From School Library Journal
Gr 2–4—A multiethnic bunch of kids (including four in wheelchairs and one with a walker) skitter across the pages of this cheerful picture book on the importance of thinking green. Children and adults consider issues such as climate change and the shrinking rain forest, as well as ways to make a difference. Readers will appreciate the fun details of the cartoon illustrations, such as a cat who provides a comical running commentary; brief asides in speech bubbles from people, animals, and even plants; and small decorative drawings on the page borders. Many of the ideas mentioned are activities that kids can participate in (turning off the TV when it isn't in use, recycling). The author's simple, chatty text reassures the worried that saving the environment can be difficult because "the grown-ups make these decisions—but you can talk to them about it." Because the book was originally published in the UK, there are some Briticisms (elevators are called lifts, sneakers are trainers), but readers won't find these terms too intrusive. Pop this on the shelf with such titles as Michelle Mulder's somewhat more challenging Trash Talk: Moving Toward a Zero Waste World (Orca, 2015), Kim McKay and Jenny Bonnin's solid True Green Kids: 100 Things You Can Do to Save the Planet (National Geographic, 2008), and Brad Herzog's simple S Is for Save the Planet: A How-to-Be-Green Alphabet (Sleeping Bear, 2009) for a sturdy quartet of inventive ways to raise kids' awareness. VERDICT An upbeat, colorful appeal to be environmentally conscious.—Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY
Review
Selected as a March highlight
"Conservation issues for those aged eight or under. Speech bubbles, cartoons, captions and ideas for positive action to give hope for the future."
"This is an ultimately upbeat book that challenges all of us to make the change and provides plenty of ideas for how to start that at home and in the classroom."
"Really well done, thought-provoking and perceptive."
"As always, Ros Asquithâ??s illustrations are beautifully inclusive, witty and filled with speech bubbles and captions. They add so much to this book and help make it so beautifully child-focused. ... Quick! Get a copy of this book in every primary and secondary school â?? the people who are going to save the world are waiting!"
"This is assuredly a book that should be in every primary classroom."
"The book is packed to the gills with brilliant illustrations and common sense tips that can turn your budding ecologists into green supremos!"
"An inspiring guide with hope for the future of our planet."
"An inspiring guide with hope for the future of our planet."
"This is an ultimately upbeat book that challenges all of us to make the change and provides plenty of ideas for how to start that at home and in the classroom."
Selected as a March highlight
"Conservation issues for those aged eight or under. Speech bubbles, cartoons, captions and ideas for positive action to give hope for the future."
About the Author
MARY HOFFMAN is the internationally acclaimed author of over 100 books for children, ranging from picture books to teenage fiction. Her first picture book for Frances Lincoln, Amazing Grace, has become a classic which, with its sequels in the series, has sold 1.5 million copies worldwide. Mary’s other picture books for Frances Lincoln include The Colour of Home with Karin Littlewood and An Angel Just Like Me with Cornelius van Wright, as well as the hugely successful The Great Big Book of Families, The Great Big Book of Feelings, and Welcome to the Family, all with Ros Asquith. Their next title together will be The Great Big Body Book. Mary Hoffman lives in Oxfordshire. For more information about her books visit her website: www.maryhoffman.co.uk
ROS ASQUITH has been a Guardian cartoonist for 20 years, and has written and illustrated over 70 books for young people, including the bestseller The Great Big Book of Families, with Mary Hoffman, the Teenage Worrier series, Letters from an Alien Schoolboy-which was shortlisted for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize- and her debut picture story book It’s Not Fairy. Ros lives in north London with her husband and two sons. For more information about Ros, visit her website: www.rosasquith.co.uk
