Childrens Books About Reuse and the Environment

1. The Tin Forest, Helen Ward and Wayne Anderson
Magical illustrations bestow this story with poignancy and grace. In the midst of environmental devastation, an old man who lives alone refuses to let himself be overcome by the junkyard that surround his home. "Every day he tried to clear away the garbage, sifting and sorting, burning and burying. And every night the old man dreamed." The grandfatherly figure whose human warmth (portrayed by the hint of color on his flesh and clothes) puts him in contrast to the grim world in which he resides. Anderson's portrayal of the gloomy landscape, for all its metallic grayness, possesses an unexpected beauty, which grows under the care of the story's hero. Tin flowers leaves bolted on stems with screws begin to glow under the old man's attention, while tin animals wait for the warmth to spread to them. This fantastic story bears the message: one individual who dares to dream can make a world of difference.

2. The Box by Kevin O'Malley
This sweet picture book inspires young pre-readers as they follow a boy and his stuffed bear on their journey into alien worlds. A simple and imaginative tale of reuse.

3. Two Islands by Ivan Gantschev
As the tale begins we meet the people of two neighboring islands who are fortunate enough to live with plentiful natural resources. Yet, the two civilizations manage these resources quite differently. This is book encapsulates the principles of sustainability is a simple, captivating way; it holds lessons for both adults and children.

4. The Lorax by Dr. Seuss
This classic book speaks for itself, "Unless someone like you, cares a whole awful lot, nothing's going to get better. It's not." Though written over 30 years ago its message is more pertinent than ever.

5. Joseph Had a Little Overcoat by Sims Taback
A yiddish folk tale comes to life through Taback's visual humor and masterful repetition. Instead of replacing his overcoat Joseph repairs the damage again and again and in turn shows us how to "make something out of nothing."