The Youngest Activists

Green living comes alive in these series for eco-minded students. Books with recycling pigs, hybrid vehicles, and geothermal heat will help kids learn about and advocate for a greener, cleaner world. While many topics will be familiar, some contain newer information (such as coverage of green-scrapers and how to purchase “fair trade” food) that may be harder to find in older titles. If you find that it’s time to recycle some older volumes in your collection, read on.

Gr 4-7–Students and teachers will appreciate these books’ straightforward format. Each title outlines how individuals can treat the environment better by changing their transportation habits, food consumption, and living and working conditions. Color photographs (most full page) and a few diagrams accompany the informative texts. Long “Just the Facts” sections highlight examples of how people are going green around the world. Useful glossaries and indexes are included. Overall, the series is user-friendly and covers topics that are not easily found elsewhere.

Gr 4-6–This series offers numerous facts and statistics, all of which are cited. Each title starts with an introduction and then provides historical information. For example, Hybrid Cars explains that electric and biofuel vehicles were around in the 1800s, and Wind Power discusses Dutch windmills. Other chapters cover present-day issues and related efforts. The narratives are interspersed with full-color photographs and short “Did You Know…” trivia boxes. Diagrams showing hydrogen-powered engines, wind turbines, and waste-to-energy power plants will satisfy the most curious researchers. Back matter includes detailed resource lists and “Try This!” experiments.

Gr 1-3–The town of To-Be introduces its most popular citizen, Bernard, better known as E.P.–the “Eco Pig.” Bernard teaches his neighbors how to make the world better by adopting simple habits to live greener lives. Creative, bright graphics enhance the rhyming stories and will hold youngsters’ attention. Each title includes vocabulary lists and advice on what readers can do. Also included is a list of facts that relate to the topic, some of which are highly debatable (such as the claim that “One in four animals is in danger of becoming extinct”), and there are no source notes.

Gr 2-5–These books provide straightforward information in chapter spreads such as “Greener Transportation” (Global Warming), “Some Common Invaders” (Invasive Species), and “What Can Be Recycled?” (Trash), all complemented by full-page, color photographs. The authors define each topic and provide examples and “What Can We Do?” sections. Links for further information about each topic are housed at the publisher’s Web site (which allows feedback so that readers can suggest more sites). Though there are no citations, the information is so matter-of-fact that the lack of them does not detract from the series’ intent.

Gr 3-6–These books read like accessible, over-the-top encyclopedia entries, with facts and statistics so captivating that students will want to read more. Each title outlines the history of the topic, defining terms and providing diagrams as needed, with the focus then shifting to possible solutions. A “What Can We Do?” section concludes each volume, and provides practical steps that students can take to improve the conditions addressed in the book. Other useful features include “Fact Files” containing interesting (un-cited) facts related to the topic, and thorough indexes. Though the British English might raise a few terminology questions, the books’ large print and color photographs will make this series attractive to readers, especially those who are struggling.

Gr 2-4–This simple, easy-to-follow resource points to types of fuels available and how they are best utilized. Richards defines each source, categorizes it as renewable or sustainable, and explains how it is harnessed and managed. Bright photographs dominate the simple texts, which will prove good companions for research projects since they are filled with basic information. “Using Less Energy” and “How Can We Help” sections give practical steps that students can implement.

While each series offers similar information, some stand out as better resources for research. Mitchell Lane’s “Tell Your Parents” will engage stronger readers and point them to many resources that will further their research. Bearport’s “Going Green” contains unusual topics that are absorbing and well presented. Sea-to-Sea’s “Earth SOS” will also answer many questions for environmental projects. Students who need simpler titles should look to Marshall Cavendish’s “Energy Choices” for help, while Rosen’s “Protecting Our Planet” is also straightforward and will supplement environmental collections. While the illustrations and rhymes in ABDO’s “Eco-Pig” are entertaining, it might be best to stick to the storyline and skip the facts at the end of each title.

Ann Brownson, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston

Gr 3-6–This delightful series highlights the habitats of a variety of creatures, from tiny one-celled corals to bats, beavers, and prairie dogs. Through excellent photographs, high-interest texts, sidebars, maps, and other material, children learn about both the animals and their habitats. The species are shown not only within their own kind, but also in relation to those that share the habitat. For example, coral reefs are discussed in terms of the individual corals that make up the organism, and in relation to other animals that inhabit it and environmental situations that benefit or threaten it. Each book also provides brief profiles of animals with similar habitats. The publisher’s Web site provides links to other Web sites and activities about each animal profiled. These books are much better than average “report” titles.

Gr 3-5–In this series, a minibeast is defined as an invertebrate—usually an insect, but not always. Approximately 20 animals are described in each title, with information on life cycles, diet, habitats, and survival. The description of each animal includes a depiction of its true size, since the colorful, interestingly captioned photos often show the minibeasts greatly magnified. Sidebars offer interesting facts about each one, and the books also describe activities that can be done in each type of habitat that will encourage young scientists’ observational skills. A closing identification guide gives information, in the form of a chart, about the animals profiled in the book and other invertebrates that may be found in the same habitat. There is some repetition found across some of the books, particularly in Compost Heap, Soil, and Stone. All three of these titles include information on slugs, snails, and centipedes. However, this series will work both for assignments and for budding invertebrate zoologists.