This book uses the medium of an interesting, colorful story to encourage children (and hopefully their parents) to think about ways that diverse items might be reused before they get to the recycle stage. (Reuse: Extend something's life by using it more than once. Recycle: Break down an item so it can be made into something else.
In the book, the children use their natural intelligence, ingenuity and sense of fun to develop a reuse program that is beneficial to many people in their community.
Reading this book brought back memories of reuse in my own family: Clothing in good condition was handed down to younger children in the family, or passed on to another family; tin cans were painted with leftover paint and used for flower pots or pencil holders; tall tin cans had long strings for handholds, put through holes in the cans and were fun "stilts" to walk around on; cereal boxes were used to make creative "villages."
I highly recommend this book for school or home libraries; it would be a good discussion starter for brainstorming ideas for reusing items. It is colorful, interesting and thought-provoking; and the pages are long-lasting, high quality paper.
The Garbology Kid series created by Sabbithry Persad is a tremendous teaching tool. Children learn the valuable lesson of reducing garbage and turning would-be trash into treasures. The illustrations by Jenny Campbell help to draw you into the story and the lay-out is enticing. Operation Reuse it! should be a part of every child's library and is also a great gift for holidays and birthdays.
Persad is a gifted storyteller and teacher - her books provide valuable lessons for the children and youth of today. These books not only have enjoyable story lines, but provide real-world solutions for reducing waste. Kids of all ages will enjoy the ideas and crafts that can be made from items that might otherwise be thrown away. They will also learn other valuable traits, such as helping others and volunteering.
Another book by Sabbithry Persad to encourage children to understand man's impact on the earth and how they can be a positive force in keeping the world green and mankind healthy. A group of school children find what they think is an abandoned house. After some investigation they meet the elderly owner, who is unable to do the cleaning and upkeep of his property. The first good lesson is they offer to help. Then they go on to learn about buying, renting, trading, and reusing. Included at the end of the book are curriculum ideas for parents, educators, recreation leaders etc. to engage children in the virtues of use, reuse, and multiple use of items. Realistic illustrations will attract attention to features of this story.
An easy-to-read, colorful book from the Garbology Kids author Sabbithry Persad.
Peter, Tiana and their friends help a neighbor clean up his house, garage, and yard. They realize most of what is there can be reused. After sorting and sending the various items to centers the children help their neighbor realize his dream of setting up an art studio.
Operation: Reuse It! brings into focus how any community can create reusable centers.
It is also a great motivator for children and families to clear out things they no longer need or want, but realize others might need their gently used items.
You will find something different to take away from the book every time you read it.
Operation: Reuse It! is a definite keeper!
