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Puku Reviews Queen of Green

by Bontle on 25 May 2010   |   

This book by Jacqui Taylor is ideal for preschools, or for parents who want to teach their kids about caring for the planet. The message is put across with bright pictures and poems that are fun to read aloud.

There’s Bella, who hears that going green is the thing to do, and tries to do it with green paint. When her mom explains what going green is all about, she decides to protect the planet as the Queen of Green.

Between the poems are eco facts and bright ideas about turning refuse into re-use and making the most of resources. It’s fun, not at all preachy and will certainly open the debate and get the children thinking.

• Read the complete article at Tonight

Book details

• The Queen of Green by Jacqui Taylor
  EAN: 9781770078123
  Find this book with BOOK Finder!

Queen of Green Teaches Clean and Green Living

by Bontle on 09 Apr 2010   |   

Zimbabwean author and illustrator, Jacqui Taylor, has designed a new children’s book called The Queen of Green. The book is for adults and children alike and teaches them what it means to “go green” and how we can all assist in taking better care of planet earth.

Through the medium of contemporary verses, marvellous illustrations, tips and facts, she goes straight to the heart of the matter – that they need to love the earth. She wants them to realise that they can be a part of the solution, rather than the problem, and have fun at the same time. Concepts such as “global warming” and “climate change” are explained in a way that children will understand. It’s a must for every child; their parents, grandparents, teachers and child carers might discover that they too can learn something new!

Book details

• The Queen of Green by Jacqui Taylor
  EAN: 9781770078123
  Find this book with BOOK Finder!

Grow Your Own Tree Hugger Brings out the Green in Children

by Bontle on 01 Apr 2010   |   

What’s the best way to teach life-long lessons? Present it in a fun, easy-to-understand and meaningful way people will remember for a lifetime. Grow Your Own Tree Hugger takes the practices and philosophy behind eco-conscious and sustainable-savvy living and turns them into 175 projects you can use to share those messages with children of all ages.

Each of the projects include step-by-step instructions, list of ingredients, large-size photo of the completed project, two chat point tips to use in discussing the significance of the project and the reasons change is needed, and a note about where to look for additional information about the topic. The projects you’ll find include:

* Grow sprouting seeds using old sponges to demonstrate the ease and importance of fresh vegetables
* Learn about the impact of global warming through a On Thin Ice project
* Discover the delicious option of growing your own herbs in the Egg Carton Pizza Garden project
* Design your own beach bag by recycling two well-worn bath towels

Celebrate the greater possibilities of a greener generation.

Book details

• Grow Your Own Tree Hugger: 101 activities to teach your child how to live green by Wendy Rosenoff
  EAN: 9781440203671
  Find this book with BOOK Finder!

Environmentalism Becoming the Latest Niche in Children's Books

by Bontle on 08 Feb 2010   |   

Environmentalism is fast becoming the latest niche in children’s books. Besides raising awareness about environmental issues, this new kind of children’s book also seeks to inspire children to action. Lauren Davis wrote Giggles the Green Bean to do just that…inspire children to action.

Then there is also Bobbie Bigfoot, the online creation of Earth Day Network and Redefining Progress, a think tank motivated with creating a sustainable economy and dedicated to social justice. In the book, Bobbie Bigfoot invites kids to “Help me find out how big my Ecological Footprint is.” This sort of environmental literacy is gaining steam in the United States where in Oregon a task team has been appointed to plan initiatives around environmentalism as part of the national “No Child Left Inside” programme.

Giggles the Green Bean has a problem. He’s a happy little seed, planted in some good ground, but he sprouts into a world where the air stinks, the sky is gray and the trees are gasping.

What the …? he says, or something like it, except age-appropriate.

And so begins the newly published adventure, told by Portland author Lauren Davis, of “Giggles the Green Bean Turns Stinkytown Into Greentown.” Guided by his bean grandmother and by a Wise Old Cabbage, Giggles learns five environmentally friendly lessons and spreads the word to others. Thus the town transforms from Stinky to Green.

It’s another turn at instilling environmental sensibilities in youngsters who may not know climate change from diaper change. But that’s OK, isn’t it? Or should we be concerned about heavy-handed green-washing? After all, some of today’s environmentalists were no doubt hauled around in their parents’ big cars, ate fast food and wasted electricity. They heard fairy tales in which wolves got slaughtered just for being wolves, trees and treasure were there for the taking and the bigger the machine, the better.

• Read the complete article at Oregon Live

Book details

• Giggles The Green Bean by Lauren Davis, Michael Fusco
  EAN: 9780967156552
  Find this book with BOOK Finder!

Story of Wangari Maathai Wins the Jane Addams Children's Book Award

by Nonikiwe - Editor on 28 Jan 2010   |   

It’s so great to keep coming across children’s books that tell stories of inspiring people, children need to hear many more of these stories. One such book I recently came across was Planting the Trees of Kenya:The Story of Wangari Maathai by Claire A. Nivola.

The story profiles the first woman from Africa to win the Nobel Peace Prize (2004). Environmentalist and activist Wangari Maathai founded Kenya’s Green Belt Movement (1977) in direct response to the devastated natural resources and poverty caused by the deforestation of her homeland for commercial purposes. In a picture book that glows with orange and green landscapes dotted with bright blue, red, purple and yellow details, Nivola presents Maathai as a steady leader who saw community building as a way to resolve problems. She drew first on her own courage, then on the courage of many women, to sow seeds, nurture seedlings and plant trees. Together, they built a movement that continues to inspire people to take charge of their lives, their land and their future.

Book details

• Planting the Trees of Kenya: The Story of Wangari Maathai by Claire A Nivola
  EAN: 9780374399184
  Find this book with BOOK Finder!

The Curious Garden Makes Best Children's Picture Book List of 2009

by Nonikiwe - Editor on 21 Dec 2009   |   

We must say well done to Peter Brown for adding to the list of Green books for children. The Curious Garden will hopefully do it’s part to make the world a greener place.

One boy’s quest for a greener world… one garden at a time.
While out exploring one day, a little boy named Liam discovers a struggling garden and decides to take care of it. As time passes, the garden spreads throughout the dark, gray city, transforming it into a lush, green world.
This is an enchanting tale with environmental themes and breathtaking illustrations that become more vibrant as the garden blooms. Red-headed Liam can also be spotted on every page, adding a clever seek-and-find element to this captivating picture book

Book details

• The Curious Garden by Peter Brown
  EAN: 9780316015479
  Find this book with BOOK Finder!

Sibo makes a difference says Ginny Stone, author of first South African children's climate change book

by Colleen on 11 Nov 2009   |   

Let children make a difference, let Sibo Makes a Difference show them how to, says author Ginny Stone. Read more about the author and her book here:

“I can't stand the idea of lecturing at children. I just wanted to chat in a constructive way. There's plenty that kids can do to help, all on their own. Parents have just handed the problem on to the next generation. We won't see most of the damage – our children and grandchildren will,” says Ginny Stone, author of the first South African children's book about climate change, ''Sibo Makes A Difference.''

The author, science games designer Ginny Stone, likes to be a pathbreaker, which may be why in 2007 she moved from Cape Town to Springs, sometimes known as the armpit of the East Rand. “The wonderful highveld winters almost make up for lack of mountains and sea”, says Stone.

• Read the complete article

Book details

• Sibo Makes A Difference by Ginny Stone
  EAN: 9781920293802
  Find this book with BOOK Finder!