Earth, our one world, is facing critical issues, and children are inundated with news of oil spills, global warming, and melting polar ice. They see their favorite celebrities going "green," and speaking out on "making a difference." The growing concerns about the environment have led to a wealth of books focusing on green living. While predictions for the Earth's future remain dire, on the whole, the books in these series maintain a hopeful, empowering attitude that we can make it better.

Preschool - Grade 4

ALLEN, Kathy. Deformed Frogs: A Cause and Effect Investigation. diag. illus. map. ISBN 978-1-4296-4533-1. LC 2010004412. ————. Elephants Under Pressure: A Cause and Effect Investigation. diag. illus. map. ISBN 978-1-4296-4534-8. LC 2010008562. OLSON, Gillia M. Polar Bears' Search for Ice: A Cause and Effect Investigation. maps. ISBN 978-1-4296-4532-4. LC 2010007719. RAKE, Jody Sullivan. The Mystery of Whale Strandings: A Cause and Effect Investigation. diags. illus. map. reprods. ISBN 978-1-4296-4531-7. LC 2010008561. ea vol: 32p. (Fact Finders: Animals on the Edge Series). photos. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Capstone. 2010. PLB $25.99. Gr 3-6—Tackling recent incidents involving animals in jeopardy, these well-organized books go behind the sensational headlines to provide a deeper understanding of the issues. The titles document the problem, give relevant background information, investigate probable causes, and suggest possible solutions. Excellent discussions address those who doubt the severity of the issue and those who wonder why people should care what happens to animals. The captioned photographs are timely and poignant. Despite grim predictions, the books maintain an encouraging tone. A first-rate series that makes serious subject matter interesting and accessible. GAARDER-JUNTTI, Oona. What in the World Is a Green Garden? ISBN 978-1-61613-188-3; ISBN 978-1-61758-840-2. LC 2010004322. ————. What in the World is a Green Home? ISBN 978-1-61613-189-0; ISBN 978-1-61758-842-6. LC 2010004340. ————. What in the World is a Green School? ISBN 978-1-61613-190-6; ISBN 978-1-61758-843-3. LC 2010004324. ————. What in the World is Green Energy? ISBN 978-1-61613-191-3; ISBN 978-1-61758-844-0. LC 2010004320. ————. What in the World is Green Food? ISBN 978-1-61613-192-0; ISBN 978-1-61758-845-7. LC 2010004321. ————. What in the World is Green Transportation? ISBN 978-1-61613-193-7; ISBN 978-1-61758-846-4. LC 2010004310. ea vol: 24p. (Going Green Series). photos. glossary. CIP. ABDO. 2010. PLB $24.21; ebook $24.21. K-Gr 4—Similar to Picture Windows's "Point It Out! Tips for Green Living" series (see below), in that it provides pointers on living green in word balloons within illustrations, this series expands the discussion of eco-friendly choices, advising readers how to practice the 3 R's (reduce, reuse, recycle) in their everyday routines. The lively layout design, featuring colorful headings, short paragraphs, and attractive photographs, has a scrapbooklike quality. The titles explain how all our choices require energy and resources, and encourage readers to make changes in their lifestyles. Suggestions include composting, taking a zero-waste school lunch, and planting an earth-friendly garden. This excellent series will inspire and empower readers to make a difference. HORD, Colleen. Clean and Green Energy. ISBN 978-1-61590-300-9; ISBN 978-1-61590-539-3; ISBN 978-1-61741-157-1. LC 2010009640. ————. My Green Lunch. ISBN 978-1-61590-302-3; ISBN 978-1-61590-541-6; ISBN 978-1-61741-159-5. LC 2010009641. STURM, Jeanne. Filling the Earth with Trash. ISBN 978-1-61590-303-0; ISBN 978-1-61590-542-3; ISBN 978-1-61741-160-1. LC 2010009880. ————. Growing Up Green. ISBN 978-1-61590-301-6; ISBN 978-1-61590-540-9; ISBN 978-1-61741-158-8. LC 2010009642. WEBB, Barbara L. Recycling Earth's Resources. ISBN 978-1-61590-299-6; ISBN 978-1-61590-538-6; ISBN 978-1-61741-156-4. LC 2010009867. ————. Trees: Earth's Lungs. diags. ISBN 978-1-61590-304-7; ISBN 978-1-61590-543-0; ISBN 978-1-61741-161-8. LC 2010009885. ea vol: 24p. (Green Earth Discovery Library Series). photos. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Rourke. 2010. PLB $22.79; pap. $7.95; ebook $22.79. K-Gr 2—This tidy series gives a quick introduction on how to help the Earth. The books include some science basics to explain how everyday choices impact the environment. Readers learn how trash ends up in landfills, the differences between renewable energy and fossil fuels, how trees make oxygen, and the importance of recycling. Large, colorful photographs complement the texts. Readers may need an adult to explain such statements as "the Earth does not make any more water at all" or why turning off lights affects the amount of carbon dioxide in the air, but the books are still worth a look. JOHNSON, J. Angelique. The Eco-Family's Guide to Living Green. ISBN 978-1-4048-6026-1. LC 2010009882. ————. The Eco-Neighbor's Guide to a Green Community. ISBN 978-1-4048-6028-5. LC 2010009883. ————. The Eco-Shopper's Guide to Buying Green. ISBN 978-1-4048-6029-2. LC 2010015692. ————. The Eco-Student's Guide to Being Green at School. ISBN 978-1-4048-6027-8. LC 2010010253. ea vol: illus. by Kyle Poling. 24p. (Point It Out!: Tips for Green Living Series). illus. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Picture Window. 2010. PLB $25.99. K-Gr 3—These lively books introduce the choices and changes a person can make to be eco-friendly. Each book highlights numerous ways to keep homes, schools, and communities clean and healthy. The digital artwork, with its vibrant colors and stylized character designs, is appealing. Text appears in comicbook-style word balloons, resembling pop-up captions, on the fully illustrated pages. Each balloon is labeled with a header: "Way to Go"; "Oh, No!"; or "Did You Know…." With their many tips for living green, these books will ably serve report writers and general readers. LATHAM, Donna. Deciduous Forests. ISBN 978-1-9346-7087-3; ISBN 978-1-9346-7054-5; ISBN 978-1-9363-1328-0. ————. Deserts. map. ISBN 978-1-9346-7086-6; ISBN 978-1-9346-7083-5; ISBN 978-1-9363-1329-7. ————. Oceans. diag. ISBN 978-1-9346-7088-0; ISBN 978-1-9346-7084-2; ISBN 978-1-9363-1330-3. ————. Tundra. ISBN 978-1-9346-7085-9; ISBN 978-1-9346-7056-9; ISBN 978-1-9363-1331-0. ea vol: 32p. (Endangered Biomes Series). photos. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. Nomad. 2010. PLB $16.95; pap. $6.95; ebook $6.95. LC number unavailable. Gr 3-5—Each book provides a quick tour of a biome, describing its landscape, climate, plants, animals, biodiversity, environmental threats, and future, and offering readers suggestions on how to help protect it. The crisp, informative narratives cover current issues such as oil spills, global warming, and islands of trash, combining words to know and interesting and fun facts. The texts are accompanied by numerous quality color photographs, but they lack captions, and at times it is unclear which image is being referenced in the narrative. The print and online further readings lists are the same for each title. Despite these minor issues, general readers will enjoy these breezy, vibrant guidebooks to the biomes. LEVETE, Sarah. A Tale of One Well in Malawi. ISBN 978-1-4296-5506-4; ISBN 978-1-4296-5516-3. LC 2010008902. CHAMBERS, Catherine. Rain and Life in a Nigerian Village. ISBN 978-1-4296-5507-1; ISBN 978-1-4296-5517-0. LC 2010012857. ROYSTON, Angela. Polar Bears and Their Homes. ISBN 978-1-4296-5505-7; ISBN 978-1-4296-5515-6. LC 2010013570. SPILSBURY, Louise. Ice Age Animals. ISBN 978-1-4296-5508-8; ISBN 978-1-4296-5518-7. LC 2010012856. ea vol: 24p. (The Big Picture: Climate Series). photos. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Capstone. 2010. PLB $23.99; pap. $6.95. Gr 1-3—With large photographs and brief narratives, these books discuss how climate can affect the Earth and humans' and animals' lives. In Rain and Life and A Tale of One Well, children describe life in their villages and how concerns about water affect every aspect of their existence. Polar Bears details how global warming harms these animals. Ice Age explains how some of the very different animals that were alive at that time adapted to their cold surroundings. The informative paragraphs appear in short blocks of text and within colorful oval-shaped elements. Large, colorful photographs enhance the texts. However, since it lacks maps and an abundance of hard facts, this series is for pleasure reading rather than for reports. MCKENZIE, Precious. Coral Reefs. map. ISBN 978-1-61590-313-9; ISBN 978-1-61590-552-2; ISBN 978-1-61741-168-7. LC 2010009856. ————. Glaciers. maps. ISBN 978-1-61590-315-3; ISBN 978-1-61590-554-6; ISBN 978-1-61741-170-0. LC 2010009269. ————. Oceans. diag. maps. ISBN 978-1-61590-314-6; ISBN 978-1-61590-553-9; ISBN 978-1-61741-169-4. LC 2010009272. ————. Rainforests. map. ISBN 978-1-61590-316-0; ISBN 978-1-61590-555-3; ISBN 978-1-61741-171-7. LC 2010009857. ————. Savannahs. maps. ISBN 978-1-61590-317-7; ISBN 978-1-61590-556-0; ISBN 978-1-61741-172-4. LC 2010009270. ea vol: 24p. (Eye to Eye with Endangered Habitats Series). photos. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Rourke. 2010. PLB $27.07; pap. $7.95; ebook $27.07. Gr 3-6—This visually appealing series provides an intimate examination of Earth's ecosystems. The detailed texts describe each habitat's conditions, examples of plant and animal life there, how humans depend on the habitat, threats to it, and how to protect it, and include a map showing its location. They also stress how unique and precious each ecosystem is and how it has taken many years to form. The well-chosen, high-quality color photographs are effectively captioned. Circular photographic insets accent the information, and nearly every other page consists entirely of photographs. The wonderful images and informative writing result in a great series. SLADE, Suzanne. What If There Were No Bees?: A Book About the Grassland Ecosystem. ISBN 978-1-4048-6019-3. LC 2010006035. ————. What If There Were No Gray Wolves?: A Book About the Temperate Forest Ecosystem. ISBN 978-1-4048-6020-9. LC 2010009877. ————. What If There Were No Lemmings?: A Book About the Tundra Ecosystem. ISBN 978-1-4048-6021-6. LC 2010009878. ————. What If There Were No Sea Otters?: A Book About the Ocean Ecosystem. ISBN 978-1-4048-6018-6. LC 2010009879. ea vol: illus. by Carol Schwartz. 24p. (Food Chain Reactions Series). diag. illus. map. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Picture Window. 2010. PLB $25.99. Gr 2-4—Radiant illustrations are paired with simple, perceptive sentences to underscore the impact of the loss of keystone species. Each book includes a clearly labeled, well-illustrated food chain that shows the relationships between different plant and animal species. In a very effective convention, extinct plants and animals are placed in silhouettes within many illustrations—the black void left by the loss of each species increases with every page. This outstanding series will engage readers on many levels.

Grades 5 and Up

BELLAMY, Rufus. Population Growth. chart. map. ISBN 978-1-60753-137-1. LC 2009030032. ————. Energy. diags. maps. ISBN 978-1-60753-136-4. LC 2009029985. ————. Tourism. charts. map. ISBN 978-1-60753-138-8. LC 2009028236. ————. Waste and Pollution. charts. diags. map. ISBN 978-1-60753-139-5. LC 2009040709. LAIDLAW, Jill. Cities. map. ISBN 978-1-60753-135-7. LC 2009040708. ————. Water. charts. maps. ISBN 978-1-60753-140-1. LC 2009028258. ea vol: 44p. (Sustaining Our Environment Series). photos. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Amicus. 2010. PLB $31.35. Gr 6-9— Thoroughly researched, these outstanding books deliver well-written, balanced discussions on the environmental and social challenges involved in making the environment sustainable. While facts and expert opinions in the narratives stress the growing crisis of global warming and the depletion of resources, the tone is refreshingly optimistic with its examples of specific steps being taken to reduce harm to the environment. Sidebars highlight case studies and campaigns from around the world and from the individual to the national levels. Clear, informative captions accompany the excellent selection of color photographs, charts, and graphs. Report writers will appreciate this stellar series. BODDEN, Valerie. Critical Plant Life. ISBN 978-1-58341-984-7. LC 2009028047. ————. Environmental Law. ISBN 978-1-58341-981-6. LC 2009028049. ————. The Threat of Overpopulation. reprods. ISBN 978-1-58341-983-0. LC 2009028052. ————. The War on Waste. reprods. ISBN 978-1-58341-985-4. LC 2009028053. ————. Water for Life. reprods. ISBN 978-1-58341-986-1. LC 2009028054. ————. Wildlife in Danger. reprods. ISBN 978-1-58341-987-8. LC 2009028055. GUNDERSON, Jessica. The Energy Dilemma. reprods. ISBN 978-1-58341-980-9. LC 2009028048. ————. Global Warming. reprods. ISBN 978-1-58341-982-3. LC 2009028051. ea vol: 48p. (Earth Issues Series). photos. bibliog. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Creative Education. 2010. PLB $23.95. Gr 5-7—Like the books in Amicus's "Sustaining Our Environment," these titles examine the critical factors forcing our planet into its precarious environmental state, but this series also includes books dedicated to environmental law and plant and wildlife conservation. The insightful, in-depth discussions offer history, current events, important dates, and pertinent examples. Page layouts consist of text and large, captioned photographs. Aside from chapter titles, the main text lacks headers or any other design elements to break up the large blocks of text, and the sidebars share identical headers. Despite an index, researchers will find it difficult to navigate the long passages of uniform, unvaried text. GOLDSWORTHY, Steve. The Top 10 Ways You Can Travel Green. map. reprods. ISBN 978-1-61690-085-4; ISBN 978-1-61690-086-1. LC 2010039116. WINNICK, Nick. The Top 10 Ways to Make Green Power. map. ISBN 978-1-61690-097-7; ISBN 978-1-61690-098-4. LC 2010039035. ————. The Top 10 Ways You Can Build Green. map. ISBN 978-1-61690-088-5; ISBN 978-1-61690-089-2. LC 2010039031. ————. The Top 10 Ways You Can Reduce Waste. ISBN 978-1-61690-100-4; ISBN 978-1-61690-101-1. LC 2010039117. YASUDA, Anita. The Top 10 Green Ideas. map. ISBN 978-1-61690-094-6; ISBN 978-1-61690-095-3. LC 2010039036. ————. The Top 10 Ways You Can Eat Green. maps. ISBN 978-1-61690-091-5; ISBN 978-1-61690-092-2. LC 2010039034. ea vol: 30p. (Being Green Series). photos. glossary. index. Web sites. Weigl. 2010. PLB $28.55; pap. $12.95; ebook free with print purchase. Gr 4-6—This fine series explores ways in which readers can reduce their carbon footprints, educating them to be more mindful of their daily habits and choices. The informative texts are organized into appealing visual presentations. Spreads open with an introductory paragraph superimposed on a large photograph. On the opposite page, black lines separate text and its corresponding color photograph into easily recognizable blocks. Each book includes a description of two green careers, a review quiz, and a debate topic. Using codes provided in the books, readers can access the publisher's AV2 website for audio, video, web links, and downloadable worksheets. This supplementary material is a mixed bag. The videos, each about 1-to-4 minutes long, are interesting, but some are preceded by a commercial advertisement. HEINRICHS, Ann. Sustaining Earth's Energy Resources. charts. diag. ISBN 978-0-7614-4007-9; ISBN 978-1-60870-310-4. LC 2008042010. PETERSEN, Christine. Controlling Earth's Pollutants. charts. diags. ISBN 978-0-7614-4005-5; ISBN 978-1-60870-308-1. LC 2008030816. ————. Earth's Changing Climate. charts. illus. map. ISBN 978-0-7614-4006-2; ISBN 978-1-60870-309-8. LC 2008043932. ————. Protecting Earth's Food Supply. chart. ISBN 978-0-7614-4008-6; ISBN 978-1-60870-311-1. LC 2008035949. ————. Renewing Earth's Waters. charts. diags. illus. ISBN 978-0-7614-4004-8; ISBN 978-1-60870-307-4. LC 2008020905. ea vol: 112p. (Environment at Risk Series). photos. reprods. bibliog. further reading. index. notes. Web sites. CIP. Marshall Cavendish. 2010. PLB $39.93; ebook $39.93. Gr 8 Up—This rewarding series provides extensive coverage of compelling environmental issues. The comprehensive discussions include historical background and information on scientific advances, social progress, and legislation, interspersed with facts and figures. Each well-researched book features between 12 and 20 pages of notes. Clean layouts, attractive photographs, and relevant sidebars keep the dense text manageable. Report writers will find the complex problems affecting the Earth made tangible and comprehensible. Providing some unforgiving data and bleak predictions, the books encourage readers to use these as a wake-up call and act. A valuable, succinct series. The Bottom Line

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These series attest to the exceptional quality, range, and depth of books on environmental issues. From the titles on everyday green living, libraries with limited funds should choose ABDO's "Going Green." The conservation and environmental challenges affecting the Earth are complex and far-reaching, and a number of series describing them are outstanding. For elementary school students, Picture Window's "Food Chain Reactions" and Capstone's "Fact Finders: Animals on the Edge" are essential, and at the middle and high school levels, Amicus's "Sustaining Our Environment" and Marshall Cavendish's "Envi