Earth Day for Kids

Today we're going to take a look at some children's books just right for Earth Day. As we mentioned earlier this week, Earth Day is a global celebration that was the brainchild of Sen. Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin. A horrific oil spill off the coast of Santa Barbara, Calif. prompted Nelson to initiate this day of appreciation for our natural world. First celebrated on April 22, 1970, more than 20 million people participated.

Today, over 500 million people worldwide honor the day, and Sunday, April 22, 2007 is the official celebration this year. In Southern Indiana, we celebrate a week early at the Falls of the Ohio State Park, primarily because Louisville's earth-hostile Thunder Over Louisville preempts the waterfront on the relevant weekend.



I Love Our Earth is a photo book in rhyme, created by Bill Martin Jr. and Michael Sampson, with photographs by Dan Lipow. Its sing-song story truly celebrates our Earth with vibrant pictures, many including children at play in nature. It's from Charlesbridge Publishing.



Kathy Ross and Sharon Lane Holm bring us All New Crafts for Earth Day. Using simple materials ready to hand, this book offers easy craft projects for kids at home or in churches, schools, or day care centers.



The Great Trash Bash is a delight. Mayor Hippo is puzzled. He seems to be doing everything right. But something is wrong. He talks to citizens everywhere he goes, and soon he learns that the people of Beaston are their own worst enemies, discarding instead of recycling, littering instead of keeping the city clean, and polluting rather than conserving. He brings the animal residents of the town together to rid the town of trash, making Beaston once again a beautiful place. At the end of the book is a list of ideas for kids to remember to keep their own towns clean. Loreen Leedy is the author.

Join local authors and earthlovers this Saturday at The Falls, all day.