I must admit I was a bit hesitant when I picked up this book. Although the cover and illustrations are attractive, I did not find a book about recycling as exciting as Knuffle Bunny or Lunch Lady. But I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised.
Litterbug Doug is lazy. It is a waste. It is messy. But worst of all, he hates recycling. The clean, green city where he lives is in danger from its lazy ways, not to mention the stench released by the mountains of garbage that Doug leaves wherever he goes! His stench is so strong that even the army of rats that follow Doug are reconsidering their friendship with him. It’s up to Michael Recycle, the green-cloaked crusader from planet Earth, to show coward Doug the error of his ways … before it’s too late!
Fortunately, Michael convinces Doug to “clean up” his act and with the help of others, the trash is separated from the recyclables. Phew! Doug even accepts a bathroom helping him in front of friends. Doug has such a big change that he was made an official garbage cop.
It is a fun story told in rhyme that offers an entertaining way to introduce children to the three R’s and take care of our environment. The back also offers a section with facts on garbage and recycling that discusses the various aspects of environmental responsibility, the positive effects of recycling, and conservation issues related to water, energy, and paper. But even the facts are fun (ex: “Americans recycled 33 percent of the trash they threw in 2007. (Another third was thrown away, the rest on their closet floor”).
Additional Information:
Author: Ellie Bethel
Illustrator: Alexandra Colombo
Reading level: 9 to 12 years
Hardcover: 24 pages
Publisher: Worth While Books (April 8, 2009)
ISBN-10: 1600103928
ISBN-13: 978-1600103926
