Earth day and the stories in nonfiction

I remember when Earth Day (opens in a new window) was first celebrated (but I won’t date myself and tell you where I was in school!). The 40th celebration will take place on April 22, 2010. In other words, Earth Day is older than the children who will celebrate it this year — and probably older than many of their parents.

It really is a worthy celebration. This is the only planet we have to live on with truly unique and diverse, multi-species inhabitants, so it seems fitting to start teaching children at an early age how they can take care of the Earth on which they live.

I had the chance to meet Sy Montgomery (opens in a new window), last week. She not only respects the planet and its residents, she celebrates them through her exciting books. (She was in town to receive the Children’s Book Guild Nonfiction Award (opens in a new window) for her consistently fine body of work.)

What Ms. Montgomery does is find the story in real life, the drama in interacting with some of Earth’s most intriguing and endangered creatures. She contends that every animal (including those with 2, 4 or even those with more legs or no legs at all) can teach us something. And when you read her books about flightless parrots (opens in a new window), snow leopards (opens in a new window), pink dolphins (opens in a new window) or some other intriguing subject, I bet you’ll agree.

Good writing brings nonfiction to life. And there are many fine writers of books for children. In fact, I.N.K. (opens in a new window) (Interesting Nonfiction for Kids) is a blog by some of those writers.

Three of those fine nonfiction authors are participating in a free webinar (opens in a new window) to enhance the K-8 curriculum using nonfiction books. Better hurry though; registration closes at the end of today.)

Earth Day is a great time to bring the natural world into focus and help children realize that not only are they part of it, there’s a lot more to learn about it; that discovery is still possible. And empowering a young person through books and information is truly the best! It’s learning that is fun with lasting effects.