The Earth and I by Frank Asch

Genre – ILLUSTRATED/PICTURE BOOK

 

Summary – This fun children’s book focuses on the idea of a friendship between a child and the Earth.  The two of them (the child and the Earth) bond like normal children do – they play with each other, talk to one another, and help each other grow.  The main idea of the story is that when the Earth is sad, the child is also sad.  Just like kids today want their friends to be happy, the child in the book wants the Earth to be happy, so the child does what they can to keep the Earth happy and healthy. 

 Teaching Points – This book is very child-friendly.  There is an important underlying theme to this book that is presented in a way that is very relatable to younger children.  Teachers can have children write different things that they would do together with their friend, the Earth.  Then, teachers can have students brainstorm ideas about what they can do to keep their friend, the Earth, happy.  Having students look at the earth from a different perspective (that Earth is their friend) can help them realize that what they do on a daily basis affects whether or not the earth is “happy.”             

Suggested Reading Level – Elementary Grades K-5         

Additional Resources – The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences provides a kid-friendly website.  This site offers short stories and videos, games, activities, and kid-friendly information about the earth.  It is a great, reliable resource to access for children and also provides information for adults with ways they can help students learn to be environmentally aware.               

 NIEHS Kids: http://kids.niehs.nih.gov/    

Citation – Asch, F. (2008). The earth and i. Sandpiper:   

ISBN-10: 0152063951 / ISBN-13: 978-0152063955