These good books for greener parents are not preachy at all. They recognise that most families have busy live and not much money. But they are packed with ideas, on how to live a more sustainable life.
Check medications for foods to avoid. Avoid nuts, seed/nut butters for young children, and cut carrot sticks/veggie hot dogs lengthwise and again, to avoid choking. See foods to keep away from pets.
For beauty/cleaning recipes, avoid essential oils near pets or children, and for pregnancy/breastfeeding. For gardening, see make your garden safe for pets to know toxic plants and other items to avoid.
- The Sustainable Guide to Green Parenting is for anyone who has a small person and wants to do something to help the planet for the next generation. From nappies to the travel system to toys and meals and cycling. From washable nappies to school uniforms, family holidays to travel, and sift through the greenwashing.
- Growing Sustainable Together includes lots of tips for raising eco-friendly and compassionate children, including information on better transport options, how to find better food and how to create a lifelong love for the planet in your little ones.
- Wild Child: Coming Home to Nature is by nature writer Patrick Barkham, looking at the benefits of outdoor fun such as climbing trees, building sandcastles and splashing in puddles. He writes of a generation that is so alienated from nature, that it can’t identify common birds or plants, don’t know where their food comes from, and spends little time in outdoor spaces.
- The New Parents’ Survival Guide is not ‘green per se’, but a good book covering all the basics, for panicked new parents. This easy-read book includes tips on breastfeeding, ways to soothe a crying baby, baby sleep tips, how to manage minor ailments and self-care tips for mums and dads.
Wildlings is a book by popular wildlife TV presenter Steve Backshall, who with his friends encourages you to raise children who know thte outside world. From rainy days and wild woods to riverse and swiming, contributes include protecting the planet (Caroline Lucas), riding bikes (Sir Chris Hoy), creative word games (Michaela Strachan) and garden football (Wayne Bridge).
