Recycling, reading, educating – all these things make the world a better place.
Loop de Loop, Circular Solutions for a Waste-Free World, by Andrea Curtis with art by Roozeboos is a picture book guide to a better world through reducing, reusing and recycling. It shows young readers how things in nature work through circles: the sun in the sky, the rings in a tree, the ripples in a pond.And how nature works in cycles: from seeds to flower to compost. But people often use lines instead to circles, taking things from the earth, producing new products to use that end up being discarded and tossed out. This nonfiction book has many suggestions for improving our act by reducing the stuff we own, by lobbying for more environmentally friendly products and packaging and by encouraging others through sharing. A great book to use in the classroom around Earth Day – or any day. Follow it up by discussions, actions and changes to our habits. ISBN 978-1-77306941-8, Groundwood Books
Beautiful Junk, written by Melissa Assaly and illustrated by Samantha Lucy Haslam, is a picturebook about reducing and recycling. You are never too young to realize that one person’s junk is the next person’s treasure. When Rowan’s neighbors are moving, they put a lot of stuff on the sidewalk. Will all this ends up in the landfill? Luckily, people start finding treasures: a lamp, a chair that needs very little fixing, even some plants that just need water and TLC. Rowan even finds some ‘new’ toy cars. This story may help children to find different ways to dispose of unwanted items. ISBN 978-1554555376, Fitzhenry & Whiteside
Jacinta’s Orderly World, written by Margaret Sullivan and illustrated by Scot Ritchie, is a story that will appeal to children who like to keep things organized and under control. Jacinta’s room is organized: her socks and boots are all arranged just so. The colours of her sea shells match and her books and toys are all where she can find them. But outside things are not so easy to control. And that’s when Jacinta panicks. Even looking up at the sky, she wonders why the stars in the sky are such a jumbled mess.
One day, she visits a car mechanic’s shop with her dad. There are open toolboxes and piles of rags, plastic jugs and equipment everywhere. How can the mechnaic find anything in this mess? Yet, Kenny knows just what to grab when he needs it. When he introduces Jacinta to his pet mouse, she is thrilled and makes it a nice, orderly box to live in. When Jacinta looks up at the night sky, that night, she realizes that some things are just where they need to be. ISBN 978-173889827-5, Plumleaf Press
The Princess and the Foal by Stacy Gregg is a wonderful novel for kids but equally good for adult readers. The attractive cover makes it look like a fictional tale, but this impressive story is, in fact, based on a true story. Inspired by the real life of Princess Haya Bint Al Hssein of Jordan, the story introduces us to life in the Jordanian Palace and stables. Haya loves horses and is given a foal. A new governess puts obstacles in their way but Haya eventually becames an Olympic equestrienne. A perfect read for horse lovers but also an intriguing true story of royalty in the Middle East. One that I couldn’t put down! ISBN 978-0-00-746904-8, Harper Collins
And finally, a wonderful book for teachers:
Reading With Patrick, A Teacher, a Student and a Life-Changing Friendship, Michelle Kuo. This is the powerful, true story of a young, idealistic teacher who moves to one of the poorest, most neglected schools in Arkansas to teach black children. The book is an astonishing account of racism and an eye opener to inequality among American schools. After an incident involving her student Patrick, Kuo stays in touch with him while he is in jail. Through books, classics and poetry, she helps to guide his interests and stimulate his brain. It’s a touching story of the power teachers have to make a difference, and the power books can have to stimulate learning and change a life. ISBN978-0-8129-9731-6, Random House
Margriet Ruurs is a children’s book writer in Canada. She conducts author visits to international schools. Book her at: