MY FIRST EARTH DAY

A grandmother and grandchild celebrate Earth Day.

The pair spend their day planting seeds and trees, visiting a farmers market, and picking up trash. Narrated by the child, the story raises questions about the consequences of global warming: What would a world without trees look like? What would happen to sea creatures if our water became too polluted? If northern ice continues to melt, where will the polar bears and seals go? Katz’s characteristic illustrations feature simple, rounded figures. The author/illustrator relies on bright colors and bold patterns, and animals look cute and anthropomorphized. The narrative is a bit didactic and culminates with the child creating an illustrated list titled “How To Help the Earth!” (Examples include taking the bus, planting a tree, and using cloth rather than plastic bags.) Climate change is a complex topic that’s difficult even for adults to grasp, and Katz uses simplified, child-friendly explanations, similar to those found in other books on the topic. While it may not be the most original take, the explanations of Earth’s physical changes, as well as the child’s ruminations, provide helpful starters for caregivers or teachers looking for a jumping-off point for meaningful conversations. Nana and the child are light-skinned; background characters are diverse.

A gentle introduction to get kids thinking about ways to help the planet.