Children's Book Review: Care for Creation

 

Care for Creation, written by Christy Baldwin, is a delightfully illustrated book for young children.  Timely in topic, the book shares what everyone can do to help care for God's creation supported by Scripture passages.  Though not a book specifically written for Catholic children (Scripture is quoted from the NIV & The Message Bible translations),  the message is a decidedly Christian one: God created the earth for all of us, and in doing so, we are left with the responsibility to care for it.  

Many of the recommendations in the book are simply stated and very easy to understand for even the youngest of children.  Others are more involved and perhaps a bit over the heads of smaller children, such as an explanation of how solar panels capture heat radiating from the sun.  This book is also important not only from a caring for creation perspective, but in these difficult economic times.  We all should be reducing waste and expenses by turning out the unnecessary lights and other electrical items, turning off the water when not needed and walking instead of driving a car when possible.  

I especially like the interactive guide at the end of them book where kids can put what they have learned into action.  Whether being a good steward by picking up trash in a local park with family or planting a garden, no matter how small or large, all are excellent opportunities to spend time in God's creation and with loved ones.

Though the illustrations are bright and communicate a clear message that resounds throughout the book, I wish they included pictures that more children can relate to.  Most children do not have a beautiful in-ground pool to swim in or a beautiful house to live in with cobblestone pathways.  One oversight - in the illustrations and in word - is the protection of God's most precious creation, the human being.  The children riding in the car are not wearing seat belts and human life is not mentioned in the many notes about God's creation.  Despite those sensitivities, I like the book and would recommend it for little ones. It can serve as a launching point for a lifetime of good stewardship.