For Kids Who Love Animals: A Guide to Sharing the Planet

Pacer Books (1993)
Linda Koebler
Reviewed by Sarat Colling

If your children love creative projects, fun facts, and animals of all kinds For Kids Who Love Animals: A Guide to Sharing the Planet will be a great addition to their bookshelf. Linda Koebler, with the ASPCA, has written this book in an engaging and educational way so children can understand the threats to animals and learn to care for them.

Koebler discusses animal abuse in entertainment, testing, clothing and food, as well as issues of habitat and the environment. Children have a naturally tendency to love animals, but they must be given strategies on how to respect them. This book will give children a feeling that they are not powerless in the face of animal cruelty. Along with identifying problems, “Animals in Trouble,” it shows kids exactly what they can do to help.

Some highlights:

• illustrations on almost every page
• fun facts (why are flamingoes feathers pink?)
• “wild words”
• educational exercises right in the book
• instructions on creative projects
• personal profiles of humane educators (like Rachel Carlson, “who wanted to make sure birds would always sing and there would never be a “Silent Spring” )
• resource list and glossary

Creative projects include building a “web of life” diagram or practical activities like making home made cleaning products, or even sprouting. Your child may want an “animal protection notebook” to reflect on what they are learning.

With an introduction to many animal and environmental issues still relevant today, For Kids Who Love Animals will greatly benefit youth, especially those around 5-10 years. Get this book and uncover with your child strategies for sharing the Earth.

One thing I believe, when it comes to sharing our beautiful planet with animals, is this: Only when we understand can we care. Only when we care will we help. Only if we help shall they be saved. – Jane Goodall, from the Preface