I am the Earth. All yours to share.
The mountains and the Arctic air, the trees, the breeze, the polar bear,
the forests, and the sea.
And now you're here, so small and new -- a tiny little dream come true.
Don't worry. I'll take care of you. Will you take care of me?
Love, the Earth is a beautiful picture book written by Frances Stickley with gorgeous multimedia illustrations by Tim Hopgood. Written from the perspective of the Earth herself, this story offers such a tender and unique approach to environmentalism for children. The book itself is written in poetic verses and reads like a love letter to the child protagonist of the book, as well as to readers. I highly recommend this story for all young kids, not just ones who have a special interest in the environment!
The story begins as the narrator, the Earth, introduces herself. When a new baby is born, the Earth holds her and asks a sweet prayer of reciprocity: "Don't worry. I'll take care of you. Will you take care of me?". As the child grows, she plants seeds, builds a home for some birds, and enjoys the fruits of her labor. Earth smiles at her, offering enjoyment of her gifts: the beautiful garden full of flowers, the bees, and the birds. As the child grows up, however, she sees the suffering in the face of the planet: the pollution of her oceans and land, global warming, and factory fumes. Earth inspires the child to "lend a helping hand" and "take a stand". The girl cleans up garbage on a shoreline and takes to the streets with her picket sign!
Earth then goes on to invite the child to play in her oceans, gaze up at the night sky, embrace the four seasons, and take in all the wonders of the world. The multicolored illustrations that decorate each page are absolutely stunning. Stickley ends the story with the Earth's valediction: "These gifts from me are yours to share. With All My Love, the Earth". This story is a fantastic reminder for readers of all ages of just how spectacular it is to exist on this planet. Whether you are sharing this book with a loved one or reading it on your own, Love, The Earth offers us an opportunity to reflect on what it means to be a human being in this world. It is so important to remember to take care of ourselves and our incredible planet.
