by Michele Lord
illustrated by Cathy Morrison
Sylvan Dell Publishing, 2013
ISBN 978-1-60718-6274
$9.95, 32 pp, ages 4 – 8
SylvanDellPublishing.com
Rich, detailed illustrations and varied examples about recycling in nature are sure to spark even the least imaginative child about ways to reuse and recycle in their own environment. Pages are filled with unique animals such as the decorator sea urchin, an elf owl, caddisfly larva and poison dart frogs. Four pages of learning activities at the back of the book make this an easy interactive resource for teachers and parents to read with early readers and for independent readers to challenge themselves. A 48-page Teaching Activity Guide is available free online.
Classroom Connections: This book is written for K to 3, but the scientific information and depictions of flora and fauna are advanced enough that they can be used with older grades (up to grade 8 during study of Life Systems, Life Cycles and the Environment). Though it could be used as a read aloud, the illustrations are so rich that children would benefit more from independent, partner or small group reading. The teacher could preview the book by asking students to make predictions. Partner or small group discussions could centre on making connections and asking questions. A rich follow up could include writing a journal focusing on how students’ ideas on reducing and reusing have been transformed.
Review by Amanda Forbes.
This review is from Canadian Teacher Magazine’s Apr/May 2016 issue.