The Earth Gives More

In bustling collage spreads, Engel depicts people engaged in seasonal outdoor activities. Fliess's rhymes describe the gifts the Earth offers those taking time to treasure them: "Run barefooted through the grass./ Watch the clouds change as they pass." Two children run alongside a narrow stream as summer storm clouds form overhead. In the snowy mountains, families enjoy the snow and ice: "Snowflakes ride the winter breeze./ Sail on sleds and glide on skis." Animals experience seasonal changes, too: under the snow, animals are seen in their underground burrows. As the seasons pass, Fliess returns to the phrase "the Earth gives more," finally closing this genuine celebration of nature with a plea: "Do your part. Use what you know./ Help the Earth to thrive and grow." Ages 5-7. (Mar.)

K-Gr 3-Imagine an idyllic world in which humans and the planet coexist in a mutually respected, symbiotic relationship. This book, written both as a love letter to Planet Earth and a guide for its residents as to its proper treatment, combines text and illustrations to turn this dream into a reality. Readers are escorted on a journey around the sun through the seasons from summer to fall, winter, spring, and back again. Each season has a beautiful trait that differentiates it from the others, and in each image, humans are doing something to better the environment that is not necessarily called out by the text. But in every instance, the Earth always gives more in return. Elegantly crafted rhyming phrases guide readers through the story, making it ideally suited for reading aloud. Readers are left with the final message to keep treating the Earth well so that it can continue to do its job taking care of all of us. Visually appealing, the child-friendly illustrations are filled with bright, vibrant colors and reflect the many landscapes and people found on Earth. Together, the text and images make this book extremely accessible to young readers. VERDICT An excellent addition to library shelves and Earth Day curriculum for early elementary school-aged students.-Mary Lanni, Denver Public Library