The Great Big Green Book

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.