Affordable & Clean Energy | Picture Book List For United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #7

The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind by William Kamkwamba

Based on a true story, this book explores the accomplishments of a young boy in Malawi, Africa, who watches his family’s farm die off due to drought. Using his local library and teaching himself English, the language in which all the scientific books are written, he figures out how to use trash and miscellaneous parts lying around his community to create a windmill. He uses the windmill to create electricity and, eventually, power a well for his family’s garden.

This story is so wonderful for children on so many accounts; it discusses environmental issues of drought, poverty, innovation, and creativity, and highlights characters from another part of the world. That it’s based on a true story also helps children connect with the reality of the issues addressed.

Ages 10+ | Pages 304

Energy Island: How One Community Harnessed the Wind and Changed Their World by Allan Drummond

Based on a true story, the residents of an island in Denmark tell their story of how they transformed their community from one that used fossil fuels to one run entirely on wind power. It took much effort from the community working together and convincing naysayers to move forward with the change, but a collective effort proved fruitful. Now the island community is a leader for cooperative renewable energy transformation.

This book is part of the series of books from Allan Drummond that highlights real-life examples of cities and towns working toward more sustainable living communities. The series includes Pedal Power, Green City, Energy Island, and Solar Story.

Ages 6-10 | Pages 40

Iqbal and His Ingenious Idea: How a Science Project Helps One Family and the Planet by Elizabeth Suneby

A young boy sees his mother and young sister getting sick from smoke each time they cook meals for the family because they use an open fire to cook indoors. For the science fair at school, Iqbal works with his sister to create a solar-powered cooking device so they do not have to use an open fire as often for cooking. Iqbal found a way to win first prize in the science fair while providing cleaner air and better health for his family at the same time!

This story introduces young children to the problems associated with open-flame cooking in the developing world, as well as background information on sustainable technology. Part of the CitizenKid collection, this book uses the common experience of a science fair project to help children recognize that they, too, can help make the world a better place through innovative thinking and creative problem-solving.

Ages  8-12 | Pages 32

Energy Makes Things Happen by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

This illustrated book explains all the different ways living things and machines obtain and use energy. The book is a great introduction to the transfer of energy and the sources of energy, especially the sun. It provides a good foundation for having follow-up discussions about which sources of energy are more eco-friendly and sustainable.

Ages 4-8 | Pages 40

Running on Sunshine: How Does Solar Energy Work? by Carolyn Cinami DeCristofano

This is a wonderful book about how solar energy works, how engineers are working to make the technology and related battery storage better, and all the ways that solar energy helps make our planet cleaner and healthier. It touches a bit on the impacts of climate change and why solar energy is important and also discusses a few ways that people around the world are using solar energy in their everyday lives to live more sustainably and healthier. This book makes the science and environmental importance of solar energy accessible to students as young as elementary school though it could be the basis for more complex and deeper learning for older students.

Ages 4-8 | Pages 40

Energy: Physical Science for Kids by Andi Diehn

Learn about the basics of energy and what makes things move in this introductory physical science book directed toward younger elementary-aged students.

Ages 5-9 | Pages 32

Solar Energy: Running on Sunshine by Amy Hansen

This is a non-fiction book that introduces the science of solar energy and how it could be used in the future. It includes a table of contents and glossary and is written for slightly older students in late elementary to early middle school.

Ages 7-10 | Pages 24

Buried Sunlight: How Fossil Fuels Have Changed The Earth by Molly Bang & Penny Chisholm

What are fossil fuels? Where did they come from and why does it matter if we burn them? Told from the perspective of the sum to humans on Earth, the story explains the harm that rapid use of fossil fuels can create for the planet and why we need to care about finding alternative sources of energy.

Ages 4-8 | Pages 48

Why Should I Save Energy by Jen Green

This book is written for younger children and is a bit dated, but it’s a first step to thinking about simple ways that kids can save energy at home and what might happen if we ran out of energy.

Ages 4-7 | Pages 32

Solar Story: How One Community Lives Alongside the World’s Biggest Solar Plant by Allan Drummon

Solar energy is a great resource for people in many parts of the world, especially in areas with lots of sunlight, like near the Sahara Desert. One small Moroccan community sits right next to the largest solar plant in the world. This story tells readers about how the plant was built and how it works through the eyes of two young girls who live and go to school right next to the solar power plant. 

This solar plant uses a different method of energy collection than typical solar panels we see in many places, so this was an interesting insight for readers to see that there are many ways to create renewable energy. 

Further, this story is a great example of how we need to consider environmental justice in our clean energy solutions. While the plant is situated right next to the power plant, the small community has received come benefits from the wealth of renewable energy generated in their community. 

While it’s unclear whether the benefits are “fair” (and it’s tough to reach an objective conclusion about this because there are many elements to consider), the author makes many references to the benefits the community has received and should receive in the future. It’s a great foundation for a conversation about how large sustainability-focused investments must include local community members as stakeholders and respect their best interests.  

This book is part of the series of books from Allan Drummond that highlights real-life examples of cities and towns working toward more sustainable living communities. The series includes Pedal Power, Green City, Energy Island, and Solar Story.

Ages 4-8 | Pages 40

Jen Panaro

Jen Panaro, a co-founder of Raising Global Kidizens, is a self-proclaimed composting nerd and an advocate for sustainable living for modern families. She’s also a serial library book borrower and a messy gardener.

As a mom to two boys, she is passionate about helping families be more responsible stewards to their communities and the planet. She also owns Honestly Modern, an online space focused on eco-friendly living for modern families.