My First Earth Day

by Karen Katz, Karen Katz (Illustrator)

Overview

I think about the forests, the water, all the animals, the fish, and the sun. I think about all the ways I can take care of our earth.

Introduce young readers to Earth Day with Karen Katz's lovely storytelling and colorful collage art.

There's no better way to spend the day than visiting Nana and learning all about Earth Day. Planting trees and vegetables, visiting the forest and lake, recycling, and supporting local businesses, this book helps little ones to see how to care for our wonderful planet.


Godwin Books

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250372697
Publisher:	Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Publication date:	03/05/2024
Series:	My First Holiday
Sold by:	Macmillan
Format:	eBook
Pages:	32
File size:	50 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	3 - 7 Years

About the Author

Karen Katz has written and illustrated more than seventy books for children, including Can You Say Peace?, The Colors of Us, My First Kwanzaa, and Counting Kisses. She lives in New York City and Woodstock Ny.
Karen Katz has written and illustrated many books for children, including The Colors of Us, Can You Say Peace, My First Ramadan, Counting Kisses and Where is Baby’s Belly Button. Long inspired by folk art from around the world, she was inspired to write her first book, Over the Moon, when she and her husband adopted their daughter from Guatemala, and she wanted to tell the story of welcoming Lena into their lives. Katz loves to paint and experiment with texture, color, collage and pattern. Besides an author and illustrator, she has been a costume designer, quilt maker, fabric artist and graphic designer. Katz and her family divide their time between New York City and Saugerties, New York.

Editorial Reviews

01/26/2024

PreS-Gr 2—A young child and grandparent celebrate Earth Day together by working to take care of their corner of the planet, and by learning other ways to care for their world. As the duo tend to Nana's vegetable garden and plant trees, Nana imparts thought-provoking wisdom on being a good steward for the Earth—"If we use too much water or don't keep it clean, we could run out and have nothing left to drink"—which prompts the child to think of ways to cut down on pollution and waste, investing them in the welfare of the plants and animals in the world. The two spend the day supporting a local farmer's market, using public transportation, and picking up trash. Once home, the child is inspired to create a picture of "How to help the Earth," incorporating everything the two did together. Katz's trademark vibrant illustrations feature soft outlines for soothing story times, and the emphasis on how children can be part of the solution will prove empowering to young readers. VERDICT An uplifting intergenerational story to motivate readers to action. A recommended first purchase for classrooms and environmental collections.—Rosemary Kiladitis

School Library Journal

2024-01-05
A grandmother and grandchild celebrate Earth Day.

The pair spend their day planting seeds and trees, visiting a farmers market, and picking up trash. Narrated by the child, the story raises questions about the consequences of global warming: What would a world without trees look like? What would happen to sea creatures if our water became too polluted? If northern ice continues to melt, where will the polar bears and seals go? Katz’s characteristic illustrations feature simple, rounded figures. The author/illustrator relies on bright colors and bold patterns, and animals look cute and anthropomorphized. The narrative is a bit didactic and culminates with the child creating an illustrated list titled “How To Help the Earth!” (Examples include taking the bus, planting a tree, and using cloth rather than plastic bags.) Climate change is a complex topic that’s difficult even for adults to grasp, and Katz uses simplified, child-friendly explanations, similar to those found in other books on the topic. While it may not be the most original take, the explanations of Earth’s physical changes, as well as the child’s ruminations, provide helpful starters for caregivers or teachers looking for a jumping-off point for meaningful conversations. Nana and the child are light-skinned; background characters are diverse.

A gentle introduction to get kids thinking about ways to help the planet. (Picture book. 3-5)

Kirkus Reviews