Go Easy on Energy

November 1, 2011

K-Gr 2-Ordinary kids Tyler and Trina are on a mission to save the Earth through green living in this fetching series. Taking what they learned in school, these young planet protectors lead by example, encouraging readers to reuse more, celebrate Earth Day, save energy, clean up litter, pollute less, recycle, and conserve water. The engaging and humorous stories explain how to make greener and smarter choices daily. Sidebars illuminate topics like wind turbines and coal. Each book includes an activity such as vermicomposting. Colorful, full-page illustrations keep the mood upbeat and lively. These appealing books show young readers how they can have a positive impact on the world.

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 1, 2011
Preschool-G Aimed at getting the youngest children to think about energy conservation, this pleasantly illustrated entry in the Planet Protectors series follows a young boy named Tyler through one day at school and home as he monitors energy use as a member of his school's Power Patrol. Colorful cartoon drawings of Tyler interacting with schoolmates and family are accompanied by a brief text and occasional one- or two-sentence sidebars giving more technical background information. Several different sources of energy (electricity, oil, coal, wind) and the problem with each are touched upon with the message, Wherever our energy comes from, we should try to use less of it. Suggestions for conserving are limited to avoiding unnecessary use of cars and turning off and unplugging household appliances, so there's not a lot of research value, but it ought to nonetheless spark useful discussions. Back matter includes an exercise to identify items that use energy at home, a minimal glossary, a reference list, and an index.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)