Children's Books Celebrating Greta Thunberg

The brave, steely determination and brilliant words of Greta Thunberg have woken up whole nations to the the reality of the climate crisis and made this teenage girl a beacon of hope for millions of children and adults around the world. Her activism and speeches are jaw dropping to watch and have inspired so many kids to stop, think and challenge the ongoing damage being done to our planet by huge organisations, and even on a smaller scale in our own homes.

If a 15 year old Greta can stand up to world leaders, then every one of us can stand up and make a difference. Now an icon of our times, it is little wonder that there is now a slew of new children's books devoted to celebrating her life work which has already made such a huge impact in a relatively short period of time.

Here are our favourite books paying homage to Greta Tintin Eleonora Ernman Thunberg and the amazing work she continues to do.

Humanity is now standing at a crossroads. We must now decide which path we want to take. How do we want the future living conditions for all living species to be like?

The one that started it all... No One is too small to Make a Difference

This Fisherman-Mac-Yellow hardback is a little different from the original paper edition, in that it tracks 15-year old Greta's development in images also. Following Gretaon her path from lone school striker to global star of the Climate Crisis movement, the book follows her game-changing year in the fight against the climate crisis and includes all her best quotes including THAT speech at the UN in September 2019 that changed everything - as well as new updated speeches from Vienna, Paris, New York and Montreal.

This is all wrong. I shouldn’t be up here. I should be back in school on the other side of the ocean. Yet you all come to us young people for hope? How dare you! You have stolen my dreams and my childhood with your empty words. And yet I’m one of the lucky ones. People are suffering. People are dying. Entire ecosystems are collapsing. We are in the beginning of a mass extinction. And all you can talk about is money and fairytales of eternal economic growth. How dare you!

BUY HERE >> No One Is Too Small to Make a Difference: Illustrated Edition by Greta Thunberg (Published by Allen Lane)

The one that will help younger readers to connect with the subject... Greta and the Giants

Greta is a little girl who lives in a beautiful forest threatened by Giants. When the Giants first came to the forest, they chopped down trees to make houses. Then they chopped down more trees and made even bigger homes. The houses grew into towns and the towns grew into cities, until now there is hardly any forest left. Greta knows she has to help the animals who live in the forest, but how? Luckily, Greta has an idea…

There is a great section at the back explaining that in reality, the fight against the 'giants' isn’t over and details how you can help Greta in her fight. Also worth noting, this book has been printed sustainably in the UK on 100% recycled paper and a donation of 3% of the cover price will go to Greenpeace UK.

You say you love your children above all else and yet you are stealing their future in front of their very eyes.

BUY HERE >> Greta and the Giants: inspired by Greta Thunberg's stand to save the world by Zoë Tucker (Published by Frances Lincoln Children's Books)

The one that explores the issues in an accessible way for children... We Are All Greta: Be inspired by Greta Thunberg to save the world

Young readers will be inspired to follow in the footsteps of the Swedish teenage activist and Nobel Peace Prize candidate and join the global mission to save our planet from climate changes. From global warming to the greenhouse effect - this book helps children understand climate challenge (explained in a scientific and accessible way and drawn from the most authoritative sources), with short chapters where information is concise and to the point, helping to keep interest, a list of websites to visit for further information and a chapter on small things (which could make a big difference) that everyone or anyone can do to help to bring about change.

Since our leaders are behaving like children, we will have to take the responsibility they should have taken long ago.

BUY HERE >> We Are All Greta: Be inspired by Greta Thunberg to save the world by Valentina Giannella and illustrated by Manuela Marazzi (Laurence King Publishing)

The one where pictures speak a thousand words... Our House Is on Fire: Greta Thunberg's Call to Save the Planet

When she was fifteen years old, Greta Thunberg’s teacher explained to her class that our climate is changing—the earth is getting warmer, the polar ice caps are melting, and life on earth is threatened. Greta was devastated. What could she do? If the grown-ups weren’t doing enough to save the planet, Greta would have to demand change herself. So she went on strike, skipping school every Friday to sit outside of the Swedish Parliament building with a sign that read “School Strike for Climate.” At first, Greta was the only one. But gradually, more and more students joined her, until her lone protest had sparked a worldwide student movement for action on climate change.

This picture book informs and inspires, showing young readers that even the smallest person can make a big difference. A great introduction to the subject of climate change for children starting to question and wanting to learn about the world around them.

Adults keep saying we owe it to the young people, to give them hope, but I don’t want your hope. I don’t want you to be hopeful. I want you to panic. I want you to feel the fear I feel every day. I want you to act. I want you to act as you would in a crisis. I want you to act as if the house is on fire, because it is.

BUY HERE >> Our House Is on Fire: Greta Thunberg's Call to Save the Planet Hardcover by Jeanette Winter (Beach Lane Books)

The one that will be on every child's bookshelf ... Little People, Big Dreams Greta Thunberg

Another fantastic addition to the critically acclaimed, best selling and, much revered Little People, Big Dreams series of books, that tell the life stories (in an edited format) of outstanding people who achieved incredible things, with the overriding message that each began life as a child with a dream. The Greta Thunberg edition tells the inspiring, true story of the environmental activist in its signature style we have all come to love, appealing to children of all ages. Author Sanchez Vegara has made Greta's story easy to understand with it inspiring messages, stylish and quirky illustrations and more detailed, extra facts at the back. This empowering series is a firm Junior favourite.

We can't save the world by playing by the rules, because the rules have to be changed. Everything needs to change - and it has to start today.

BUY HERE >> Greta Thunberg (Little People, Big Dreams) by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara and illustrated by Anke Weckmann (White Lion Publishing)

The one that every young self-reader should discover for themselves... The Extraordinary Life of Greta Thunberg

Coming soon in the wonderful Extraordinary Lives paperback series published by Penguin is of course, the story of Greta Thunberg. The story of a girl who is changing the world. From taking part in school strikes and owning that her Asperger syndrome is her superpower, to crossing the Atlantic Ocean in a powerful stand against carbon emissions, this is the incredible story of a schoolgirl who is changing the world. Presented in the same format as the other 16 titles in the collection (including Michelle Obama, Neil Armstrong and Rosa Parks among others) with easy to read large text, facts and figures and an illustrated timeline.

We are the ones making a difference – we the people in Extinction Rebellion and the children’s School Strike for the Climate – we are the ones making a difference.

BUY HERE >> The Extraordinary Life of Greta Thunberg by Devika Jina (Puffin)

The one that gives a deeper life story for young readers... Greta's Story: The Schoolgirl Who Went On Strike To Save The Planet

The perfect book for self readers to discover the story of Greta. From her Fridays for Future, or School Strike 4 Climate protests (a movement which millions have now joined around the world) to the Greta we know now. This is her story, yes, but this illustrated book is also the story of many other girls and boys around the world who are willing to fight against the indifference of the powerful for a better future.

Many of you appear concerned that we are wasting valuable lesson time, but I assure you we will go back to school the moment you start listening to science and give us a future.

The one that will get them talking...Earth Heroes: Twenty Inspiring Stories of People Saving Our World

When faced with climate change, the biggest threat that our planet has ever confronted, it's easy to feel as if nothing you do can really make a difference . . . but this book proves that individual people can change the world. Not technically just about Greta - but, there is no doubt she sparked the conception of this book that includes twenty inspirational stories celebrating the pioneering work of a selection of Earth Heroes from all around the globe. Included alongside Greta are David Attenborough, Stella McCartney (who continues to fight for sustainable fashion), Mohammed Rezwan (the architect behind Bangladesh's pioneering floating school scheme), Andrew Turton and Pete Ceglinski (Australian inventors of the Seabin) and many more.

You must not gamble your children’s future on the flip of a coin. Instead, you must unite behind the science. You must take action. You must do the impossible. Because giving up can never ever be an option.

BUY HERE >>> Earth Heroes: Twenty Inspiring Stories of People Saving Our World by Lily Dyu and illustrations by Jackie Lay (Nosy Crow)

INSPIRED? Find our round-up of the best Eco-Conscious books for children

(Main Pictures: Greta profile from Getty Images/ "There is no Planet B" Poster by RiLi from £9 Red Bubble)