True Green Kids by Jim McKay and Jenny Bonnin

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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

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