Environmental Concerns Group
« Social Concerns | Last edited on December 12, 2011 at 11:21 AMEcological Gifts
This Christmas, give gifts that provide the recipients something special – an awareness of the goodness of God’s creation! Human beings have a unique position in creation and with it a unique responsibility to be stewards of God’s creation. As adults, part of our responsibility is to teach our young people to value the natural world that God gave us. “Train a child in the way he should go and
when he is old he will not turn from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)
The list that follows provides some suggestions for you to consider as Christmas gifts or at other times.
For very young children -
Books
God’s Creation (a board book, vailable at Family Christian Stores)
Author: Lori Froeb Publisher: Kregel Kidzone
God Made the World (a board book, available at Family Christian Stores)
Author: MichaelVander Klipp Publisher:Kregel Kidzone
God Made Animals (a board book, available at Family Christian Stores)
Author:Michael Vander Klipp Publisher:Kregel Kidzone
Celebrate Animals (board book, available at Angel Crossing) a story about family life on Noah’s ark based on Genesis 6-8
Author: Heidi Bratton Publisher: Circle Press
For Elementary-age Children -
Books
The Berenstain Bears Discover God’s Creation (available at Family Christian Stores)
Authors: Jan and Mike Berenstain Publisher: ZonderKidz
I Can Read Level 2, of the Made by Godseries (available at Family Christian Stores)
Publisher: ZonderKidz
Titles:
Poisonous Smelly and Amazing Plants
Forest Friends
Our Feathered Friends
Rain Forest Friends
Barnyard Critters
Snakes, Bees and Bats
Jungle Beasts
The Gigantic Coloring Book of God’s World (available at Family Christian Stores)
Publisher: Standard Publishing Co.
The Blessing of Beasts (available at Angel Crossing)
Author: Ethel Pochocki Publisher: Paraclete Press
God’s Green Earth Activity Book (available at Family Christian Stores)
Publisher: Dayspring
God Made the Animals (available at Family Christian Stores)
Publisher:Standard Publishing Co.
God’s Animals (available at Family Christian Stores)
Publisher: Standard Publishing Co.
God’s Amazing World (available at Family Christian Stores)
Publisher: Standard Publishing Co.
Oceans (60 sea creatures and their amazing watery world) (available at Barnes and Noble)
Author: Johnna Rizzo Publisher: National Geographic Society
Olivia’s Birds – illustrations by an 8-year-old artist (available at Barnes and Noble)
Author/Illustrator: Olivia Bauler Publisher: Sterling Children’s Books
The Giving Tree
Author: Shel Silverstein Publisher: Harper Collins
The Lorax
Author: Dr. Suess (Theodore Geisel) Publisher: Random House
The Call of the Wild
Author: Jack London Publisher: Macmillan
Wiggle and Waggle
Authors: Caroline Arnold Publisher: Charlesbridge
The Berenstain Bears’ Nature Guide
Authors: Jan and Mike Berenstain Publisher: Random House
The Berenstain Bears’ Four Seasons
Authors: Jan and Mike Berenstain Publisher: Random House
Where the Red Fern Grows
Author: Wilson Rawls Publisher: Doubleday
Little Yellow Pear Tomatoes
Author: Demian Elaine Yumei Publisher: Illumination Arts Publishing
Just a Dream (there is a religious lesson with this book – http://ministry-to-children.com/kids-lesson-the-environment)
Author: Chris Van Allsburg Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Old Turtle (a creation story)
Author: Douglas Wood Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.
Magazines
“Ranger Rick” (comes with $19.95 junior membership to National Wildlife Federation)
-10 issues per year -www.NWF.org
Collectibles
Clay-Mates (collectible replicas of endangered species, each with information guide)
Examples: chimpanzee, red panda, golden frog, etc.
Available at Barnes and Noble Gifts
Ecoaquarium - a complete balanced ecosystem (available at Barnes and Noble) Produced by Wild Creations (www.wildcreations.com) The kit includes tank, lid, base, and instructions. Living organisms (dwarf frogs, bamboo and gravel) are shipped separately.
Ecoraacers (available at Barnes and Noble) The remote-controlled green energy micro cars are available either solar or water powered. Includes a “how it works” poster.
Fern Valley (movie)
Other Ideas
Student membership in Delaware Nature Society, $30.
-allows member to participate in numerous DNS activities – www.delawarenaturesociety.org
Membership in Delaware Natural History Museum $50
Participate in the annual “Coast Day” activities – www.UDel.edu
Celebrate someone’s birthday in the DuPont Env’l Education Center at the Russel Peterson Wildlife Refuge
-contact 302-656-1490 for information
For Middle and High-schoolers–
Books
A Kid’s Guide to Global Warming (available at Barnes and Noble)
Subtitled “How it affects you and what you can do about it”
Author: Glenn Murphy Publisher: Weldon Owen Pty. Ltd.
The Down to Earth Guide to Global Warming
Authors: Laurie David, Cambria Gordon Publisher: Orchard Books, Scholastic, Inc.
Save the Earth Science Experiments (available at Barnes and Noble)
Contains green ideas for school science fair projects!
Author: Elizabeth Snoke Harris Publisher: Lark Books
Earth Matters, an Encyclopedia of Ecology (available at Barnes and Noble)
Author: David de Rothschild Publisher: DK Publishing
Hatchet
Author: Gary Paulsen Publisher: Bradbury Press
My Side of the Mountain
Author: Jean Craighead George Publisher: Puffin Books
Julie of the Wolves
Author: Jean Craighead George Publisher: Harper and Row
Secret Garden
Author: Frances Hodgson Burnett Publisher: Frederick A. Stokes
The Edge of the Sea
Author: Rachel Carson Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
Silent Spring
Author: Rachel Carson Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
A Sand County Almanac
Author: Aldo Leopold Publisher: Oxford University Press
Any collection of Robert Frost’s poems, such as The Poetry of Robert Frost
Author: Robert Frost and Edward Lathen Publisher: Owl Books
The Man That Planted Trees
Authors: Jean Giono, Michael McCurdy Publisher: Shambhala Publications, Inc.
There’s a Hair in My Dirt (A Worm’s Story)
Author: Gary Larson Publisher: Harper Collins
Games
The EcoQuiz Deck (available at Barnes and Noble)
Questions and answers to raise environmental awareness of young and old
Publisher: Sierra Club
Gifts
Renewable Energy Science Kit (available at Barnes and Noble)
Produced by Thames and Kosmos
There are 3 versions: fuel cell H2 powered car, wind power, and hydro power.
For Adults, Parents and Teachers –
Books
Harm Not the Earth (scripture based)
Author: Megan McKenna Publisher: Maryknoll Press
Tending to Eden: Environmental Stewardship for God’s People
Authors: Scott C. Sabin, Brian McLaren Publisher: Judson Press
The Case for a Creator (faith-based) (available at Barnes and Noble)
Also available in a student edition.
Author: Lee Strobel Publisher: Zondervan
Joy of Man’s Desiring: A Novel
Authors: Jean Giono Publisher: Counterpoint
You Can Save the Earth (subtitled “A philosophy for the future”)
Author: none listed Publisher: Hatherleigh Publishers
Omnivore’s Dilemma
Author: Michael Pollen Publisher: Penguin Press
The Petit Appetit Cookbook: Easy, Organic Recipes to Nurture Your Baby & Toddler
Author: Lisa Barnes Publisher: Penguin Group
Ecological Literacy: Educating Our Children for a Sustainable World
Author: Michael K. Stone Publisher: Sierra Club Books
The Nature Connection: An Outdoor Workbook for Kids, Families, and Classroom
Author: Claire Walker Leslie Publisher: Storey Books
Nature Smart: A Family Guide to Nature
Author: Stan Tekiela Publisher: Adventure Publications, Inc.
Talking to Fireflies, Shrinking the Moon: Nature Activities for All Ages
Author: Edward Duensing Publisher: Penguin Books
Online Resources-
God, Me and the Environment (suggested lessons for ages 4 through 12)
Author: Lois Rees download from-
http://www.unitingearthweb.org.au/files/God,%20Me%20and%20the%20Environment.pdf
http://www.guardiansofthearthstore.com
http://www.ecobooks.com/catalogs/ecochildrens.htm
Other-
The Earth-Friendly Garden (a quiz deck on green gardening)
From The Sierra Club