Susie’s Book Nook - New Children’s Book Review: “Growing Green - A young person’s guide to taking care of the planet”

I’m always looking for ways to get even the youngest in our families to get caught up in making our world a better place, a gentler and kinder world, caring for our earth home and each other. “Growing Green, a young person’s guide to taking care of our planet” by Christina Goodings and illustrated by Masumi Furukawa, is a delightful way to engage your 5- to 7-year-old in being part of a gentler and kinder world.

From its beginning focusing on “treading lightly” and “fair shares for all”, Christina takes your child on a journey through her home and backyard to various habitats and faraway places to see what impact is being made on our precious earth home by the choices we make. Through the colorful illustrations by Masumi Furukawa, children will be easily drawn into environments they know and can be part of while pondering solutions for “growing green” with their families.

I especially like Christine’s style of educating children. Each chapter of the book begins with a simple fact on how things are and then asks the reader to Think – how can you do this differently, in a gentler way to be better for our earth home. Recycling and conserving energy are naturally included as well as the exploration of specific habitats. Recognizing the world is not only a place for people, but also a place for all kinds of plants and all kinds of creatures. It’s important for them to have room to live and grow in their own habitats. Are we taking away too many of their homes because we want too much and use too much? The author always gives the young readers simple ways to consider so they can become a part of a solution.

I also like that “Growing Green” considers where our products come from and how they are produced. “Fair shares for all” will set the stage for beginning conversations about those that have to do the work for us to have what we desire. This leads right into many social justice issues that we are all wrestling with today and Christine’s closing chapter of “A Better World.” “When humankind lives gently and fairly, the world will be a better place. Dream of a time when all is well.”

Let’s not just dream. Let everyone of us take another step towards “growing green.”