“I see a lot of activity around books having to do with nature and the environment,” Kendra Levin, editorial director of Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, says. “The more apparent the effects of climate change are, the more authors seem driven to highlight the complexity and preciousness of nature and how essential it is that we be responsible stewards of the planet.”
Many publishers agree that when a STEAM topic is on the minds of so many people, it will find numerous ways into the children’s book arena. And as more books on a timely subject become available, they will need to stand out to succeed. “Readers are looking for what they are always looking for, in fiction and nonfiction: a good story,” Levin says. “So authors are seeking the most compelling stories to tell that have to do with the natural world.”
Carol Hinz, associate publisher for Millbrook Press and Carolrhoda, believes that tone will make a difference in this case. “Climate change remains an ongoing concern, but because the topic often feels too depressing or overwhelming, I expect that books that present fresh ideas and offer readers hope for the future are going to be in demand,” she says.
The team at Nomad Press strives for balance in this area. “Many of our books include some discussion about climate change,” says content marketing manager Andi Diehn. “When you publish a book about life science or earth science, the climate has to be a part of it! But we recognize that we need to infuse our books with hopeful news.” She points to examples like Seeds: Why We Eat Maize, Wheat, Rice, and Potatoes, which includes sections about seed banks and conservation, and the forthcoming Keystone Species: Meet the Animals Key to Ecosystem Health and Biodiversity, spotlighting eight organisms that are essential to their ecosystems and exploring how people have worked together to protect those species. “We don’t want anyone to read our books and feel hopeless—there’s lots to be done and we want children to feel empowered,” Diehn says.
