Solar Energy Children’s Books

Teachers and parents often look for children’s books on solar energy and solar power. How do you explain such concepts to a child of 6 or 7? Are there books that bring it down to their level?

Solar energy children’s books are not as common as they should be. With the need for alternative energy sources, there should be many books that help children learn, at an early age, the importance of using the free energy that comes from the sun every day.

Look for These Solar Energy Children’s Books

Ask your librarian or bookstore manager to show you these 7 titles. Then ask if they have any additional books of a similar nature.

1. Done in the Sun: by Anne Hillerman. An easy book for children ages 6 and up. Children learn how to do simple solar energy experiments and crafts such as “Sun Traps” and “Sun Dog Cookers”. As they listen and do, they learn easy solar energy concepts.

2. Energy from the Sun: Melvin Berger and Giulio Maestro. For children ages 4 to 8. Discusses the importance of the sun, showing that the sun has given humans most of their usable energy.

3. Solar Energy: by Sheila Kaplan. Gives an overview of both passive and active solar energy, thermal energy conversion, and solar cells and platforms in space. Suitable for older children.

4. Putting the Sun to Work: by Jeanne Bendick. Discusses the principles, practicality, and possibilities of using solar energy to do some of our everyday work. Ages 9 to 12.

5. The Solar Car Book: “A Complete Build-It-Yourself Solar Car Kit Including All the Parts, Instructions and Pain-Free Science”. by Inc. Klutz. Children 9 to 12 can actually build a solar car with the materials and instructions in this book.

6. Solar Power: by Christine Petersen. Gives a clear picture of the sun as a natural source of energy, and describes the technology of solar panels used to harness solar energy on a large scale. Ages 9 to 12.

7. Solar Energy: by Kris Hirschmann. Examines the solar energy question from many sides. Discusses how solar energy works, advantages, disadvantages, and more. For children 9 to 12.

No matter how many solar energy children’s books we write, no matter how many solar energy children’s books are purchased and read, children will learn best when they see the adults around them putting solar energy to use in their own everyday lives.