THE ECO FAMILY BOOK

Making the world better, one small step at a time.

In jaunty verse, six diverse families present 30 simple, practical, and economical ways to make the world a nicer, greener place to live. These fun ideas can be put into practice immediately and can be carried out by even the smallest family members. Young children can plant seeds together, then water the growing plants—activities that support wildlife, including butterflies, bugs, and bees. Siblings can bathe together to save water. Children can donate “pre-loved” clothes, books, and toys to others, while adults are encouraged to mend broken toys, fix broken taps to save water, shop with reusable bags, buy food from local vendors, and use public transport or ride bikes. Naturally, Preston-Gannon mentions recycling (e.g., cartons and bottle caps) straight off—which is a helpful lead-in to a discussion of how wonderful it is for eco-conscious families to visit the library, that marvelous place where people can return old books, borrow new ones, listen to storytime, and take part in arts-and-crafts activities using recycled objects. This bouncy U.K. import includes softly rounded digital illustrations, with characters who reflect a broad, realistic spectrum of skin tones and family structures. The word family in the book’s title also suggests that all of us, as our planet’s inhabitants and stewards, are responsible for its well-being.

An engaging reminder that it’s up to all of us to care for Earth.