Part of a "JPS Kids' Catalog" series, this title provides how-to's about caring for animals and plants, crafts projects, and ways children can help fix the world. It also provides "Eco-Activities" - growing an avocado tree, making a winter birdfeeder, designing tee shirts with eco-slogans, and more.
Imagine that two young friends are able to converse with our planet?a cartoon figure called ?Mr/Ms Earth, ? who is full of gripes about the ways humans are treating the natural environment. This big ball of energy overflows with opinions and knowledge, not to mention a great sense of humor and a taste for quality ice cream. Burstein fills this new addition to the highly successful JPS Kids? Catalog series with a perfect blend of environmental education, Jewish traditions, how-tos about caring for animals and plants, crafts projects, and ways children can help fix the world. There are ?Eco-Activities??growing an avocado tree, making a winter birdfeeder, starting a compost pile, designing tee shirts with eco-slogans, and more. With fast-paced variety, the book includes inspiring stories about modern ?Eco-Heroes, ? such as Jane Goodall, Chico Mendes, and Yossi Leshem, along with earth-related Bible stories and folktales. Children will learn about the relationship that Shabbat and the Jewish holidays have to the story of Creation and to the four seasons. Exploring Burstein's wonderful birds-eye views, they will be able to compare everyday life in biblical times to that of today. Whimsical illustrations, clever cartoons, and fascinating facts will help children connect what Jewish law says about animals to taking care of their own pets. All of today's big environmental topics are covered, too: energy pollution, global warming, water shortages, trash, and bio-diversity. Each is accompanied with thoughtful, realistic tips on what children can do as individuals, with their families, and in their classes to address these problems. This book is a careful and forthright look at a serious subject, developed with a positive attitude, creativity, and fun. It will be a distinctly exciting addition to libraries, classrooms, and the home bookshelf on a subject near and dear to the hearts of children.
