Time to celebrate Earth Day, Sunday April 22nd 2018, which I try and do every day. What a privilege and responsibility to be stewards of this planet so rich in beauty and resources.
©M C Guckin
Title: Thank You, Earth – A Love Letter to Our Planet
Author & Illustrator: April Pulley Sayre
Publisher: Greewnwillow Books, 2018
Ages: 3-7
Themes: nature, the earth, thankfulness, wonders, colors, shapes, concepts, conservation, environmentalism
Opening:
Dear Earth,
Thank you for water and those that float,
for slippery seaweed
and stone.
Synopsis:
Water, air, light.
Patterns, curves, shapes, colors.
Things that crawl, fly, float, run, bloom, ripen.
Think of everything Earth gives us.
What are you most thankful for?
Why I like this book:
A stunning and thoughtful introduction to nature and its concepts with a message of environmentalism and conservation. Precision closeups and gorgeous panoramic vistas capture the beauty of the Earth as the lyrical, rhythmic text gives gratitude.
This would be a great intro for a conservation unit, a class photography project or to celebrate Earth Day. The carefully crafted verse in super simple easy to understand language, with rhymes and repeated sounds, make this a great read aloud.
Activities/resources:
The end notes give readers more ideas on how to help the environment and detailed notes about the photographs.
Each week a group of bloggers reviews picture books we feel would make great educational reads. To help teachers, caregivers and parents, we have included resources and/or activities with each of our reviews. A complete list of the thousands of books we have reviewed can be found sorted alphabetically and by topics, here on Susanna Leonard Hill’s website.
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.
What a fantastic, Earth Day-perfect post! The David Attenborough video of Wonderful World is a favorite of mine I have enjoyed many times. I’m looking forward to checking out Thank You Earth. I have a feeling it will become a fast favorite. The page you shared is beautiful.
The word and imagery choice is wonderful.
I love gorgeous photography for children. Such a stunning, yet simple book. I saw the cover, but have not read the book. Perfect for Earth Day. And, I especially loved David Attenborough’s video.
It is a visual and textual pleasure.
perfect book for the week!
Thank you, Sue.
Yay! What a nice pick for Earth day!
It’s a truly beautiful book.
That is a lovely book. I love watching David Attenborough progams on tv. Thanks for sharing Joanna.
He has inspired 3 or 4 generations, I reckon, Diane.
I love the choices made by the author. One doesn’t usually thinking of thanking for “struggles” or anything else that might be difficult. Looks like a great book! And I’ve always loved David Attenborough, although I would have preferred to hear Louis Armstrong’s version of the song. 😀
Ha, I re-looked at both videos, and had a hard time choosing.
The illustrations are beautiful. Looks like a wonderful book. I am going to check it out.
Isn’t this beautiful! I guess we’re on the same page!!