SDG15: Life on Land
Did you know that humans are the reason for 75% of the earth’s surface changes? These changes result from chopping down our forests, lack of care for our farmland, and not respecting wildlife and their habitats. Land is our planet’s body, and we must do everything we can to ensure it stays healthy. Forests around the world provide us with air, water, and food. If we don’t stop cutting down trees, destroying our farmland, and hurting animals and their homes, these changes will affect animals and humans alike.
Deforestation is one of the biggest threats to our planet. Around 1.6 billion people depend on forests for their everyday lives as those who live in rural areas rely on them for everyday resources like food and water. If we keep losing trees at the same rate, it will affect us, as millions of people and animals will have to move to find places providing food and shelter. We must also protect the land on which we grow all our food as 74% of the poorest people in the world need this land to feed their families. Lastly, we must learn to respect plants, wildlife and their natural habitats because they are vital to the earth’s natural ecosystem and the human diet.
SDG 15: Life on Land strives to solve these problems. Browse through our new reading list to learn more about the consequences of damage to our land. Read the books together with a family member or friend and find ways to protect and care for the land in your local community.
Table of Contents
The Bee Tree
A fascinating book about the Honey Hunters in the Rainforest in Malaysia. This book not only highlights respect for the rainforests, but includes cultural traditions, working together and knowledge about Malaysia, which add geographical context to the story. This book will appeal to the interested reader and also for school projects.
This book connects well with SDG15. As long as there is rainforest, there will be bees. It is inspiring to learn about the traditional harvest techniques to preserve the forests and ultimately help build a better world.
Author and Illustrator: Stephen Buchmann and Diana Cohn | ISBN: 9781935955146 | Publisher: Cinco Puntos Press
Over and Under the Rainforest
The value of the land, and appreciation of its beauty is beautifully captured, encouraging a love for the rainforest. The appealing illustrations will encourage the young reader to learn more about the animals and plants found in the glossary.
Author and Illustrator: Kate Messner and Christopher Silas Neal | ISBN: 9781452169408 | Publisher: Chronicle Books
A Forest in the City
It is about the urban landscape, and thus will engage the numbers of young people who live in cities, or near to cities. It asks important questions about the relationship between people and the land, and the importance of trees.
Author and Illustrator: Andrea Curtis and Pierre Prat | ISBN: 9781773061429 | Publisher: Groundwood books
The Life Cycle of a Polar Bear
Follow the journey of a polar bear from cub to adulthood to find out how they reach the top of the Arctic food chain and survive in the frozen north.
Author: Catriona Clarke | ISBN: 9780008208813 | Publisher: Collins
Wangari’s Trees of Peace: A True Story from Africa
As a young girl growing up in Kenya, Wangari was surrounded by trees. But years later when she returns home, she is shocked to see whole forests being cut down, and she knows that soon all the trees will be destroyed. So Wangari decides to do something—and starts by planting nine seedlings in her own backyard. And as they grow, so do her plans. . . . This true story of Wangari Maathai, environmentalist and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, is a shining example of how one woman’s passion, vision, and determination inspired great change.
Author and Illustrator: Jeanette Winter | ISBN: 9781328869210 | Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
You’re Strong with Me
The rain clouds are long gone and the dry season scorches the land. Everything is new for the baby giraffe. As she bounds ahead and lags behind, her mother patiently explains the ways of the grasslands. And until she grows a little taller, older, and wiser, her mother reminds her: “You’re strong with me.”
Author and Illustrator: Chitra Soundar and Poonom Mistry | ISBN: 91911373759 | Publisher: Lantana Publishing
Hoot and Howl Across the Desert
Discover the remarkable plants and animals that live in the world’s driest climates―both hot and cold! With beautifully illustrated landscapes, this book proves just how much life exists in the world’s deserts. Travel around the globe and encounter hundreds of rare and little-known plants and animals that thrive in dry environments. Learn about nocturnal species who occupy the deserts, common survival tactics, lethal creatures to watch for, and how the desert food chain functions.
Author and Illustrator: Vassiliki Tzomaka | ISBN: 9780500651988 | Publisher: Thames & Hudson
Reading is a great way to better understand what people from across the globe struggle with in their everyday lives, and it helps us reflect on our own situation. But reading is just the first step: now it’s time to share your book club experiences and how you plan to take action. Each month, we will feature a couple of book clubs on our blog, so get ready to share your story through social media, by using #SDGBookClub and tagging @UNPublications.
We know it can be difficult to stay at home to protect ourselves and our loved ones from COVID-19. This is why we created a new guide on how to organize your own SDG Book Club online to connect with your friends and family while sharing the joy of reading. We look forward to hearing about your experience on social media using #SDGBookClub.
Help us spread the word by downloading our promotional materials. You will find a horizontal banner, bookmark, placard and easy-to-print sign-up sheet for your friends, family and community to join the SDG Book Club!
The International Publishers Association (IPA) is a federation of publishing associations from around the world. The main mandate of the IPA is to promote and defend copyright, support the freedom to publish, promote literacy and reading. IPA is an accredited NGO in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the UN. IPA supports the SDGs and works particularly closely with WIPO and UNESCO.
The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) is the leading international body representing the interests of library and information services and their users. It is the global voice of the library and information profession. Founded in 1927 in Edinburgh, Scotland at an international conference, we celebrated our 90th birthday in 2017. We now have more than 1,300 Members in nearly 150 countries around the world. IFLA was registered in the Netherlands in 1971.
The International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) is a non-profit organization that represents an international network of people from all over the world who are committed to bringing books and children together. Today IBBY comprises 79 National Sections worldwide.
The European & International Booksellers Federation (EIBF) represents national booksellers associations in the European Union and beyond. EIBF Members in turn have in membership booksellers of all kinds: brick and mortar bookshops, online bookshops, independents, chains.
The Bologna Children’s Book Fair (BCBF) is the most important international trade fair of the children’s publishing industry. With over 50 years of experience, BCBF has succeeded in bringing together a unique and diverse global audience: the result is the world’s premium copyright business hub when it comes to publishing with an extra core that extends to all multi-media content for children.
Our SDG Book Club is expanding and we are excited to see SDG reading lists for children from around the world. In addition to the SDG Book Club in the UN’s six official languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish) there are now chapters in other languages. Visit the SDG Book Club Chapters listed below.