No matter where one goes today there is talk about going green. Kids as well as adult are bombarded with frightening images of what is in store for our world if we do not immediately take action. Many naysayers are also working hard to distract attention from this problem telling people there is no problem. Educating the very young seems to me one way to get the world’s attention on this problem. EARTH FEELING THE HEAT by Brenda Z Guiberson, illustrated by Chao Wallace, (Henry Holt and Company, 2010, $16.99) does draw young readers attention to the problem the planet is facing. Through very dramatic illustrations and very simple prose the book shows that the earth’s climate is getting hotter. The author travels all over the world showing an animal in trouble. Each brief section ends with “Who can help the polar bear, the puffin, the frog, the tiger, etc?” The final spread answers, “People can!”
Simple, direct , not burdened down with details. a simple statement of fact. The artwork is also equally effective. The final end papers contain simple little actions we all can do to help alleviate this serious problem. Available Spring 2010