Douglas E. Richards, author of The Prometheus Project series (Ages 9-13), is giving away 3 sets of autographed books in celebration of the release of the third book in the series—Stranded (Book 3) releases in July. Each winner will receive a copy of the first two books, The Prometheus Project: Trapped and The Prometheus Project: Captured

The Prometheus Project is a science-fiction mystery series that has a lot to offer: mystery, adventure, action, suspense, team work, determination, problem solving, scientific facts, aliens and their well imagined city, and a little dose of humor. You can read what we had to say about the first two books back in early ‘o9: The Prometheus Project by Douglas E. Richards, as well as read an interview between Luisa LaFleur and Douglas E. Richards: Interview.

How to enter (maximum entries, 3):

• Leave a comment in the comments field below. If you are one of the lucky winners, you will be contacted via e-mail.

• An extra entry will be given for each time you twitter about the giveaway and/or blog about it. You will need to paste the link in a separate comment to make this entry valid. Click here to follow us on Twitter.

• Don’t forget: A valid e-mail address is a must.

• Shipping Guidelines: This book giveaway is open to participants with a United States mailing address only (international readers can enter if they have a friend in the States who can accept their prizes by mail.)

• The contest will run June 9, 2010 – July 7, 2010, with the winners being drawn July 1, 2010.  Administrator’s computer is the official time keeping device for the Giveaway. Winners will be picked at random using a random sequence generator (your comments are numbered in the order they are received and the numbers are like raffle tickets drawn from a hat). Winners have 72hrs to claim their prize. Unclaimed prizes will be awarded to an alternate winner.

• Comment away!

Disclaimer: Books will be shipped directly from Douglas E. Richards, delivery of the giveaway item lies solely on the sponsor. Names, e-mail address and physical addresses of all winners will be shared with the sponsor for the purpose of fulfillment of the giveaway.

Click covers to enlarge for easier reading …

©2010 The Childrens Book Review. All Rights Reserved.

Earth Day will be upon us soon, April 22, 2010. It’s a great day to place emphasis on environmental awareness and to explore new-and-improved solutions for being “green” the other 364 days of the year. Many children’s book authors are embracing this topic with enthusiasm and dedication, producing some eye-opening and encouraging literature for kids of all ages—some of the books even manage to arouse the “green” within us grown-ups.

For the youngest set, reading books that feature trees and plants is a great way to raise their level of awareness of the world that surrounds them. As their awareness grows, books that introduce ideas on taking care of the planet through gardening, recycling, and water conservation are a natural progression. As readers mature, they will be much more able to grasp and digest the concept of global warming. With all of these topics in mind, the following books, no matter how simple or complex, have been selected to motivate the earth-conscious spirit within all of us.

• Biscuit’s Earth Day Celebration by Alyssa Satin Capucilli (Ages 2-6)
• Wonders of Nature (Little Golden Book) by Jane Werner Watson (Ages 2-5)

• Tess’s Tree by Jess M. Brallier (Ages 4-7)
• Here Comes the Garbage Barge! by Jonah Winter (Ages 4-8)
• The Inside Tree by Linda Smith (Ages 4-8)
• We Planted a Tree by Diane Muldrow (Ages 5-8)
• The Smash! Smash! Truck by Aidan Potts (Ages 5-8)
• Global Warming by Seymour Simon (Ages 5-9)
• The Magic School Bus And The Climate Challenge by Joanna Cole (Ages 7-10)
• EcoMazes: 12 Earth Adventures by Roxie Munro (Ages 7 and up)
• Nature Girl by Jane Kelley (Ages 8-12)
• The Solar Car Book: A Complete Build-It-Yourself Kit (Klutz) (Ages 8 and up)
• Good Growing: A Kid’s Guide to Green Gardening (Klutz) (Ages 8 and up)

Check out our Environment and Ecology Category!

Leave us a comment: What’s your favorite book for raising environmentally aware children? Do you have any good tips for going green?

©2010 The Childrens Book Review. All Rights Reserved.

Ripley’s Believe It or Not: Seeing Is Believing

Reading Level: Ages 9-99

Hardcover: 256 pages

Publisher: Ripley Publishing; Ill edition (August 4, 2009)

Language: English

What do you want to know? What don’t you want to know? What interests you? What doesn’t interest you? Not sure? Here’s a list of topics to get you started:

• Strange But True
• Extreme Earth
• Incredible Feats
• Unusual Customs
• Crazy Creatures
• Travel Tales
• Fantastic Food
• Body Oddity
• Strange Sites
• Artistic License
• Amazing Science
• Beyond Belief

I think it’s safe to say, without even reading this book, you have spotted a topic of interest. That is what’s so great about Ripley’s Believe It or Not, there is certainly something for everyone — kids and adults alike! With it’s shiny, blue hardcover, it’s the perfect coffee table book for the adult who enjoys something a little different, or perfect for the table next to the bean bag in a teenagers room.

Here is a glimpse at some of the stuff you can expect:

• The amusing: Anthony Lason … , sang karaoke songs for more than 39 hours straight in June 2008.

• The interesting: Each year more than 14,000 tons of cosmic dust fall to earth … .

• The outstanding: In 1934, W.M. Keefe from New London, Connecticut, was able to touch his toes and then reach down a further 10in (25cm), despite being 73 years old.

• The fascinating: A newly discovered lake at the south pole of Saturn’s largest moon, Titan, is bigger than Lake Ontario. …the lake is filled mostly with methane and ethane, … liquids on the ice-cold surface of Titan.

• The awful: It is estimated that a foot separated from a drowned body could travel by strong currents around 1,000 mi (1,600 km) before reaching land.

• The sad: An elephant was hunted in 2006, after a two-year reign of terror in which he destroyed hundreds of homes and killed 27 people.

• The amazing: In a reversal of the Evel Knievel classic motorcycle jump over buses, fearless stunt driver Steve Hudis soared 109 ft (33m) in Las Vegas, Nevada, in a school bus … , … clearing 15 motorcycles before crash-landing and emerging unscathed.

I could go on-and-on, but the truth is that there are thousands of these hard-to-believe pocket sized stories to discover, along with startling–and some pretty gross–color images. Each one is certainly a conversation starter. A fantastic gift book for the hard-to-buy-for!

Publisher’s synopsis: This all new 6th title in the best selling Ripley’s Believe It or Not! annual series, is a compendium of incredible bizarre facts, stories, interviews and features all presented in a stunning bright new design.

This year’s book also features icons that guide readers to astounding video clips on our new fully-integrated website, where they can see some of our subjects in action. Also, a dramatic eight-page gatefold section presents some extraordinary performers of the past, and additional black and white Ripley archive photographs feature throughout the book.

Be amazed at the dentist with no arms, the snake that swallowed a wallaby, an underwater sculptor and a four-eared cat! For the legions of dedicated Ripley’s fans, and anyone else on the planet who loves unbelievable facts and jaw-dropping images, the latest annual in this successful series is a feast of delights.

Add this book to your collection: Ripley’s Believe It or Not: Seeing Is Believing

©2010 The Childrens Book Review. All Rights Reserved.

101 Animal Secrets

by Gilda + Melvin Berger

Reading level: Ages 7 – 10

Paperback: 112 pages

Publisher: Scholastic Reference (March 1, 2009)

What to expect: Animals, Facts, Non-fiction

Shhh, if you won’t tell anyone, I have some secrets to share. Did you know that giraffes clean their ears with their tongues, and rhinoceroses use sunscreen (mud). These are just two interesting facts that I learned from reading 101 Animal Secrets.

Melvin and Gilda Berger have worked together on many science books for elementary aged children. Their Question & Answer books usually focus on one animal or science concept per book, 101 Animal Secrets offers up one unusual characteristic of 101 different animals. Each fact is short and to the point; some are shocking, “the horned toad squirts blood from its eyes”; some are sweet, “prairie dogs “kiss” when they meet.” There is one fact per page and each is accompanied by two photographs, making it a great layout for early to early-fluent readers. This is a fabulous book for reluctant readers, animal lovers, and science enthusiasts.

Oh, and did you know that a wolf can pick up smells 100 times better than you, I’m okay with that because there are some smells that are better left unsmelt! What do you think?

Publisher’s synopsis: It’s definitely not a secret that kids can’t get enough of animals! In 101 Animal Secrets they’ll discover tons of fun and wacky facts like:

· A giraffe can lick its ear with its tongue.

· Mosquitoes don’t bite.

· Fish sleep with their eyes open.

· Mice don’t love cheese.

· You can’t escape a lion by climbing up a tree.

Each secret is numbered, and every page has a full-color, full-paged photograph with a short block of text in a kid-friendly font.

Add this book to your collection: 101 Animal Secrets

Other books by Melvin and Gilda Berger that you may enjoy: Scholastics True or False series and Scholastic Question and Answer series.

©2010 The Childrens Book Review. All Rights Reserved.

What to expect: Science, Animal conservation, Environmental awareness

The wonderful Adventures of Riley series is a smooth combination of fiction and non-fiction that is perfect for curious minds, young or old. Riley, who is perhaps 8- or 10-years-old, visits unique locations around the world with extended family members: Uncle Max, Aunt Martha, and his cousin Alice. At the beginning of each book Riley receives a letter from his Uncle Max; a scientist that studies animals, their habitats, and the environmental issues that impact them. The letter is always an invitation to study a particular animal and experience a different culture or way of living — an adventure that most young boys would jump at the chance for!

Like all good series, Amanda Lumry and Laura Hurwitz follow a great format. For each story, they combine a believable fictitious story-line with real scientific facts. The likable characters are a wonderful medium to share and create a learning experience for the reader. Every book contains fascinating fact boxes, a glossary of terms, additional information at the back of the book, and a smart blend of illustration and “real-life” photography. The intelligent layout of this series means that it can be read and enjoyed by children with varied reading skills: younger readers can enjoy the adventure with a simple reading of the story with out being overwhelmed by too many facts, while older readers can enjoy the full experience with all of the additional facts and information. The books can be read over-and-over again and you’ll learn something new each time. This is a series that can only have admirable impact on our children.
Fun, educational, and environmentally aware — a must for all schools
and libraries, including your home library!

The Adventures of Riley website is an additional resource that adds value to the series. Digital media is a sure-fire way to capture the attention of kids and reinforce that reading can be cool. Check it out: http://www.adventuresofriley.com/

Below you will find the publisher’s synopsis of Riddle of the Reef, the latest edition to the series, and a few others:

Riddle of the Reef

by Amanda Lumry (Author and Photographer), Laura Hurwitz (Author)

Reading level: Ages 4-8

Hardcover: 48 pages

Publisher: Scholastic Press (July 1, 2009)

Publisher’s synopsis: Journey to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef with Riley and his family as they see what’s up down under! Large areas of the coral reef are dying and they need to find out why. Joined by world-renowned marine artist and conservationist, Wyland, the crew faces giant starfish, great white sharks, and even poachers in their search for answers.

Add this book to your collection: Riddle of the Reef

Outback Odyssey

by Amanda Lumry (Author and Photographer), Laura Hurwitz (Author)

Reading level: Ages 4-8

Hardcover: 48 pages

Publisher: Scholastic Press (May 1, 2009)

Publisher’s synopsis: Riley, Cousin Alice, Aunt Martha, and Uncle Max visit the Australian Outback where they research the local koala population, which has scattered and shrunk due to increased drought, brush fires, and farming in the Outback. While staying at a working sheep station, they see kangaroos, a platypus, Ayers Rock, and much more. Riley becomes an official Jackaroo (Australian cowboy) and helps save the sheep from a wild dingo, but can he find a way to save the koalas and the Outback?

Add this book to your collection: Outback Odyssey

Tigers in Terai

by Amanda Lumry (Author and Photographer), Laura Hurwitz (Author)

Reading level: Ages 9-12

Hardcover: 48 pages

Publisher: Scholastic Press (April 1, 2009)

Publisher’s synopsis: Riley journeys to the Terai Arc region of India and Nepal in search of the elusive Bengal tiger. Riley’s research leads to exciting encounters with some weird and wild indigenous animals (an Asian rhino, a king cobra, langur monkeys and more!) as well as a better understanding of the local culture.

Add this book to your collection: Tigers in Terai

Dolphins in Danger

by Amanda Lumry (Author and Photographer), Laura Hurwitz (Author)

Reading level: Ages 9-12

Hardcover: 48 pages

Publisher: Scholastic Press (February 1, 2009)

Publisher’s synopsis: Riley travels to the South Pacific island of Moorea with his Uncle Max, Aunt Martha, and Cousin Alice. Their mission is to study spinner dolphins while basking in the warmth and charm of Polynesian culture. However, things take a turn for the worse when several dolphins become trapped in a local lagoon! Riley holds the key to their survival, but between surfing lessons and close encounters with humpback whales, will he realize it in time?

Add this book to your collection: Dolphins in Danger

Project Panda

by Amanda Lumry (Author and Photographer), Laura Hurwitz (Author)

Paperback: 40 pages

Publisher: Scholastic Press (July 1, 2009)

Publisher’s synopsis: It’s “Panda-monium” in China when a rare giant panda mysteriously disappears from the world’s largest panda reserve! Riley and family must face remote mountain forests, snow leopards, red pandas, and more in their desperate search for clues. When disaster strikes, Riley must act fast to save the day, and the missing panda.

Add this book to your collection: Project Panda

South pole Penguins

by Amanda Lumry (Author and Photographer), Laura Hurwitz (Author)

Reading level: Ages 4-8

Paperback: 40 pages

Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks (September 1, 2009)

Publisher’s synopsis: Are the penguins of Antarctica getting their fill of krill, or has climate change reshaped the Antarctic food web? Riley joins Uncle Max on a voyage to the South Pole to find out! Home to whales, seals, penguins, and 90% of the world’s ice, Antarctica is the coldest place on Earth. Will Riley be trapped by the fierce Antarctic winds? It’s an adventure like no other as Riley learns valuable lessons about survival and cooperation.

Add this book to your collection: South pole Penguins

©2010 The Childrens Book Review. All Rights Reserved.

Little Skink’s Tail

by Janet Halfmann (Author), Laurie Allen Klein (Illustrator)

Reading level: Ages 4-8

Hardcover: 32 pages (Also available in English and Spanish eBooks)

Publisher: Sylvan Dell Publishing (August 10, 2007)

Mom’s Choice Award, Teacher’s Choice Award, and the President’s Book Award, are three notable achievements to have plastered on the cover of a book. Little Skink’s Tail did not dissapoint. It’s an endearing tale of animal physiology that is perfect for science and nature lovers — Sylvan Dell Publishing pride themselves on the fact that all of their books and activities are aligned to National Science and Math Standards, North American Association for Environmental Education standards, and all state standards. Concepts such as animal survival techniques are aproached in a wonderful child-friendly way, kids are fascinated not only by the text but also by the delightfuly clever illustrations. For kids who are left wanting more, there are a couple of fun and educational activities at the end of the book that are perfect for further exploration and allow for additional discussion.

Extra teaching and comprehension resources can be found on the publisher’s website: www.SylvanDellPublishing.com, as well as English and Spanish readings — all for free!

Add this book to your collection: Little Skink’s Tail

©2010 The Childrens Book Review. All Rights Reserved.

^{Doug E. Richards with his two kids, Ryan and Regan}

Douglas E. Richards, a biotechnology executive who has degrees in both genetic engineering and business, is the author of the science-fiction mystery series titled The Prometheus Project. We reviewed the first two books in the series earlier this year and had this to say, “The Prometheus Project books are simple, intelligent, fast reads that
even a reluctant reader should have no problems getting into.” You can read the reviews here. We are very happy to share the following interview with you:

Luisa: You’ve recently written two science fiction thrillers for children ages 9-13, The Prometheus Project—TRAPPED and The Prometheus Project—CAPTURED. You also write scientific articles for National Geographic Kids Magazine. Can you explain a little about your writing choices—why the focus on science in particular?

Doug: Actually, I didn’t set out to focus on science at all. I set out to write science fiction thrillers for kids that would keep them glued to the page. This being said, I have a Master’s degree in molecular biology (a.k.a. genetic engineering) so it was important to me that any science included in the books be scrupulously accurate. As a kid, I loved the action, adventure and awesome plots found in science fiction books, as well as the mind-expanding science contained in them. So my goal was to write gripping novels with non-stop action that would propel readers forward, but at the same time include enough science to delight and inspire them—as long as the science served the plot and adventure, and not the other way around. I knew that if the books didn’t have great appeal to kids, no matter how much factual science I put in, no one would ever read them. My thought process was summed up quite nicely by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in their review of CAPTURED: “Like the late Asimov, author Douglas E. Richards knows that compelling, valid scientific speculation makes for equally compelling reading.”

When I finished TRAPPED I had no idea if kids would love it or loathe it—all I could do was hope.  Well, I’m very happy to report that the feedback I’ve received to date has been positive beyond my wildest dreams.  TRAPPED was “highly recommended” by Kirkus, was called, “perfect for middle grades” by Teaching Pre K-8 Magazine, and a kids panel of reviewers for Odyssey Magazine praised TRAPPED as “a thriller you that you won’t put down until you’ve reached the last page.”  The book has received numerous other positive reviews and endorsements from kids and adults alike.  TRAPPED has also been added to classroom reading lists and has been used as a read aloud in dozens of classrooms across the country.  According to a fifth grade teacher quoted in the San Diego Union-Tribune, “My class loved it.  They were totally engaged.  It’s a hard book to put down.”

The fact that kids seem to love both TRAPPED and CAPTURED is unbelievably gratifying to me.  And if kids were the only audience to embrace these books, I would have been very satisfied.  But a funny thing happened on the way to the forum: these books were embraced by the science community as well.  Both books have received glowing reviews/endorsements from the AAAS, the California Science Teachers Association, and a number of other state science teacher associations. TRAPPED now appears on the California Department of Education’s prestigious list of “Recommended Literature for Math & Science” and on Missouri State University’s list of “Best New Books to Engage Students in Math and Science.” ForeWord magazine, in its review of CAPTURED, concluded, “At a time when Americans want more students to become interested in science, the books in this series will likely encourage their interest in a non-threatening way.”

Which brings me to National Geographic KIDS magazine (NG KIDS).  An editor at the magazine read TRAPPED, was impressed with my ability to explain complex science to kids, and asked me to try my hand at writing a piece for the magazine.  I did so, and the rest is history.  I’ve now written thirteen pieces for this award-winning publication and I expect to write many more.

So while I didn’t necessarily set out to focus on science, I couldn’t be happier with how things have turned out. I love writing for NG KIDS, and I love the fact that TRAPPED and CAPTURED have received praise, not only from kids (by far the most important audience) but from parents and educators as well.

Luisa: Can you compare/contrast your experience as a book author and your experience writing for NG KIDS?

Doug: Great question.  Writing novels and writing non-fiction for NG KIDS represent quite different challenges.  A typical assignment for NG KIDS is something like, “write an 800-word piece on the human brain.”  Really?  Eight hundred words?  Boiling a subject as vast and complicated as the human brain down to this size and finding a way to make it fascinating and understandable to a nine-year-old kid can be immensely challenging.  Sometimes I think summarizing the complete works of Shakespeare in a single short paragraph would be easier.  In order to craft the most informative and fascinating combination of 800 words from among the billions that have been written on the brain, I first have to immerse myself in the subject.  This takes forever.  I then have to find an angle on the story—some way to capture kids’ imaginations from the first sentence and hold it throughout.  My first draft for a story of this size is usually about 2,000 words.  From there I pare it down to about 1,000 words and let the editors decide which of it to use.  I agonize over every single word, sometimes spending an hour to get a single sentence just right, wanting the five million people who read every issue to get the best sentence I can deliver.

For my fiction, my greatest challenge is coming up with the plot.  I make great demands of my plots.  They need to be fast-paced, action-packed, have unexpected twists and turns along the way, and also be logically consistent.  Finding the exact right words can be challenging, but figuring out how my unarmed hero is going to cleverly escape from a locked room, surrounded by alarms and heavily armed soldiers, is what really causes a large pile of hair, recently torn from my own head, to accumulate on the floor next to my writing desk.

Luisa: In the Prometheus Project books, are any of your characters based on actual events or real people? How did you come up with the premise for the books?

The books follow the adventures of Ryan and Regan Resnick, the children of two accomplished scientists.  These protagonists were named after my own two children, and their physical descriptions match those of my own kids as well.  In TRAPPED, the children have just moved to the backwoods of Pennsylvania and are certain they will have the most boring summer of all time.  But when they puzzle out secret passwords and overcome laser-beam alarm systems, barbed-wire fences and security guards, they learn that their parents are part of the Prometheus Project — a top-secret team investigating an abandoned alien city.  When their mother’s life is in jeopardy, they must face unimaginable dangers and fight against impossible odds to save her.

In the second book, CAPTURED, the kids have been made members of the Prometheus Project because of the valuable contributions they made to the team during their first adventure.  When an alien city is captured by a team of mercenaries and their ruthless leader, the adult members of the Prometheus team are taken hostage, and the children become the team’s only hope. With the future of the world at stake, Ryan and Regan must do the impossible: outwit the brilliant alien and his well-trained force, free the prisoners, and thwart an unstoppable invasion.

I picked the setting of a vast alien city, filled with advanced science and technology, because I knew it would be a fertile springboard from which to launch numerous science fiction plots and to explore any number of scientific topics.  My hope is to write many more books in the series over the coming years.

Luisa: What’s the biggest obstacle you face when writing?

Doug: As I mentioned earlier, coming up with a complex plot is the most challenging aspect for me.

Luisa: Conversely, what brings you the most joy?

Doug: I love when I’ve solved the plot aspects of a scene and I can focus solely on the writing.  It’s times like these when the passage of hours seems like minutes because I’m so immersed in the world I’m creating. Typically, the final quarter of a book is the easiest to write (before the dozens of revisions, of course) because it almost writes itself.  I think of a book as a 5,000-piece jigsaw puzzle. When you start it can be very difficult, because you have near infinite degrees of freedom, and finding the pieces that work well together takes considerable effort. But the more you build out the puzzle, the easier and easier adding additional pieces becomes, and the picture of what you have built, and what you are building toward, becomes clearer and clearer.  At the end, of course, when there are only a few pieces left, placing them is a breeze.

Luisa: Have any of your personal experiences influenced your work? What were you like as a kid?

Doug: I loved science fiction and talking my way into and out of trouble (the harmless kind—not the malicious kind).  I used to love tricking or outsmarting adults, and my protagonists use these same skills to extricate themselves from life-threatening situations in my books.

Luisa: If you could have a chat with any author, who would it be, and what would you ask?

Doug: Isaac Asimov.  He was a professor of biochemistry and one of my all time favorite authors as a kid.  In addition to best-selling science fiction he wrote hundreds of books on an unbelievably eclectic list of topics, including science, the bible, mythology, history, and many others.  The recent movie, “I Robot,” with Will Smith, was based on his work.

I would love to chat with Asimov about writing, quantum physics, his view of the universe—in fact, if I had to be trapped for a year with one person (other than my wife) it would be him.  I think conversations with Asimov would be endlessly fascinating and thought provoking.

Luisa: You’re a multi-talented writer. But aside from this, what is the one talent you wish you had?

Doug: I really wish I could teleport.  I love being at a destination, but I often dislike the process of getting there.  Sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic drives me crazy.  When I was a biotechnology executive I often traveled coast-to-coast (and to Europe and Japan) and I always felt horrible after a long flight.  If I could teleport I wouldn’t have to deal with any of that — nor ever worry about finding a parking spot again.  Now that would be a talent worth having.

©2010 The Childrens Book Review. All Rights Reserved.

Earth Day, April 22, is a wonderful opportunity to bring awareness of our world and the environment to our children. In preparation for this great day, I have selected some newly released books that I believe will help spread the word about ways in which we can work together to make our world a better place.

BIG EARTH, Little Me

by Thom Wiley (author), Kate Endle (illustrator)

Reading level: Ages 3 – 8

Paperback: 16 pages

Publisher: Cartwheel Books (April 1, 2009)

BIG EARTH, Little Me had me at the cover. The title is a great representation of what is inside, the illustrations are “earthy”, and the words printed with soy ink bring home the message that this truly is an earth conscience book.

The text is loud and clear:

I can help the Earth.

Children are reminded and encouraged to turn off the water, use both sides of the paper, and many other kid friendly exercises. Even some adults, including myself, can learn from this book — have your kids use a lunch box. The book also includes some interactive lift the flaps which will add to the appeal of this great little book that every family should own.

Jennifer Saves the Planet

by Erin Sarpa

Reading level: Ages 3 – 8

Paperback:

Publisher: Freckle box

Jennifer Saves the Planet, and Maya, or anybody for that matter, because this book comes personalized from www.frecklebox.com. If ever there was a book that could encourage your child to take action in “saving the planet”, this is it. What child can resist a book in which they have the leading role? I know my daughter can’t. We received a copy of this book about a week ago, Maya Saves the Planet, and it has been read every single day, at her request. The very young will enjoy hearing the sound of their name. Children a little bit older and recognizing the letters of their name will be astonished by the clever images — every page contains your child’s name. Early readers will be excited to read their own name, and will undoubtedly enjoy this environmental rhyming treat.

If you want to save our planet
just do what Maya did…
Make changes in your habits
and be a real live super kid!

Living Sunlight: How Plants Bring the Earth to Life

by Molly Bang (author, illustrator), Penny Chisholm (author)

Reading level: Ages 4-10

Hardcover: 40 pages

Publisher: The Blue Sky Press (February 1, 2009)

I can’t resist saying that this charming book titled Living Sunlight: How Plants Bring Earth to Life is heart-warming! Who knew that learning about how life works, including photosynthesis, could be so moving. The authors, Bang and Chisholm, have created this book with the purpose of bringing attention to the cycle of life and how everything and everyone is connected — “unity of all life”. The simplicity in which they explain this cycle makes the book a great introduction for little scientists and harvests an awareness that every child should be exposed to. I would go as far as saying that all elementary and middle school classrooms should have this book shelved for easy access. I’m impressed and I haven’t even mentioned that this book was printed on paper containing 55% recycled content and 25% post-consumer waste.

Inside front cover jacket:

For more environmentally aware books check out our Environment & Ecology: Earth conscience category.

©2010 The Childrens Book Review. All Rights Reserved.

Honk, Honk, Goose! Canada Geese Start a Family

by April Pulley Sayre (Author) and Huy Voun Lee (Illustrator)

Reading Level: Ages 4-8

Hardcover: 32 pages

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (April 14, 2009)

What to Expect: Geese, Animals, Science

With charming cut-paper collage illustrations, Honk, Honk, Goose!  Canada Geese Start a Family is an adorable picture book which takes us from the mating of two geese to the birth of their six babies, and chronicles the perils they encounter along the way.  The two geese must remain ever-vigilant, to protect their eggs from muskrats, turtles, and raccoons.  This is sure to be a fun read aloud book, with the all of the “honking” done by the male goose:  he honks to attract a female, he honks to protect his eggs, and at the end of the book he honks to guard the baby geese and their mother as they rest.

The illustrations, which are simple and elegant, really complement the text well.  Because there is so much going on in the story, I think the temptation would have been to make them more busy.  Instead, the understated, more muted colors tell the story without making it overwhelming.

At the end of the book, there are a couple pages detailing the science behind the book, describing the mating patterns of the geese as well as providing some history.  This book is another great selection for Earth Month, as it talks about how people took action to save the disappearing Canada Geese population about 100 years ago.

I think my favorite part was the charge at the end of the book to Young Scientists, encouraging young ornithologists to study the behavior of the geese, as there has never been a long term study of them.  What a great way to encourage taking an interest in nature!

©2010 The Childrens Book Review. All Rights Reserved.

Vote Earth For Earth Hour

With the goal of 1 billion people switching off their lights as part of a global vote, Vote Earth is a global call to action for every individual, every business and every community. A call to stand up and take control over the future of our planet. You can participate by turning your lights out for one hour at 8.30pm on March 28.

In December 2009 world leaders meet in Copenhagen to agree on a post-Kyoto policy for tackling climate change. One billion people voting with their light switch during Earth Hour will create a powerful mandate for our leaders to take strong and decisive action on climate change in Copenhagen.

Participating in Earth Hour is really a no-brainer, but finding books to raise environmentally aware children can be a little more difficult. That’s where Green Sugar Press comes in. Their mission is to provide books to grow green minds for a better today and a stronger tomorrow.

An Environmental Guide from A to Z

by Tim Magner (author) and Aubri Vincent-Barwood (illustrator)

Reading level: Ages 8 – 13

Hardcover: 48 pages

Publisher: Green Sugar Press

What to expect: Nature, Natural History, Ecology, Earth Sciences, and Alphabet

Using a simple alphabetical format, Tim Magner delivers very detailed facts about the environment and how they all link together, in a very informative and easy to digest way. Every page contains important information — G is for Greenhouse Gases — and is then followed with a Did you Know? component which explains things such a composting. There are also open ended questions to allow for exploration, experimentation, and thoughtful or contemplative reflection — “How many different types of insects can you count exploring your backyard or nearby park?”

“Our objective was to create a reading experience to inspire young explorers to open their minds to the wonders of the world and to the amazing nature right out their backdoor,” says Tim Magner. “If we can only get kids to unplug their electronics long enough to give nature a chance. Nature provides all the answers we need.”

N is for Nature

by Tim Magner (author) and Mike Nudleman (illustrator)

Reading level: Ages 5 – 9

Hardcover: 48 pages

Publisher: Green Sugar Press

What to expect: Nature, Natural History, Ecology, and Alphabet

Just like in An Environmental Guide from A to Z, Tim Magner manages to spread the news about our environment and its animals using the alphabet in a clear and concise manner, however, more simplified for its intended younger audience. The illustrations by Mike Nudelman are very clever and provide a very stimulating effect — each page is dedicated to a letter of the alphabet and is inspired by the topic, making the information more appealing to our younger more visual readers.

Earl the Earthworm Digs for His Life

by Tim Magner (author) and Lindsay Knapp (illustrator)

Reading level: Ages 5 – 9

Hardcover: 48 pages

Publisher: Green Sugar Press

What to expect: Earthworms, Nature, Natural History, and Earth Sciences

Who knew that an earthworm’s purpose was connected to the health and survival of trees, plants, and many animals? Learning about earthworms was never something I pondered, but it was fun and interesting when the earthworm had a name, Earl. This is a credible fiction book with real fun facts which add depth to the story. This book is educational like the two books mentioned above, but is more specific to one area of learning. There is a glossary of words included which will certainly prove to be useful — Oligochaetologists: Scientists who study worms.

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