What a Wonderful World
by Leisa Stewart-Sharpe, illustrated by Lydia Hill
This illustrated book celebrates the people protecting our planet - scientists, activists, artists, and everyday citizens making a difference around the world. Each profile offers a story about the challenges faced and the creative ways individuals are responding. The tone is hopeful and inspiring, encouraging readers to see that there isn’t just one way to care for the planet.
While there are some practical ‘green tips’ scattered throughout, What a Wonderful World is best for learners who want to dive deeper into real-world stories. The denser text makes it ideal for shared reading or for students ready to explore global perspectives on sustainability. The beautiful art and mix of voices will appeal to curious learners who enjoy making connections between people, places, and ideas.
This book fits beautifully within Planet Protectors, where learners explore how people around the world care for their environments. It also pairs well with Zine Zone, as learners can respond to these stories through art, writing, or collage - expressing their own creative vision for a better world.
How this book supports learning
Suggested Activities
Choose one environmental changemaker from the book and create a short biography poster or zine page summarising their story and impact.
Map where each activist lives and describe how their local environment shapes the challenges they face.
Compare two stories and discuss how people’s actions in one place can affect the environment in another.
Investigate one issue mentioned in the book (such as deforestation, coral bleaching, or plastic pollution) and design a small experiment or prototype showing a possible solution.
Reflect on one story that inspired you, and write or draw your own creative response - a poem, journal entry, or illustrated quote.
NSW Stage 3 Outcomes
English
EN3-RECOM-01: Fluently reads and comprehends texts for a wide range of purposes, analysing how text structures and language choices shape meaning.
EN3-UARL-01: Analyses how ideas are represented in literature through narrative, character, imagery and symbol, and adapts these techniques in their own creations.
Geography
GE3-1: Describes the diverse features and characteristics of places and environments.
GE3-2: Explains interactions and connections between people, places and environments.
Science and Technology
ST3-4LW-S: Examines how the environment affects the growth, survival and adaptation of living things.
ST3-2DP-T: Plans and uses materials, tools and equipment to develop solutions for a need or opportunity.
What a Wonderful World reminds us that change doesn’t always start with grand gestures - it begins with curiosity, compassion, and the courage to act. For neurodivergent learners, these stories offer powerful representation: proof that there are many ways to care for the planet and that every contribution matters. Whether your child connects through science, storytelling, or creative expression, this book is a wonderful reminder that our world truly is full of people, and possibilities, worth protecting.
