Parents' Guide to

It's Earth Day: Little Critter

By Patricia Tauzer, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 3+

Little Critter inspires with his eco-enthusiasm.

Book Mercer Mayer For Beginning Readers 2008
It's Earth Day: Little Critter Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

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What's the Story?

After Little Critter learns that climate changes on Earth are endangering the habitat of polar bears, he is determined to fix the problem. He tries to invent a machine that will control the climate all on his own, but he learns that if we all work together to "reduce, reuse and recycle," we can be the best climate control machine of all.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say Not yet rated
Kids say (1):

Even with its serious message, this Little Critter book comes with the usual fun trappings. Fans will love trying to find the mouse and spider hidden in every scene as well as the cleverly drawn cartoon-like characters for which Mayer is known. And together, that is enough to draw young readers into a book that tackles a topic which might otherwise be a bit scary. Here the message is handled well: Little Critter is trying to save the world for the polar bears. The lesson he learns is that solving the problem is not up to him alone. Rather, if we all work together we can make the difference.

Readers who know Mercer Mayer's Little Critter books know Little Critter is always up to something. This time he is on a mission to slow down global warming and help the polar bears, and of course he does it with the typical Little Critter enthusiasm. On the school tree-planting trip, he ends up waist-deep in the hole he has dug, and turning out the lights leaves his father stumbling dangerously in the dark.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the Little Critter's plan for saving the planet for the polar bears. What did he learn from his invention? Why did he finally decide that we are all "Climate Control Machines"? What does it mean to "reduce, reuse, and recycle"? Read Little Critter's 10 Top Ways to Help Save the Planet. How many do you do? Can you think of anything else that is not on the list?

Book Details

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