TUCSON, Ariz. — In “Earth Day,” Linda Lowery tells children the story of how Earth Day got its start in 1970.

This book is informative, first and foremost. Published in 1991 and printed on recyclable paper, it has mediocre illustrations and is written in a stiff, uninspired style, but it tells children real things about the Earth that they may not learn elsewhere. For example, the author tells how U.S. Sen. Gaylord Nelson fought to change the laws of the land to benefit the planet after a devastating oil spill near Santa Barbara, Calif., in 1969.

Lowery tells her readers about how Americans were polluting the land by littering and letting factories darken the sky with smoke. Then she tells how the Environmental Protection Agency was born out of the ruckus raised by Americans demanding a cleaner planet April 22, 1970, the first Earth Day.

The history of Earth Day is important, but the author goes even further. She includes tips on how children can make every day an Earth Day at school, at home and at play. For example, Lowery tells children that composting, using both sides of notebook paper and turning off the lights and television when leaving a room can all help the Earth. These and many more tips are timeless and things that children can really do.

Despite its lack of snazzy images and fun language, this book rates high on the list of great books with which to teach children the importance of caring for their planet.



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