16th June World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought

Tomorrow, the 17th of June is World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought. This may seem like a lot to explain to children in a prep school, but they certainly understand what a desert is and what drought is, so reading books about these two things could lead to a discussion of the troubles that these cause and what we can do about it. The aim of this day and a definition for 'desertification' is available at websites such as this. This year's slogan is 'Enhancing soils anywhere enhances life everywhere', so perhaps a good place to start your reading is with a factual, but simple book about soil such as Dirt: The Scoop on Soil.

Then choose from a multitude of wonderful picture books such as:

• these three illustrated yet factual books, Drought by Tricia Oktober, Sand Swimmers by Narelle Oliver and The Desert by Jane Bowring and Kim Gamble.

• Water Witcher by Jan Ormerod.

• Two Summers by John Heffernan and Freya Blackwood

• The Story of Rosy Dock by Jeannie Baker

• This is the Oasis by Miriam Moss

• Lila and the Secret Rain by David Conway and Jude Daly