Awesome Earth Day reads to try
April 22nd marks the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. Regardless of your stance on global warming, one thing is certain — we need to take better care of the only place we have to live — Earth.
There will be Global Days of Service on April 17 and 18 on which millions around the globe will work to make their community and the world cleaner and more sustainable.
These and other events will take place from April 17th through April 25th. Log on to www.earthday.net/earthday2010 to learn more.
Being a good steward of the Earth doesn't end with the conclusion of Earth Day events; it's an every day commitment.
Get youngsters involved in your efforts to take better care of the planet. Jumpstart their interest with books that revolve around this theme, such as those reviewed today. Ask your librarian and bookseller to direct you to others.
Our planet is fragile — we need to take care of it so it can take care of us. Make the commitment to join in the campaign to save the Earth so that our children and their children will have a clean, safe place to live.
The following book is available at many public libraries.<B>"Ryan and Jimmy and the Well in Africa That Brought Them Together" </B>by Herb Shoveller, photographs from various sources, Kids Can Press, 56 pages; read aloud: age 8 and older; read yourself: age 9 and older.In 1998, Ryan Hreljac was in first grade when he learned that one of the most serious problems facing people in other parts of the world was the lack of safe drinking water. Ryan decided he must do something to change that.Through hard work to raise money and the generosity of many, Ryan reached his goal to have a well built in Agweo, Uganda.When Ryan visited Agweo for a special tribute to him, he met his pen pal, the orphaned Akana Jimmy. The two boys bonded immediately, and over the next several years, they corresponded frequently until finally, Akana Jimmy came to visit Jimmy and eventually became part of the Hreljac family.An outstanding, remarkable true story of one young boy's determination to do good, this selection excels.
<B>Library:</B> Saxonburg Library, 240 W. Main St., Saxonburg<B>Library Director:</B> Steve Twentier<B>Children's Programmer:</B> Judy O'Brokta<B>Choices this week: "Little Beaver and the Echo"</B> by Amy MacDonald; <B>"Jam and Jelly by Holly and Nellie"</B> by Gloria Whelan; <B>"The Boy Who Lost His Face</B>" by Louis Sachar
The following books are available at favorite bookstores.<B>"The Adventures of an Aluminum Can: A Story About Recycling" </B>by Alison Inches, illustrated by Mark Chambers, Little Simon, 2009, 24 pages, $3.99 paperback; read aloud: age 4 to 5 and older; read yourself: age 8 and older.Read the diary of a speck of aluminum as it takes its journey from being buried underground to the processing plant, the different phases it goes through, and how it is first made into a can.Suddenly the aluminum is on a store shelf, is purchased, its contents are consumed, and it's off to the recycling plant to become something else — an aluminum baseball bat!Written in a lively manner and supported with fun illustrations, this "Little Green Book" is packed with information. There are several titles in this Earth-friendly series. Find out more at www.SimonLittleGreen.com.<B>"Arbor Day Square"</B> by Kathryn O. Galbraith, illustrated by Cyd Moore, Peachtree, 2010, 32 pages, $16.95 hardcover; read aloud: age 4 to 8; read yourself: age 8 to 9.Katie and her papa live in a small town on the prairie. Like many folks in the 1800s, Katie and her papa have moved to the prairie from the East.As new buildings spring up and more people move to their town, folks begin talking about what is missing — there are no trees on the prairie.At a town meeting, everyone agrees that a proper town must have trees. And so, their project begins, gathering a collection of coins and ordering their first 15 trees.Though small at first, the trees grow, and every year thereafter, the town folks plant more trees. Trees and the town grow side by side, creating a place of beauty for everyone.Warm, inviting illustrations blend with this charming story about the importance of trees, community spirit, and an event that led to the establishment of Arbor Day on April 10, 1872.Nationally syndicated, Kendal Rautzhan writes and lectures on children's literature. She can be reached via e-mail: kendal@sunlink.net.
