Disclosure: I received the following book for review purposes. All opinions are my own. Affiliate links are also included.
Springtime always brings opportunities to discuss the Earth with kids and with Earth Day approaching on April 22nd, Friends of the Earth: A History of American Environmentalism
by Pat McCarthy offers wonderful opportunities to do just that.
I have been an avid environmentalist for over 20 years. I am looking forward to passing that passion down to Tomato. So, when Friends of the Earth arrived, the first thing that ran through my head was getting her to an age when we could read bits on the sofa and before bed. I remember all of the books that my dad read to me, especially Charlotte’s Web, and I want to give Tomato a chance to have the same types of memories. These biographies of environmentalists such as Rachel Carson, Thedore Roosevelt and John Muir (pictured below) are so powerful and motivating and I hope they can provide her with a passion for the planet.
Roosevelt and Muir
Friends of the Earth is written for ages 9 and up, but can be looked at on a number of levels. Adults will enjoy reading passages to their children and maybe learning some facts that they didn’t know (John James Audubon was named Jean) and learning about environmentalists that they may not know, such as Cordelia Stanwood, a great new find for this birder. There are 11 large profiles in the book with many other smaller bios included in textboxes. Older children will enjoy reading the entries on their own and seeing the beautiful Library of Congress photos that are throughout the book. Children from preschool on up will be enthused by the projects that are included in the book.
Scavenger Hunt
The projects, like the scavenger hunt above, are a fantastic way to get kids outdoors or active in writing and thinking about the environment. There are over 10 activities to do with your kids and each one can be tailored to their ages by varying what you do in each. The scavenger hunt can get your little photographers out on a great nature hike. With younger kids, you can make a picture list or a bingo card to fill in as you search for leaves, acorns, and bird feathers, etc.
In addition to providing strong biographies of American Friends of the Earth, the book also lists a number of places to visit, like Acadia National Park and the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge, to take what you learn in a further direction. As a former teacher, I always love extending activities and I think this would be a great addition to any family’s library. If you are homeschooling, this is a well researched book that deserves a look to help you with your science and history curricula. I hope that everyone can find a great way to use this book for this and future Earth Days.
Who is your favorite environmentalist and why?
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Becky, YOU’re my favorite environmentalist!!
Why thank you, Lindsay! I definitely found some new folks to learn about in this book and I can’t wait to try some of the projects.