23 ways to be an eco hero A step-by-step guide to creative ways you can save the world

Thomas' upbeat message is that children can help rescue their planet through 23 hands-on projects. A few show how to reduce the family's carbon footprint (making a four-minute sand timer for the shower). Others recycle discarded household items (covering an old table with a collage of cut-up comics and coating it with watered-down glue). Still others connect children more closely with the natural world (constructing a wooden bat box, creating a backyard minipond, or planting seeds in origami boxes made from recycled magazines). Some projects are more compelling than others, and many, even those not involving knives, stoves, or power tools, will require adult assistance to follow the directions successfully, but plenty of the ideas here are worth trying. The colorful digital illustrations are helpful and attractive. While the book was originally published in the UK, the appended list of Internet resources in the American edition includes websites by U.S. agencies and organizations. A good book for raising environmental awareness in DIY-minded kids.--Phelan, Carolyn Copyright 2016 Booklist