A PLANET LIKE OURS: A Picture Book Review and Giveaway

 My long-time blog readers will recognize the author and illustrator of A PLANET like OURS. I have reviewed other books by author Frank Murphy that are illustrated by Kayla Harren and published by Sleeping Bear Press: A Boy like You, A Girl like You, A Friend like You, and A Teacher like You.  Like those other four books, A Planet like Ours includes curriculum-rich content that preK-first grade teachers can use in their classrooms. It is co-written with Charnaie Gordon.  Here are some sample illustrations and quotes from the text. 

We need a planet like ours

to nourish us, protect us, and give us life.

A place to call home.

Our planet. Our Earth.

That is one of the opening pages which succinctly states the theme of this informational picture book: respect our planet. The following pages mention six different resources which we must protect.

SOIL

It helps grow our food. 

Pollution and chemicals can ruin our soil and our groundwater.

Let's protect our soil

WATER

Without water there would be no plants... no animals...no people! 

 So we must take care of lakes, rivers, and streams.

I loved this illustration of a child fishing the litter out of the water--what a great message and perspective.

ALL LIVING THINGS

Taking care of creatures means taking care of their 

habitats. Let's protect all living things.

TREES 

Our trees help keep the atmosphere cool. 

They grow branches that grow leaves that give us shade.

AIR

Earth's atmosphere needs clean air.

Pollution comes from factories and energy power plants.

PEOPLE

Our cities, towns, and neighborhoods.

                    ...... 

We build communities, together.  

                    We learn new things, together. 

The back matter includes personal notes from the authors and illustrator as well as several easy-to-implement activities. Click this link for another Activity page. 

GIVEAWAY

If you're interested in winning this book, please leave a comment with your email address by October 6. Educators (home or school) and librarians get an extra chance as do new followers to my blog. Just let me know what you've done in the comments. U.S. addresses only. 

Galápagos Girl: A Picture Book Review and Giveaway

Congratulations to Linda Phillips who won Buddies, Bullies, and Baseball  from last week's post.

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My faithful readers will recognize Marsha Diane Arnold's name. The author of picture and chapter books, I have featured her several times on my blog, but this is the first time for a bi-lingual book. Her publisher, Lee and Low Books, decided to translate the book thus making it accessible to both English and Spanish speakers. 

Galápagos Girl was translated by Adriana Domínguez and beautifully illustrated by Angela Dominguez. 

This is the life story of biologist Valentina Cruz. Born into a large, but poor family, Valentina grew up playing with and loving the beautiful animals with whom she shared the Floreana island.  

Her father taught her that many Galapagos animals were endangered. Valentina's response was to want to help keep them safe.

Although Valentina was reluctant to leave her beloved island, her parents encouraged her to go to school. 

When Valentina sailed away from Floreana,

she made a promise to the animals and her islands.

"I will not forget you," she said.

"And I will keep you safe."

When she returned on school holidays, she camped on remote islands to study the birds, insets, reptiles, and mammals.

Now, not only is she a biologist, but Valentina is a nature guide and continues to share her love for the islands and animals with visitors from around the world. 

CLASSROOM RESOURCE AND AN AWARD!

The back matter includes why Ms. Arnold decided to write this book, information about the islands, animals, and a detailed bibliography. These additions make this book a great classroom resource for K-3rd grade. Here is a teacher's guide and an activity page for your students.

Gálapagos Girl received a Green prize for sustainable literature. 

GIVEAWAY

Interested in this book? Leave me a comment by January 25 to enter the giveaway. PLEASE leave your email address if you are new to my blog. Share on social media for an extra chance to win.