The EARTH Book

March 1, 2010
In Parr's signature chunky style, smiley-faced kids share what they love about the planet and what they do to protect it. “I turn off the faucet while I brush my teeth,” says a purple boy in a hot pink bathroom. On another spread, two figures stand in a sunny garden with neatly planted rows of produce: “I love watching things grow and I want there to be enough food for everyone.” The earnest message springs off the page. Ages 4–8.

March 1, 2010
Preschool-G With illustrations that look as though they might have been done by enthusiastic children themselves, Parrs book offers first-person advice about ways to take care of the earth. Although the suggestions are fine (I turn off the faucet while I brush my teeth) the reasons behind the actions (because I love the fish) could use more explanation for such a young audience. The strong appeal comes from the simple artwork done in Parrs signature style, which features pure colors, objects and people outlined in thick black ink, and kids whose round faces are comprised of two dots for eyes and upturned lines for mouths. Young children will get a kick out of the vivid art (and the funny touches, like a fish wearing glasses); feel helpful when they do things like write on both sides of the paper; and perhaps intuit why protecting the environment is a good thing, if not exactly making the connection between saving paper and saving trees.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)

March 1, 2010
K-Gr 4-The narrator states, "I take care of the earth because I know I can do little things every day to make a BIG difference." Parr then offers a practical catalog of simple activities easily managed by even quite young children, followed by clear explanations of how those simple things can have a large impact on the health of our planet. "I use both sides of the paper and bring my own bags to market because]I love the trees and I want the owls to have a place to live." The book is "printed with recycled materials and nontoxic soy inks." The vibrantly colored cartoons with heavy black outlines resemble those a child might create. Useful as an introduction to the subject, this is a bright and cheerful presentation."Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ"

Copyright 2010 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2010
"I remember to turn off the lights and shut the refrigerator to save energy because...I love the polar bears and I want the snowmen to stay cool." Earth-friendly actions are followed--with a page turn--by their purpose. The pairings aren't perfectly logical, but they're absolutely kid-inspired. Parr's comfortably familiar, always vibrant illustrations are a fitting match for the playful text.

(Copyright 2010 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)