You Are the Earth: Know Your World So You Can Help Make It Better
Gr 4-6-This title delivers an urgent, if patchwork, reminder that we are part of a greater whole. After devoting a chapter to each of life's necessities-air, water, soil (earth), energy (fire), love, and a spiritual connection with the universe-the authors close with a look at three social and environmental initiatives by young people; a set of review questions (with answers); and 10 consciousness-raising activities, from science projects to storytelling. Sourced, briefly told versions of folktales from several traditions are interspersed throughout, and the plentiful illustrations include color diagrams, comics, and crisply reproduced photos. Parts of the authors' argument are no more seamless than the book's assembly: even children will see the fallacy in sweeping remarks like "Trees will grow again, but coal, oil, and gas won't." Nonetheless, their eloquent plea to see ourselves and the Earth as interdependent will inspire readers to sit up, look around, and take a little less for granted.-John Peters, New York Public LibraryCopyright 2000 Cahners Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.