Happy Earth Day everyone! Hopefully you're outside planting a tree and kissing the mother herself. Earth Day may come but once a year, but we have some books to keep your kids earth-aware 365/24/7. - April Peveteaux

And the Good Brown Earth by Kathy Henderson is a lovely agrarian tale about the cycle of life. What is especially touching is the relationship between Gram and her grandson as they dig, let the land lay fallow and ultimately plant and grow a bountiful harvest as "…the good brown earth got on with doing what the good brown earth does best." And the Good Brown Earth feels more 1970s than 21st Century, since the good old days of the family farm have been mostly replaced by corporate behemoths, but it is nice to get nostalgic. And it is a perfect tool to explain where that local/organic produce at the Greenmarket comes from. 


It’s Earth Day! by Mercer Mayer follows Little Critter who, along with his class, is inspired by some film (I wonder which one?) that shows the plight of the polar bears. Little Critter shows kids exactly what to do in order to promote climate change: They plant trees, turn off the water while brushing teeth and switch off the lights. These simple steps can be easily understood by your own little critter on their mission to reduce, reuse, recycle.


My Bag and Me! by Karen Farmer gets practical about helping kids make a change. After you and your child have read about how carrying your own bag for shopping helps reduce waste and saves trees, the last page contains a slide out drawer with child-sized reusable (and recyclable!) bag made from Tyvek. Maybe now that your little ones are carrying, they can help you remember to bring the damn bags on your next shopping trip.

And The Good Brown Earth,(Candlewick, 2008) It's Earth Day! (HarperCollins, 2008) and My Bag and Me! (Penton Kids Press, 2008) are available on Amazon. 

Book of the Week appears every other Friday. Sometimes every Friday. We’re fickle like that. And yes we know today is Tuesday. Happy Earth Day!