Discover NAEE’s book reviews, highlighting inspiring titles that deepen environmental understanding. From classroom resources to thought-provoking reads, explore recommendations that support educators and engage learners with today’s most pressing environmental issues.
Winter Sleep: a hibernation story
Sue Shanks reviews Winter Sleep: a hibernation story by Sean Taylor & Alex Morss This book is comprised of two sections focussing on the topic of hibernation. The first section is a narrative story about a boy visiting his grandmother in winter, following an earlier visit he had made in the summer. He [...]
What to read to understand climate change
The Economist says that these are seven texts that explain how the climate is changing—and what to do about it. Just click on the link to see more details – including the note that the 6th book here is not a terrorist handbook. What We Know About Climate Change. By Kerry [...]
Rewild Yourself: 23 spellbinding ways to make nature more visible
Professor William Scott reviews Rewild Yourself: 23 spellbinding ways to make nature more visible by Simon Barnes, illustrated by Lee Wright. There is a lot to like about this book, and if everyone did even half of what Simon Barnes recommends, their lives would be more fulfilled, and the rest of us would [...]
Hollow is a Home
Henricus Peters reviews Hollow is a Home by Abbie Mitchell, illustrated by Astred Hicks. Take a peek into the world of tree hollows and the Australian animals that call them home. Trees are praised for many things, and rightly so: provider of nesting site for birds; perching place for beautiful flowers; the [...]
Animals make us human
Henricus Peters reviews Animals Make us Human by Leah Kaminsky & Meg Keneally Do you know what Sir David Attenborough, Greta Thunberg, the Dalai Lama and Beyoncé all have in common? (The answer is at the end of this review!) This delightful and important book was born out of devastating circumstances. First the Australian bushfires [...]
A Tiger’s Message
Juliette Green reviews A Tiger's Message by Martin D Hill & Marisa Morgan (illustrator) A Tiger’s Message is a beautifully colourful book that helps children learn about the wildlife of tropical rainforests, the threats that they face, and what people can do to help. At first glance, it appears to be a picture [...]
I Ate Sunshine for Breakfast
Sue Shanks reviews I Ate Sunshine for Breakfast by Michael Holland & Philip Giordano I Ate Sunshine for Breakfast is a book that explodes in front of you as soon as it comes out of the envelope or as it sits in the bookshop. The intriguing title and vibrant front cover ensures [...]
What the Oak Tree Sees
Dr Elsa Lee reviews What the Oak Tree Sees by AK Scott & RM Brink This beautiful, whimsical and nostalgic picture book answers a question my children and I often ask of an oak tree in the village that we call home. This tree has been a place of refuge for us as [...]
Darwin Comes to Town
Sue Shanks reviews Darwin Comes to Town: How the urban jungle drives evolution by Menno Schilthuizen Darwin comes to Town is a thoroughly researched book delving into the many ways that plants and animals are exploiting the habitats which are available in our urban landscapes and through these interaction are themselves undergoing [...]
Bringing Back the Beaver
Henricus Peters reviews Bringing Back the Beaver: The Story of One Man’s Quest to Rewild Britain’s Waterways by Derek Gow The author image on the back flap reminds me of (sometimes controversial) television botanist Dr David Bellamy, a past president of our NAEE who passed away in 2019. A reasonably burly figure with a [...]
