Sage Pages Leaf through these grown-up green reads for some amazing eco-inspiration.
Gardening With Kids by Catherine Woram and Martyn Cox, with photographs by Polly Wreford (Ryland Peters & Small, 2008)
It may be impossible to read this book cover to cover, because just the first few pages will inspire you to dash out and dig in the dirt. Beautiful photos accompany simple steps to creating a garden with kids, such as preparing the soil, choosing plants and harvesting herbs. The authors even include a special section on making gifts and crafts from your garden’s bounty.
Sure, saving the earth is an altruistic adventure, but Bach explains how you can add some green to both the planet and your wallet. His tips are accompanied by facts about carbon and cash savings, a combination that will make everyone rethink their resource consumption. According to Bach, Americans spend $2.7 billion annually on holiday gift wrap alone—clearly, everyone’s contribution can make a substantial positive change.
Many books on the shelves today offer tips on reducing carbon footprints, but MacEachern has managed to compile the most comprehensive guide we’ve seen on all things eco. Covering ground from home base to the workplace, she advocates making every purchase count to create a cleaner world. MacEachern even identifies companies that recycle computer waste and explains how to organize a neighborhood plant swap.
Celebrate Green! by Corey Colwell-Lipson and Lynn Colwell (Published independently, 2008)
This mother-daughter team offers a myriad of suggestions on making holiday decor, gifts and meals more planet-friendly. Instead of falling into old habits of “mall dash, then trash,” readers can implement these ideas for every special occasion.
Turn your organic kitchen waste into gardening gold with this must-have guide to composting. The book offers a complete how-to for all levels of composters and gardeners, emphasizing the use of tools and materials you already have to enrich your garden. Let the worms do the work while you enjoy the fruits of their labor.
Hey Mr. Green by Bob Schildgen (Sierra Club/Counterpoint, 2008)
The Sierra Club’s Schildgen fields down-and-dirty questions from readers, including whether to buy beer in bottles or cans (best to make your own or buy it in a keg) and how to properly utilize a garbage disposal (use minimally and compost the organic waste instead). This book has humorous, fact-based answers to all of your burning (gas grill or campfire?) questions.
