Celebrate Earth Day!

     Every year, the United States and over 100 different countries across the world come together in celebration of Earth Day.  Earth Day is the largest environmental event worldwide.  Earth Day was founded by former United States Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin.  Moved by the widespread damages caused by a massive oil spill that occurred in Santa Barbara in 1969, as well as the ongoing student anti-Vietnam War movement, Nelson realized that if he could possibly find a way to infuse the students energy with growing public concerns  of our country's  ongoing air and water pollution crisis, it would force this issue onto a more focused national political stage.  Senator Nelson was able to quickly gather bipartisan support, and his idea of a, "national teach-in on the environment" was born.
     On April 22, 1970, in San Francisco, California, twenty million Americans gathered together in local parks, outdoor stages and for some, right outside their front doorsteps to demonstrate their support for a healthier environment.  On the anniversary of Earth Day at our school, we take a moment to stop and appreciate nature and learn little, yet ultimately big, ways to protect our environment.  Here are a few titles that will help to show your little ones that they too, can help play a part in keeping our land beautiful and healthy for generations to come.

The Berenstain Bears Go Green
      The lovable bear family lives in a beau colic place aptly called Bear Country.  The family as well as their critter neighbors, works hard each day keeping their hometown clean and appealing.  One sunny spring day, Mama, Papa, Brother, Sister and Little Hunny decide to take their boat out on the river for a day of fishing.  While rowing down the calm waters, enjoying their healthy picnic lunch, suddenly, the bears are overcome by a nasty odor that quickly drifts across their boat.  When they all look around to find the source of the smell, the bears are surprised to see a long line of grease floating on the top of the water.  As they follow the greasy line, they are astonished to see that it begins right at the entrance of the "Bear Country Dump."!
       Quickly realizing that Bear Country's beauty is in danger from the overloaded garbage being piled in and around the dump, the lovable bears band together to begin a campaign to clean up the dump.  But, will their critter neighbors and townsfolk help to save their home?

The Berenstain Bears Go Green
Written and Illustrated by Jan & Mike Berenstain
Published by Harper Festival, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers
Website: www.harpercollinschildrens.com
ISBN: 978-0-06-207550-5
Retails for $3.99
For ages 4 to 8

Emeraldalicious
     The delightfully exuberant Pinkalicious is back, sharing a special message in this newest whimsical tale from award-winning author/illustrator Victoria Kann called Emeraldalicious.  While out for a walk with her brother Peter, the duo come upon a distressing sight---their favorite park is littered with smelly, ugly garbage.  As they set about starting to clean up the unsightly mess, a sudden calamity befalls Pinkalicious as her trusty magic wand breaks!  But, with a little bit of quick imagination and creativity on her part, Pinkalicious creates a new wand out of some simple sticks and flowers.  Uttering a sweetly quick phrase, "What I would love", flowers soon begin to burst out through the ground; birds appear and starting chirping and piles of trash turn into majestic colorful castles. 
     The simple message of caring for your environment and the power of recycling can turn an ordinary park into something truly, "Emeraldalicious!"

Emeraldalicious
Written and Illustrated by Victoria Kann
Published by HarperCollins
Website:  www.harpercollinschildrens.com
ISBN: 978-0061781261
Retails for $17.99
For ages 4 to 8