• Age: 5 to 8
• Grade: k to 3
• Reading age: 6 to 8

Sandy and her dog Pepper are taking a walk on the beach when they come across a pile of garbage left by people who were having a bonfire. Along comes an old woman whom Sandy knows as “the garbage lady". Sandy soon realizes that she is friendly, and she teaches Sandy about her eco footprint and the responsibility she has to shrink it.

FERMIDA HANDY, a professor of Environmental Studies, began using the term “ecological footprint” in the 1990s. She realized how easily the idea could be taught to children after making up stories for her own children using the idea of footprints on the beach. She is both a professor at York University and at the University of Pennsylvania.

Femida Handy's profile page

CAROLE CARPENTER established the world’s first Children’s Studies program in 2006 at York University in Toronto. The program aims to teach people how to listen to children, to learn from them and to work in their best interests. Carole continues as a professor and coordinator of the pioneering program in Toronto, where she makes her home.

Carole Carpenter's profile page

Sandy’s Incredible Shrinking Footprint

It’s summer in Sandy’s Incredible Shrinking Footprint and Sandy is visiting her grandfather who lives by the sea. They love the beach and Grandpa has taught her much about its wildlife. As Sandy rushes eagerly to the shore, she is disgusted to find a large pile of garbage carelessly left behind. As she sets about cleaning up HER beach, a local eccentric, the Garbage Lady, assists her. Through her, Sandy is benevolently introduced to the concept of ecological footprints, “the mark you leave on the world.” Sandy rushes home, eager to discuss how she and her family can shrink their footprint.

This delightful picture book depicts the exuberance and enthusiasm of a child first realizing her power to help preserve the environment. The message, using simple vocabulary, is practical and the list Sandy’s family compiles to reduce their footprint is realistic. Authors Femida Handy and Carole Carpenter are respectively Associate Professor of Environmental Studies and Coordinator of Children’s Studies at York University. The energetic collages by artist Adrianna Steele-Card are full of intriguing detail. Supporting the environmental theme, they are created from recycled and natural materials such as birchbark, old magazines and rose petals. The results are most satisfying.

Not Your Typical Book About the Environment allays reader’s fears of planetary doom and gloom, leaving them optimistic and empowered as they recognize the many worldwide changes occurring through technology, law or individual effort.

Four key areas — clothing, food, technology and alternative lifestyles — are discussed. Pros and cons of the status quo and their alternatives are examined, realistically reflecting the complexity of environmental issues. A series of cartoon strips are interspersed, depicting surprising connections between different objects in our world.

The reader is treated to an array of tantalizing information and fascinating facts presented systematically and breezily by Elin Kelsey, an author and ecologist who teaches at Royal Roads University in Victoria, BC. The humorous illustrations of Clayton Hanmer, an award-winning Toronto-based artist, ably reflect the informational, upbeat tone of the text and will appeal to young readers.

Both titles have an exceptionally positive approach to ecological issues and encourage children to recognize their power in contributing to the well-being of the planet. Both strongly affirm for their respective age groups that small changes in our lifestyles can have major impacts and will be invaluable additions to any collection, having a myriad uses in schools, libraries and classrooms.

Aileen Wortley

Sandy’s Incredible Shrinking Footprint

Sandy loves visiting her grandpa’s house by the beach. One day she discovers a pile of garbage and meets the Garbage Lady who teaches her about her ecological footprint — the mark you leave on the world — and how she can shrink that footprint. An environmentally friendly advanced picture book that’s been illustrated using a collage method with natural and recycled materials.