Climate Literacy in Education

An Antidote to Ecophobia:

Opportunities for Awe through Books for Young Readers

Rebekah Degener

Minnesota State University, Mankato

Sarah Jackson

Millersville University

Keywords: Environmental education, picturebooks, awe, nature education

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Abstract

Children’s ecophobia—a sense of overwhelm and fear regarding environmental issues and climate change—is on the rise. To counter this trend, fostering a sense of awe grounded in Indigenous perspectives on the environment is essential not only for children’s emotional health, but for the longevity of humans and the earth. This article provides practical strategies for early childhood and elementary teachers to help children experience awe about nature as they read picturebooks. We examine two texts grounded in Indigenous perspectives and we describe hands-on strategies teachers can use to enable students to gain tangible experiences in reciprocal relationship with nature.

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Author Biographies

Rebekah Degener, Minnesota State University, Mankato

Dr. Rebekah Degener is an Associate Professor of Elementary & Literacy Education at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Her research focuses on environmental education and outdoor learning, developing teachers' supports of children's critical literacy practices, and diverse children's literature. 

Sarah Jackson, Millersville University

Dr. Sarah Jackson is an Assistant Professor at Millersville University in the Department of Early, Middle, and Elementary Education. She teaches courses on creativity and early childhood and her research focuses on anthropomorphism in children's literature and young children's critical engagement with books.