Go Green with Me —
The book, Go Green With Me by Rebecca Mattano and Kristen Collier, was beaming with important environmental tips, information, and questions. As a K-8 teacher and sponsor of my school's environmental club, that's the kind of book I want to share with my students! From the easy, rhyming text, facts and statistics throughout this short story, to tips and ideas at the end of the selection, it's a teacher's springboard to helping students learn about the importance of taking care of our planet.
Maximum Interest (+)
- I read Go Green With Me to a second and third grade group and they all enjoyed the rhyming text and messages throughout the story despite the fact that they are slightly older than the age group suggested by the publisher.
- The book's main character, EnviroGirl, leads us on a journey of environmental awareness and realization that tells us that we all can make a difference - a great message!
- Go Green with Me provided lively discussions and activities within the classroom and at home.
- The students were quite surprised by some of the facts woven within the book, especially that 900 million trees become paper and pulp each year.
- I kept the book out in our reading center and several third grade students selected it over the course of a few weeks to reread. That's a good sign!
- The Little Environmentalists Company also prints this book on 100% recycled paper with 100% post-consumer waste that is also processed chlorine-free, using environmentally friendly inks.
Minimum Interest (-)
- Both groups thought the term 'worm poop' used in the story brought attention to the text, but not in a good way.
- Although, to me, the illustrated EnviroGirl was too large and cartoonish, she did provide an easy gait throughout the story. I would have preferred a more realistic character to coincide with the information.
The Bottom Line
I will definitely utilize this book again in both my environmental club and within the classroom setting. It is important to have environmentally sound reading material in all classrooms of today and this provides just that! Go Green with Me is available for purchase on Amazon.
