Keeping in line with the series’ animal-friendly message, every Eco Baby book is made from completely recyclable materials—including sustainably sourced paper, vegetable-based inks, and biodegradable glue—meaning these plastic-free touch-and-feel board books are a purchase you can truly feel good about! Our Managing Editor, Penny Smith, shares how Eco Baby is helping raise the next generation of animal lovers over on DK.com.
Where did the idea for the Eco Baby series come from? How are these books different from other animal board books?
The Children’s Team at DK was looking for a new, innovative approach to novelty books that was more environmentally friendly than those generally available. They came up with the Eco Baby series: plastic free, touch-and-feel books for babies and toddlers.
The focus is on endangered and at-risk animals, including the polar bear, elephant, and koala, plus other enchanting creatures that share their habitats.There are charming illustrations by Rachael Hare, simple but effective corrugated cardboard tactiles, and holes to peek through to encourage curiosity. The narrative takes a question and answer form-will you be able to find the elusive animal? All will be revealed on the final page!
Can you tell us a bit more about the eco-friendly materials used to print these books and why it was important to keep them plastic-free?
At DK we are dedicated to reducing our environmental impact and are aiming to be climate neutral by 2030. With this in mind, Eco Baby is printed on FSC certified card from sustainable forests, and uses vegetable-based inks and biodegradable glue. Each book in the series is completely recyclable.
What timely topics does this series lend itself to? How might parents and caregivers use Eco Baby books as a segue into these conversations?
Babies and toddlers can enjoy these titles at face value- as simple animal board books that encourage them to care for animals and love books. But parents and carers can also use them as a very gentle introduction to the idea of habitat loss and climate change. They can use them as a springboard to share the positive message that we can all do small things, like turning off the lights when we leave a room, which make a big difference to the health of our planet home and the animals we share it with.
Which exciting new locales will little ones visit in 2022?
We are planning Where Are You Panda? and Where Are You Turtle? next, so will be visiting China and the open oceans!
