Winter Shadow (Tell Me a Story) by Richard John Knight and Richard Johnson
Ages 7+
Barefoot Books; 1 edition (November 1, 2009)
Cautions: None
Kiwi Magazine Review:
Ah, the classic dilemma of rescuing an injured baby animal or letting nature handle things. Because we humans personify animals, a baby wolf may be as cute as the plushies on our beds or the cuddly animals on a book’s page. Although Maria rescues the baby wolf and is at odds with neighbors about her choice, it is the wolf that decides whether he will be pet or independent. This story is beautifully written and illustrated, which we’ve come to expect from Barefoot Books.

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Alvin Ho: Allergic to Camping, Hiking and Other Natural Disasters by Lenore Look
Schwartz and Wade, 2009
Ages 6-10
Cautions: None

Kiwi Magazine Review:
Alvin Ho is afraid of everything. If there’s something that can be categorized with a phobia, he knows about it and has it. So naturally, camping is the last thing he and his runaway imagination want to do-even when the father he idolizes suggests it. Though recommended for ages six to 10, Alvin Ho is a story families would enjoy all together.

The story is told through the eyes of the protagonist, Alvin Ho, who sees the world as a very, very big place to hide from. He often fantasizes about being a superhero, one who is not afraid of anything. The middle of three children, he is awed by what he perceives to be intelligence on the part of his older brother, Calvin and surprises himself when he finds his little sister Anibelly to be “useful.” The story explores the world of children as they see it, not understanding how things work or why they are, but making up their own answers.

Alvin will encourage children to conquer their fears, whether they are superheroes or not. The book’s quick wit and comedy will entertain adults as well as children, and the illustrations bring the story even more to life. Every character is unique and original, an easy read that entertains the entire time.

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Earth Day Escapade (Part of Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew)
By Carolyn Keene
Illustrated by: Macky Pamintuan
Ages 6-9
Aladdin, 2009
Cautions: None

Kiwi Magazine Review:
Nancy Drew is updated and getting involved in solving mysteries and saving the ozone. A childhood staple, Nancy Drew and her friends always deliver excitement, intrigue and the solution to the mystery.
Publisher’s Description:
Who rained on the parade?

River Heights Elementary School is putting on an Earth Day parade, and Nancy’s class has a special honor: They get to build the float! Nancy, Bess, George, and all the kids in Mrs. Ramirez’s class have worked hard to make the “greenest” float they can, collecting recycled materials to use for decoration.

But someone’s spoiled all the fun and sabotaged the float days before the parade. Who could’ve done something like this — and why? Sounds like another case for the Clue Crew!

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Sprout Your Own Sweet Scents
Complete mini-garden kit with seeds, peat, and planters
Ages 4-12
Chronicle Books - March 2009
Cautions: None

Kiwi Magazine Review:
I believe it was snowing the day this kit arrived and it was a welcome sign of spring! Everything about this kit is well-planned and would make a perfect gift or even a science fair project. The plastic cups are biodegradable, the packaging is recyclable and the sweet-scented plants will be wonderful organic air filters for any home (through the magic of photosynthesis). This kit will brighten anyone’s window sill. The publisher also offers Leafy Wonders, which is a similar kit with 3 plants: Sensitive plant, Polka-Dot plant and Lamb’s Ear plant.

Product Description:
Sprout Your Own Sweet Scents — This clever kit has everything young gardeners need to grow three plants with sweet-as-candy scents. Easy-to-follow instructions make growing these fragrant plants simple, fun, and fast, as the plants will have scented leaves in as little as two weeks. The book features recipes and herb-drying instructions so kids can make use of their harvests.
Seed packets: Cinnamon Basil, Lemon Balm, and Spearmint

Kit includes:
3 see-through biodegradable planters, so kids can watch roots grow
3 seed packets
3 dried peat pellets (just soak in water to expand)
Stickers to decorate the planters
Book with growing instructions, plant science and history, science-fair experiments, recipes, and more!

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The Barefoot Book of Earth Tales - Dawn Casey and Anne Wilson
Read Alone: Ages 6-10
Read Together: Ages 4-8
Barefoot Books - April 2009
Cautions: None

Kiwi Magazine Review:
What a lovely book to give to any child to commemorate Earth Day or any day. There are wonderful stories from around the world about treating our friend, the earth, gently and lovingly. There are even recipes and craft projects throughout the book which add an element of creativity and fun. Another great title from Barefoot.

Barefoot Books is working with Eco-Libris, an environmental group that plants a tree for every copy of Earth Tales sold on www.barefootbooks.com this April!

Publisher’s Description:
Discover how the rest of the world is ‘Living Green’!

In this beautiful anthology of folktales, young readers learn how different cultures around the world live in harmony with the rhythms and patterns of nature. Discover how to tread lightly on our precious Earth by following the easy eco-tips and trying out some of the fun and creative activities that accompany each story. The perfect gift for any earth-conscious child!

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