to the bins on the right.

Recycling

Compost

Trash ANSWERS: banana = compost, can = recycling, coffee cup = trash, cardboard = recycling, paper = recycling, wrappers = trash, apple = compost, plastic bottle = recycling, glass = recycling

E

AC

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CLIMAT

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TIVITY

5

scavenger hunt CLIMATE COMMITMENT: Walk or ride your bike Walking or riding your bike is a great way to observe your surroundings!

Take the Climate Kids Scavenger Hunt on your next outing and document your observations.

A pollinating insect

A seed (what kind of plant did it come from?)

A plant taller than yourself

A lizard (what species?)

A native plant

A feather (what kind of bird did it come from?)

A plant that produces fruit (what kind of fruit does it produce?)

A small mammal (what species?)

A dormant or sleeping plant Clouds (What kind and where did they come from?)

Evidence of a changing climate (Is there dust from a drought?

Marks from a fire?)

Water being used responsibly Food for a local animal (Are there bird feeders?

Flowers for butterflies? Prey animals?)

Somebody caring for the environment!

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Artwork by Audrey Carver

Three different kinds of birds (What species are they?)

CLIMAT

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TIVITY

6

lunch bag doodles CLIMATE COMMITMENT: Choose reusable bags and bottles By reusing bags and bottles, you can reduce waste and pollution!

However, single-use items like plastic bottles and paper bags can still be given other uses ("upcycled") to prevent waste. Using crayons, stickers, paints or markers, decorate a paper lunch bag. Draw pictures of your favorite plants and animals, or write your chosen climate commitment, and use your new bag for lunch. Then, keep it as art when you are done!

Ideas:

TIP: Compost the paper bag when you're done using it for lunch or displaying as art—and be sure to remove any non-compostable decorations, such as stickers.

24 7

CLIMAT

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recipe CLIMATE COMMITMENT: Eat your veggies

Eating more local fruits and veggies is one way to reduce your climate impact while also supporting local farms and farmers.

In this activity, learn what fruits and veggies are grown locally in Southern California, and brainstorm a recipe that you can make!

Fruits & veggies grown in Southern California:

Circle the fruits and veggies that you have tried!

Are there any others that you would add to the list?

Almonds Apples Avocados Beets Blackberries Broccoli Cabbage Cantaloupes Carrots Cauliflower

Now, think of which of these foods taste good together.

Do you have a favorite meal that includes some of them?

Write down your recipe below—either one that you already know, or a new one that you'd like to make!

Celery Cherries Chives Cilantro Collard Greens

RECIPE NAME:

Corn Cucumbers Dates Eggplant Fennel Figs

INGREDIENTS:

Garlic Grapes Grapefruit Kale Kumquats Lemons Lettuce Limes Mint Nectarines Olives

INSTRUCTIONS:

Onions Oranges Parsley Peaches Pecans Persimmons Pistachios Pomegranates Radishes Raspberries Strawberries Spinach Squash Tangerines Thyme Tomatoes Turnips Watermelons Zucchinis

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TRY MORE RECIPES! Check out the Resilient Roots Climate Cookbook online to view our recipes and find other helpful resources: www.climatesciencealliance.org/resilient-roots-climate-kids

CLIMAT

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butterfly coloring sheet CLIMATE COMMITMENT: Grow plants for the bees, butterflies, and birds

The Western Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus plexippus) is a migratory species, meaning that it lives in different places in winter and summer.

Every year they migrate to their overwintering locations—Coastal Central California to Baja California, Mexico—where they cling in clusters to trees until spring. At that time, they leave their coastal resting places and fly to additional western states such as Washington, Oregon, and Utah. Along the way, they lay their eggs on milkweed plants, which provide the only food source for their caterpillars.

Climate change and extreme weather affect the survival of these and other insects. In addition, the butterflies are greatly threatened by the broad distribution and use of non-native or tropical milkweed species. You can help these butterflies survive and migrate successfully by planting only native milkweed in your garden! Ask for narrow leaf milkweed or other local milkweed varieties the next time you visit a nursery.

Color the butterflies using crayons, pencils, markers, or paints!

Artwork by Audrey Carver

26 7

27

9

make a zine CLIMATE COMMITMENT: Read more about climate change and share what you learn Using the instructions on the next page, fold and cut a piece of paper or one of the provided templates into a small magazine (a.k.a. "zine").

Then, illustrate and write about a climate topic that interests you. Make a guide to the flowers in your neighborhood, tell a story about your pet, or write about the weather.

Think about what you would like to raise awareness for. Most importantly, get creative!

Ideas:

(page 6)

(page 5)

(page 4)

CLIMAT

TIVITY

(page 3)

E

AC

(back page)

(cover page)

(page 1)

(page 2)

TIP: You can unfold the zine once it is complete and make copies to fold and give to family, friends, teachers, or neighbors!

28 7

how to fold your zine Zine guide adapted from Skylaar Amann (skylaaramann.com).

View the full guide at www.climatekids.org/oceans under "Storytelling" Remove the templates on the following pages by cutting along the orange dotted line.

First, fold in shortwise.

Then, fold it longwise.

Fold the short edges in to meet in the middle. When you unfold, you should have 8 small rectangles.

Using scissors or a safety knife, cut along the fold of the center four rectangles.

Then, fold in half longways and push the edges towards the middle, opening the flap that you cut.

Fold up your pages and you are ready to fill the zine with anything you'd like!

Collage, paintings, writing, drawing—you name it!

29

CLIMAT

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climate kids bingo CLIMATE COMMITMENT: Start an earth-friendly project with your friends and family With Climate Kids Bingo, challenge yourself—and your friends or family— with different ways you can help the Earth. Whether it’s new to you or something you’re already doing, mark the squares as you go and see who can be the first to get BINGO!

Turn water off while brushing your teeth

Make a feeder for pollinators

Tell your family about the environment where you live

Use fewer paper towels

Learn about composting

Make a recycled art project

Unplug electronics not in use

Recycle

Choose to walk instead of drive

Pick up trash around your house

Research where your food comes from

Choose not to use plastic straws

Use a reusable water bottle

Plant or identify a native plant in your yard

Learn something new about climate change

Go outside and play

Take a shorter shower

Reduce food waste

Draw an animal or plant you would like to protect

Use a reusable grocery bag

Save a spider

Turn off lights in empty rooms

Donate old books, clothes, and toys

Make a home for wildlife

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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Check out our Climate Kids resources to continue expanding your climate science knowledge and learn more ways that you can help protect people and the planet in the face of a changing climate!

BOOK CLUB ONLINE

TRAVELING TRUNKS

CLIMATE KIDS CONNECTS

View the full list of recommended books in our living library, where to access books at a local library or a Climate Kids Hub near you, and download all resources (like this Reading Guide!)

Bring fun and interactive science, storytelling, and art activities to your classroom by checking out one of our Traveling Trunks.

Our education resource portal contains online resources from Climate Kids HQ and our partners.

www.climatekids.org/ book-club

www.climatekids.org/ traveling-trunks

www.climatekids.org/ connects

program partners Thank you to the Climate Kids Book Club supporters and partners who made this resource possible. Special thanks to the Manzanita Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, Pala Band of Mission Indians, and the San Diego Natural History Museum for serving as our Climate Kids Hubs where Climate Kids Resources are available to the community for check out.

Funding support comes from the Bureau of Indian Affairs and San Diego Gas & Electric.

Learn more about the Climate Kids Book Club:

www.climatekids.org/book-club

Climate Kids is a program of the Climate Science Alliance

@ClimateScienceAlliance www.climatekids.org www.climatesciencealliance.org

@CSAinAction