This review is part of the Green Books Campaign. Today 200 bloggers take a stand to support books printed in an eco-friendly manner by simultaneously publishing reviews of 200 books printed on recycled or FSC-certified paper. By turning a spotlight on books printed using eco-friendly paper, we hope to raise awareness of book buyers and encourage everyone to take the environment into consideration when purchasing books.
The campaign is organized for the second time by Eco-Libris, a green company working to make reading more sustainable. We invite you to join the discussion on "green" books and support books printed in an eco-friendly manner! A full list of participating blogs and links to their reviews is available on the Eco-Libris website.
Sometimes kids think that adults control everything and that they are powerless to make a difference. But Our Earth: How Kids Are Saving the Planet teaches readers that kids are all powerful. In her book, Canadian author Janet Wilson profiles 10 young environmentalists from around the world who are each taking action to help specific environmental causes. Through these profiles, Wilson shows that kids can do a lot to help the environment and spread the message of conservation! For example, Sam Levine of the United States helped start an organic vegetable garden at a school to connect kids directly to their food.
The stories Wilson includes feel attainable. We hear the story of Janine Licare of Costa Rica who started small, selling painted rocks with a friend to raise money to build overhead monkey bridges. Eventually as the girls wanted to do more, they expanded their operation and opened a store to sell their products and the work of other artists. From their humble beginning, Janine and her friend Aislin have made a world of difference in the rainforest.
Now only does this book profile 10 children, it also contains a helpful reference section in the back. For example, in the "How You Can Help Save the Planet" section, Wilson details ways kids can help save the earth. These ideas include everything from unplugging the TV and going outside to play to writing letters to world leaders to advocate for climate change. And this is just one of the bonus sections in the back! You can also learn how "Kids Create" and how "Kids Take Action."
This book is excellent because it goes beyond just telling ways that kids are making a difference around the world. It also teaches kids a lot about the small steps they can take to make a big difference. For example, Wilson recommends that students become more aware of the products they use that are grown in the rainforest so they can make informed decisions about whether or not to use them. Our Earth: How Kids Are Saving the Planet is also significant because usually authors write books about adults saving the environment, but this one has kids saving the Earth, so it's more relevant to the readers. It shows you that you can save the earth too!
Our Earth: How Kids Are Saving the Planet is not just environmental in its theme. It's also environmental in its production! It is printed on Forest Stewardship Council Certified paper!
We recommend this book for people who care about the environment and want to save it. This is also a great book for people who don't yet care about the environment and need some serious inspiration. The book is particularly great for kids ages 7 to 13 who want to hear extraordinary stories about ordinary kids.
Kids--Janet Wilson is counting on you to save the Earth, and we are too! Go kids! Save the Earth!

I liked this book review because it made me want to read all the kids entries again. When I read the book I read about how a boy realized that kids in Africa had to walk miles to get water and sometimes its dirty and it only took him 10 steps to get a glass of super clean water.
ReplyDeleteFrom Ellis
This looks like it would be a great book to have in my school library. I will try to see if I can get a copy that is library bound.
ReplyDeleteHere’s my Green post: http://readerbuzz.blogspot.com/2010/11/green-books-campaign-stuff-reduce-reuse.html
I’d love to have you stop by and see what you think.
I love that there are so many books in this green books campaign that teach kids to be empowered.
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a good book for anyone because people that don't care about saving the Earth can
ReplyDeleteget ideas to save the Earth even just recycling can
make a big difference in the world.Also people that do try to save the Earth can get more ideas from this book.
From Sam
I am so glad that you are doing the Green Books Campaign. The Fourth Grade Explorers have made a difference by teaching us about this book. I have been working on my compost pile at home. It makes me so excited to think about the fall leaves turning into rich compost for next year's garden.
ReplyDeleteKeep up the great work.
Sue, (Katie's mom)
wow! this really makes me want to save and help the earth!
ReplyDeletefrom, Eric
WOW-I love the way Janet Wilson used tree free paper, it really makes a difference! A few ways I can help, are: set-up a drink stand, set-up a stoop sale, and many others! I'll send the money to organizations that help the earth.
ReplyDelete--Emma
So great that kids are learning about what THEY can do to make a real difference in our world!
ReplyDelete--Rachel (Emma's mom)
It's a good thing that Emma's class is learning about how to save the earth because then the earth will be healthy and the people will all be healthy too...
ReplyDelete--Max (Emma's younger brother)
Very, very inspiring. This book helps me learn how everyday people can do everyday things to have extraordinary achievements for the earth and its people!! And also do very helpful things for everything and everyone.
ReplyDeleteWith hope,
Jonathan
I think that this is a good book for any person from kids to nature lovers to even nature haters to inspire them!!!!!!
ReplyDeletefrom Sabina
Nicely done!
ReplyDelete