Following the eco theme I seem to have going on at the moment, let me introduce you to another couples of green gems for children from ages 2-6. Tod Parr’s The Earth Book , looks like it has been illustrated by kids, in a professional kind of way! Love the fact that the two children holding up the earth on the front cover are wearing odd shoes. This, and odd socks, was a quirky behavior I had at primary school (clearly I didn’t like to blend in with the crowd – nor was I, or ever will be, a trend setter!).
It is a colorful, simple, very kid-friendly and persuasive look at the reasons we look after the planet. We love trees because we “want the owls to have a place to live” is a compelling example. Some of the extrapolation, however, may be a little understated for the younger reader, for example, shutting the refrigerator to save energy ‘because I want the snowman to stay cool’, may need a few sentences on global warming from the narrator! This can, however, lead to some great class discussion too. It is a good platform to look at consequences.
This is a fun book to read, and every page has beaming children and animals all happily cohabiting. The bonus is a wonderful tear-out poster at the back of the book with ten tips for helping the earth, including the very useful #10 ‘ I Put my underwear in the freezer when it’s hot’. I bought this for a young friend, but darn, I really like the poster! This was a New York best seller and has a great app to go with it. The front cover includes a circular die-cut Earth and appropriately the book is printed entirely with recycled materials and nontoxic soy inks.
Michael Recycle by Ellie Bethel and Illustrated by Alexander Colombo, is another book in this genre. This is the story of Michael Recycle, a flying, caped protagonist with a colander as protective headwear, who battles a green crusade and encourages a town of lazy, dirty and wasteful inhabitants to get their act together and go green. They start recycling paper, cans, plastic etc. The vocabulary is definitely more British; think rubbish and litter. The Illustrations are comic; bright smiley characters with quirky expressions. Michael Recycle is an appealing boy-superhero, and the rhyming text should produce some giggles. I think it would make another good addition to a classroom green theme. It presents the recycling message in a vibrant and humorous manner, sure to appeal to 3-7 year olds.
‘There once was a town
called Aberdoo-Rhymey
Where Garbage was left
to go rotten and slimy.”
# 94 & 95 in the There’s a Book Read to Me Picture Book Challenge (Still 25 to go by December 31st!)
In my 20's, with only my guitar and a rucksack, I wandered the continents, immersing myself in the lives of some wonderful people, projects and stories, which changed the way I view my responsibility to others and this earth. Right now I'm a European transplant in the US who writes books for children and young adults. Stories can help us not only navigate our world but can connect us to others, and allow us to inspire and help each other. I believe that equity and empathy should be at the core of our all actions, words, and stories.
I am also a school librarian and I get a kick out of book-matchmaking! And I use the pronouns she/her.
Thanks for the great reviews and recommendations. I am always looking for new reads. Looks like you are pretty busy reading!
Maeve, I am simultaneously reading and listening to picture books, MY; YA and adult at the moment!
I think I’d really like the Earth Book — but if I was a kid, I’d say “You can’t keep a snowman in the refrigerator!” — that bit would definitely require some explaining.
You are certainly bringing us some good books these days. I have four all ready to review, but they’ll have to wait until next week when I’m back home and settled in again.
There are definitely some meanings that would need more conversation, but I also think it is OK phrases that provoke disagreement and questioning!
I am hardly keeping up with blog stuff to be honest, Beth. When I do 12 or 13 hour days, I can’t even comment on blogs at night, let alone write one!
These are very cute books and I can well imagine seeing them on our library shelves. The second one “Michael Recyle” has a very NZ theme. We are huge on recycle with putting different bins out at our gate for paper, waste, and plastics etc.
Isn’t it annoying buying a book for some child, only to find you wouldn’t mind it for yourself…lol.
I’m wondering if the kid would notice the “tear here for poster” comment? 😉
*gasp*…..LOL
Joanna, I saw the Earth Book at the library and thought of you! Enjoyed your review. It sounds like a fun and informative book for children! Love the cover. Think I would also like the Michael Recycle book too — sometimes I think kids are more concerned about recycling than adults. They’ve grown up with it — and it needs to be that way. Such big issues and two wonderful books. Thanks for sharing them!