Green Options

So you want to move your green reading offline, but don’t know where to start? Here’s a few recent titles and some eco-classics to get you started.

The green classics. For the nature loving, conservationists look for notable authors such as Aldo Leopold, and Henry David Thoreau. Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring, the book that created an awareness of the effects of DDT, could be considered

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Little Yellow Pear Tomatoes comes from my favorite children’s literature publisher Illumination Arts. In this book, a little girl marvels at the circle of life in her little yellow pear tomatoes. She says, “Everyone and everything-my daddy, my mommy, bugs and worms, clouds and sky, lakes and rivers, the sun and stars-are parts of the tomato you cannot see. Take away any one, and the little yellow [...]

The Carrot Seed has just celebrated its 60th anniversary! This simple, almost Zen-like story tells of a young boy’s determination to grow a carrot, despite his family’s doubts and opposition. The little boy tends the seed, ever patient, keeping his expectations high. In the end, he is rewarded with a carrot so large, it has to be hauled with a wheelbarrow. Not only does this book teach [...]

A few years ago, we received A Handful of Sunshineby Melanie Eclare for my daughter’s birthday. This delightful gardening book follows the life of a gigantic sunflower grown by Tilda. Real photographs of Tilda’s sunflower growing experience accompany the text of A Handful of Sunshine. I particularly like Tilda’s sense of style with her rubber boots and striped [...]

How Groundhog’s Garden Grew,written and illustrated by Lynne Cherry, is a wonderful book about gardening,and we are thankful we received this gift from our midwife! The story begins with Groundhog stealing food from his friend’s garden, which of course leads to trouble. His friend Squirrel steps in to help teach Groundhog how to grow his own garden. Squirrel teaches him how to cut potatoes for [...]

With environmental issues on the forefront of many peoples minds these days, there has been an increase of children’s literature on the subject. My Body My House is one such book that focuses on the choices we make in our home that affect our body’s health. Written by Lisa Beres and illustrated by Juila Woolf, My Body My House addresses “sick building syndrome“, suspected as being responsible for almost half of the illnesses in [...]

Unless it's a heavily highlighted course text, many books don't get much wear and tear on a read through. Whether you're looking for some fun summer reading or want to clear out some old books here's a few things to think about when it comes to books.

Sign up for an online book exchange service. If you're searching for a particular title or want to share some of your recent reads with others

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Hello Helloby Dan Zanes and illustrated by Donald Saaf is based on Dan Zane’s excellent children’s song by the same name. The text/lyrics are very optimistic, speaking of the potential of each day and ending with a multicultural image and words for hello: konnichiwa, namaste, hallo, bonjour, etc. Hello Hellocomes with a cd, featuring five Dan Zane’s songs. [...]

Reading aloud to a child is perhaps the single most important activity parents can do to help their child’s developing mind. The benefits of reading aloud to children also extends to seaking meaning from the messages present in the literature. Storybook content and illustrations provide a catalyst for discussing the green values expressed by the author and/or illustrator and espoused by your family. There are many wonderful children’s books that use the narrative form to express [...]

One of our readers recommended Cinder Edna, a wonderful, more feminist version of the classic tale of Cinderella by Ellen Jackson. There are many different versions of Cinderella from various cultures, but the common theme is that a poor girl’s only way our of her deplorable situation is the handsome prince, not Cinder Edna.

Cinder EdnaClick to Continue Reading