This story celebrates friendship that one child has with the Earth. They play together, listen to each other, and nourish each other. But when the Earth is sad, the child is sad--so he finds a way to make his friend, the Earth, happy.
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Book Description
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
"The Earth and I are friends," begins this sentimental picture book in which a boy inventories the many ways he and the planet benefit and enjoy each other. Examples both obvious ("I help her to grow. She helps me to grow" accompanies pictures of the boy tilling soil, then eating food) and inspired ("I dance for her. She dances for me" is paired with the boy raking leaves, then the leaves being blown about by a gust of wind) give way to the book's ultimate "green" message: "When she's sad, I'm sad" captions a view of a scrap heap. The simple text is consistent with Asch's repertoire of very young picture books (Happy Birthday, Moon; Bear Shadow), but it lacks the humor that have made the others preschool classics. He paints a dreamscape of liquidy watercolors, with blues, purples, greens and reds bleeding together in a wash of rainbows that cover both the boy and the earth: hair, clothes, leaves, clouds are each multicolored. Jaded adults may have to stifle a laugh at the final, feel-good illustration, which features the narrator hugging a tree. Ages 3-7.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 1-A simple story in which a boy describes his interactions with his special "friend," the Earth. ("I tell her what's on my mind. She listens to every word.") Asch's paintings show the child in close harmony with nature as he rides the back of a tortoise, plants vegetables, sings with the birds, and dances in the wind. Pollution mars their play towards the end ("When she's sad, I'm sad"), but he cleans up the garbage, plants a new flower, and hugs a tree on the final page. Despite the rainbow tones woven into each illustration, the muted pictures are blandly drawn and have little personality. They are in keeping with the universality of the author's message, but make for a rather unexciting picture book. The basic ecological theme is delivered in a straightforward manner; the book could be used to introduce nature units and is well suited to beginning readers. Nancy Carlstrom's Northern Lullaby (Philomel, 1992), Doug Florian's Nature Walk (1989), and Charlotte Zolotow's Say It! (1980, both Greenwillow) address the subject with more charm and imagination, but The Earth and I will reach even younger audiences.
Steven Engelfried, West Lynn Library, OR
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Steven Engelfried, West Lynn Library, OR
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
A child makes friends with the earth and its creatures. When the earth gets sad because of trash and pollution, the child cleans up the garbage and makes the earth happy. The beautiful color illustrations captivated my daughter before she was one. Now it is still a favorite of hers, and she knows the words by heart and makes observations about the story.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By James Groves
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
What a wonderful story and the pictures are beautiful. I love to share this with my students. The kids love he pictures.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I got this book from the library for my 2 year old and he loves it! The illustrations are wonderfully colorful and eyecatching, instantly holding his attention. He wants me to read it over and over. I know this book is meant for kids a little older but the message is great for even the littlest children! Exellent!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Nice for earth day
This is nice to have on hand for earth day as the boy has a relationship with the earth, and they help each other. Pre k through grade one
Published 13 days ago by Carolyn Wilhelm
5.0 out of 5 stars
Our Earth for you and me!!!
Children like this book a lot, all the pictures are very colorful and good for their age group, thanks a lot!!!
Published 1 month ago by Gisela Navarro
1.0 out of 5 stars
Boring book by a great author
Very disappointed. I read the title of the book but I didn't expect it to be just a super-green fluffy, boring story. I usually love this author's work.
Published 3 months ago by Lisa A Johnson
4.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful art
Frank Asch is an amazing artist, and his varied work in children's books grab your attention and imagination. Read more
Published on January 9, 2011 by sparklepony
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful book
Book was gorgeous and children loved the pictures. I am working on going "green" in my classroom. Books like this one help children to appreciate our planet!
Published on May 23, 2010 by P. W. Dickey
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