The nonfiction picture book, Old Enough to Save the Planet by Loll Kirby (illustrated by Adelina Lirius; Harry Abrams, 2021) shows how kids can help our environment. Each two-page spread highlights a real child that made a difference in his or her community by noticing an issue and starting an initiative for change. The top of each spread states what it is that everyone can do, such as “I am powerful enough to preserve the environment.” and “I’m smart enough to stop buying single-use plastic.”
These real children started local groups, protested, created websites, planting gardens, and beginning school composting programs. Their stories are told in a few sentences on each spread. Then, illustrations show these kids in their communities. Smaller fact bars dot the pages, which are great for beginning additional conversations with a class or group. End matter gives ideas for how children can find initiatives in their community, with ideas on how to make their voices heard.
