Common Ground: The Water, Earth, and Air We Share

Rating:
Summary: This book asks: To whom do the earth's resources belong?
Review: A thought-provoking allegory--with vivid, jewel-like illustrations--based on biologist Garrett Hardin's classic biology article (Science, 1968), "The Tragedy of the Commons," this book raises important stewardship questions regarding the earth's flora, fauna, and natural resouces. It also deftly implies that the answer is embedded in the Tale of the Commons. Insightful illustrations use cut-away and distorted aerial perspectives to amplify the text, and to provoke readers to always consider "the bigger picture" when taking action. Indeed, this book teaches children a very important ecology lesson in a visually enticing way! It should also be noted that this book won the 1998 GIVERNY AWARD for Best Children's Science Picture Book.

Rating:
Summary: This book asks: To whom do the earth's resources belong?
Review: A thought-provoking allegory--with vivid, jewel-like illustrations--based on biologist Garrett Hardin's classic biology article (Science, 1968), "The Tragedy of the Commons," this book raises important stewardship questions regarding the earth's flora, fauna, and natural resouces. It also deftly implies that the answer is embedded in the Tale of the Commons. Insightful illustrations use cut-away and distorted aerial perspectives to amplify the text, and to provoke readers to always consider "the bigger picture" when taking action. Indeed, this book teaches children a very important ecology lesson in a visually enticing way! It should also be noted that this book won the 1998 GIVERNY AWARD for Best Children's Science Picture Book.

Rating:
Summary: Common Ground
Review: This is a beautifully illustrated book that asks important questions without "talking down" to children. The text explores environmental issues beginning with the common-shared ground in many early settlements. Starting with the problem of townspeople feeding too many sheep on the commons, resulting in a scarcity of grass, Bang goes on to the forests, seas, air, and water. She does not offer solutions, but poses questions that are open-ended and invite discussion. I am an art professor and volunteer as an elementary art teacher. I plan to use this book during Earth Week to teach an illustration unit on environmental issues to third graders. Bang's use of multiple baselines in her representation of the common ground is delightful and creates another interesting avenue for discussion with children. I'm never disappointed with a Bang book. I've been a fan since The Grey Lady and the Strawberry Snatcher. Common Ground does not disappoint!

Rating:
Summary: Common Ground
Review: This is a beautifully illustrated book that asks important questions without "talking down" to children. The text explores environmental issues beginning with the common-shared ground in many early settlements. Starting with the problem of townspeople feeding too many sheep on the commons, resulting in a scarcity of grass, Bang goes on to the forests, seas, air, and water. She does not offer solutions, but poses questions that are open-ended and invite discussion. I am an art professor and volunteer as an elementary art teacher. I plan to use this book during Earth Week to teach an illustration unit on environmental issues to third graders. Bang's use of multiple baselines in her representation of the common ground is delightful and creates another interesting avenue for discussion with children. I'm never disappointed with a Bang book. I've been a fan since The Grey Lady and the Strawberry Snatcher. Common Ground does not disappoint!

Rating:
Summary: Common Ground
Review: This is a beautifully illustrated book that asks important questions without "talking down" to children. The text explores environmental issues beginning with the common-shared ground in many early settlements. Starting with the problem of townspeople feeding too many sheep on the commons, resulting in a scarcity of grass, Bang goes on to the forests, seas, air, and water. She does not offer solutions, but poses questions that are open-ended and invite discussion. I am an art professor and volunteer as an elementary art teacher. I plan to use this book during Earth Week to teach an illustration unit on environmental issues to third graders. Bang's use of multiple baselines in her representation of the common ground is delightful and creates another interesting avenue for discussion with children. I'm never disappointed with a Bang book. I've been a fan since The Grey Lady and the Strawberry Snatcher. Common Ground does not disappoint!

Rating:
Summary: A book that every child should read.
Review: With increasing concern over the exploitation of resources and the fairness of the useage, it is important for every child (and adult) to understand that there is a limit to the natural resources. This book is an entertaining and easy reading experience as well as educational. I am using this book with a day camp, it is that good. It gives good coverage to social consequences of inept management of common resources, as well as social remedies in a very simple and fun format for children. The art work is exceptional.

Rating:
Summary: A book that every child should read.
Review: With increasing concern over the exploitation of resources and the fairness of the useage, it is important for every child (and adult) to understand that there is a limit to the natural resources. This book is an entertaining and easy reading experience as well as educational. I am using this book with a day camp, it is that good. It gives good coverage to social consequences of inept management of common resources, as well as social remedies in a very simple and fun format for children. The art work is exceptional.