ShareThisCelebrate Earth Day all year round with some of these great new children's books focused on the environment:
-- For a clear-eyed look at the problem of global warming, check out "Earth in the Hot Seat" (National Geographic, $19.95). Using numerous examples, author Marfe Ferguson Delano details the signs of global warming, shows how it's changing our environment and highlights scientists' suggestions of concrete steps we each can take to limit the damage. Each of the five chapters in this picture-book-sized non-fiction book is followed by a two-page section titled "Bulletins From a Warming World," which demonstrates the "human footprint" contributing to the problem. (One example: a photo of a sea of rubber ducks represents the 28,433 showers taken by the average American in a lifetime; assuming each is a five-minute shower, that's equivalent to running the water non-stop for 98 days.) As in most other National Geographic books, this is filled to the brim with compelling photographs that add further depth and urgency to Delano's text. (Ages 10-14.)
-- Kids looking for ways to protect the environment will find dozens of ideas in two new paperback books: "101 Ways You Can Help Save the Planet Before You're 12!" (Lark/Sterling, $14.95), written by Joanne O'Sullivan, and "True Green Kids: 100 Things You Can Do to Save the Planet" (National Geographic, $15.95), written by Kim McKay and Jenny Bonnin. Both books are filled with eye-catching photos and both offer similar tips, but O'Sullivan's gives more specifics and so is great for ages 8-12, while McKay and Bonnin opt for a simpler presentation more suited to ages 7-10.
For teens, try "Generation Green" (Simon & Schuster, $10.99). Written by Linda Sivertsen and her teen-age son Tosh, the book -- printed on recycled paper -- uses an intriguing "think big" and "think small" format to help readers see both the big picture as well as their own role in protecting the environment.
-- Even preschoolers can do their part to take care of the environment, as author-artist Melanie Walsh shows in "10 Things I Can Do To Help My World" (Candlewick Press, $15.99). Featuring a die-cut cover and Walsh's trademark graphic art illustration style, this book is a great example of how young readers can be educated as they are entertained. In fact, the book itself -- created from 100 percent recycled material -- is a great example of taking steps to protect the environment. To make the subject interesting and accessible for young readers, Walsh offers two levels of text: the main text is simple and printed in large letters; a brief sub-text, printed in a smaller font, gives further information to readers hungry for more facts. For example, she writes "I can plant seeds and help them grow," then adds in smaller letters, "Plants help keep the air clean and healthy." (Ages 3-6.)
-- Old newspapers, plastic bottle tops and used cereal boxes are just some of the materials that kids can use to create fun crafts with "Make It!" (DK, $14.99). Master crafter Jane Bull gives directions for a number of fun projects, from using old gloves and hats to create one-of-a-kind "pets" to crafting a room "screen" from candy wrappers. The projects are clearly explained and presented in the trademark DK format -- lots of colorful photos and bursts of text. (Ages 8 up; younger children could do some of these projects with adult help.)
For younger children, look for "What Can You Do With An Old Red Shoe?" (Henry Holt, $16.95). Author-illustrator Anna Alter offers a dozen craft projects using recycled materials; a flip-flop becomes an art stamp, a T-shirt is transformed into a pillow. Alter's directions are easy to follow, and her illustrations are charming. While these are kid-friendly projects, Alter also carefully notes when adult assistance is needed. (Ages 6-10.)
-- Hundreds of spectacular photographs combine with a well-written text in "Earth Matters: An Encyclopedia of Ecology" (DK, $24.99). With a forward by noted adventurer-explorer David de Rothschild, this book is great for dipping into, or to use as an environmental primer (the book includes a helpful index). (Ages 10 up.)
-- Three wonderful new books celebrate an environmental essential -- the tree. In "The Tree Book" (Sterling, $15.95), author-illustrator Gina Ingoglia presents general information about trees, then details specific trees. (Ages 8 up.) Author Jane Yolen, assisted by illustrator Jim Burke, separates fact from fiction in the highly readable "Johnny Appleseed" (HarperCollins, $16.99, ages 7-10). In "The Tree" (Holiday House, $16.95), author Karen Gray Ruelle and illustrator Deborah Durland DeSaix join talents to tell the story of a long-lived New York City tree. (Ages 6-10.)
(Karen MacPherson, the children's/teen librarian at the Takoma Park, Md., Library, can be reached at Kam.Macpherson(at)gmail.com. For more stories visit scrippsnews.com)
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