Gr 4-8-Exploring choices about fashion, food, technology, and energy, Kelsey achieves her goal of writing a "hopeful book about the environment." Attention-grabbing cartoon illustrations include comic strips that explain connections between unlikely pairs such as cell phones and gorillas. While not ignoring environmental challenges, she reports progress and offers encouragement. (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

This colorfully illustrated book accentuates the positive side of environmental concerns as it provides information and encourages readers to make responsible choices. Although the approach is a bit scattershot, the discussion introduces a wide variety of ideas to consider, and the presentation is lively. Four chapters discuss topics related to clothing, food, technology, and energy in ways that show how individual choices make a difference. In the first chapter, for example, Kelsey considers the pros and cons of T-shirts made from bamboo, hemp, and organic cotton, as well as secondhand tees. Within the context of general discussions, she includes some specific facts, such as the names of retailers accepting old fleece jackets and gym shoes for recycling. Though there are no source notes here, and the sometimes busy, cartoon-style illustrations won't appeal to every kid, this book raises many environmental issues and offers some useful information.--Phelan, Carolyn Copyright 2010 Booklist

With energetic cartoons and a positive attitude (an opening page promises "not [to] blame you, your baby sister, or your uncle Irving for climate change"), this green guide covers four kid-focused categories: clothing, food, technology, and human actions. Kelsey explores topics including eco-friendly apparel, biomimicry, urban farming, and ecological footprints, while occasional comic-style spreads make surprising connections between the local and the global ("How bees are connected to your burger and world peace"). It's a smart approach, and one that should inspire. Ages 9-12. (Feb.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved