The Great Big Green Book
#3 of 4 in Great Big Book Series
on Goodreads (38)
What’s inside...
This book emphasizes the importance of understanding and preserving the Earth's natural resources for future generations. It provides an introduction to our planet and outlines the significance of its ecosystems, such as rainforests and oceans. The authors highlight the urgency of protecting the environment, addressing issues such as resource depletion and pollution. The book offers practical action plans, including water and energy conservation, recycling, and sustainable food practices. It encourages readers to think creatively and come up with innovative solutions to environmental challenges. 'Think of the future. Can you imagine our planet as beautiful as it used to be? You could be the one to help make it beautiful again, with the things you do and the ideas you have. Your planet needs YOU!' From a simple introduction to our home in Space, the authors explain what we need for life on Earth, and show the importance of the rainforests and the oceans; they stress the need to look after our planet and show how some of the things we take for granted are running out, and how we have polluted so much our planet. The action plans include saving water, saving energy, recycling, repairing, growing seasonal food, cooking fresh food, saving on packing, asking questions... and thinking of new inventions and big ideas.
Discussion points
Why do you think taking care of our planet is important, and what are some ways we can help every day?
If you could invent something to help our Earth, what would it be and how would it work?
Which part of the book showed something that you see in your own surroundings? How did that make you feel?
Can you think of a time when you helped nature or the environment? What did you do and why?
What are some things we do at home that help protect the Earth? Are there new ideas we could try?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and ideas about the environment by relating the book’s themes to their everyday life.
Use the illustrations in the book to point out different ways people can help the environment, asking your child how they could implement these methods at home or school.
After reading the book, engage your child in a creative activity like drawing or building a model that reflects a sustainable practice mentioned in the story.
Praise your child's ideas on helping the environment, no matter how small, and discuss practical steps you could take together to make those ideas come to life.
Discuss the broader impact of individual actions on the planet, helping your child understand the importance of community effort in preserving the environment.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Environmental Responsibility
Explanation: The story encourages children to understand the importance of taking care of the environment. Through engaging illustrations and simple text, it explains concepts like recycling, energy conservation, and biodiversity preservation.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by participating in recycling programs at home or school, turning off lights when not in use, and learning about different species of plants and animals to foster a sense of biodiversity preservation.
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Collaboration
Explanation: The book showcases how collective efforts can lead to positive changes in protecting our planet. It emphasizes that everyone, regardless of age, can contribute.
Real-World Application: Kids can partake in group clean-up activities, such as beach or park cleanups, or collaborate on school projects focused on environmental issues to promote a healthier earth.
Example Lesson: Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
Explanation: ‘The Great Big Green Book’ poses questions and presents environmental challenges, prompting children to think critically about solutions and the role they can play in implementing them.
Real-World Application: Children can engage in discussions about environmental issues, propose solutions to reduce waste, or design simple projects that promote sustainability, enhancing their problem-solving skills in real-life contexts.
Example Lesson: Creativity
Explanation: The book encourages children to use their imagination to think about new ways to conserve resources and protect the environment.
Real-World Application: Children could craft objects from recycled materials or invent simple new ways to save water and energy at home, fostering creative thinking while contributing to environmental conservation.
Example Lesson: Respect for Nature
Explanation: This book helps build a respectful attitude towards nature and teaches why it's essential to preserve our natural resources.
Real-World Application: Children learn to appreciate and care for plants and animals in their surroundings, perhaps growing a plant or adopting a pet, and understanding the ecological balance necessary for life on earth.