Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 4-Written to the tune of "The Twelve Days of Christmas," this song celebrates Earth Day and 12 different creatures that inhabit the planet. The lyrics begin, "On the first Earth Day Birthday the wide world gave to me- A bald eagle in the sky." Other species spotlighted include grizzlies, panthers, salmon, fawns, and owls. The vibrant double-page paintings printed on glossy paper depict the animals in their native habitats and are large enough to be seen if shared with a group. One caveat: the activity described in the verses does not always match what appears in the pictures. For instance, the illustration for "Eleven seals a-swimming" shows only two seals in water while the remaining nine rest nearby on the ice. The concluding pages provide a brief history of Earth Day, ideas for gifts that children could give the Earth (e.g., plant a tree), and the lyrics and music. With its realistic artwork, this attractive package would make an appealing sing-along supplement to a unit or storytime on Earth Day.-Lynn K. Vanca, Akron-Summit County Public Library, Richfield, OH (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
On the first Earth Day Birthday / the wide world gave to me... / A bald eagle / in a blue sky."" So begins this ode to twelve North American animals, to be sung to the tune (printed music provided) of ""The Twelve Days of Christmas."" The verses scan well, but the concept is hokey, and the double-page spreads have a slightly synthetic look. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
"On the first Earth Day Birthday the wide world gave to me . . . A bald eagle in a blue sky." In cumulative verses more or less singable to the tune of "12 Days of Christmas," Schnetzler introduces a menagerie of familiar creatures, up to "twelve wolves a-howling," capped by an eloquent comment on the origins and purposes of Earth Day. Wallace's dramatic, spread-filling, close-up animal paintings sometimes look faded, as if overexposed, but provide plenty of visual interest--and his wildlife often seems to be gazing expectantly out at viewers, as if asking "Well? What are you waiting for?" Young readers and listeners won't miss the bluntly delivered message. (Picture book. 6-8) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
