The Soda Bottle School: A True Story of Recycling, Teamwork, and One Crazy Idea

Kutner, Laura, and Suzanne Slade, Thomaston: Tilbury House Publishers, 2016.

The book is based on a true story of how a Guatemalan community came together to collect bottles from all over the villages and construed classrooms out of soda bottles. It conveys a positive message on reducing waste and recycling, but also demonstrates how children could make a difference in their school and community through creative proposals and teamwork. The story also addressed the economical and environmental injustice faced by the Guatemalan people, as inequality in waste management led to the village being flooded with plastic bottles. Such themes as well as the cultural elements represented in the book can invoke further in-depth discussion with older audiences.

We Are Water Protectors

Lindstrom, Carole, and Michaela Goade. New York: Roaring Brook Press, 2021.

We Are Water Protectors is inspired by numerous Indigenous-led movements across North America and delivers an urgent call to protect natural waters from human harm and pollution. The picture book is a collaboration between an Indigenous author and illustrator and constructs poetic and imaginative visual links between water, nature, animals and humans.

Because the story is narrated from a child’s perspective it may appeal to young audiences and help to communicate its environmental message in a dynamic way. The uplifting tone of the story and message of unity between communities may inspire readers to take a more active role as stewards of the natural world themselves.