Ten Things I Can Do to Help My World

10 Things I Can Do

by Melanie Walsh

This book is written in a way that pre-schoolers will understand and yet gives a message that all ages should learn. It is an important book for the new generation. A beautifully simple book for small children where transforming pages reveal ten things that everyone can do to help conserve their world. Many of them, such as turning off the television properly, walking to school and turning off lights when leaving a room, are about conserving energy. Others, such as feeding the birds in winter and growing plants from seed, will encourage an understanding of nature and conservation.

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, Environment, Childrens, Science, Earth, Storytime

40 pages, Hardcover

First published August 26, 2008

About the author

Melanie Walsh (born 18 July 1964) is an English writer and illustrator of children's books. She studied at Harrow School of Art and the Royal College of Art.

Walsh has published 46 works in 98 publications. Her books have been translated into nine different languages.[1]

Reviews

[Danni Green · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you're going to claim that these actions help the world, you need to back it up with science. Some of these seem highly questionable (feeding wild birds in the winter?). Others are just flat-out ableist (walk instead of drive) and/or presume access to material resources that many readers won't have. The tone of the book comes off as preachy and discourages independent inquiry. I'm all for saving the planet but if you're going to advocate for this kind of action, you gotta do it responsibly.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some of you know me as "The Trashy Librarian" because--despite what the rest of you are thinking--I love to collect and reuse all kinds of recycled goods for my library programs. It's thus not all that surprising that I LOVE THIS BOOK! This is a really important subject for children, and this book is all-around fabulous. It is visually appealing and cleverly designed, and the simple text is clear and inspiring. This is a must-read for all children pre-school through elementary school!

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5.

Simple, tangible ideas and strategies to help the world. I can see myself using it in April for Earth Day especially.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is interesting for young readers in the way it is presented with shaped pages and easy-to-read tips.

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very simple, but visually dramatic help the environment book. Elissa said she used it in a young Earth Day program and it was checked out afterwards.

[Roxanne Hsu Feldman · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a well-conceived and fabulously executed picture book nonfiction for the very young set. (I do wonder about some of the "wasted" paper that got cut away to make those flip-the-flap pages...) The writing is aptly simplistic with a factual sentence explaining why behind each of the 10 things that anyone can do to "save the world." Excellent offering on a hot and trendy (and very important) topic.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ten Things I Can Do to Help My World:
1. Turn Off the Lights
2. Turn Off the Faucet
3. Throw Away My Trash
4. Feed the Birds
5. Use Both Sides of the Paper
6. To Unplug the TV When Not in Use
7. Making Toys from Recycled Products
8. Walk Instead of Drive
9. Plant Seeds
10. Sort Recycling

Why do we do all these things? Because we love the world.

Used for "Go Green!" storytime: April, 2011.

[Fjóla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought some of the ten examples weren't the best one could have though of, but this book is VERY cleverly designed with interesting and exciting die-cuts, and it's all made of recycled material. The illustrations are cute and engaging and feature mixed media that give it a very real and practical feel. Even the typesetting is quite clever. But the best thing is probably that it's so simple that it can be easily be shared with preschoolers or even toddlers.

[Heather Muzzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the muted natural dye-like colors in a rare but needed non-fiction for the youngest readers. The small print words are great for older kids and even some of the parents that need reasons to switch old habits.

I usually expect a book like this to have one last page geared at the parents such as more kid-level tips, some statistic or links to related topic websites.

[elissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used this at an "April"-themed storytime (to represent Earth Day) last month, and it went over really well. One of the moms immediately asked to check it out. Very simple, but extremely well done.

[Scout Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Waited so long for this book from the library! SOO LONG. I was checking every day to see if it arrived! (I am looking for kids' books on the environment for a project.)

Overall, the book was colourful and nicely illustrated with flaps - I didn't realize there would be flaps on every page.

The small actions kids can take to help the world listed here are a nice start for young children, maybe 3-6 year olds. More complex/effort-involved solutions could be used for age 7-9 children. This book is simple and geared towards a younger audience, and it's a very short read.

I did not like the page where it said "Putting garbage away keeps the world safe and clean." This is kind of misleading, since throwing garbage in the garbage just allows it to go into a landfill somewhere else?? It keeps your neighbourhood "clean and safe" maybe, but definitely not the world.

I liked the page with "use both sides of the paper" - well done illustrations and smart (sometimes overlooked) suggestion for kids!

All in all it was a well-done book, aside from my project I would recommend it to all young kids (JK-Grade 2ish). Good for parents to read to their kids, or for this book to be used in schools.

[Faith Walton · Rating 5 out of 5]

1. Turn Off the Lights
2. Turn Off the Faucet
3. Throw Away My Trash
4. Feed the Birds
5. Use Both Sides of the Paper
6. To Unplug the TV When Not in Use
7. Making Toys from Recycled Products
8. Walk Instead of Drive
9. Plant Seeds
10. Sort Recycling

I LOVE THIS BOOK! This book is so fun! It's made of recycled materials, and it has fun pages. After each thing, there is a half-page to turn. It's such a cute book. It's super simple but in a good way. The last page is my favorite because you flip down a picture of the Earth.

I would definitely use this for a go-green event. I think kids would have fun flipping the pages down. A simple book like is is perfect to give kids easy ways they too can help the environment.

[Erin Puskas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! It is very unique in that it has cut-outs through out the book that surely would engage even a young reader. The tips included are very practical and would help a child grasp that our world is beautiful and it is our job to do our part in keeping it that way. I'm so glad I found this jem of a picture book.

[NayDoubleU · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very attractive for children with due the the non-conventional pages and lots of fun facts! The book is 100% recycled and that is pretty cool. It's easy to understand and quick to read. Lots of lessons plans can be made throughout the book and because of that it is one of my favorites and will be in my classroom.

[Sophonie Joseph-Canel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book. It is simple enough for small children to begin to understand, yet complex enough for a guided parent or teacher conversation. I would use this book in my class during a lesson about earth, of environmental awareness week. A must read for all children. I was also beautifully illustrated, clear bold pictures to catch your attention!

[Portable · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book provides a very accessible way for children to take action and act responsibly to look after our planet. Inviting, colourful illustrations make this thought-provoking book a popular choice, and a great starting point for discussions.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for young and old alike. Simple text with a powerful message about how little things can truly help the world by reducing waste and saving resources. The left the flap and cut-away pages make the message stand out to the reader.

[Lisa Nolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the perfect picture book to introduce how to be friendly to the environment to children ages 2 to 3 and up. The pictures are bold, with hidden surprises, and the text is simple, easy to understand, and told in first-person narrative. I highly recommend it!

[Sandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I guess I don't have budding environmentalists... I asked my kids what they thought of this book and they essentially said "meh" in kid. I guess I'll have to teach them how to be conservationists another way.

[Liam Stamp · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great reminder to children how the little things which they do within their day which can help the world become a better place. I would this book is most suitable to children within Yr 2 so that they can become more educated about being more sustainable.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple book with flaps to teach kids small things they can do to help the world (recycle, turn off the water, turn off lights, reuse stuff, etc). Great book for earth day and everyday. I know I could use the reminders.

[rabi · Rating 4 out of 5]

one thing I really like about this book is its concise answers for the "why?" question that inevitably comes on each page.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple, short text, bold illustrations, and things that kids can easily identify with. Will be good for Earth Day and also 1st grade CCD class about taking care of God's creation.

[Kate Mcwilliams · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely book on sustainability with beautiful illustrations. It's also a great book for assemblies on sustainability!

[Anna Len · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book can teach students eco-tips and how to be mindful consumers. A good book for k-3 elementary classrooms.

[Alison · Rating 1 out of 5]

There are a few good ideas here, but some questionable ones. Even though for children, this is too simplistic and shallow and poor quality for my taste. We can do better than this.

[Maeve · Rating 3 out of 5]

A list of ten easy things that children can do to help the environment.

[Kelly Chester · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book

[Mellanie C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good advice for young people.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple things that young students can do to help our enviornment.

A good launch for our unit Taking Care of the Earth