Earth Day

Earth Day was celebrated again this week as it has been since 1970. There’s a site hosted by the U.S. government (opens in a new window) with lots of information on it for parents, teachers, and children.

There’s the history of Earth Day, information from various agencies ranging from the Energy Department ot the Environmental Protection Agency.

But the one thing that I could’t find on it was a list of books — so here are a few books with a green theme that I like.

True Green Kids: 100 Things You Can do to Save the Planet by Kim McKay & Jenny Bonnin (National Geographic) has lots of activities in an attractive format. It suggests easily done activities that an entire family can share.

Part of the “read and find out” science series, Paul Showers’ Where Does the Garbage Go? (opens in a new window)(HarperCollins) remains a useful introduction to landfills as it makes the case for recycling.

And as the Disney movie, Earth, (opens in a new window) demonstrates, animals are very appealing and may just propel people into action. In books, you can meet the same creatures and the issues they confront in a stunning series published by National Geographic. In each book, a professional photographer brings readers literally “Face to Face” with Polar Bears, (opens in a new window) with Elephants, (opens in a new window) with Whales. (opens in a new window)

And of course, The Lorax (opens in a new window) by Dr. Seuss (Random) is the none-too-subtle and ever popular call to arms for readers to avoid the Once-ler’s pitfalls.

So, like the Lorax, let’s remind our kids that “You’re in charge…” and one person — even a small one — can do a whole lot.