Ecology

Although not a book to be read cover-to-cover by its target audience, this is still a good book to use for young readers interested in Earth issues such as ecology and environmental science. I especially liked how the author wove myths from various indigenous cultures to illustrate certain points. The lives of some non-western children are also outlined in comparison to the average American child to show the contrast in how we live. An undercurrent romanticizing Nature may disqualify this book from being purely scientific, but the subtle reverence for the Soul of the Earth was not a detracting feature in the opinion of this reader. Young readers will probably enjoy reading this book in sections, and they especially might enjoy the many "Things to do" activities listed throughout the book. A science class teacher could find a wealth of ideas for simple science experiments from this resource. ( )

About the authors: quoting from the book's back cover, "David Suzuki is a highly acclaimed geneticist and the host of 'The Nature of Things.' He has written numerous books for children. . .He is the founder and chair of the David Suzuki Foundation. Kathy Vanderlinden edits and writes for children." About the book: quoting from the book's back cover, "You Are the Earth' is an important book that explains how everything on Earth is connected. It's full of scientific facts, activities, ideas and stories to help you understand the relationship between society and the environment and what you do to make things better."