Kids Make it Better
A Write-in, Draw-in Journal for 6 – 10 year-olds
$8.95 (signed) $13.95 (personalized)
“It is never too early to let children know they can make a difference. That’s the wonderful message of this necessary–and adorable–book.”
–Carol Bellamy, former Executive Director of UNICEF
It's a weird synchronicity. This book was inspired by an oil-doused duck photo-- nearly identical to the ones we're seeing right now. Back when Suzy was teaching 2nd and 3rd grades, Suzy's students were upset by the photo. It was a spur-of-the-moment (or teachable moment) activity; Suzy passed out some paper and then she asked the kids, "If you were in charge, what would you do to clean up the oil spill?"
Meghan (age 8) wrote, "I would get a big sponge and tie it with ropes to a helicopter. Then lower it down and soak up all the oil." Kathryn (age 8) wrote, "I would put suntan lotion on all the animals. Then take the water out, wash it in a washing machine and put it back." While the kids were writing and drawing, Suzy began to think she could pose any problem to a roomful of kids and they would come up with a roomful of solutions. Eighty classrooms later, she had the beginnings of the KIDS MAKE IT BETTER book.
Now that the oil leak is fixed, get your kids to work on air pollution, the hole in the ozone, a cure for prejudice and more... in their very own Kids Make It Better books.
Awards and Honors
Tillywig Bright Eyes Award, 2010
Educators, Scout Leaders, Librarians:
Download copies of the KIDS MAKE IT BETTER ACTIVITY GUIDE, extra solution paper, the MAKE IT BETTER ACTION PLAN and participant certificates. (Just click on the icons on the right side of this page.)