True Green Kids by Jim McKay and Jenny Bonnin
ABC Books, 2008.
(All ages) There are a few of these books hitting the market at the
moment,
showing kids how they can do the most simple things to recycle, be
healthy, conserve energy and implement a green way of living in their
own home. Some books stress recycling, others, things to do at school,
while some preach a wider view. This book is a little different in that
it uses colour, fun things to do, hints and information to make the
whole area of helping to save the planet, a fun thing to do.
The subtitle, 100 ways to save the planet, says it all. From
using less
water to brush your teeth, to
green ways of having a dog, to checking a can for a recycling logo, all
the hints are basic, fundamental and easy. The book is divided into 10
chapters, starting with In your room, to a last chapter on True
green
facts. In your room, for example, picks out a number of
ways kids can
make better use of their space - putting electrical appliances into
sleep mode when not being used, adding an extra blanket instead of
using a room heater, adding plants, recycling instead of throwing out.
Another chapter, With friends, presents some things kids can do: write
to politicians, set up a swap club, read information about global
warming, while the last chapter, True green facts, explains
very
briefly, some of the terms that kids hear over and over, greenhouse,
global warming and so on. This chapter is followed by a section with a
quiz that kids can do to see how efficient they are, 4 pages of web
addresses, 2 pages of glossary and information about Clean Up Australia
Day as well as Adventure Ecology, a group devoted to inspiring planet
friendly attitudes amongst the young.
A copy in your school library and classroom would not go amiss, adding
as it does to the range of books on offer to kids wanting to do
something about the state of the world. It is a positive, inspiring
little book of recommendations, which will simply take a change of
attitude and the way we have always done things, none of which are
costly.
Fran Knight