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Kelsey, Elin. Not Your Typical Book About the Environment. Toronto, Ontario: Owlkids Books Inc., 2010. Age Range: 9 and up Publisher's Description: This is an intriguing, fact-filled book about saving the environment in unusual ways. Imaginative, comic-booklike illustrations add to a lively layout that will keep readers moving from one paragraph to the next, and funny wordplay prevents the facts from becoming overwhelming or dry. The accessible narrative will help readers to realize how their purchases of food, clothes, and electronic equipment nurture or hurt the world around them, and achievable goals and ideas will enable them to pitch in and help. The concluding chapter discusses new and unique ways to create energy. Each chapter ends with an "Elin Explains" spread that describes ecological interrelatedness ("How Video Games and Cell Phones Are Connected to Gorillas") in a graphic-novel format. This hilarious, information-packed work is an excellent addition

Rohmer, Harriet. Heroes of the Environment: True Stories of People who are Helping to Protect Our Planet. San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books, 2009. Age Range: 9 and up Publisher's Description: Rather than featuring the usual roundup of environmental heroes, this title spotlights 12 contemporary conservationists who are working to fight pollution in cities, oceans, and wetlands, from Alaska to Mexico City. Many of the featured activists are young people. At age 11, Alex Lin started a campaign in Rhode Island for the safe disposal of electronic waste ("Today's technology should not become tomorrow's toxic trash"). Erica Fernandez, a teenage Mexican immigrant in California, led a successful fight to prevent a pipeline that would transport highly explosive gas through her neighborhood. Julia Bonds, a coal-miner's daughter in Appalachia, is working to replace coal with wind power. The book's format is lackluster, but the black-and-white photos do show the individuals at work in their communities. The powerful mix of personal stories with crucial environmental and social issues will be a call to action for young readers, who will want to move on to the final section: "How You Can Get Involved."

Do you want to help the environment and keep you, your family and your friends healthy? With EcoKids you can! There are all kinds of ways for kids to take action, and every couple months we'll show you two new ones. They're fun, they're easy, and they help make the planet a little greener. Every bit helps, so take action today!

Donald, Rhonda Lucas. Recycling (True Books: Environment). New York, NY: Children's Press, 2001. Age Range: 7 and up Publisher's Description: Ideal for today's young investigative reader, each A True Book includes lively sidebars, a glossary and index, plus a comprehensive "To Find Out More" section listing books, organizations, and Internet sites. A staple of library collections since the 1950s, the new A True Book series is the definitive nonfiction series for elementary school readers.

The Environmental Literacy Council (ELC) is an independent, nonprofit organization made up of scientists, economists and educators striving to connect teachers and students to science-based information on environmental issues. ELC's website offers more than 1,000 pages of background information and resources on environmental topics-Air & Climate, Land, Water, Ecosystems, Energy, Food, Environment & Society-along with curricular materials.

In a world of rapidly evolving agricultural technologies, two billion people, including a large number of farmers, remain malnourished - and an increasing proportion of those farmers are women. Misaligned incentives focused on quantity instead of content create significant harm to global health, wellness, and the environment. But it doesn't have to be this way. Increasingly, people are looking at nutrients as the core deliverable and designing direct nutrient interventions in ecosystems, farming, food production and wellness. "Nutrients for All" explores the steps we can all take to realize that future and the benefits if we do so.

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.

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.

In November 2012 the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 21 March the International Day of Forests. The aim of the Day is to celebrate all types of forest and raise awareness of sustainable management, conservation and sustainable development for the benefit of current and future generations.

Yann Arthus-Bertrand was appointed by the United Nations to produce the official film for the International Year of Forests. Following the success of Home which was seen by 400 million people, the photographer began producing a short 7-minute film on forests made up of aerial images from Home and the Earth from Above television programmes. This film will be shown during a plenary session of the Ninth Session of United Nations Forum on Forests (24 January - 4 February 2011) in New York. It will be available to all from February 2 - for free - so that it can be shown worldwide. To have all information or to download the movie offorestsandmen.org

The GoodPlanet Foundation's mission is to raise awareness and educate the general public about environmental protection. It encourages us to adopt a way of life that is more respectful of the Earth and its inhabitants. It offers realistic and optimistic solutions, and encourages each individual to take action for the planet using a series of programs in order to "bring ecology to the forefront of awareness".

The Earth's population is soaring, but its resources are finite. Can we provide food, water, energy - and televisions, cars and holidays - for everyone, and leave future generations more than a planet-sized rubbish tip? BBC News Online explores sustainable development in a six-part special.

Seuss, Dr. The Lorax. New York: Random House, Inc., 1971. Age Range: 6 - 9 years Publisher's Description: When Dr. Seuss gets serious, you know it must be important. Published in 1971, and perhaps inspired by the "save our planet" mindset of the 1960s, The Lorax is an ecological warning that still rings true today amidst the dangers of clear-cutting, pollution, and disregard for the earth's environment. In The Lorax, we find what we've come to expect from the illustrious doctor: brilliantly whimsical rhymes, delightfully original creatures, and weirdly undulating illustrations. But here there is also something more--a powerful message that Seuss implores both adults and children to heed.

Harper, Joel. All the Way to the Ocean. Claremont, CA: Freedom Three Publishing, 2006. Age Range: 9 and up Publisher's Description: An uplifting story about two best friends, Isaac and James, and their discovery of the cause and effect relationship between our cities' storm drains and the world's oceans, lakes and rivers. It is sure to inspire both young and adult readers alike and teach a timeless life lesson--If we all do our part, a cleaner, safer environment is indeed within our reach.

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.

Winter, Jeanette. Wangari's Trees of Peace: A True Story from Africa. New York: Harcourt, Inc., 2008 Age Range: 4 - 8 years As a young girl growing up in Kenya, Wangari was surrounded by trees. But years later when she returns home, she is shocked to see whole forests being cut down, and she knows that soon all the trees will be destroyed. So Wangari decides to do something-and starts by planting nine seedlings in her own backyard. And as they grow, so do her plans. . . . This true story of Wangari Maathai, environmentalist and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, is a shining example of how one woman's passion, vision, and determination inspired great change. Includes an author's note. This book was printed on 100% recycled paper with 50% postconsumer waste.

Rockliff, Mara. Get Real: What Kind of World are YOU Buying? Philadelphia, PA: Running Press Kids, 2010. Age Range: 10 and up Publisher's Description: Rockliff outlines how mass consumerism is harming our planet, and specifically how teens can use their purchasing power to enact change. She cites examples of products that teens use frequently (high-tech electronics, clothing, junk food, etc.) and explains how their production often harms the people who make them, the environment, and, potentially, the end consumer. She explains that a chocolate bar was most likely made with cacao beans harvested by exploited workers, and that a cell phone contains enough heavy metals to seriously harm our groundwater. She covers (un)fair labor practices, environmental pillaging, factory farming, excessive marketing, local vs. corporate stores, and the pervasive throwaway mentality that drives the whole cycle. The author's in-your-face approach makes her points while still engaging readers-she is never didactic or overbearing. She encourages teens to make a difference in their world by making small changes to things they do already-buying fair-trade chocolate or saving up for an organic cotton T-shirt. The pop-art illustrations are clever and illustrative of many points. The impressive bibliography provides lists of documentaries, websites, books, articles, and other sources to help teens find out how their favorite products came to be (and came to be so cheap). Learning more about how these products are made just might make some teens think twice about their buying habits.

Bedford, Deborah Jackson. Garbage Disposal: Action for the Environment. North Mankato, MN: Smart Apple Media, 2006. Age Range: 9 and up Publisher's Description: Deborah Jackson Bedford discusses successful landfill and incineration alternatives, the 3Rs (reduce, recycle and reuse), composting and responsible living.

Jablow, Renee. Hey, That's Not Trash! But Which Bin Does It Go In? New York, NY: Little Simon, 2011. Age Range: 4 and up Publisher's Description: Young readers learn the difference between trash and recyclables in this new, interactive format. Fun, rhyming text shows that everyday paper, plastic and metal trash can serve a bigger purpose when they are recycled! Each page features press-out pieces in the shape of everyday objects. Little ones can practice placing plastics, paper and metal in the correct bins by dropping these play pieces into the three compartments embedded on the front cover. Taking care of the environment has never been so much fun!

Susan Campbell Bartoletti, Kids on Strike! (New York: Sandpiper, 2003). Age Level: 9 and up Publisher Description: By the early 1900s, nearly two million children were working in the United States. From the coal mines of Pennsylvania to the cotton mills of New England, children worked long hours every day under stunningly inhumane conditions. After years and years of oppression, children began to organize and make demands for better wages, fairer housing costs, and safer working environments. Some strikes led by young people were successful; some were not. Some strike stories are shocking, some are heartbreaking, and many are inspiring - but all are a testimony to the strength of mind and spirit of the children who helped build American industry.