Customer Reviews

Common Ground: The Water, Earth, and Air We Share

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This is a beautifully illustrated book that asks important questions without "talking down" to children. The text explores environmental issues beginning with the common-shared ground in many early settlements. Starting with the problem of townspeople feeding too many sheep on the commons, resulting in a scarcity of grass, Bang goes on to the forests, seas, air, and water. She does not offer solutions, but poses questions that are open-ended and invite discussion. I am an art professor and volunteer as an elementary art teacher. I plan to use this book during Earth Week to teach an illustration unit on environmental issues to third graders. Bang's use of multiple baselines in her representation of the common ground is delightful and creates another interesting avenue for discussion with children. I'm never disappointed with a Bang book. I've been a fan since The Grey Lady and the Strawberry Snatcher. Common Ground does not disappoint!

A thought-provoking allegory--with vivid, jewel-like illustrations--based on biologist Garrett Hardin's classic biology article (Science, 1968), "The Tragedy of the Commons," this book raises important stewardship questions regarding the earth's flora, fauna, and natural resouces. It also deftly implies that the answer is embedded in the Tale of the Commons. Insightful illustrations use cut-away and distorted aerial perspectives to amplify the text, and to provoke readers to always consider "the bigger picture" when taking action. Indeed, this book teaches children a very important ecology lesson in a visually enticing way! It should also be noted that this book won the 1998 GIVERNY AWARD for Best Children's Science Picture Book.

With increasing concern over the exploitation of resources and the fairness of the useage, it is important for every child (and adult) to understand that there is a limit to the natural resources. This book is an entertaining and easy reading experience as well as educational. I am using this book with a day camp, it is that good. It gives good coverage to social consequences of inept management of common resources, as well as social remedies in a very simple and fun format for children. The art work is exceptional.

Another superbly crafted book. The premise is simple, the text spare, but successfully captures the essence of current global environmental concerns. My 8 year-old gravely affirmed the very powerful statement on the last page to his 7-year old sister, who had been rather more hopeful. You don't need to bang on drums to deliver a punch! Like to put in a request here for more non-fiction works from Molly, please! Also, a quick note to homeschoolers and avid mums: you might want to combine this book with Winston of Churchill (also available on Amazon) for a memorable and highly enjoyable unit.

This is a great book. It is simple and easy to understand and it really gives kids and adults an idea of what the Commons are for us today. The Commons are everything we depend upon and share and also that we all take care of. They are the land, the air, the water, animals, plants and more. I have read this book to my fourth grade class and it inspired some very thought provoking discussions. I highly recommend this book to parents and teachers.

I got this book for myself but it is now on my 2-year-old's bookshelf. It is a great story to spark discussion of saving the earth and uniting as one. I think it's wonderful and we read it often in our house. Great for any age, I think it is a good gift, too. Molly Bang is wonderful.