Books about the environment for blind children and young people

Our choice of picture books

To encourage your little one to learn more about the world they live in and how they can care for our precious resources, wildlife and climate, we’ve put together a list of Living Paintings picture books and fact books with an environmental theme.

Michael Recycle by Ellie Bethal and Alexandra Colombo

Michael Recycle follows the story of a caped crusader on a mission to save planet Earth! Join Michael Recycle as he rescues his town from over-flowing rubbish while proving that recycling can actually be quite good fun!

Tippu by David Day and Abigail Pizer

Tippu tells the story of a family of elephants who struggle to stay alive as ivory hunters invade their home. Separated from their parents, the young elephants are frightened and alone until a wise old stork leads them to safety.

The Snail and the Whale

This book tells the story of a tiny snail who hitches a lift around the world on the tail of “a great big, grey-blue humpback whale”. Together they go on an amazing journey, past icebergs and volcanoes, sharks and penguins. The little snail feels so small in the vastness of the world but when disaster strikes and the whale is beached in a bay, it’s the tiny snail’s big plan that saves the day.

Somebody Swallowed Stanley

This thought-provoking picture book charts the eventful journey made by Stanley, a discarded plastic carrier bag, who is swept into the sea. As he drifts through the ocean waves, he is mistaken for a jellyfish and swallowed by a series of unsuspecting animals. But will he find his own ‘special place’? A beautifully illustrated picture book with a powerful message about plastic pollution from environmental expert Sarah Roberts, and Sarah lends her voice to the audio guide.

Our choice of fact books

Explore the Seashore

Designed for Key Stage 2 children (7-11 years), this book describes the journey round the coast of the British Isles, introducing the reader to wonderful wildlife along the way. It’s introduced by actor Timothy Spall who sets sail as Captain of the Living Paintings ‘Treasure Seeker’ boat.

Young Explorers: Forest School – Nature Detectives

Part of our Young Explorers series, Nature Detectives encourages children to explore the wonderful wildlife and countryside around them. Aimed at Key Stage 3 (11 – 14 years), this tactile and audio book introduces the reader to ancient woodland, rivers and beaches, and the wildlife that call these habitats home.

Science Alive! The Wonder of Life

Introduced by Lord Robert Winston, The Wonder of Life starts with cells, the building blocks of life. Hear how life in humans, animals and plants begins before exploring the immense variety of life on earth and we all depend on one another.

Young Explorers: Dipping into Science and Nature

This educational resource for Key Stage 3 introduces children to a tactile representation of the water cycle and the erosion facing our cliffs and sea fronts. It also travels way back in time to the ice age where animals survived in an environment vastly different from the one we live in today.