The Little Green Pen

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Schaub) — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 21:50:00 +0000

The launch at Anderson's Bookshop in Naperville for And the Crowd Goes Wild was a great success. Here are some photos from the event. Thanks to all who attended!

Donning the proper equipment to read my poem, Mono Skier

Participants act out one of the poems.

Poetry Team USA!!

Signing fun.

ANNOUNCING NEW BOOK RELEASE!

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Schaub) — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 22:21:00 +0000

"And the Crowd Goes Wild, A Global Gathering of Sports Poems!" is now available! I am so excited to have a poem in this great anthology. Check out an interview with several of the poets featured in the anthology, including myself, at http://cheriecolyer.blogspot.com/2012/09/spotlight-and-crowd-goes-wild.html

The book is available both in print and electronically at www.friesenpress.com/bookstore

Forthcoming Release!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Schaub) — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 21:46:00 +0000

Great News! My poem "Monoskiier" is going to be published in the upcoming poetry anthology AND THE CROWD GOES WILD: A GLOBAL GATHERING OF SPORTS POEMS, edited boy Carol-Ann Hoyte and Heidi Bee Roemer. The anthology will be released in paper back and e-book form this summer. Stay tuned for more information!

For more information, check out this website:
http://www.crowdgoeswildpoems.com

Green Poetry

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Schaub) — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 02:11:00 +0000

In honor of Earth Day and Poetry Month, check out these anthologies of green-minded poems:

	The Earth is Painted Green, A Garden of Poems About Our Planet: This colorfully illustrated volume, arranged in sections focusing on planting, growing, seasons, and the risk to the land, contains poems by both contemporary (Zolotow, McCord, Merriam) and classic (Sandburg, Roethke) poets. Ages 3 and up.
	Other Goose: Recycled Rhymes for Our Fragile Times : 22 new-fangled Mother Goose rhymes with an environmental twist. Jack and Jill “fetch” bottled water because of pollution. Little Miss Muffet chokes on second-hand smoke. The poems are humorous, but the underlying message is one of deep concern for the preservation of our planet. Ages 8 and up.
	River of Words : Young Poets and Artists On the Nature of Things : edited by Pamela Michael. This inspiring volume, a collection of poetry and art from over 100 children ages six to seventeen, is sponsored River of Words, a nonprofit organization that encourages children to learn about the environment by studying local watersheds. Ages 6 and up.
	All the Wild Wonders, Poems of Our Earth: With poems about the sun, trees, water and animals, the 30 poets in this anthology celebrate the beauty of the wild and warn of the danger that threatens the environment. Ages 6 and up.
	The Tree That Time Built: A Celebration of Nature, Science, and Imagination: edited by Mary Ann Hoberman and Linda Winston. This collection of over 100 poems celebrates both the facts and the mysteries of the natural world. Includes an audio CD featuring readings of 44 poems. Ages 8 and up.
	Mother Earth, Father Sky : edited by Jane Yolen. This diverse collection of 40 nature poems includes works by Christina Rossetti, N. Scott Momaday, the Teton Sioux people and even Jane Yolen herself. The poems are organized into sections titled "Celebrate the Earth," "Sacrifice the Earth" and "Save the Earth." Ages 6 and up.
	Toad By the Road: by Joanne Ryder. In this collection of poems, Ryder traces the life cycle of toads through the seasons. The toads speak for themselves, describing the wonder of catching flies with sticky tongues, molting dead skin, and fooling predators by playing dead. Readers gain a new appreciation for these amazing, but endangered amphibians.

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Schaub) — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 17:04:00 +0000

Green Poems for Poetry Month!

Not only is April Earth Month, it's also National Poetry Month. to celebrate, here are a few of my favorite green-minded poems:

The first is painted on my daughter's wall and is our family mantra:

Hurt No Living Thing

Hurt no living thing:

Ladybird, nor butterfly,

Nor moth with dusty wind,

Nor cricket chirping cheerily,

Nor grasshopper so light of leap,

Nor dancing gnat, nor beetle fat,

Nor harmless worms that creep.

-Christina Rossetti

The second perfectly sums up my feelings about plastic, especially plastic toys!

A Prayer for a Carpenter

About most subjects

I am quite elastic,

But I cannot stand

A world of plastic.

Plastic flowers, plastic tables,

Plastic window, plastic door,

Plastic, plastic,

I abhor.

When I die,

And if I'm good,

I pray that heaven

be built of wood.

-Louis Phillips

The third is typical, brilliantly witty Ogden Nash:

Song Of the Open Road

I think that I shall never see,

A billboard lovely as a tree.

Perhaps, unless the billboards fall,

I'll never see a tree at all.

-Odgen Nash

Do you have a favorite poem that celebrates the earth? Leave a comment and tell me about it!

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Schaub) — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 15:00:00 +0000

Earth Month Challenge!

In my estimation, April is the greenest month. She's joking, you think, as you look out at the bare trees and brown grass. It may be April 1st, but I'm not fooling. With John Muir's birthday (April 21st), Earth Day (April 22nd), and Arbor Day (April 29th), what other month has so many opportunities to celebrate environmental stewardship?

This year, instead of waiting until Earth Day to think green, my family is designating the entire month of April as Earth Month. Each day, we're going to make conscious decisions to lighten our footprint on the planet. Whether its walking to school, spending an evening without television, or waiting to run an errand until we have several reasons to head in that direction, we're going to try to think of each action we take in terms of how it affects the earth. My hope is that, with practice, some of our deliberate choices will become natural habits.

You can join the Earth Month Challenge too! It's easy. Just commit yourself to making at least one green decision everyday. Better yet, share your earth-friendly ideas by leaving a comment on this blog.

It's April... Think Green!

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Schaub) — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 16:30:00 +0000

One Pelican at a Time Book Giveaway Winner!

Thank you to everyone for the insightful comments on my interview with author Nancy Stewart. Thank you, Nancy, for your generous donation of a signed copy of your debut picture book, One Pelican at a Time . And congratulations to Katie, the randomly chosen recipient of that book. Katie had this to say in her comment:

I love reading author interviews. Thanks to both of you for share. I am so glad someone wrote a children's book about the oil spill and I am excited to hear this is a series.
THANKS!
katie mills giorgio

Enjoy your new book, Katie!

More author interviews and book giveaways to come!

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Schaub) — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 16:38:00 +0000

Book Giveaway and Green Guest of the Month: Nancy Stewart, Author of One Pelican at a Time

This month I had the honor to interview St. Louis-area author Nancy Stewart. Nancy’s recently released picture book, On Pelican at a Time, is the first title in a new eco-conscious series about Bella and Britt, two friends who love living by the beach. In One Pelican at a Time, the two heroines embark on an adventure to save an old pelican after the Horizon Deepwater Spill of 2010.

***Book Giveaway: Leave a comment at the end of this interview for a chance to win a signed copy of One Pelican at a Time.

What inspired you to write One Pelican at a Time?

My husband and I bought a condo on the water in Clearwater Beach, Florida, three years ago. Although I didn’t know it would, that decision had a profound effect on me. I watched the marine life on our daily walks and quickly grew to love it all, particularly the brown pelicans. And then the spill occurred. I had already written two other books in the Bella and Britt series, Sea Turtle Summer and Bella Saves the Beach. My publisher, Lynda Burch at Guardian Angel Publishing, and I thought a book on the Deepwater Horizon oil spill demanded to be written. And so I wrote it.

Can you share some of the highlights on your path to publication?

I was one of those kids who wrote a lot, loved English Literature and composition classes and had an ongoing love affair with words. I didn’t begin writing with a view to publication, though, until about five years ago. I was teaching Children’s and Young Adult Literature to university students and remembered how much I enjoyed picture books. My first books were just that, first books. I began querying way too early and wondered why my books weren’t snatched up. Now when I look back, it’s abundantly clear to me why they weren’t! I joined SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) and became involved, both locally and nationally. I knew I needed more of a platform to be taken seriously, so I not only did a web site but started blogging. That has made such a difference to me professionally. Blogging, particularly, has forced me to write daily for adults and not just for kids. No one is more surprised than I that people from many countries, including Russia, Indonesia and South Korea, are now following.

What do you hope One Pelican at a Time will impart to your readers?

My hope is that children will read this book and want to know more about an oil spill and why it happens. I hope they will discuss this with their parents and teachers and begin to wonder, “What can I do to be sure such a terrible thing never happens again?” I hope children and their caregivers will be more proactive about nurturing the area in which they live. I hope they will lead by example. Is that a tall order for Pelican? Probably. But someone has to start somewhere. It may as well be Britt, Bella and the old crooked beak pelican.

What do you think is the long term prognosis for the Gulf?

It’s interesting you ask this question. Just this week, my publisher, Linda Burch, emailed me about not only oil washing ashore where they are in the Florida panhandle, but a large oil slick on the water can be seen as well. Because it’s out of the news, there seems to be no immediacy about the spill anymore. If this spill is not addressed continuously and with utmost vigor, it will still be an unmitigated disaster. From my research on the gulf devastation, I’ll modestly quote Sir Winston Churchill who said, “Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.”

How has writing One Pelican at a Time inspired you to do things in your own life to become more eco-conscious?

Before writing this series, I tried to be eco-conscious by doing such things as re-using plastic bags and never using pesticides of any kind in my garden (which I still do.) Since the books, I find myself doing things that I know many of us are doing: using economical light bulbs and turning them off when leaving a room, turning off water while brushing teeth, being more careful with the house temperature and using eco-friendly cleaning and washday products. But it’s also a state of mind, isn’t it? It’s an omnipresent pledge to look after our planet in whatever ways we can and to always be aware of fulfilling that pledge as we live our daily lives.

What can your readers look forward to next?

The next two books in the Bella and Britt series, Sea Turtle Summer and Bella Saves the Beach, will be published by Guardian Angel Publishing during this year. I’ve had many people request a manatee or dolphin book featuring the girls, so that’s in my thoughts at the present. Wherever my muse takes me, though, the girls and their pursuit of justice for our planet will always be dear to my heart.

Thank you, Nancy! One Pelican at a Time definitely shows that even little hands can make a big difference to the environment!

To learn more about Nancy and her books visit:

http://www.nancystewartbooks.com/

Enter to win an signed copy of One Pelican at a Time, follow these rules:

1. Post a comment to today's blog post by clicking the bold comment button at the bottom of this post. Tell why you'd like to win a copy of One Pelican at a Time.

2. Include contact information in your comment. If you are not a blogger, or your email address is not accessible from your online profile, please provide a valid email address in your comment. Note: THE LITTLE GREEN PEN cannot prevent spammers from accessing email addresses posted within comments, so please disguise your address by spelling out portions, such as the [at] and [dot].

3. Post your comment by 11 pm, Thursday March 24th. (The winner will be chosen at random and announced on Friday, March 25th.) Note: Winners automatically grant me permission to post their names on the LITTLE GREEN PEN website.

4. You must have a mailing address in the United States.

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Schaub) — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 15:19:00 +0000

Seeds of Change Book Giveaway Winner!

Thank you to everyone for the insightful comments on my interview with author Jen Cullerton Johnson. Thank you, Jen, for your generous donation of a signed copy of your award-winning picture book, Seeds of Change. And congratulations to Michelle, the randomly chosen recipient of that book. Michelle had this to say in her comment:

"What a wonderful interview. Seeds of Change sounds like a fabulous book on many levels. "Green reads" are new to me and I love the concept. It is one thing to talk to my daughters about the environment, inspiring people, and great ideas, but having resources such as a book like Seeds of Change can make those messages so much more powerful. Thanks for bringing such beautiful art into the world!"

Now Michelle will have the inspiring story of Wanagari Maathai right at her fingertips to share with her daughters!

More author interviews and book giveaways to come!

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Schaub) — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 02:17:00 +0000

Book Giveaway and Green Guest of the Month: Jen Cullerton Johnson, Planting the Seeds of Change

Recently, I had the honor to interview Chicago-area author, educator, and environmentalist, Jen Cullerton Johnson. Jen’s debut picture book biography, Seeds Of Change: Planting the Path to Peace, brings to life the story of Wangari Maathai, the first African woman and environmentalist to win the Nobel Peace Prize.

**At the end of this interview read how to enter to win a signed copy of Jen's new book. **

What inspired you to write “Seeds of Change?”

The life of Wangari Maathai inspires me. It still blows me away. I admire how she took two very important issues-- women's rights and the environment-- and found a solution through the Green Belts, a movement of women environmentalist who planted 30 millions trees in Kenya.

Today there are so many challenges to issues that sometimes we become overwhelmed and we give up. With Wangari, she really looked toward her community of young mothers to join in and help her. Wangari's story tells that although one person may have an idea, it is a community that bring the idea to fruition.

“Seeds of Change” recently won the 2011 Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award for the illustrations by Sonia Lynn Sadler. How do you feel about this honor?

Sonia Lynn Sadler is a wonderful illustrator. Her work is bold and dramatic, engaging and hopeful. Every time I have a school visit or do a book reading, I always stop on the second to last page. Sonia Lynn Sanders placed important figures like Martin Luther King Jr and Barrack Obama coming out of Wangari's hand. This April, I will see some of Sonia's art up close when I attend the Newton Marasco Foundation that recently gave Seeds of Change an Honor.

You weave wonderful tree imagery into your story of Wangari Maathai- “Her mind was like a tree woven in rich soil, ready to grow.” “Like a sturdy tree against a mighty wind, her faith kept her strong.” I sense you have a strong connection to trees yourself. Do you have a favorite tree? What role do trees play in your life?

I think this is the loveliest question ever asked of me. Yes, I do have a favorite tree. I grew up in a very small town called Dune Acres. It is on the shores of Lake Michigan. The name of my street is Linden Lane. Linden trees are wonderful trees. They blossom with fruits and flowers which attract bees and chipmonks, mice, squirrels. Rabbits and voles eat the bark. I also like them for their leaves and sturdy trunk. I love them as I love all the trees around Lake Michigan like the Oak, Pine, Birch, and the Maple.

You’ve said that you admire Wangari Maathai because she is a “real life person doing something for the environment.” How has writing her story inspired you do things in your own life to help the environment?

Yeah. In a lot of ways I feel like I am an accidental environmentalist. Since I wrote the book and now do a lot of speaking on the connection between picture books and nature, I have adapted to new ideas like starting where I am at and reducing what I buy. A couple years ago, my son started a recycling program in our house. We have added a compost. Little by little we are moving in the right direction.

You’re a big advocate of “green literacy.” Can you explain what this is and what you are doing to support it?

Green Literacy is very similar to eco-literacy. Eco-literacy is a term coined by Michael K. Stone and it means there are certain bodies of knowledge a person must know in order to function as a eco-literate person.

Green Literacy takes into account eco-literacy but it uses literacy based techniques to talk about environmental issues. In other words, Green Literacy uses elements of story to spark conversations about the environment. Often times people want to make changes without changing their minds. Green Literacy allows students the opportunity to reflect, consider and dialogue through the use of literature so that when they do act, their action has meaning and is empowering.

What are some of your favorite “green reads?”

Well from the looks of your blog, I admire our local writers like Tim Magner and Pamela Todd. Both have wonderful books. I am re-reading Rachel Carson. Amazing women. I have a list of 100 + green reads if any reader would like it, please email me and I will be more than happy to send it.

Waangari Maathai said “protecting the environment is not just a pleasure, but also a duty.” How do you spread this message to your readers and students?

For me it is very important that students have the opportunity to think, consider and reflect on their environment before they take actions. Too many times people jump at change and the change is not long lasting. Once a child understands, action is meaningful and change is effective.

Learn more about Seeds Of Change and Jen's efforts to spread green literacy at her website:

http://www.jencullertonjohnson.com/

Or better yet, learn from Jen in person! Jen will be teaching a Nature Writing Workshop at the Chicago Newberry Library, February 19-April 16th, 2011. (Sign up by February 12th.) More information at:

https://go.newberry.org/SSLPage.aspx?pid=529

Enter to win an autographed copy of Seeds of Change by following these contest rules:

1. You must post a comment to today's blog post telling why you'd like to win a copy of Seeds of Change. Please mention if you are a teacher. Teacher's will be entered in an additional drawing to win a free SKYPE author's visit from Jen Cullerton Johnson AND a signed classroom copy of her book.

2. You must include contact information in your comment. If you are not a blogger, or your email address is not accessible from your online profile, you must provide a valid email address in your comment. If I don't have your email address, I won't be able to contact you. Note: THE LITTLE GREEN PEN cannot prevent spammers from accessing email addresses posted within comments, so please disguise your address by spelling out portions, such as the [at] and [dot].

3. You must post your comment by 11 pm (CST) Tuesdau, February 22, 2011. (The winner will be chosen at randon and announced on Wednesday, February 23th.) Note: Winners automatically grant me permission to post their names on the LITTLE GREEN PEN website.

4. You must have a mailing address in the United States.

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Schaub) — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 20:29:00 +0000

Green Guest of the Month: Suzanne Slade, Making a Difference with Environmentally-Conscious Children’s Books

Chicago-area author Suzanne Slade has written over 80 books for children, many with nature and environmental themes. Her recent picture book, What’s the Difference? An Endangered Animal Subtraction Story, combines environmental awareness with math practice. I recently had the privilege of talking with Suzanne about What’s the Difference? and some of her upcoming nature-themed books.

Suzanne, What was your inspiration for creating “What’s the Difference?”

I've always been a big animal lover, and have been concerned about endangered animals for years, but after I finished an earlier book, What Can We Do About Endangered Animals, I was inspired to write What's the Difference? This 2010 picture book (published by Sylvan Dell, illustrated by Joan Waites) shows twelve gorgeous endangered animals in their natural habitats, and shares important information about how people are making a big difference by helping them.

This book contains a wealth of information about endangered animals. What was the research process like? What challenges did you encounter?

One of the biggest challenges I faced with this book was obtaining current information about the status of each animal, and how people can best help them. To make sure my facts were up-to-date and correct, I contacted several experts on various animals at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The illustrator's sketches were also reviewed by wildlife experts.

What do you hope What’s the Difference? will impart to its readers?

My goal is that children will gain a fuller understanding of how animals become threatened and endangered, and also realize that they can make a difference. For example, this book shares how one beautiful endangered butterfly, the Karner blue, was helped by children who planted wild lupine (a lovely purple flowering plant that Karner blues need to survive).

What can your readers look forward to next? Any new nature books in the works?

I'm very excited about my next book coming out with Sylvan Dell in fall, 2011 titled Multiply on the Fly. This multiplication book features all kinds of cool insects (did I mention I like bugs?) It is currently being illustrated by Erin Hunter, an amazing California artist who specializes in entomological and botanical illustrations (in other words, she draws great creatures and plants!)

Thanks, Suzanne for providing such wonderful eco-conscious books for young readers!

To learn more about Suzanne and her books, visit:

http://www.suzanneslade.com/

If you’d like to find out about her virtual author visits, check out her Skype-an-Author page:
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http://skypeanauthor.wetpaint.com/page/Suzanne+Slade

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Schaub) — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 18:40:00 +0000

Furoshiki: The Gift Wrap that Keeps on Giving

Every fall my children’s school sells wrapping paper as a fundraiser. In past years I’d buy yards and yards of dancing reindeer, glittery snowflakes, and other festive patterns, complete with matching ribbons, bows, and name tags. When the holidays arrived, I loved placing perfectly coordinated and accessorized packages beneath my tree.

My conscious always nagged me a bit Christmas morning, after the flurry of opening, when I collected the remains of my gift-wrapping handiwork. I hated adding mounds of cardboard, crumpled paper, and curly ribbon to my garbage can and recycling bins. Still, creating beautiful Christmas packages was a holiday tradition. It was only once a year, I told myself. To make myself feel a bit greener, I started buying gift wrap made from recycled paper. But the post-Christmas paper carnage still tugged at my environmental sensibilities.

Then last Christmas, my sister-in-law gave me a gift wrapped in a beautiful silk scarf tied in a clever knot. “It’s furoshiki,” she explained, “a traditional Japanese wrapping cloth.” In Japan, people use furoshiki to package and transport everything from lunches to birthday presents. Similar to origami, the cloths can be folded several different ways to produce a variety of looks. No throwing out shredded scrapes once the party is over. Furoshiki can be used over and over. Simple. Elegant. Environmental. My present-wrapping problems were solved.

This year, I did not buy a single inch of wrapping paper. (I’ll find another way to support my children’s school.) Instead, I’ve purchased some festive fabrics and I’m practicing my knots. When my family unwraps their gifts Christmas morning, no need for that extra garbage bin. In fact, if every family wrapped just three gifts this way, it would save enough paper to cover 45,000 football fields. (Sierra Club) Try using furoshiki yourself this holdiay season; it's the gift wrap that keeps on giving.

To learn more about furoshiki, visit:

http://www.env.go.jp/en/focus/attach/060403-5.html
http://www.infomapjapan.com/hstore/200709-infospecial.phtml

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Schaub) — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 21:18:00 +0000

Green Guest of the Month: Tim Magner, Growing Green Minds at Green Sugar Press.

Last week I caught up with Tim Magner, creator of Green Sugar Press, a Chicago-based publisher of eco-conscious children’s books. This week Tim shares some ideas on how schools and parents can help children “grow green minds.”

1.) In addition to offering engaging eco-themed books, how else does Green Sugar Press spread its environmental message to the community?

The Chicago-area is fantastic. There are thousands of organizations working to do good things for kids. Everyday there are groups meeting and functions happening. Things are getting done. I’m only one tiny piece.

At the same time, environmental education, or as I call it “inspiring kids to understand where they live, who lives with them and how the world works”, is still at the fringe. If you’re not in a well-to-do school, teachers are squeezed for time, focusing on test prep. And in the affluent communities, with enrichment activities galore, kids face mounting pressures to do “well.” This means tests and extra-curricular activities so they can get into the “best schools.” Too often, rote memorization is rewarded at the expense of digging deep and learning critical thinking.

2.) So how should schools approach environmental education?

I don’t blame individual teachers and schools for the movement to a factory model of school. Politicians who pass laws like “No Child Left Behind” and “Race to the Top” mean well. They think business leaders want kids that can read and write and do math. That’s true, but, more importantly, businesses need graduates that know what it means to remain creative, work on a team and problem solve. What politicians don’t understand is schools are not producing cars. Each child is different. And that’s what we want, and need. Too often, restless and curious kids are penalized.

A lot of schools do a little recycling or have a school garden, but, too often, even early teens at these schools can’t explain why they recycle or what impact it makes. I’m not against celebrating Earth Day, but why not consider the whole child? We know kids benefit from immersion in nature nearby. We know kids learn better with hands-on learning that’s relevant to their world. So, why not weave in reading, writing, math, science, history, PE and the arts using the surrounding environment?

This means no more cookie-cutter Amazon rainforest lessons to 2nd graders. This does mean teaching creatively, leaving the confines of the four walls of the classroom. This means connecting with the community you’re in. Invite local community members to visit your class. Bring in the town engineer. Yes, students have to learn state standards, but there are no laws which say how to teach them.

3.) You’ve said that the best way to encourage kids to care about nature is for them to “get outside and get dirty.” What are some suggestions you have for parents and teachers to help kids connect with nature?

It totally depends on the age of the children. For a two-year-old, an army of ants roaming around with a scrap of food twelve-feet from the back door may be their Serengeti. For a couple of seven-year-olds, the equivalent might be exploring a new park you bike to a mile from home. For a twelve-year-old, it may be their first overnight camping trip, sleeping under the stars.

The benefits of being outside, preferably with some unstructured, child-driven activity, are substantial. And this goes adults also. While I didn’t know Rich Louv two years ago, I reached out to him and he offered suggestions to me on our book, “An Environmental Guide from A to Z.” I mention Louv because of his idea of the Family Nature Clubs. It helps overcome a bunch of the obstacles associated with spending time in nature. A free downloadable PDF guide is available at their children and nature network site. www.childernandnature.org

4.) When you’re not busy as a writer, editor, and environmental educator, what are your favorite ways to “get outside and get dirty?”

I love great tasting food, so have spent some time at local community gardens and rediscovered how great it is to pull weeds. It sounds silly, but there is something to getting your hands dirty- even if you’re an adult. No, it’s not something I need to do for twelve hours a day . What’s crazy is how easy it is to not get outside ourselves, but how much better we feel even with a little time in our semi-wild region! That being said, even when I get out for a run, I have to remind myself to forget the day-to-day grind stuff and to pay attention to what’s around me. When I’m lucky enough to be with kids outside, however, its’ far easier to stay in the present and take everything in.

Check out Green Sugar Press’s great books on nature and the environment at:
http://www.greensugarpress.com/

Then go outside and get dirty!

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Schaub) — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 17:15:00 +0000

Green Guest of the Month: Tim Magner, Growing Green Minds at Green Sugar Press

Environmental educator and writer Tim Magner knows everything in nature is connected. To help kids discover these amazing connections, Tim created Green Sugar Press, an independent, Chicago-based publishing company committed to producing quality, eco-conscious children’s books. I recently chatted with Tim to learn more about this green company and its mission to hooks kids on nature.

What inspired you to start Green Sugar Press?

If, after a few years of doing something, I stop learning, it’s time to move on. About ten years ago, I was stuck in the rat race, working to make money. Luckily, I was in a position to be able to transition towards something that made more sense- to follow a passion and fill a need.
That, and I like being with kids. They are more fun than adults, and are great learners. I’ve never met a six-year-olds that isn’t curious. The trick is to keep them that way ‘til they’re sixteen and twenty-six and help develop their creativity.

What are some of the challenges Green Sugar Press has faced as a small start-up publishing company?

Too often, we describe work as the opposite of play, but if you can model work like play, it’s fun and it breeds success. By that I mean, watch toddlers play. As they try to climb onto things and move things, they are exploring and being creative. Through trial and error, and failing along the way, they are also solving problems. As long as we keep some of that type of work in our work, it’s never becomes work as we normally associate it. Does that make sense?

Apply that to publishing: we’re in a perfect storm. The existing structure works poorly and the business is changing. Why should a children’s picture book sell for $16-$20 with the author taking home 5%? And, yet, more often than not, the publisher puts up a great deal of capital and still loses money? Distribution and marketing look different today than they did ten years ago, and, in five years, they’ll be vastly different than today. Fewer hard cover picture books are being sold, and the e-book, in all its forms, is adding to the landscape. Hard covers aren’t going away, but there’s a chance a decade from now more kids will be reading more than today. The publisher’s challenge is how to better engage the reader and add to the experience.

The slogan of Green Sugar Press is “growing green minds.” What does it mean?

It’s about getting kids outside and giving them opportunities to be kids- to wonder, to wander, to explore and to investigate. It means kids learning about connections, first-hand.
I want kids to grow up smarter than us, so, as they mature and learn critical thinking skills, they become systems thinkers, understanding you can’t have a conversation about the local watershed, for example, unless you talk about a lot of different factors, including farming, transportation, public policy and who influences it.
Not all kids are going to grow up to become activists or conservationists, but all kids ought to have a chance to play outdoors, to bond with the natural world and to become ecologically literate.

Currently Green Sugar Press has three titles on its list: “N is for Nature”, “An Environmental Guide from A to Z”, and “Earl the Earthworm Digs for His Life.” Any new projects in the works?
Plans on seeking new talent?

Yes, everyone likes new projects. I’m in a much better position than eighteen months ago and have a few things cooking. Unfortunately, I seem to have issues with focus and following through.
I’d like to expand our influence and am conducting due diligence on starting a 501c3. The focus is largely the same, but we’d be more innovative- both on content and distribution. For example, we’d like to inspire youth to create work and then use the online community to be the judges. And we’ll focus on reaching the underserved communities, for example selling books at, say $1.00 each, and then giving the proceeds for development, perhaps to start a community learning garden.

At the end of the day, I’m only as smart as the average bear. I need creative people to help me.

Thanks, Tim, for giving us a glimpse at the exciting, green-minding thinking of Green Sugar Press. Check back next week for part two of this interview and learn how Green Sugar Press connects with schools and the community to spread its environmental message.

In the mean time, learn more about Tim Magner and Green Sugar Press at:
http://www.greensugarpress.com/

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Schaub) — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 15:54:00 +0000

Eat Green...Tomatoes, That Is

If you planted a garden this year, then, like me, you’re probably left with an overabundance of green tomatoes now that the weather has cooled. In the past, the only benefit I saw to these late bloomers was their potential to become compost surprise. (You know, those random veggies tossed in your compost bin that sprout mysteriously in the spring.) The idea of actually consuming under-ripe tomatoes left me feeling a bit, well... green.

This fall I’ve had a change of heart. For one, I’ve redoubled my efforts to eat locally. With over 200 green tomatoes clinging to my withering vines, it seemed a shame to throw away such a bountiful and local source of produce. (As my son once said, “The only way it could be more local is if we grew it inside our house!”) For another, I’ve learned that the Whistlestop Café did not corner the market on green tomatoes recipes. The other day my mother-in-law brought over a delicious Halloween cake called “Boogers and Slugs.” Raisins served as the slugs, and the slimy boogers? You guessed it: green tomatoes. Nose pickings your mom actually wants you to eat? My kids gobbled them up.

Here are some other dishes that cleverly disguise green tomatoes in tasty ways:

Boogers and Slugs Halloween Cake:
http://baking.food.com/recipe/boogers-and-slugs-halloween-cake-101711

Paula Deen's Green Tomato Pie:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/green-tomato-pie-recipe/index.html

Mario Batali's Green Tomato Spaghetti:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/mario-batali/spaghetti-with-green-tomatoes-spaghetti-con-pomodori-verdi-recipe/index.html

Not only do green tomatoes taste good in recipes, they're also good for you. Although they don't have the lycopene benefits of their red-blooded relatives, green tomatoes are high in Vitamins A and C and potassium. So go ahead, gather up those lonely tomatoes left on your vines. While you're at it, pick up a copy of Fannie Flag's Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistlestop Cafe and enjoy a "green" read along with your green feast.

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Schaub) — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 15:14:00 +0000

Ripe and Ready Apple Picking Picture Books…

After you’ve visited that orchard and picked a peck or two, sink your teeth into these fresh titles celebrating the apple harvest…

Applesauce Season, by Eden Ross Lipson. “My grandmother says there’s no reason to start eating apples when peaches are perfect. Applesauce season starts just about the time school opens.” Take a step by step journey through the joys of making applesauce. You’ll almost taste the simmering, cinnamon-kissed, applesauce and feel the warmth of family in this book that celebrates seasonal eating, farmer’s markets, and family traditions.

Bring Me Some Apples and I’ll make you a Pie, a Story about Edna Lewis, by Robbin Gourley. “ Time to get up! I hear the whippoorwill. That means it's gathering time." Thus begins the celebration of one family’s year of harvesting and enjoying local produce. Wild strawberries in springtime, garden-warmed tomatoes midsummer, crisp apples when school bells ring, these are the childhood memories that inspired famous New York chef Edna Lewis and her field-to-table cooking philosophy.

One Red Apple, by Harriet Ziefert. With folk-art style paintings and simple, but lyrical text, this book follows an apple on its journey from tree to market to mouth, exploring the amazing way that nature produces food.

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Schaub) — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 15:02:00 +0000

Wednesday, October 6th is International Walk Your Kids to School Day!

Wake up a few minutes early tomorrow morning, grab your sneakers, and take a nice stroll with your kids in the fresh autumn air. You'll be joining millions of parents, students and community members around the world who are trying to promote more walkable communities.

The concept of an official "Walk to School Day" was started in 1997 by the Partnership for a Walkable America. By 2002 over 3 million participants from all 50 states joined in the effort. Today, parents, kids, and communities members from over 40 countries stretch their walking legs on this special day.

When you walk to school, good things happen:

1.) Air quality improves. A four-mile trip by car adds 15 pounds of pollution to the air. That same trip by sneaker: no fumes.

2.) Hearts start pumping. Walking helps promote a healthy lifestyle, especially important with the growing concerns over childhood obesity.

3.) Conversations spark. The walk to or from school can be a great time to catch up with your kids.

4.) Awareness increases. Your actions may inspire others to dig out their sneakers and walk as well.

Reading this after October 6th? Don't worry. The entire month of October has been designated as International Walk to School Month. You have plenty of opportunities to stretch your legs, join the effort, and reap the benefits of walking to school.

For more information, or to get your school involved in an official walk, visit:

http://www.walktoschool.org/index.cfm

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Schaub) — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 16:31:00 +0000

Don't Judge an Apple by Its Worm Hole...

On one special day each fall, my family packs into the car and drives west to go apple picking. After miles and miles of cornfields, we finally reach the big red barn and tidy rows of trees marking the entrance to Honey Hill Orchard. This year, we decided to go early to beat the rush. Instead, we nearly missed apple-picking season all together.

“Where are all the apples?” my middle son wondered as we pulled up to the barn. The trees seemed empty. “Orchard clean-up day,” a farmer explained. “Anything you can find-half price.” It turns out an overabundance of rain and hail early in the season did a number on this year’s apple crop. Still, we hadn’t driven nearly an hour to turn back empty-handed. We marched over to the first row of trees, determined to fill our reusable Trader Joes bags with those last, perfect Jonagolds, Goldens, and Cortlands clinging to hidden branches. As a bonus, we had the orchard nearly to ourselves.

“Got one!” my youngest son yelled, holding up a Red Delicious riddled with black spots. “Hmm,” I said. “Let’s keep looking.” After searching a few more rows, we realized that every apple left on the trees was damaged in some way. A bruise here. A bug bite there. I quickly lost my picky air. If the skin wasn’t too badly pierced and the texture still firm, the apple passed inspection. Before long, our bags were filled.

This year, the apples we brought home weren’t perfect-looking, but once we peeled the skins, cut off a few brown spots, and cooked them with a little cinnamon, they sure made some perfect apple sauce- for half the usual price. Orchard clean-up day may be our new family tradition!

If you live in the Chicago area, check out Honey Hill Orchard:

http://www.honeyhillorchards.com/

Otherwise, to find an orchard near you, visit:

http://www.pickyourown.org/

Coming soon: A review of some perfect apple-picking picture books!

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Schaub) — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 14:48:00 +0000

Farmer's Market Treasure: The Pawpaw

Some people rummage for treasures at antique stores. Others comb beaches with metal detectors. My family's favorite treasure-hunting haunt? The local farmer's market. Each week during the summer and fall, we visit different local markets, searching for new and unusual produce. Our favorite markets are green markets, like the Geneva Greenmarket on Thursday mornings in Geneva, Illinois, and the Green City Market on Wednesdays and Saturdays in downtown Chicago, across from Lincoln Park Zoo. Green markets require vendors to be local (usually within 100-200 miles) and use sustainable growing practices. At green markets, your more likely to find heirloom and little-known varieties of fruits and vegetables, most of them grown organically. A basket of golden raspberries, a bunch of cosmic carrots with purple skin, orange pulp and yellow core, a sticky slab of honeycomb- you never know what booty you'll plunder at the market.

Recently, on a trip to the Green City Market, my kids and I discovered a rare jewel. We nearly marched past the elderly lady waiting behind her simple card table. Her stand was wedged between a fruit grower and heirloom tomato farmer, both with impressive spreads. All the lady had were a few paper plates holding what looked like elongated, misshapen, and badly bruised pears. "Try this pawpaw," she said, cutting one of the "pears" and offering us a slippery slice. Intrigued, I tasted the fruit. Immediately, I felt transported to someplace tropical- the creamy flavor of banana, mango and vanilla filling my mouth. I'd never tasted something so exotic produced in the Midwest. We bought half the lady's supply, feeling giddy with our new find.

Back home, I did a little research on pawpaw. It turns out the pawpaw is hardly "new." It's the largest fruit native to North America and is a distant cousin to the cherimoya, a fruit you’d encounter while exploring a farmer’s market in Hawaii, or maybe Ecuador. Pawpaw was cultivated by Native Americans and enjoyed by early settlers. Chilled pawpaw fruit was even a favorite dessert of George Washington. But you won’t find pawpaw in the produce aisle of your favorite grocery store. Its splotchy appearance and extremely short shelf life have shunned pawpaw from commercial favor. Don’t be fooled by pawpaw’s deceptive looks. This fruit is a prize worth finding. But you better hurry; this gem is only in season for a short period between mid August and October. Happy hunting!

For more information on a greenmarkets, visit:
http://www.localharvest.org/
http://www.chicagogreencitymarket.org/

To learn more about pawpaw fruit, visit:
http://www.pawpaw.kysu.edu/
http://hamptonroads.com/2009/09/pawpaw-sweet-soft-and-largely-ignored

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Schaub) — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 15:44:00 +0000

School Bells and Butterfly Wings, Part II: Good Reads

Check out the following books to learn more about butterflies and starting a butterfly garden:

The Butterfly Book: a kid's guide to attracting, raising, and keeping butterflies, by Kersten Hamilton. Packed with facts about butterflies! Learn about butterfly life stages, body structures, and habits, as well as the best plants to add to a garden to attract these winged jewels. As a bonus, the book includes a field guide for 20 common North American butterflies.

A Place for Butterflies, by Melissa Stewart. From the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail to the Oregon Silverspot, this picture book highlights twelve North American butterflies and their habitats. With an emphasis on conservation, the author suggest specific actions people can take to help these insects “live and grow.” Richly detailed paintings show close-up portraits of each butterfly against their specific habitats. A great book to introduce children to the concept of habitat protection.

Velma Gratch and the Way Cool Butterfly, by Alan Madison. With two “practically perfect” older sisters, Velma can’t help but feel a bit overshadowed. When she starts first grade, Velma struggles to find a way to become as memorable as her sisters. At first she misbehaves, but then she becomes fascinated with butterflies in science class. Velma pours over library books to learn fabulous facts about these way cool insects. A trip to the butterfly conservation gives Velma the chance to prove she is way cool too. Factual information is woven into this delightful story, making it a nice companion to a unit on butterflies.

Visit the Good Green Read page of this blog for more books on butterflies!

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Schaub) — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 14:09:00 +0000

Recess Bells and Butterfly Wings- Supporting Natural Habitats at School

There’s a new splash of color outside of my children’s school. Where once only a plain patch of green grass grew, now bright fronds of goldenrod and purple spikes of Blazingstar sway in the breeze. Look closely, and you’ll even spot a flash of orange as a Monarch flits between the flowers. Both insect and human visitors are enjoying the new butterfly garden.

Plans for the garden began last spring, when a PTA committee contacted the Conservation Foundation, a local not-for-profit environmental protection organization, and asked for help converting an area of the school grounds into a natural habitat. The Conservation Foundation designed the garden, suggesting the best types of native plants to include to attract butterflies. They also helped us selected the best spot for the garden- a sunny area where students often gathered.

Before digging in, the area had to be cleared of grass. Time to call in the eager grade-school troops! Armed with piles of old newspaper, shovels, and mulch, the students went to work. They spread newspaper 6-7 layers thick over the grassy area designated for the garden. Atop the newspaper, they piled mulch 3-4 inches of mulch. The smothered grass died, leaving plenty of space for a new garden.

After a few weeks, the troops were summoned again, this time to plant. A local organic gardeners club donated native plants, including milkweed, liatris, and black-eyed Susans. On planting day, students had a wonderful time digging holes, planting, sprinkling compost, and even adding a few wriggling guests to the garden to help aerate the soil. When the school year ended, families signed up for weekly summer shifts to water and weed the young plants. All of the hard work paid off. By September, students were welcomed back to school by a garden bursting with cheerful blooms.

As time passes not only will the garden grow more colorful, but it will be easy to maintain. Native plants can withstand drought, so they don’t need extra watering. The garden will also do the important work of helping butterflies. Many types of butterflies are disappearing because of loss of habitat. This natural habitat garden will supply food and shelter butterflies need to survive and reproduce. Our school hopes to expand its garden as time goes on, not only to nurture butterflies, but also kids who care about and help protect nature.

To learn more about how to start your own butterfly garden or other natural wildlife habitat visit:

http://www.butterfly--garden.com/

http://www.nwf.org/Get-Outside/Outdoor-Activities/Garden-for-Wildlife/Create-a-Habitat.aspx

http://www.monarchwatch.org/garden/creating.htm

Illinois residents can get started by contacting the Conservation Foundation:

http://www.theconservationfoundation.org/

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Schaub) — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 17:10:00 +0000

Hooray for CSA's Part 2: Growing Little Locavores

The following is an article I recently wrote for the Green Earth Institute, the Community Supported Agriculture program of which I have been a member the past 8 years...

When I first discovered the Green Earth Institute’s CSA program in 2002, I thought it would be a great way to expand the limited, and somewhat picky palates of my two young children. Each Tuesday night venture to the farm that first season became a lesson in new and unique produce, items not normally found on my grocery list. “No that’s not a leafy octopus. It’s a kohlrabi.” “You’re right fennel does look like feathers and taste like licorice.” Thanks to the CSA, my kids soon learned to enjoy snacks such as kale chips and hakurei turnips, where once only peeled and sliced apples would suffice.

As our family expanded to include a third child the lessons my children gleaned from the CSA expanded as well. Through the farm’s camps and u-pick days my children came to appreciate the hard work hidden behind the peas and carrots dished onto their dinner plates. They learned how organic farming helps keep the earth and people healthy. They also discovered the rhythm of the growing season. They began to anticipate the treasures waiting in the pick-up bins from week to week: lettuce first, tomatoes later, and the coveted watermelon just in time for school to roll around. After a long winter of bland supermarket veggies, my youngest would jump for joy when he spied French breakfast radishes in our CSA order. He’d crunch into the radishes with a huge grin, understanding with each bite that in-season produce simply tastes better.

This season, my children have been learning something new from our CSA involvement: how to cook. On Tuesdays, my oldest daughter surveys the week’s bounty and peruses the newsletter for enticing recipes. Then she plans and prepares a meal, challenging herself to use as many local ingredients as possible. She enlists her younger brothers as sous chefs, and soon everyone is measuring, mincing, and mixing, turning my kitchen into a disaster zone. But the mayhem is worth it when the three young chefs serve up their creations with huge I-made-it-myself smiles. Recently, after a successful meal of fennel apple soup and eggplant dip on crackers, my daughter declared “I’m going to open a restaurant someday and grow all my own ingredients so everyone can enjoy fresh and healthy foods.”

I joined the CSA hoping to teach my children not to grimace at green veggies. I never imagined they’d receive such an education in eating healthy and caring for the earth. Thanks to the Green Earth Institute, I know my families’ enthusiasm for fresh, local produce will continue to grow in the seasons to come.

Check out the Green Earth Institute's website for more information and some great recipes using fresh, local produce:

http://www.greenearthinstitute.org/

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Schaub) — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 17:56:00 +0000

Hooray for CSA's!

Did you know that bunch of carrots you recently grabbed from the grocery store bin probably traveled thousands of miles to reach your hands? Produce starts to loose nutrients the minute it is picked. No wonder those roots look a bit weary! Want a great way to get fresh-picked, vitamin-packed produce that doesn't need a travel passport? Join a CSA!

CSA, or Community Supported Agriculture, is a special agreement between families and farmers. Families pledge to cover the cost of seeds, equipment, and other supplies needed to run a farm. Farmers can then focus on growing peas and carrots instead of worrying about nickels and dimes. In return, families receive weekly baskets bursting with fresh produce for an entire growing season.

My family has been part of The Green Earth Institute, a CSA in Naperville, for the past 8 years. We've become spoiled by super-crisp, height of the season produce that was usually picked hours- not days- ago and only had to travel a few mile to reach our mouths. I feel great about being part of a CSA. It boosts the health of my family, small farms, and the earth!

To find a CSA near you, visit:

http://www.localharvest.org/csa/

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Schaub) — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 23:34:00 +0000

Roll Out the Barrel Part 2: Good Reads on the Water Cycle

Want to learn more about that precious water you're saving when you use reclaimed water from a rain barrel? Check out these books:

Did A Dinosaur Drink This Water? By Robert E. Wells. With simple text and lively comic-book illustrations, Wells explores the important work of water on our planet. Young readers learn about the three state of water, the water cycle and why all living things need water to survive. Readers discover that the water we drink today isn’t new. It’s the same water that dinosaurs once lapped up at watering holes billions of years ago. Wells ends by encouraging readers to protect our precious resource so that there will always be water to drink- even if a dinosaur drank it first!

Water Dance by Thomas Locker. From rain to river to sea to clouds and around again, water dances through its cycle in Thomas Locker’s free verse picture book. Blending poetry, Locker’s stunning landscape paintings, and science, Water Dance reveals the beauty and power of the most common substance on earth. The final pages include miniature reproductions of each painting in the book accompanied by a paragraph of factual information explaining a particular phase of the water cycle.

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Schaub) — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 14:03:00 +0000

Roll Out the Barrel…

My husband and children gave me the best surprise for mother’s day this year. No, not breakfast in bed with a little blue box from Tiffany’s balanced on the tray. Instead, I received a giant terra-cotta barrel waiting to be filled with something even more precious: rain. I’m excited about my new rain barrel for two reasons. For one, it’s a great way to conserve water. One rain barrel can save about 1,300 gallons of water during peak summer months. That’s enough to satisfy my thirsty vegetable garden without ever turning on the hose! For another, rain barrels help reduce flooding problems and pollution from water run-off. Whenever it storms, the end of our backyard turns into a muddy lagoon. My rain barrel will help divert the run-off so that area doesn’t get as swamped. Rain barrels have become a staple item at most hardware and garden supply stores, so they are easy to come by. Some villages even sell barrels at a discount as part of storm water management programs. Plus, rain barrels are easy to install. My husband had ours fully functional in less than an hour. A gift that saves water, money, and the habitat of nearby creeks and rivers- what a great surprise!

For More information on rain barrels visit:

http://www.theconservationfoundation.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=247&Itemid=200106

http://www.epa.gov/region3/p2/what-is-rainbarrel.pdf

http://www.ehow.com/how_5131470_paint-rain-barrel.html

Coming Soon: A review of some great picture books on the water cycle and water conservation.