Help kids grow interest in environment

Earth Day is Wednesday. But, you can celebrate it all year round with some of these great new children’s books focused on the environment:

Earth in the Hot Seat” by Marfe Ferguson Delano (National Geographic, $19.95).

For a clear-eyed look at the problem of global warming, using numerous examples, Delano details the signs of global warming, shows how it’s changing our environment and highlights scientists’ suggestions of concrete steps we each can take to limit the damage. (Ages 10-14.)

“101 Ways You Can Help Save the Planet Before You’re 12!” by Joanne O’Sullivan (Lark/Sterling, $14.95) and “True Green Kids: 100 Things You Can Do to Save the Planet” by Kim McKay and Jenny Bonnin (National Geographic, $15.95)

Kids looking for ways to protect the environment will find dozens of ideas in these two new paperbacks. Both are filled with eye-catching photos and both offer similar tips, but O’Sullivan’s gives more specifics and so is great for ages 8-12, while McKay and Bonnin opt for a simpler presentation more suited to ages 7-10.

“Generation Green” by Linda and Tosh Siversten (Simon & Schuster, $10.99)

Sivertsen and her teen-age son wrote the book, which is printed on recycled paper and uses an intriguing “think big” and “think small” format.

“10 Things I Can Do To Help My World” written and illustrated by Melanie Walsh (Candlewick Press, $15.99)

Featuring a die-cut cover and Walsh’s trademark graphic art illustration style, this book is a great example of how even young readers can be educated as they are entertained. (Ages 3-6.)

“Make It!”by Jane Bull (DK, $14.99).

Old newspapers, plastic bottle tops and used cereal boxes are just some of the materials master crafter Jane Bull uses to create fun crafts. (Ages 8 and up; younger children could do projects with adult help.)

SDLqWhat Can You Do With An Old Red Shoe?” written and illustrated by Anna Alter (Henry Holt, $16.95)

Alter offers a dozen craft projects for younger kids that use recycled materials: a flip-flop becomes an art stamp, a T-shirt is transformed into a pillow. Alter’s directions are easy, and her illustrations are charming. While these are kid-friendly projects, Alter also carefully notes when adult assistance is needed. (Ages 6-10.)

“Earth Matters: An Encyclopedia of Ecology” (DK, $24.99)

Hundreds of spectacular photographs combine with a well-written text. With a forward by noted adventurer-explorer David de Rothschild, this book is great for dipping into, or to use as an environmental primer (the book includes a helpful index). (Ages 10 up.)

XKaren MacPherson, the children’s/teen librarian at the Takoma Park, Md., Library, can be reached at Kam.Macpherson(at)gmail.com.

Scripps Howard