In our ever changing world, we are urged to “go green” every where and every way we can. Trouble on Earth Day, written by Kathy Stemke and illustrated by Kurt Wilckin, teaches children what they can do to help the earth stay green. Stemke’s cute and fun book isn’t just for kids, it is full of activities and crafts for teachers or home school parents to use with their students. The book pulls the reader into one family’s creative ways to Rethink, Reuse and Recycle. 
Meet Shelby Squirrel, winner of the Earth Day Poster Competition. Shelby is so excited to win a 1st place ribbon in the contest, her enthusiasm bubbles over to her whole family.
Dad Squirrel finds old clothes to make a quilt. Mom Squirrel finds some nuts to make a wreath, even though Shelby thought they were useless. Then Shelby makes friends with a sad bluebird and uses her rethinking and reusing skills to build him. a nest after his home was reduced to a stump.
Stemke uses Rethink instead of Reduce on Shelby’s poster. I love the new spin it gives on ways to make our earth a better place. Sometimes you can’t reduce, you have to rethink and come up with a new solution to an old problem.
I did expect Shelby to get into some sort of trouble in Trouble on Earth Day, instead she helped Charlie bluebird in his troubles.
The Educator’s Edition includes songs, activities, recycled crafts, worksheets, word activities and comprehension questions that helps children learn more about Earth Day. Stemke makes learning fun and gets kids empowered to change the way their family recycles. Her Fuzzy Squirrel Song left me singing the I’m a Little Teapot tune all day!
Wilckin’s illustrations add great details to the book. Dad Squirrel isn’t reading just any newspaper, he is reading the “Daily Nut.” On Shelby’s poster, Rethink is shown with a florescent light bulb. Charlie, the little blue bird, wears and baseball cap and plays guitar. Those fun little touches make the characters come alive.
Trouble on Earth Day gets the whole family going green! I would highly recommend it for young readers ages 4 to 8.
You can purchase Trouble on Earth Day on Amazon.
Meet Kathy Stemke, author of Trouble on Earth Day:
