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VEGAN CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOKS
Peaceful reading.
Read with purpose about the world we want to help us imagine and make it. These books encourage compassion and present farming accurately. Many children's books show farmers as best mates with the animals who they are about to kill, which we know not to be the case. It is my hope that having some of these titles at home will counter inaccuracies we find elsewhere. Baby can feel part of a vegan movement, even if they don't meet others everyday. What's more, we can have a lovely cuddle while reading; which will equally help birth the society of the future.
My child is a toddler who can't sleep after a frightening book, so I take care with the topics I read them. I have separated over 50 vegan kid's books into age appropriate subject categories below. However, I am all for reading complicated books to younger children to help them learn language patterns, along with simpler books to help them identify the meaning of words.
Many of the book articles have links to videos and learning resources, so as you can find out more, and I've noted which books are printed on recycled paper.
Look for recycled, second hand books in eBay, Preloved or Oxfam
90 VEGAN KID'S BOOKS
Quickly find an age appropriate vegan children's book in a topic of interest with this categorised and continually updated shop. There are links to video readings and book learning resources too. Neither mislead your vegan child with false information, nor scare them with too much.
BABY BOARD BOOKS
0- 1
Vegan baby books with thick, card pages for easy turning, cleaning and gnawing. Babies can practice naming animals, making their sounds, and relating to them.
These books have no menacing behaviour, as my child currently copies everything. One day they will be old enough to discuss that some things are better not copied, and some things are just pretend. For now, I can only limit what they are exposed to.
RHYMES AND POEMS
0- 8
Vegan children's poetry and song books, and vegan nursery rhymes for babies and toddlers.
EMPATHY
ABC, RHYMES, REFRAINS
0- 8
Why would a child eat an animal if they can see them self in it? Animals in these books have characters for children to get to know, and feel an affinity for. Use them to hold onto children's natural interest in animals, and build on it by naming what we have in common. In turn, this helps us connect with other humans; and realise that we are all one big Earthling family, with our origins in the same cosmic dust.
The stories often use rhyme, alliteration, or just pictures to appeal to younger readers. We like to add in actions too.
CALL TO ACTION
CHILD EXPLORER, SUPERHERO, ROYALTY
3- 10
Child protagonists saving the day and leading by example! They are a less toxic type of superhero than most; ones whose kindness is their power. Kiddie readers learn that you can stand your ground without fighting, and win people over with strength of character. Unlike flying or freezing people, these are qualities which we can find in ourselves. We do not need to become supernatural alpha people; just be fully who we are and spring to action from a place of love.
CRITICAL THINKING
CARNIVORE CREATURES CONVERT
4- 8
In which dinosaurs, dragons, foxes and lions decide to stop eating each other. They allowed themselves to pause and think, to expand their circle of compassion beyond the norm; even if it meant standing out. The stories deal with difficult comments from the animal's peers, much like we face in our own lives. This helps us compose ourselves and prepare factually weighted witty retorts... The animals live their lives in their own way, without antagonism. Their grace and commitment sees them through, and sometimes brings others to join them too.
EDUCATE & INFORM
ANIMALS ON THE RUN
4- 7
Many of these books are true stories. They introduce the reality of farming and zoos, but with a happy ending where the animals escape to freedom. This demonstrates that animals have agency and emotions. The domesticated farm and pet animals still want to exist in their own right; however paternalistic the human owner may be. They are more like their wild cousins, or us humans than artificial definitions allow.
The stories often end with the animals befriending a less controlling human, who has put themself out to help. This way we maintain the hope in humanity, so needed for social activism.
EDUCATE & INFORM
ANIMAL EXPLOITATION EXPLANATION
6- 10
These books explain the gory truth about the violence of farming, and other types of animal captivity and exploitation, for children who able to deal with difficult subjects. This is generally hidden in children's literature, perhaps as parents are concerned non vegan children wouldn't finish their dinner if they knew. These books would be useful if children ask why they can't eat what their friends eat.
As children grow older they can engage critically with information and make their own decisions. For example, I became a vegetarian at 10, and vegan at 17 without my parent's input.
COOKERY, NUTRITION, ABCS
5+
Healthy, vegan cookery books for children, with simple instructions and colourful illustrations. Also books for vegan kids about diet, nutrition and food. Children can take pride in learning to look after themselves. They can take responsibility for tidying up, as full participants in the communal family unit...
TEEN
11+
How to live a vegan lifestyle as a teenager living at home with non vegan family, and attending school with non vegan friends. Also vegan fiction for teenagers.
TEACHERS AND PARENTS
grown ups
Vegan parenting books, vegan mum books, vegan pregnancy books, vegan family recipe and meal plan books, vegan inclusive teaching guide.
DIVERSITY
all ages
Quickly find a character who looks like your child, or diversify your book collection. I'm still waiting for a Eurasian toddler animal rescuer.
COLOURING BOOKS
all ages
Vegan children's colouring and activity books, games and apps.