"Open your closet. Look in your drawers,
cupboard, backpack - everywhere you
keep stuff. Do you need it all? Do you
love it all? If you don't, you're like most
of us. You have too much stuff. But we
love stuff."
This is another one of those books that had me thinking I could skim through it, know its contents, and be able to tell you about it. Instead, I found myself constantly impressed by the information Rob shared with his readers about the journey he has been on since he was 25 years old. At that time, he decided he wanted to be the change he wanted to see in the world.
He started with small steps and continued day by day, week by week, month by month, and year by year to bring change to the way he had been living. He wanted to make Earth a better place. Now an environmental activist, he spends his days reaching out to people and encouraging them to do better. His extreme actions are not meant for everyone; he does not suggest that his audience do what he does. He simply wants readers to be aware that even small changes make a big difference.
He and his co-author Antonia Banyard have penned nine chapters to help kids recognize that they have a role to play. Each chapter begins with a clear-cut introduction to a particular issue: stuff, waste, food waste, the food system, water, energy, transportation, money, and connection. The second part of each chapter describes the story of his journey in terms of each of these issues. Finally, Antonia Banyard discusses what kids and their families can do to make changes.
From dumpster diving, to wearing a 'trash suit' for a month, to not taking a shower for 1000 days, the journey is a fascinating, if an improbable one for most of us. Howver, it is inspiring, informative, and very compelling. Sometimes, it is downright disheartening. Text boxes introduce kids who are making a difference, and many ideas are included for actions that can be taken.
This is an important book for children and their parents (and teachers) to share. I can only imagine the conversations it might generate. Nonfiction features include a table of contents, a glossary, an index, and a very useful list of resources.
Rob wants everyone who reads his book to know that no one is too young, and no action too small to make a difference.
Here is a link to Rob'sTedTalk:
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