"The Mom's Guide to Growing Your Family Green" takes a more traditional view of the word 'green,' talking about increasing a family's quality of life by living a green lifestyle. Topics included reducing water and energy consumption, eco-friendly disposal and consumption, and green travel. What I appreciated is that Wellington didn't list things that one should do, she gave specific, concrete reasons as to WHY doing these things would improve a family's life.

If you're looking for specific steps to take to reduce your footprint, whether or not you're a mom, "The Mom's Guide to Growing Your Family Green" offers simple actionable items and would be a good resource. ( )

I was impressed with this book as a reference for families. It should be especially helpful for those who don't know where to start in changing their lifestyles to become more "green." As has been stated before, it isn't a book to be read cover to cover; it functions best as a reference.

I was pleasantly surprised how comprehensive this treatment of "going green" for the family and for the family in the community was. For some, it may be too comprehensive, frankly. I wouldn't recommend trying to simply read from cover to cover. I would think of it more as a beginning reference book. Look at what interests you, at the time, and this is a great starting point. Take what you read, do some additional related research, and I think it will serve you well. I have taught courses on the environment. I wouldn't say this is either the best or the worst I have read. It is what it is. A useful resource for the family interesting in ideas for "going green!" ( )

This book started out like an ad for Energy Star program. Buy an Energy Star refrigerator! Buy an Energy Star lighting! Buy an Energy Star water heater! etc. But after that first chapter, she started to win me over.

Until she mentioned putting in artificial grass for your lawn. She lost me there. Her suggestion to xeriscape was good, if you live in a dry climate. I applaud her for that. However, astroturf? Really?? What about the microbiology and insects in the soil - and the animals that need those insects to survive, such as native birds (for which she suggests planting native trees)? What about the problem of what water runoff when it DOES rain? What about all that waste that goes into manufacturing and then recycling the artificial grass every ten years when it fades? That is all cost and energy that could easily be avoided - by simply xeriscaping. If you need a green lawn, buy a home that is not in the desert, for starters.

Like so many other books, take the good and leave the rest.

All in all this book has tons of great information, and also has links to other sources as well. It has lots of helpful tables and charts, and also formulas to make your own cleaning solutions. I was impressed by the wide range of areas the author covered, but myself I was hoping for more in-depth explanations and analysis of the suggestions given. A good book for people trying to embrace the "green lifestyle" but it may be too basic for seasoned environmentalists. ( )