We Are Extremely Very Good Recyclers

Author: Lauren Child and Bridget Hurst

Illustrator: Tiger Aspect

Published: In 2009 by Dial

ISBN: 978-0803733350

Synopsis: 

      We Are Extremely Very Good Recyclers is an engaging and instructive story about two lovable siblings: Charlie and his younger sister Lola.  One day Lola decides she is not going to keep all the random things she has been collecting, like old boxes and broken toys, but before she can throw them away Charlie stops her and suggests that she recycle some of the things instead.  Unfortunately, Lola has never heard of recycling before, so she has no idea how to do it.  Luckily that's what big brothers are for!  Join Lola and Charlie to learn about why recycling is important, what can be recycled and how you can help recycle too! 

 

My Reaction: 

      I love this book!  It does an excellent job of breaking the practice of recycling down into a concrete and digestible form for young readers.  Students can easily comprehend the present tense narration in the story.  While the easily identified and common place objects included in the illustrations build on students preexisting knowledge.  I think one of my favorite images is toward the beginning, when Charlie explains to Lola why recycling is so important.  I think the "massive, huge pile of garbage" depicted in this illustration is a powerful visual representation of the world's waste problem.  It places it in a concrete and visual context that they can easily understand.
     Another way Extremely Very Good Recyclers draws in readers is by focusing on Lola's growing excitement and activism as she explores the process of recycling.  Children who have little to no experience with recycling can connect to Lola's discoveries and growing excitement.  As Lola brings the information she has learned to school the other students' excitement and anticipation is almost palpable as the pass the message "I want to do recycling... pass it on."  When I read this passage I could imagine a class of kindergartners sitting in a circle together noisily chanting "I want to do recycling too!" me it felt like the authors were inviting students to participate.  That's what I really love about this book.  It is written with the intention of engaging students.  It allows students to decide, like Lola, that they want to make a difference in the world.
   As an added bonus, the book includes a checklist of "espeically good promises to help you look after you planet," on the bright green endpapers at the start and end of the book.  Overall, I think this is an excellent teaching tool for teacher and parents alike.

 

My Rating (1-5 stars):

 

Still Curious: 

How good are you at categorizing different recyclable items?  Hone your skills by playing a recycling game on Charlie and Lola's website :)  To get to the game click on the link "fun stuff" and then on the computer monitor when it says "Planet"