What Does Green Mean?

November 1, 2011

K-Gr 2-Like the "Green Earth Discovery Library" series (Rourke), these titles introduce simple green-living choices along with science basics. They discuss the harm people have done to the environment and how by implementing eco-friendly changes readers can help save the Earth. The brief, age-appropriate texts deliver excellent information about science concepts, such as the water cycle and ecosystems. Other topics covered include pollution, global warming, organic gardening, water as a resource, endangered and extinct species, habitats, invasive plants, carbon footprints, and living green. Images of pristine landscapes contrast with those of nature blighted by trash and pollution. The close-up shots of wildlife in their natural habitats are especially eye-catching. Recommended for the outstanding photographs and interesting fact-filled text.

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 15, 2012
Grades 1-3 This entry into the Green Earth Discovery Library series begins with a question: Everyone talks about living green, but what does green mean? It's a perfect beginning; no doubt kids struggle when first hearing the term. Webb then offers readers ways to wrap their heads around it: Living green means making big and small choices that are gentle on the Earth. Then come the lessons about eco-friendly materials, organic and sustainable farms, and more. Unlike many nonfiction books for this age range, this title does not relegate its simple sentences to one uniform position upon the page; rather, they are placed around the prevalent color photos, which star a cast of multicultural kids cavorting across lawns. Webb stumbles a bit when she approaches the more complicated issue of greenhouse gases. A diagram of how the gases trap heat is acceptable, but the following chart on how to gauge your carbon footprint is confusing. Thankfully, much clearer is the grid in the back matter allowing readers to chart their footprint through shower time, servings of meat, and so on.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)