Product: The New 50 Simple Things Kids Can Do to Save the Earth by EarthWorks Group’s John Javna (plus some kids) published by Andrews McMeel Publishing

Cost: $8.83 at Amazon.com

Reviewers: Myself and my eight-year-old Cedar

What I like about the book:

The book was printed on recycled paper with soy ink!

Kids were involved in writing this book. The forward letter to kids is, in fact, by 15 year old Sophie Javna (John’s daughter). She and some other green youth worked as co-authors on this book so there’s actual kid flavor to it.

The old version was good, but this version offers suggestions and tips that meet current needs. I.e the green issues we’re all still working on, Internet resources, and updated statistics.

The language in the book spoke to, not down to kids; very respectful of green youth.

Each of the 50 tips has a “did you know” area with facts about the eco-topic at hand. Then there’s a “what you can do” section, followed by a “see for yourself” or learn more section. I like that it’s the same throughout because smaller kids know what to expect.

There are extras! Besides the 50 tips the back of the book offers 7 fun eco-experiments like how to make paper and a visual smog damage experiment. There are also 4 quick quizzes that test kids knowledge about green topics.

The website for this book ROCKS. There is WAY too much good stuff at the website to discuss, I’d be here typing all day. Note: You will love it, your kids will love it, enough said. Visit today.

My son LOVED this book (minus the web stuff – see below in negatives). He thought the tips were great and could very much understand what the book was telling him. In fact, and this is a true story, he stayed up until 1am asking me to read tip after tip the first night we got the book. He couldn’t get enough and wanted to try all the experiments in this book. The next day at his free school he walked in and started giving speeches to all the other kids and staff related to all sorts of eco-facts he learned in the book. Now, granted, Cedar is around green all the time. We breathe it in at my house, so he’s already big on this topic BUT I think any child would like this book and gain valuable eco-tips.

What I don’t love about the book:

Too many web shenanigans – while I DO like that websites and web resources were included, it’s almost too much in this book. The long urls included confused my eight-year old, although I suspect an older kids would find them easier to navigate. For example; instead of saying, “Visit Powerhousekids.com” they write urls like this, “Find air leaks! Some pointers: powerhousekids.com/stellent2/groups/public/documents/pub/phtv_se_we_gs_000529.hcsp” HOLY! I’m not even sure I typed that in correctly. I see a couple of problems with this. One, little kids (like my son) are overwhelmed by this long url. Two, these links, which pepper the text will possibly be outdated quickly and that will really frustrate people.

My suggestion would be to NOT use so many links throughout the book, but to include a good resource list of links at the back of the book. Less distracting.

No end-of-book index - The front of the book does offer a number by number list of topics; i.e. tip 1, “Recycle Glass page 22″ However, some of the topics are obscure in title like, “It’s the Law page 87″ which really, might mean anything. If you wanted to look up all the topics in this book related to “Garbage” there’s no index to look it up in.

Overall score:

Four out of five happy little trees.

The web stuff (long urls) were super distracting and the book should have an index so when kids say, hey, find that page about so and so, we can. However, my son adored this book – it’s all he wants to read currently and he told me that he’d tell his friends to read it. This book will provide weeks, not just hours of fun and learning, plus it’s very well-priced. I highly recommend picking The New 50 Simple Things Kids Can Do to Save the Earth up for your kids.

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

This book is perfect for kids ages 3 yrs – 6 yrs and is not only a board book (think sturdy for little hands) but is made with 100% recycled materials. The text and images covers ideas such as turning off the tap while brushing your teeth, using both sides of your drawing paper, and how to make plants grow. This is a super primer on green living for little ones. Also, the pictures are way cute, bright and bold.

This book is available at Amazon.

[images via Candlewick Press]

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

This book, appropriate for baby to preschool age children, follows the adventure of one little boy and his reusable bag. Really cool design and a simple message make this book a great find for eco-friendly parents and kids. As a bonus, the book comes with a tot-sized reusable Tyvek shopping bag.

Click here to learn about all the current contests, themes, and green challenges going on at Tree Hugging Family in May 2008

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

Thank you everyone who entered the book giveaway for Big Green Purse. We enjoyed reading about your favorite items to shop for! I’d also like to thank the publisher for sponsoring this contest.

The winner was randomly chosen via a number generator. I included her response below as well.

Congratulations Susanne!

“My favorite to shop for… scrapbook supplies!”

-Susanne

If you didn’t win this book, but you still want to give it a whirl, visit BigGreenPurse.com to order. It’s a very worthwhile green shopping tool. 

Image via BigGreenPurse.com.

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

Honestly, wasn’t Shel Silverstein just way ahead of his time. I mean The Giving Tree was written in 1964. 64 people! That’s incredible. It’s so forward thinking; covering consumption and the need for things. The ability to destroy nature for said things. And yet, of course, in the end nature, or the tree, just keeps on giving. It hard to believe that Silverstein had such a hard time getting it published. No one wanted it at first. Thank goodness for that one publisher who did want it.

It’s just a book, but it feels like life. I choked up as a kid when I heard it, and it still gets me now when I read it to Cedar. This book is a great way to launch into discussions about what nature has to offer us, and how we can choose to act in return. Tonight get out The Giving Tree (you have it right) and give it another read. Read it with your kids.

Post from: Tree Hugging Family