Green Resource from The American Library Association Website...

Public Libraries Going Green 

By Kathryn Miller

“Very practical tips on ways that libraries can become community leaders in environmental awareness.”  --The Australian Library Journal

Nature Author Extraordinaire...

Serving Up Steve Swinburne

http://steveswinburne.com/

As I was browsing the booths as PSLA last week I walked past Steve Swinburne’s booth and was immediately struck by how many titles I loved by Steve.  “Oh my gosh, I love Turtle Tide and Black Bear and Saving Manatees and…well let’s just face it, I love everything on your table Steve!”  We got to talking about the wonderful way that he presents nature to children and I thought, HEY!  I write a weblog specializing in resources just like Steve’s!  Why not do a feature on Steve’s wonderful books?

Steve’s books are not only beautiful, but they are fun to read.  They are the perfect addition to every elementary library as well as classroom libraries.  So many children really enjoy reading non-fiction and animals in particular really draw them in to reading.  Books like Unbeatable Beaks teach children about the many different types of beaks birds have.  Lots and Lots of Zebra Stripes takes a look at the art and symmetry nature has gifted us with and serves it up on a platter with a delightful storyline.  Ocean Soup is a delightful mixture of sea-themed poetry that will leave students rolling on the floor in laughter.  So if you are looking for a book that will stir up nature and make it come alive for the students in your classroom, check out a classic from Steve Swinburne!

One Family's Green Solution to Surviving the Current Financial Slump...

I LOVE creative and innovative solutions.  


When the going got tough, this family used their noodles and came up with quite a solution for how to survive the trying times we are living in...and at the end of the day, their children will not only end up with more in terms of safe and secure feelings of love and attention from their parents, but they will realize that it really is true that one cannot buy happiness with material things.  Fun can be made from all sorts of things and family is the most important thing of all.  Read on and be inspired by this TINY HOUSE...

Smart Family in a Tiny House to Build Their Future Now

Book List #4

Books About Green Construction

Birkeland, Janis. Design for Sustainability: A Sourcebook of Integrated Eco-Logical Solutions. London: Earthscan, 2009. Print.

Costa, Duran S. Eco House: Practical Ideas for a Greener, Healthier Dwelling. Richmond Hill, Ont: Firefly Books, 2010. Print.

Comprehensive resource on ecological health in the home and how to achieve it. Called the "new architecture for the new world," sustainable building is firmly established as an important influence on residential design. Eco House is a complete guide to the structural features and interior and exterior elements that make a house healthy for its residents and for Earth. From solar roofs to sinks that flush the toilet by recycling their gray water, there are any number of options, expensive and inexpensive, that can turn a home into an "eco-house. "The book covers all of the essentials of sound bioclimatic design: Structures that works with sun and wind directions Optimum ventilation and heat recovery Green roof insulation and cooling Solar heating Geothermal heating and cooling Radiant heating Pellet-fuel heating and ventilation Photoelectric power Turbine wind power Rainwater-cistern and gray-water plumbing.  This practical reference also takes readers on a room-by-room tour of hundreds of eco-friendly lifestyle options, including how to clean with chemical-free products.  Homeowners can make one change or plan an entire refit to take their house off the grid -- nothing is too little. In addition to the well-known measures, such as straw bales and solar panels, Eco House describes the many newer options available, providing photographs and illustrations as well as a directory of manufacturers. These include thermal and acoustic bricks, living walls, vegetable-fiber insulation and solar-sourced indoor lighting.  This is a fascinating volume packed with descriptive photographs and the most current expert information.

Galloway, Terry R. Solar House: A Guide for the Solar Designer. Jordan Hill, Oxford: Architectural Press, 2007. Print.

Synopsis: Covering the full life span of the project, from siting issues through specific design features to maintenance of the property and equipment, this is a comprehensive guide to designing, planning and building a solar house. The author uses his experience of living in a solar house to inform the reader of the technology and practices needed for the design, operation and maintenance of the solar home. Each of the technologies of the house, such as space heating and cooling, domestic hot water and electric power technologies, are critiqued from the point of view of the owner/resident, with the author using his thirty years experience of living in a solar home. This provides homeowners who are thinking of going solar with first hand evidence of best practice, and provides the architect and designer with the knowledge of how to best satisfy their clients needs.* Provides essential information for the solar designer and contractor * Gives an insight into the authors experience of living in a solar house to advise on best practice * Informs about the latest technology and methods for maintenance of the solar home.

Gevorkian, Peter. Alternative Energy Systems in Building Design. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2010.

This GreenSource book is a comprehensive design reference for architects, providing pragmatic, hands-on design and installation guidelines alternative energy systems technologies.

Gottfried, David. Greed to Green: The Transformation of an Industry and a Life. Berkeley, CA: WorldBuild Publishing, 2004. Print.

Imhoff, Dan. Building with Vision: Optimizing and Finding Alternatives to Wood. Healdsburg, Calif: Watershed Media, 2001.

Johnston, David, and Scott Gibson. Green from the Ground Up: Sustainable, Healthy, and Energy-Efficient Home Construction : a Builder's Guide. Newtown (CT: Taunton Press, 2008. Print.

A reference on green, sustainable and energy-efficient home construction. Starting with explanations of the concepts and fundamentals of green, healthy and energy-efficient construction, it takes readers through the construction process, offering expert advice at various decision points.

Owen, David. Green Metropolis: Why Living Smaller, Living Closer, and Driving Less Are Keys to Sustainability. New York: Riverhead Books, 2009. Print.

Upending the environmentalist viewpoint that urban areas are "anti-green," New Yorker staff writer David Owen argues that sustainability is achieved in areas like New York City, while open space, backyard compost heaps, locavorism and high-tech gadgetry like solar panels and triple-paned windows are formulas for wasteful sprawl and green-washed consumerism.

Hemenway, Toby. Gaia's Garden: A Guide to Home-Scale Permaculture. White River Junction, Vt: Chelsea Green Pub, 2009. Print.

Whatever size yard or garden you have to work with, you can apply basic permaculture principles to make it more diverse, more natural, more productive, and more beautiful. Best of all, once it’s established, an ecological garden will reduce or eliminate most of the backbreaking work that’s needed to maintain the typical lawn and garden.

Lancaster, Brad, and Joe Marshall. Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond: Volume 1. Tucson, Ariz: Rainsource Press, 2009. Print.

Lancaster, Brad, and Joe Marshall. Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond: Volume 2. Tucson, Ariz: Rainsource Press, 2010. Print.

"Earthworks are one of the easiest, least expensive, and most effective ways of passively harvesting and conserving multiple sources of water in the soil. Associated vegetation then pumps the harvested water back out in the form of beauty, food, shelter, wildlife habitat, and passive heating and cooling strategies, while controlling erosion, increasing soil fertility, reducing downstream flooding, and improving water and air quality.  Building on the information presented in Volume 1, this book shows you how to select, place, size, construct, and plant your chosen water-harvesting earthworks. It presents detailed how-to information and variations of a diverse array of earthworks, including chapters on mulch, vegetation, and greywater recycling so you can customize the techniques to the unique requirements of your site."--Publisher's website

Long, Charles K. The Stonebuilder's Primer: A Step-by-Step Guide for Owner-Builders. Willowdale: Firefly Books, 2006. Print.

Ludwig, Art. Water Storage: Tanks, Cisterns, Aquifers and Ponds: for Domestic Supply, Fire, and Emergency Use. Santa Barbara, CA: Oasis Design, 2009. Print.

"Describes how to store water for home, farm, and small communities."--P. ii.

Snell, Clarke, and Tim Callahan. Building Green: A Complete How-to Guide to Alternate Building Methods: Earth Plaster, Straw Bale, Cordwood, Cob, Living Roofs. New York: Lark Books, 2009. Print.

"An alternative, or green, home is built with an understanding of how the specific site can match the needs of the owners and result in a dwelling that is attractive and environmentally responsible. With lively and detailed writing, plus more than 1,200 how-to photos, this bestselling book takes you through the construction of a small building that incorporates a wide spectrum of alternative techniques and materials. Now available in a new edition, you'll find a revised introduction that places the book within the context of the green building field, touches upon its success, and provides a link to extensive online resources collected and updated by the authors. Here is the perfect guide to creating your own thoughtfully planned and designed green home"--Cover, p. 4.

Stang, Alanna, and Christopher Hawthorne. The Green House: New Directions in Sustainable Architecture. New York: Princeton Architectural Press, 2010. Print

Alanna Stang and Christopher Hawthorne have traveled to the farthest reaches of the globe to find all that is new in the design of sustainable or "green" homes. The result: more than thirty-five residences in fifteen countries - and nearly every conceivable natural environment - designed by a combination of star architects and new practitioners.

Weismann, Adam, and Katy Bryce. Using Natural Finishes: Lime- & Earth-Based Plasters, Renders & Paints : a Step-by-Step Guide. Totnes: Green, 2008. Print.

Provides step-by-step instructions for applying natural finishes, including plasters, renders, and paints.

Yudelson, Jerry. The Green Building Revolution. Washington: Island Press, 2008. Print.

"The Green Building Revolution introduces readers to the basics of green building and to the projects and people that are advancing this movement. It shows readers why and how to start thinking about designing, building, and operating high-performance, environmentally aware (primarily LEED-certified) buildings on conventional budgets."--Jacket.

Book List #3

Great Children’s Books About Science

Baeyer H. C. Rainbows, Snowflakes, and Quarks: Physics and the World Around Us. New York: Random House, 1993. Print.

[A totally awesome book for HS Physics teachers!  I have a copy on my personal bookshelf.  It's a great way to introduce some fun facts into physics class.  MJ]

Bentley, W A, and W J. Humphreys. Snow Crystals. New York: Dover Publications, 2002. Print.

Bentley, W A. Snowflakes in Photographs. Mineola, N.Y: Dover, 2000. Print.

[Bentley's photos are a wonder to behold and add magic to science lessons at any age level.  MJ]

Bial, Raymond. A Handful of Dirt. New York: Walker, 2000. Print.

Discusses the nature and importance of soil and the many forms of life it supports.

Bulla, Clyde R, and Stacey Schuett. A Tree Is a Plant. New York: Scholastic, 2002. Print.

Describes how an apple tree grows from seed and explains how its roots obtain food and how its leaves change with the season.

Cassino, Mark, Jon Nelson, and Nora Aoyagi. The Story of Snow: The Science of Winter's Wonder. San Francisco: Chronicle Books, 2009. Print.

This book about the science of snow features photos of snow crystals in their beautiful diversity and includes how snow crystals are formed into different shapes and snow-crystal-catching instructions in the back of the book.

Heiligman, Deborah, and Bari Weissman. From Caterpillar to Butterfly. New York: Collins, 2008. Print.

While watching a caterpillar brought to school in a glass jar slowly change into a beautiful butterfly, the class and the reader learn the basics about the mystery of metamorphosis.

Himmelman, John. An Earthworm's Life. New York: Children's Press, 2000. Print.

Describes, in simple text and illustrations, the daily activities and life cycle of the earthworm.

Hipp, Andrew. The Life Cycle of an Earthworm. New York, N.Y: PowerKids Press, 2002. Print.

Briefly explains what a worm is, how it mates, reproduces, and its benefits to the ecosystem.

Jenkins, Priscilla B, and Lizzy Rockwell. A Nest Full of Eggs. New York: Scholastic, 1998. Print.

Describes how in the spring the American robin prepares her nest, lays her eggs, and waits patiently on her nest keeping the eggs warm until twelve days pass and they are ready to hatch.

Jordan, Helene J, and Loretta Krupinski. How a Seed Grows. Paw Prints, 2008. Print.

Uses observations of bean seeds planted in eggshells to demonstrate the growth of seeds into plants.

Kalman, Bobbie. The Life Cycle of an Earthworm. New York: Crabtree Pub, 2004. Print.

An introduction to the various types of worms, how they reproduce, what they eat, where they are found, and the threats to their existence.

Libbrecht, Kenneth G. The Art of the Snowflake: A Photographic Album. St. Paul, MN: Voyageur Press, 2007. Print.

The perfect geometry and exquisite beauty of nature is nowhere so clear to us as in the snowflake. But how have we been able to appreciate this infinitesimal wonder in all its crystalline glory? This book, as much a work of art as a testament to science, reveals how one of the snowflake's most inspired photographers came to such intimate knowledge of his craft and its fleeting focus. Beautiful pictures illustrate Kenneth Libbrecht's story of the microphotography of snow crystals, from the pioneering work of Wilson Bentley in the 1890s right up to Ken's own innovations in our age of digital images. A breathtaking look at the works of art that melt in an instant, this is a book to page through and savor, season after season. [When I first saw a Libbrecht book I was blown away by the beauty of his photos.  Students and teachers alike will be amazed and delighted.  Being able to examine nature this close can add whole new dimensions to lessons in math and science. MJ]

Libbrecht, Kenneth G. Ken Libbrecht's Field Guide to Snowflakes. St Paul, Minn: MBI Pub, 2006. Print.

Examines all the different kinds of snowflakes.

Libbrecht, Kenneth G. The Little Book of Snowflakes. Stillwater, MN: Voyageur Press, 2004. Print.

Presents photographs of snowflakes taken by Kenneth Libbrecht with a special photomicroscope, and includes snowflake facts, as well as related quotations from poets, naturalists, and others.

Lin, Grace, and Robert Mercer. Robert's Snowflakes: Artists' Snowflakes for Cancer's Cure. New York: Viking, 2005. Print.

Award-winning children's book illustrators created the snowflakes and well-known writers added the perfect poems for the winter season.

Locker, Thomas. Water Dance. San Diego: Voyager Books/Harcourt, 2002. Print.

Water speaks of its existence in such forms as storm clouds, mist, rainbows, and rivers. Includes factual information on the water cycle.

Locker, Thomas. Cloud Dance. San Diego: Silver Whistle/Harcourt, 2000. Print.

Clouds of many shapes and sizes drift and dance across the sky. Includes factual information on the formation and different kinds of clouds.

Locker, Thomas, and Candace Christiansen. Sky Tree: Seeing Science Through Art. New York, NY: HarperCollins, 1995. Print.

A tree stands on a hill by a river, its branches showing the seasons, filling with changing leaves, clouds, snow, birds, mist, fog, and the spring sun.

Locker, Thomas. Mountain Dance. San Diego: Silver Whistle/Harcourt, 2001. Print.

A poetic description of various kinds of mountains and how they are formed. Includes factual information on mountains.

Locker, Thomas, and Joseph Bruchac. Rachel Carson: Preserving a Sense of Wonder. Golden, Colo: Fulcrum Pub, 2009. Print.

A biography of Rachel Carson interspersed with her own memorable quotes.

London, Jonathan, and Greg Couch. Sun Dance, Water Dance. New York: Dutton Children's Books, 2001. Print.

Celebrates a great summer day of childhood near and in a river.

Maestro, Betsy, and Loretta Krupinski. Why Do Leaves Change Color?New York, NY: HarperCollins, 1994. Print.

Explains how leaves change their colors in autumn and then separate from the tree as the tree prepares for winter.

Martin, Jacqueline B. Snowflake Bentley. Boston, Mass: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2010. Print.

A biography of a self-taught scientist who photographed thousands of individual snowflakes in order to study their unique formations.

McKinney, Barbara S, and Michael S. Maydak. A Drop Around the World. Nevada City, Calif: Dawn Publications, 1998. Print.

Presents the water cycle through the journey of a raindrop around the world, in sky, on land, underground, and in the sea, in its liquid, solid, and vapor forms, as it supports life everywhere.

Nelson, Robin. Rocks. Minneapolis: Lerner Publications, 2005. Print.

A simple introduction to the types of rocks on Earth.

Pfeffer, Wendy, and Holly Keller. From Tadpole to Frog. New York: Scholastic, 2003. Print.

Describes the metamorphosis from tadpole to frog.

René, Ellen. Investigating Why Leaves Change Their Color. New York: Rosen Pub. Group's PowerKids Press, 2009. Print.

An introduction to leaves and the changes that they go through.

Rustad, Martha E. H, and Gail Saunders-Smith. Snowflakes. Mankato, Minn: Capstone Press, 2009. Print.

An introduction to the snowflake.

Strauss, Rochelle, and Rosemary Woods. One Well: The Story of Water on Earth. Toronto: Kids Can Press, 2007. Print.

Water is a necessity of life on earth. Learn ways to protect it while learning water's story.

Symes, R F, Colin Keates, and Andreas Einsiedel. Rocks & Minerals. New York: Knopf, 1988. Print.

Text and photographs examine the creation, importance, erosion, mining, and uses of rocks and minerals.

Waldman, Neil. The Snowflake: A Water Cycle Story. Brookfield, Conn: Millbrook Press, 2003. Print.

Follows the journey of a water droplet through the various stages of the water cycle, from precipitation to evaporation and condensation.

Walker, Sally M. Rocks. Minneapolis: Lerner Publications, 2007. Print.

Explains what a rock is, how it is formed and different types of rocks.

Wick, Walter. A Drop of Water: A Book of Science and Wonder. New York: Scholastic, 1998. Print.

Describes the origins, characteristics, and uses of water.

Book List #2

Books about Green Schools and Green Education

Bucklin-Sporer, Arden, and Rachel K. Pringle. How to Grow a School Garden: A Complete Guide for Parents and Teachers. Portland, Or: Timber Press, 2010. Print.

A practical guide to creating a school garden offers strategies, lesson plans, to-do lists, design plans, and recipes to help teachers, parents, and administrators transform a neglected play space into a beautiful and nourishing outdoor classroom.

Christopher, Todd. The Green Hour: A Daily Dose of Nature for Happier, Healthier, Smarter Kids. Boston: Trumpeter Books, 2010. Print.

Offering families fun ways to explore nature, the book is a field guide to outdoor adventure--offering activities, fun facts, science lessons, and practical advice for engaging children in outdoor nature play that presents teachable moments and open-ended exploration of the natural world.

Danks, Sharon G. Asphalt to Ecosystems: Design Ideas for Schoolyard Transformation. Oakland, CA: New Village Press, 2010. Print.

"Case studies from North America, Scandinavia, Great Britain, and Japan demonstrate natural outdoor learning and play environments that support hands-on interdisciplinary lessons and expand the possibilities for schoolyard recreation, while nurturing healthy imagination and socialization"--Provided by publisher.

Keeler, Rusty. Natural Playscapes: Creating Outdoor Play Environments for the Soul. Redmond, Wash: Exchange Press, 2008. Print.

Louv, Richard. Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder. Chapel Hill, N.C: Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, 2008. (available in print and ebook format)

Louv talks with parents, children, teachers, scientists, religious leaders, child-development researchers, and environmentalists to find ways for children to experience the natural world more deeply.

Pollan, Michael. Second Nature: A Gardener's Education. New York, NY: Grove Press, 2008. Print.

As Pollan meanders through a year of gardening and philosophy, he describes his efforts to garden five acres of a rocky hillside in Connecticut.

Sobel, David. Place-based Education: Connecting Classrooms & Communities. Great Barrington, MA: Orion Society, 2005. Print.

Stone, Michael K. Smart by Nature: Schooling for Sustainability. Healdsburg, Calif: Watershed Media, 2009. Print.

"Describes strategies for greening the campus and the curriculum, conducting environmental audits, rethinking school food, and transforming schools into models of sustainable community."--Cover.

Stone, Michael K. Ecological Literacy: Educating Our Children for a Sustainable World. San Francisco, CA: Sierra Club Books, 2007. Print.

Book List #1

 

Books About Science Experiments

Connolly, Sean. The Book of Totally Irresponsible Science. New York: Workman Pub, 2008. Print.

Simple to do science experiments to be done with items found in the kitchen or garden.

Connolly, Sean. The Book of Potentially Catastrophic Science. London: Icon, 2011. Print.

Einstein, Galileo, Newton ... and now YOU! PARACHUTE an egg from an upstairs window! DISTIL DNA from a half-eaten banana! SPARK lightning in your mouth! Here are fifty awesome experiments that demonstrate the principles behind the greatest scientific breakthroughs in human history

Kurzweil, Allen, and Rob Walker. Potato Chip Science. New York: Workman Pub, 2009. Print.

Provides experiments associated with a bag of potato chips: bags, chips, lids, spuds, and tubes.

Lancaster, Mike. Green Chemistry. Cambridge: Royal Society of Chemistry, 2010. Print

Aimed at students, this introduction to green chemistry encourages new ways of thinking about how products and processes are developed.

Roberts, Royston M. Serendipity: Accidental Discoveries in Science. New York: John Wiley, 1989. Print.

Secret Science: 25 Science Experiments Your Teacher Doesn't Know About. Paw Prints, 2009. Print.

Presents twenty-five experiments that teach the basic principles of chemistry, physics, density, magnetism, and balance.

The Science Chef: 100 Fun Food Experiments and Recipes for Kids. Paw Prints, 2008. Print.

Learn how to make curds and whey (and why it is called "cottage cheese"), why popcorn pops, and why one bad apple can spoil the whole barrel. Have fun cooking and learn a little about science. Includes brief experiments and lots of recipes that range in skill level from novice to intermediate.