Allan Drummond

The thing I loved most about this book was the imagination of the main characters and the telling of the real event of the first flight. We get to hear everything that the the Wright brothers were planning on doing. We hear all that the Wright brothers needed to make flight successful and we get to see illustrations of all of this happening. The kids in the book are all imagining what could come out of the Wright brothers making flight possible. The kids imagine that there could be a plane show more that carries two people, a flying machine for one person to sit in and steer, flying war machines, a huge flying bus, and a flying machine to go to the moon. As far as the kids know, its just their imagination talking. The audience knows that all of these things are actually real, of course with different names. Although the Wright brothers were able to succeed in being the first people to make flight possible, the kids didn't allow that to deter them of all the great things to come. show less

Kamikatsu is a small town in Japan that used to have a terrible pollution problem. Scientists came and discovered poisonous dioxins in the soil, air, and water because of how residents were disposing of waste (incinerators and trash pits). "People had to start looking seriously at reducing, reusing, and recycling the waste. Either that, or the town would die." People spoke up - including the narrators' grandma - and began to make big changes. In 2003 the town made a Zero Waste declaration, show more that Kamikatsu would be the world's first Zero Waste town by 2020. Today, the community recycles more than 80 percent of its waste: "We know that's not everything. But if the whole world did this..." Indeed.

Sidebars throughout and an author's note and photos at the end provide extra information about "reduce, reuse, recycle," the problems waste causes, and the idea of Zero Waste.

"Kachou fuugetsu...means, 'Experience the beauty of nature. Learn about yourself.'" show less

This week, I'm looking at a book about environmental responsibility with plenty of practical advice and fascinating facts. This is the story of the Danish island of Samso.

Samso used to be an ordinary island. They had farms and a fishing fleet, a ferry and lots and lots of wind! Then the Danish Ministry of Environment and Energy chose Samso as the place to become independent of nonrenewable energy and a teacher named Soren Hermansen decided to help bring the project to life. Despite initial show more resistance, residents of the island gradually came to support the idea and offered their own suggestions and innovations. Wind turbines were built and after a storm knocked out most of the island's power, people came to see the advantages of independent power. Finally, the island became independent of nonrenewable energy sources - and even makes more energy than it can use!

Explanations of the various terms and concepts related to energy, including nonrenewable and renewable energy, climate change, etc. are included in sections set throughout the book. Drummond's illustrations swirl and explode throughout the book with life and energy and excitement. Ideas are spread throughout the story for ways to save and improve energy sources in big and small ways.

Verdict: This is an inspiring book for children and adults alike. An enjoyable read-aloud that easily incorporates an important message without being preachy or laden with doom. Recommended - would make a good nonfiction read-aloud for storytimes with older kids.

ISBN: 9780374321840; Published March 2011 by Farrar Straus Giroux; Borrowed from another library; Added to my library order wishlist. show less

"Liberty!" tells the story of a boy who played a special roll on the day the Statue of Liberty was unveiled. Allen Drummond does an extraordinary job of setting the scene in this book. He used a very descriptive technique which made the reader feel as if they were in the setting with the main character.
I enjoyed this book, and the underlying message which comes out at the end. It talks about us all being the same and equal. That no one group of people are better than any other. I believe show more this is an important message for children especially in todays cultural climate. I thought the last line was extremely powerful
"Freedom is like a flame we must all hold high and give to others and keep burning bright all around the world." show less