From ‘A Cloud Called Bhura’ to ‘Hello Sun’: How Indian Children’s Fiction is Inspiring Young Minds on Climate Change

Since Greta Thunberg’s 2018 Fridays for Future movement, children’s literature has started addressing climate change more directly. Indian authors are stepping up, creating picture books, non-fiction works, and climate fiction novels that explore topics like wildlife conservation and global warming in child-friendly ways.

Venkatesh M, director of Eureka Books, believes children’s books are ideal for discussing climate issues because they engage young readers emotionally. When kids learn about climate change early, they develop awareness that lasts a lifetime. The innovative ways these new books tackle environmental issues are truly inspiring.

Publishers have taken notice, universities are offering courses on the subject, and Green Literature Festivals are popping up. The real win? Kids love these stories.

Harini Nagendra, an author and director at Azim Premji University’s Centre for Climate Change and Sustainability, notes that a deeper emotional connection to nature is necessary for nurturing future climate leaders. “Books are the best way to develop this connection,” she says.

One significant contribution to this genre is Bijal Vachharajani’s book, A Cloud Called Bhura, seen as one of India’s first climate fiction books for kids. The inspiration came to her while studying the Asian brown cloud during her master’s in Costa Rica. She wanted to create a story rooted in facts but also entertaining. By setting the story in Mumbai and incorporating her experiences from the city’s 2017 floods, Vachharajani crafted a narrative that resonates with young readers.

Books like A Cloud Called Bhura have become global bestsellers, winning awards and remaining popular at children’s festivals. They blend reality with fantasy in ways that make climate fiction appealing. Kids like 7-year-old Anaika Dalmia find joy in these stories while grappling with their own experiences. When a tree outside her house was cut down, she immediately thought about the animals that lived in it and how to help them.

Other authors, like Supriya Sehgal in her book Macchli, and Srividhya Venkat in Lunch Friends, are also using relatable characters and scenarios to encourage young readers to think critically about environmental preservation.

At the World Book Fair in Delhi, you’d find a vibrant collection of climate-related books. Ranjit Lal’s latest release, Our Potpourri Planet, about climate change, has generated excitement among kids. Parents are eager to stock their children’s libraries with books on environmental topics, especially after the National Education Policy of 2020 emphasized environmental education in schools.

Other notable works include Meghaa Gupta’s Unearthed: The Environmental History of Independent India, which presents India’s environmental milestones in an engaging way. With illustrations and fun trivia, it brings important environmental issues to life for young readers.

Nita Ganguly’s 365 Ways to Save the Environment is another hit that encourages kids to take action, offering simple steps they can follow to protect nature. The beauty of these books is that they make learning enjoyable and digestible for children.

Even younger readers are being introduced to ecological themes. For example, Rajiv Eipe’s book, Hello Sun, filled with lively illustrations, helps kids discover the wonders of nature while learning about local flora and fauna.

Overall, authors focus on stirring emotions through personal stories that connect children to nature. As Harini Nagendra suggests, it’s about nurturing a love for the natural world, not just imparting facts about climate limits or statistics.

Courses like Azim Premji University’s nature writing for children aim to develop this connection. They’ve successfully attracted aspiring writers keen on exploring environmental themes, promoting a hands-on approach to storytelling that combines creativity with climate awareness.

Finally, climate fiction isn’t restricted to conventional formats. Authors are experimenting with various genres, from crime narratives woven with environmental themes to satirical cartoons addressing global warming. As Vachharajani points out, pieces of contemporary fiction without climate references would seem more strange than the stories that embrace it.