Review:RECYCLE! A HANDBOOK FOR KIDS, Genre 4, Nonfiction

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY Gibbons, Gail. 1992. RECYCLE! A HANDBOOK FOR KIDS. Boston MA: Little, Brown, and company. ISBN 0316309710 2. PLOT SUMMARY RECYCLE! A HANDBOOK FOR KIDS is an informative book which explains the recycling process of five different types of materials. This book also includes incredible facts about trash and suggestions about what kids can do to recycle. 3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS Accuracy The information in the book tells why it is important to recycle, “Most people don’t want landfills near where they live. And besides, there is so much garbage now that, in many places, there isn’t enough room to bury all of it.” Each section discusses the process which needs to be followed to recycle, how the items are recycled and what natural resources are spared as a result of this recycling. The back of the book includes information about Gail Gibbons, the author. It states that she has written and illustrated more that fifty informational books for children. She is also endorsed by reliable sources as SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, HORN BOOK, and BOOKLIST. Organization The book begins by giving children a reason to recycle. It is then divided into sections of different materials which can be recycled. Paper, glass, cans, plastic, and polystyrene are the materials which are discussed. Each section tells how the material is originally made, why it is important to recycle, how to collect the items to recycle, and what natural resources are being conserved as a result of the recycling process. Near the end the book there is a section titled CAN YOU BELIEVE? In this section amazing facts are provided to inform children about the huge amount of garbage which is produced. Some examples include, “All the people in the United States make enough garbage each day to fill 100,000 garbage trucks,” and “Fourteen billion pounds of trash is dumped into the ocean every year”. The book ends with actual things which children can do to help to recycle and help to save our planet. Examples include, “When you go shopping, bring a cloth bag or recycle old brown paper bags by taking them with you”, and “Instead of using paper towels, use cloth towels, which can be washed and reused again and again”. These tips are all doable for young children and can give them a sense of responsibility and citizenship. Design The book is well organized, has easily readable text, and has large, colorful illustrations which compliment the text. The text is limited to two or three lines per page. The illustrations are labeled and help the reader to understand the vocabulary. For instance, on the page where the author talks about breaking down a box for recycling, the illustration shows a girl using her foot to unfold and bind boxes for easy transportation and storage. One unique and relevant thing about this book is that it is actually made of recycled paper. What a great way to show kids that the author believes in what she is talking about! Style The writing in this book is short, interesting, and to the point. New vocabulary is explained through the context and the illustrations. The illustrations show children involved in different aspects of the recycling process. The writing and illustrations show children the importance of recycling and the part which they can play in the process. When talking about plastic, the book informs children that plastic does not biodegrade and that it lasts forever. It fills landfills, litters roadsides, and harms wildlife. The book tells us that by recycling we can avoid these problems. It encourages children to help in the process. The ending of the book is especially encouraging. It includes a section which tells children exactly what they can do to help our world. What a great way to get them involved! 4. REVIEW EXCERPTS School Library Journal – “An eminently readable and well-organized offering that's filled with information.” Kirkus Reviews - “Attractive and timely, an excellent introduction.” Horn Book Guide - “Rating: Superior, well above average.” Booklist – “Here’s Gibbons, doing what she does best--taking a subject that's interesting to kids (and part of the curriculum), honing it down to the essential information, and presenting it in an appealing format.” 5. CONNECTIONS * Use in social studies as supplement for a unit on conservation * Use as an introduction to an activity to recycle paper * A source for Earth Day Activities * Used to encourage children to recycle and help the planet