Children's Book Paper: The Berenstain Bears Go Green.
Children's literature is a great way to make children aware of the issues our world is facing everyday. Children book authors are using more simple words, relatable scenarios, and even pictures to make children understand these problems on there level of thinking. Social and cultural issues are become more apparent throughout children's books, but in a more simple and relatable format. I found the easiest way to make an issue aware is by the use of pictures. My favorite books growing up were "The Berenstain Bears ", they always made it seem that if there was an issue, they could try to help improve it. This allows children to think that their efforts can help improve most scenarios. .
"The Berenstain Bears: Go Green ", was the first book that came to mind when receiving this assignment. The status of our environment is a never ending issue, that can be improved by the help of everyone, including children. I recently read this to my 5 year old goddaughter, she loved seeing all the pictures and when we finished the book she wanted to help but the recycles in the "special " trash bin. Its the little things within a book that can make children, of any age, realize they can help make an impact as well. .
The Berenstain Bears live in a wonderful place filled with blue skies, luscious green grass, and lots of furry friends. The bear family decides to go on a fishing trip at the creek, but the bear family discovers a horrible sight. "They noticed something funny floating in the water. It was a streak of dark, gunky looking stuff. " (9) The bear family notices that the town dump was overflowing. It was a mess, "there were wrecked cars, old mattresses, busted T.V. sets, broken washing machines, and piles of trash and garbage. " (11) But they couldn't understand what the streak of dark gunky stuff was. Then they realized there was a "bunch " of leaky oil drums that were dumped right on the edge of the creek, causing it to leak into the water.