Earth Day is in two weeks! There are so many ways you can celebrate with kids. One of my favorite though is sharing books. The range of books can be about the reason for Earth Day, Earth, wildlife, recycling, reusing, etc. This year I have gathered some great ones including some craft books which I will share on Crafty Sundays in the next couple of weeks. I was trying to decide how to share the various books I have gathered and decided to go with publishers. Today's books are both from National Geographic Kids. We will start with one of the most interesting books ever, Beneath the Waves: Celebrating the Ocean Through Pictures, Poems and Stories by Stephanie Warren Drimmer.
This book is recommended for ages 8 to 12. However I think it would work for a bit older or slightly younger as well. The title says it all. This book is about celebrating the ocean and it shares pictures, poems, and information. It also shares myths and stories. It is a National Geographic Kids book so the photos are beautiful. I am sure my photos do not do this book justice. Sorry!
The book is divided into eleven chapter and each takes you to different aspects of the ocean. It travels the world through the ocean. Plus there are stories and information about things like longitude and mermaids. Throughout the book there is also information about the wildlife living in the ocean and on its shores.
I picked this page to share with you because it demonstrates so much of this book. There are beautiful photographs, a poem, information about the topic and an interesting fact highlighted. The information through out this book has new expansions for me that I didn't necessarily know already. It is fascinating.
This page talks about how the beaches came to be. Yes, the big bang theory is in this book so if you do not want kids learning about it, this is not the book for you. However, if you are like me and have learned to talk to your kids about the science and religious believes of creation and how they work together, then this book is perfect. Have you ever thought about how the beaches and oceans came to be?
The book shares small blurbs about different animals from all over the ocean as well as more information about specific ones.
I also love how it brings in different myths from around the world. At one point it is explaining how the ocean became salty and shares a myth from the Philippines. It then goes into the scientific reason for it. There are legends and stories throughout this book as well as a few poems about the various topics. This is a must check out book and should be in every children's library as well as many classrooms. I hope you will check it out!
Now Earth Day is about celebrating the Earth, but it is also about saving the Earth. Our next book is more about saving it. It is Kids vs. Plastic: Ditch the straw and find the pollution solution to bottles, bags and other single-use plastics by Julie Beer. This book goes into what plastic is and its history and how it is hurting our Earth. It gives facts and statistics about the pollution in our world as well as ways kids can help.
This book is also recommended for ages 8 to 12. It is more similar to the many National Geographic Kids books I review. It is full of photographs, facts and "action".
I love how the facts go into things happening all over the world. There is information about the first countries to ban single-use plastic and information on how much of the plastic is ending up in the ocean and where it is happening.
Throughout the book there are interviews with kids and adults about what they are doing to help. The book pushes kids to think about the plastic they are using and how can they make changes to help protect our world. It even gives resources to become active in different events. There are also different activities and projects for the kids to do throughout the book.
It also goes into people who are doing things with plastic. For example artists. As well as explaining about the recycling being done around the world.
The book pushes kids to start to recycle, reuse and speak up about single-use plastic and start saving our world. Isn't that what Earth Day is all about?
Now I know with the pandemic many of my ways of doing my part have gone away. The coffee shops stopped letting people bring in their reusable mugs. I can't wait to start using mine again. Reusable bags were not allowed (and still aren't in some stores) and the stores reverted back to plastic bags. I often asked for no bag and used my purse or had a foldable bag in my purse. Here is a graphic I made for my Thirty-One business about using a Foldaway Tote. (Note this link is to my personal business page and I will receive a percentage of any purchase made from it. Thank you for supporting me!)
The Foldaway Tote comes in three different patterns in the current catalog and there are two other patterns in the on-line extras while supplies last! I always have a couple in my purse so I can always say no to plastic bags and even paper bags. I love the sturdiness of our totes and the handles make them a breeze to carry.
