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Willie Nelson, Coldplay, Chipotle and director Johnny Kelly have made a creative alliance with the Chipotle Cultivate Foundation to create BACK TO THE START, a short animated film highlighting the issue of sustainable farming. Chipotle founder Steve Ells met with Johnny Kelly in London to talk about his passionate efforts to source food on a more sustainable and ethical basis. Music legend Willie Nelson, well known for his support of family farmers, was a perfect collaborator for the music.

CRC Article 24 Every child has the right to food and nutrition. Animated by Elphin Lloyd-Jones. Telemagination, England.

For the whole of modern civilization, humans have attempted and failed to eradicate poverty. What can we learn from generations of failed efforts? Using a combination of animation, archival material, live action, anecdote, and humor, Poor Us looks at mankind's periodic efforts to alleviate poverty with the hope that we will get a better sense of how to move forward.

In this animation video from UNICEF brother and sister duo Jack and Ruby explore the Convention on the Rights of the Child and what it means to them.

This video is now blocked by a password. I wonder if/how we can access it...

GLOBECHANGERS is based on a simple TEN STEP PLAN designed to take young Americans 25 or under from ideation to implementation as quickly and comprehensively as possible. The TEN STEP PLAN is animated right here on our state-of-the- art website, with video explanations, document creation tools, and a mountain of examples to stimulate imagination and get results. As you move through the plan, from "Think Big" to "Communicate," you're not just accomplishing a project: you're gaining valuable leadership life skills, like successful communication and marketing, or fund raising. The tools and skills offered to our Globechangers are the same skills that Jefferson Awards founder Sam Beard developed over 50 years in public service working with seven different US Presidents. As Sam puts it, "If I can create and run a program for seven different Presidents of the United States, SO CAN YOU. And here's how - Step by Step."

Using a fun, interactive style, Spriggles: Health & Nutrition introduces your child to important concepts he or she will use for life. "Eat a balanced meal, Seal" opens the door to discussing the importance of selecting foods which provide the proper balance of vitamins and nutrients. "Take a bath, Giraffe" lets you explain the need for proper hygiene, reinforcing it with "Scrub between your toes, Crows." Spriggles: Health & Nutrition will increase your child's vocabulary, teaching them words such as healthy, active, and energy, while at the same time increasing their recognition of different animals. It's fun and beneficial!

Cherry, Lynne. A River Ran Wild. San Diego, CA: Voyager Books, 2002. Age Range: 6 - 9 years Publisher's Description: In the 15th century, when native people first settled on the banks of the river now called the Nashua, it was a fertile and beautiful place. By the 1960s, the river valley had been ravaged by many years of serious pollution , and fish, birds, and other animals were no longer seen in the area. Through the efforts of Marion Stoddart and the Nashua River Watershed Association, laws were passed that resulted in the restoration of this river and the protection of all rivers. The author gets high marks for documenting the negative impact of industry on the environment and for highlighting the difference one determined person can make. However, young readers lacking historical background need more facts and dates than are included here. Cherry uses borders on pages that detail, for example, some of the inventions conceived in the 19th century; inexplicably, most are labeled but only some are dated. Her note and the maps on the endpapers, which include a timeline, also help to place the events in context. The watercolor and colored-pencil illustrations are sweeping in their subject matter and adequately convey the physical deterioration of the watershed. However, one picture is misleading; although all the animals depicted live in this habitat, they would not all be seen together. The current concern over the environment will make this a sought-after title, since it is brief enough to read aloud to groups of children. With assistance from informed adult readers, it makes an important contribution to literature on water pollution.

Cherry, Lynne. The Great Kapok Tree. San Diego, CA: Voyager Books, 2000. Age Range: 4 - 8 years Publisher's Description: If a tree falls in the forest... someone or something will always be there to hear it. Many, many creatures will feel the effects when their source of sustenance and shelter falls to the earth. So when a man is sent into the Amazon rain forest one day, under instructions to chop down a great kapok tree, many eyes watch him nervously. It's not long before he grows tired, though, and the "heat and hum" of the rain forest lulls him to sleep. One by one, snakes, bees, monkeys, birds, frogs, and even a jaguar emerge from the jungle canopy to plead with the sleeping ax-man to spare their home. When the man awakens, startled at all the rare and marvelous animals surrounding him, he picks up his ax as if to begin chopping again, then drops it and walks away, presumably never to return. Unfortunately, there's always someone else who is willing to take his place, but the message of this environmental book is plain: Save the rain forest! The story itself is not overly compelling, but each personalized entreaty from the animals provides an accurate and persuasive scientific argument for preserving nature's gifts. Lynne Cherry's fertile watercolor and colored-pencil illustrations, including a map of the tropical rain forests of the world, are vivid and colorful. A fine starting point for a discussion about conservation.

Atkins, Jeannine, and Venantius J. Pinto. Aani & the Tree Huggers. New York: LEE & LOW BOOKS, Inc., 1995. Age Range: 6 and up Based on true events in northern India, this is the story of a little girl's bravery. One day, Aani hears the roaring of the tree cutters. Hoping to get the workers to put down their saws and hatchets, Aani and the village women explain that the trees provide food, fuel, and homes for animals, but to no avail. Finally, Aani wraps her body around one of the trees, with surprising results. Distinctive color illustrations, inspired by Indian miniature painting, accompany the moving story.

Harvey Croze, Africa for Kids: Exploring a Vibrant Continent, 19 Activities (Chicago: Chicago Review Press, 2006). Age Level: 9 and up Publisher Description: Africa is brought to life in this imaginative look at the plants, animals, and people that make it such a fascinating continent. Studies of both traditional tribes and modern African cities showcase Africa's diversity, and authentic activities allow kids to dive into the rich culture by making a Maasai bivouac shelter, writing a fable in the African style, working as a field biologist, making a ritual elephant mask, and learning to tie an African Kanga dress. This cross-cultural study also shows kids what challenges Africa faces today while giving them a look at what it is like to live on this interesting continent.

Susan Bame Hoover and Maggie Sykora, Faith the Cow (Elgin: Brethren Press, 1995). Age Level: 4 and up Grade Level: Pre-K and up Publisher Description: Captivating story of the first animal sent overseas through Heifer Project International. Organization Affiliation: Heifer International

BrainPop. "Nutrition." Accessed March 25, 2013. http://www.brainpop.com/health/nutrition/nutrition/ Grade Level: 4-5 Description: In this educational animated movie about Health learn about food, eating, diets, fats, carbohydrates, proteins, and vitamins. There are also interactive activities and lesson ideas that correspond with the video.

Goodman, Polly. Coasts: Earth in Danger. London, England: Hodder Wayland, 2001. Age Range: 7 and up Publisher's Description: Most of the Earth's people live near coasts. Many animals and plants also make their homes here. This book tells you how coasts can be damaged or protected. It also helps you to find out how pollution and tourism are changing coastal life.

Glaser, Linda. Our Big Home. Minneapolis, MN: Millbrook Press, 2000. Age Range: 5 and up Publisher's Description: A joyful celebration of the Earth with the important environmental message that we share the planet not only with all the various people of the world, but with the plant and animal worlds as well. The loosely rhymed poem describes water, sun, soil, air, wind, sky, night, and moon and serves as a breezy introduction to ecological interdependence. Kleven's colorful artwork is full of subtle detail and depicts children and adults playing, dancing, relaxing, and working all over the world-from the African plain to a Caribbean island to a South American mountain. The artist uses an effective mix of media, from collage to chalk, to portray depth of scenes and vibrancy of detail. A lively look at "-our big blue-green, growing-sun-warmed-life-giving-precious living home."

Cherry, Lynne. How We Know What We Know about Our Changing Climate: Scientists and Kids Explore Global Warming. Nevada City, CA: Dawn Publications, 2008. Age Range: 10 and up Publisher's Description: Cherry and Braasch introduce readers to scientists around the world whose research contributes to an understanding of the causes and consequences of global warming. They also describe the work of citizen scientists, including children, whose observations contribute to knowledge about important changes that are occurring. Studies range from documenting bloom dates of trees and flowers to extracting mud cores from the ocean floor. Small color photographs show the fieldwork and experiments of scientists and students. Even though many findings indicate a grim outlook for plant and animal life, including humans, if the current trends continue, the authors consistently note ways in which students can have a positive impact by making personal choices and influencing public policy. A concluding spread identifies the more than 40 scientists mentioned in the text. The book's wide-ranging exploration of scientific studies and the encouragement to people of every age to become citizen scientists and active participants for change make this a valuable purchase.

Amsel, Sheri. 365 Ways to Live Green for Kids: Saving the Environment at Home, School, or at Play--Every Day! Avon, MA: Adams Media, 2009. Age Range: 9 and up Publisher's Description: In the green-conscious world we live in today, parents realize the importance of teaching the lessons of green living, early on. With this book, parents can encourage their children to be ecologically friendly with fun lessons such as: the three R's: reducing waste, reusing materials, and recycling; why we should keep the air, oceans, and forests pollution-free; why organic food is tastier and better for you; how to protect plants and animals; and Earth Day celebrations. Complete with tips for every day of the year and activities for home, school, and during playtime this book reveals how easy it is to be an ecofriendly family and prepare for a better future together.

Price, Sean. Water Pollution: Saving Our World. Tarrytown, NY: Marshall Cavendish Corporation, 2008. Age Range: 9 and up Publisher's Description: Thousands of animals are dying because of water pollution. Read about all the different things that are polluting the waters-causing terrible pollution disasters-in this amazing book. The powerful images clearly show the causes and effects of water pollution, and the easy-to-read text explains how you can help change things for the better.

Johnson, Jen Cullerton. Seeds of Change: Wangari's Gift to the World. New York, NY: Lee & Low Books, 2010. Age Range: 7 and up Publisher's Description: As a young girl in Kenya, Wangari was taught to respect nature. She grew up loving the land, plants, and animals that surrounded her -from the giant mugumo trees her people, the Kikuyu, revered to the tiny tadpoles that swam in the river. Although most Kenyan girls were not educated, Wangari, curious and hardworking, was allowed to go to school. There, her mind sprouted like a seed. She excelled at science and went on to study in the United States. After returning home, Wangari blazed a trail across Kenya, using her knowledge and compassion to promote the rights of her countrywomen and to help save the land, one tree at a time. Seeds of Change: Planting a Path to Peace brings to life the empowering story of Wangari Maathai, the first African woman, and environmentalist, to win a Nobel Peace Prize. Engaging narrative and vibrant images paint a robust portrait of this inspiring champion of the land and of women's rights.

Caduto, Michael J. Riparia's River. Gardiner, ME: Tillbury House Publishers, 2011. Age Range: 8 and up Publisher's Description: Riparia's River is an eco-tale for children that teaches both the cause and the creation of solutions for non-point pollution of flowing water streams and rivers. Filled with lush, sun-splashed watercolor paintings of river and riverside habitat and the birds, insects, and plants that shelter there, Riparia's River is a beautiful teaching fable for children in elementary grades 3-6. A group of friends discovers their favorite swimming spot on the river is polluted, and harmful to the fish and animals that live in it. They are taught by a lady naturalist named Riparia what can be done to clean and repair the riverbanks and restore clean river habitat. The children cooperate and work with a will, inviting others to help when their replanting of riverside plants project grows. Riparia's River is a wonderful, empowering story for children who will inherit tomorrow the rivers, habitat, and creatures of today s ongoing stewardship. A nice community spirit message is embedded in the illustrations use of multiracial profiles for all the children, conveying the added idea that cleaning up our rivers and habitat is a global concern.