The IB transdisciplinary theme Sharing the Planet delves into the pressing issues surrounding the sharing of the world’s finite resources, emphasizing the balance between community relationships, access to opportunities, and resolving conflicts. It encourages inquiry into questions like how to ensure everyone has equitable access to resources and what our collective responsibilities are toward each other and the environment. By examining the interconnectedness of human actions, the theme invites young learners to explore ways to foster fairness, respect, and sustainable living for all.
In this post, we showcase 8 books to explore interdependence among living beings, environmental stewardship, community relationships, social responsibility, individual contributions to community well-being, and the interconnectedness of ecosystems. These stories encourage young readers to reflect on their roles in fostering a sustainable future and highlight the importance of collaboration in caring for our shared planet.
Maré by Mateus Rios
Brazilian illustrator Mateus Rios’ Mare is a warm wordless picture book that offers a powerful reflection and invites readers to explore human’s relationship with the ocean, encouraging deep thinking about environmental responsibility.
Maré follows a father and daughter as they prepare for a morning of surfing. From the moment she wakes her father to their quiet meditation in the backyard—him focused, her full of curiosity—the story builds a sense of eager expectation. However, when they finally arrive at the beach, they are met with a shocking discovery: the ocean has vanished.
Published as a Portuguese book, but with its universal, wordless format, Maré transcends language barriers, making it accessible to readers worldwide. It serves as a reminder that our choices impact the planet and that fostering environmental awareness is key to creating a more sustainable future. The striking illustrations immerse the reader in an artistic and sensory experience that blends literature, art, and design.
Illustrated by Mateus Rios
2022, Windsock
ISBN: 9786556510293
Quill The Forest Keeper by Marije Tolman
This story emphasizes the role of a porcupine named Quill who takes on the responsibility of caring for the forest. Quill’s actions highlight the interconnectedness of all living things and the importance of nurturing the environment. When challenges arise, Quill responds with proactive problem-solving and rallies support, highlighting the importance of action in overcoming obstacles. Symbolically, Quill represents how individuals can make a meaningful impact on their environment, turning responsibility into an opportunity for positive contribution.
Quill the Forest Keeper illustrates how individual responsibility can lead to collective well-being, showcasing that each character’s actions impact the health of their shared habitat. This aligns with the theme’s focus on rights and responsibilities in sharing finite resources.
Written by Marije Tolman, #NameTheTranslator David Colmer
2024, Levine Querido
ISBN: 9781646144525
The Capybaras by Alfredo Soderguit
In this book, capybaras find themselves in a conflict with other animals over their territory. The story explores themes of coexistence and understanding within a shared environment. The capybaras’ journey to negotiate their place in the ecosystem reflects the importance of communication and compromise in community dynamics. This book underscores the idea that sharing space and resources requires empathy and respect for all creatures involved.
Written by Alfredo Soderguit, #NameTheTranslator Elisa Amado
2021, Greystone Kids
ISBN: 9781771647823
Miss Leoparda by Natalia Shalohvilli
Miss Leoparda’s interactions with her animal friends introduce themes of community support and collaboration. As she helps others, the sotry emphasizes how individuals contribute to the well-being of their community. This reflects the idea that sharing responsibilities and resources is essential for harmony among diverse members of a community, aligning with the theme’s focus on relationships within and between communities.
Too many cars, too little space
The book serves as a gentle reminder of the environmental consequences of abandoning shared resources in favor of individual ones. By illustrating how traffic and deforestation affect their habitat, the story encourages readers to consider sustainable practices and the importance of conserving shared natural resources.
In short, it effectively teaches lessons about sharing resources through its portrayal of community dependence on public transportation, the consequences of individual choices, collaboration in problem-solving, environmental awareness, and reinstating shared values. These themes encourage young readers to reflect on their roles in fostering cooperation and sustainability within their communities.
Written by Natalia Shaloshvili, #NameTheTranslator Lena Traer
2024, Enchanted Lion
ISBN: 9781592704125
Finding The Way to Faraway Valley by Cecilia Heikkila
This story follows characters on a journey to find a new home, emphasizing themes of exploration and adaptation in response to environmental changes. The characters’ experiences highlight their reliance on one another as they navigate challenges together, showcasing the importance of teamwork in overcoming obstacles. This reflects the concept of shared responsibility for navigating life’s challenges within a community context.
Throughout their journey, the bears observe interactions between different animals and plants, illustrating how species rely on one another for survival. For example, they may see how certain animals depend on specific plants for food or shelter, emphasizing the idea that all living organisms are part of a larger web of life.
While not explicitly detailed in the search results, stories like this often address how human actions can disrupt natural ecosystems. By highlighting potential threats such as pollution or habitat destruction, the narrative encourages readers to consider their role in protecting the environment and the interconnectedness of all living things.
Finding The Way to Faraway Valley
Written by Cecilia Heikkila
2024, Floris Books
ISBN: 9781782508540
Champ by Payam Ebrahimi
In this story, Abtin Moleski struggles with family expectations while finding his own identity as an artist and dreamer. His journey emphasizes the importance of understanding individual roles within a family and community. By showcasing how personal passions can contribute to collective happiness, the book illustrates that sharing one’s unique talents can enhance community well-being, reinforcing the idea that everyone has a part to play in creating a harmonious environment.
The story highlights how each family member plays a role in nurturing and supporting one another. This mirrors the concept of interconnectedness in ecosystems, where every individual—whether human or animal—has a part to play in maintaining balance. By recognizing and valuing each other’s contributions, families can model how communities should function, emphasizing cooperation and shared responsibilities.
Written by Payam Ebrahimin, Illustrated by Reza Dalvand, #NameTheTranslator Caroline Croskery
2024, Greystone Kids
ISBN: 9781778401190
111 Trees How One Village Celebrates the Birth of Every Girl by Rina Singh
This book tells the true story of how a community came together to plant trees in a barren landscape. It highlights the impact of collective action on environmental restoration and the importance of conservation efforts. By illustrating how individuals can unite for a common cause, 111 Trees emphasizes that sharing resources—such as time, effort, and knowledge—is crucial for nurturing our planet and fostering sustainable practices.
The trees planted in the community provide multiple benefits, highlighting how protecting nature can also enhance community well-being and economic stability. By mentioning these benefits, the story reinforces the idea that environmental efforts can lead to social and economic improvements. Furthermore, the initiative not only addresses environmental issues but also promotes gender equality by valuing the birth of girls.
111 Trees How One Village Celebrates the Birth of Every Girl
Written by Rina Singh, Illustrated by Marianne Ferrer
2020, Kids Can Press
ISBN: 9781525301209
Listen to the Earth by Carme Limniscates
Through its poetic narrative, Listen to the Earth encourages readers to pay attention to the sounds of nature and understand their significance. It teaches children about the interconnectedness of all living things and how human actions can affect ecosystems. The emphasis on listening and learning from the environment promotes respect for nature and highlights the responsibility we all share in protecting it.
It conveys important environmental messages about connecting with nature, understanding ecosystems, respecting all living beings, promoting environmental stewardship, using listening as a tool for understanding, and celebrating biodiversity. These themes encourage readers to reflect on their relationship with the planet and inspire them to take action in protecting it.
Written by Carme Limniscates
2023, Tilbury House Publishers
ISBN: 978-1958394045
The World’s Poorest President Speaks Out by Yoshimi Kusaba
This book profiles José Mujica, former president of Uruguay, who advocates for simplicity and sustainability. His philosophy emphasizes that true wealth lies in relationships rather than material possessions. By sharing his views on environmental conservation and social justice, Mujica inspires readers to consider their impact on the planet and encourages them to make choices that benefit both people and nature. This aligns with the theme of sharing resources responsibly for the greater good.
In his speech, Mujica challenges the prevailing dogma of consumerism that drives environmental degradation and social inequality. He urges readers to reflect on the impact of excessive consumption on both the planet and human happiness, emphasizing that true wealth is not measured by material possessions but by meaningful relationships and experiences. This critique highlights the need for a shift in values towards sustainability.
President Mujica effectively addressed global issues and sustainability by critiquing consumerism, highlighting the interconnectedness of happiness and environmental health, calling for collective responsibility, envisioning a sustainable future, empowering awareness, and using illustrative support to convey its messages. These elements work together to inspire readers to reflect on their impact on the planet and advocate for meaningful change.
The World’s Poorest President Speaks Out
Editted by Yoshimi Kusaba, Illustrated by Nakagawa Gaku, #NameTheTranslator Andrew Wong
2020, Enchanted Lion
ISBN: 9781592702893
Eleanor Duggan is a passionate children’s book reader, a storytelling enchantress, an aspiring globetrotter, a part-time book crafter, and an impassioned foodie who is a cooking disaster. She is more known as an international school teacher-librarian, Founding Chair of the Toucan Award, and the International Association of School Librarianship (IASL) Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean. She is a Taiwanese with a Belgian soul and is currently enjoying her life as a citizen of the world with her daughter and their 2 one-of-a-kind cats. You may find her via The Third Culture Librarian
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