Kid Lit Saves World

You Can Save the Planet 50 Ways

                                                                                   

You Can Save the Planet                                                                                                           
50 Ways You Can Make a Difference                                                        
Jacquie Wines
Illustr. Sarah Horne

Ages 9-12
Mass Market Paperback, 112 pages

Scholastic Reference
ISBN: 978-0545053327
$4.99

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With playful, big-eyed illustrations printed on "a minimum of 10% post-consumer recycled fiber," this book comes quickly to its very serious point: the Earth's warming up and it's our job to do something about it!

Each chapter gives kids a single practical activity to help their household go green. It's a book that recognizes the hopeful trend of children becoming eco-watchdogs for the whole family, encouraging (and sometimes demanding that) their parents make choices that help save the planet over choices that keep us stuck in old, comfy, all-too-often wasteful ways.

Plenty of hidden science projects line these pages -- kids can conduct experiments to determine the length of time it takes for various materials to decompose when buried under the soil, discover the all-important role of trees, save rainforests, grow veggies, and learn how to take action on the four R's: Reduce, Reuse, Repair, and Recycle.

By giving children just enough of the why and a lot of down-to-earth guidance about the how, readers can feel empowered to make positive change regardless of their age.

You Can Save the Planet: 50 Ways provides a great family reference for going green one simple action at a time. Every household needs this book!

Each chapter could easily become the focus of a family project in which children and parents work together to:

* learn what global warming and the "greenhouse effect" are

* learn how to save water

* create a recycling system for your house

* help save Earth's plants and animals, and

* spread the word about saving the planet.

The bad habits of humanity's past have left so many crises in our wake. Becoming our children's and grandchildren's allies in cleaning up and caring for the Earth shows them we're willing to give our time and attention to making the world a better place for them and for their children and grandchildren. This book makes it fun (and cool) to go green!

Great sites to check out:

www.KidsRecycle.com
www.epa.gov/kids
www.TreeHugger.com

 

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My Life with the Wave

My Life with the Wave
Catherine Cowan
Illustr. Mark Buehner
Ages 4-8
Paperback, 32 pages
10.8 x 8.6 x 0.2 inches

HarperTrophy
ISBN: 978-0060562007
$6.99
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"My first trip to the seashore, I fell in love with the waves."

A perfect introduction to the poetic language and vision of Octavio Paz, this book deserves a long tenure on the shelves of bookstores, libraries, and homes. Combine Cowan's skillful text adaptation with Buehner's beautifully realistic and yet fanciful acrylic and oil illustrations, and Octavio Paz's story springs to life as a wise and wonderful picture book.

A boy goes on a trip to the seaside with his parents and brings home the unlikeliest of pets: an ocean wave. His parents are reluctantly supportive. At home, the boy discovers to his chagrin what all children learn who attempt to claim and tame a child of the wild -- that it can't be done. After their home is taken over by her changeable moods, winter arrives, and the wave is at last returned to her ocean home.

Buehner's paintings present a visual poetry and excitement that skillfully echoes Cowan's lush text adaptation. The combination gives us at least one version of Paz's multifaceted, even mystical vision of water, sunlight, moon, stars, fish, and sky. With each rereading, parents and children can enjoy finding hte pictures of seahorses, whales, a cat, a mouse, and a dog. Look, and look again! There's something new to find on these pages every time.

Highly recommended for its lavish story of respect (without ownership) of the powerful beauty of Earth and sky. I recommend the book as well for its likelihood of inspiring children to draw, paint, and otherwise create in response to the lyrical text.

Love the ocean? Take action to help protect it and keep it healthy.

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