The Earth is Good: A Chant in Praise of Nature

This begins with a boy and a dog running along the woods, so it seems. The sun is breaking behind them as they trot with eagerness enjoying the air. It first looks like the boy has red skinned knees, but the way the illustrations of the boy blend in with nature it is hard to really tell. This happens to be a journey exploring nature with this boy and dog as the pages reflect the scenery changing, as well as the weather with the boy removing his socks and shoes at one point along with his shirt. The second set of pages has the boy leaping for joy with his arms outstretched among the mountains to the left. This illustration looks like leaves are on his shirt, as he becomes one in nature in what started as a white shirt. My son says it was a pretty good book but he wanted to know the name of the boy and his dog. This is a Scholastic book authored by Michael DeMunn, who is a prominent conservationist, with the illustrations by Jim McMullan, a celebrated artist. This would make a wonderful addition to a classroom that has a study on nature or earth to have kids take turns reading the pages and discuss the surroundings on these pages. The theme is that all is good with nature setting positive settings to appreciate the earth and all its gifts, as they are seen through the eyes of the boy with the illustrations. The boy and his dog enjoy a carefree day that is worth reading for budding nature lovers. The age range could easily fit from three to eight and handy for when Earth Day rolls around next year.

As a music specialist in early childhood, this book is great. Add hand clapping and foot stamping to get a rhythm going. The children have the words memorized in no time. Thanks to the rhythmic nature of this book. Great for pre reading activites and children with speech problems.