Kids' Home Library by Lee Littlewood

Heroes come in all forms. In this showcase of inspiring people, there's not one ode to a sports or movie star. These real folks helped save the environment and America's freedom.

"Heroes of the Environment: True Stories of People Who are Helping to Protect our Planet" by Harriet Rohmer; illustrated by Julie McLaughlin; Chronicle Books; 107 pages; $16.99.

Presented with a whimsical look and lighthearted friendly manner, this eye-opening book introduces 12 people from North America that have done inspiring things to help the environment. The subtle but vital heroes include a teen girl who figured out how to remove a toxic chemical from the Ohio River, an American Indian teaching the Hopi tribe in Arizona how to install solar power and a Mexican superstar wrestler safeguarding the habitats of sea turtles and whales.

With brief chapters, plenty of white space between easy-readable lines of text and an attractive blue, gray and white layout, "Heroes of the Environment" is an exciting addition to elementary school classrooms. It also includes a chapter on "How You Can Get Involved," with examples of regular kids with big ideas and projects. Proceeds from this lovely book, printed on environmentally "green" paper, help benefit the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).

Kids who want to do more for the environment should also check out "Get Out! 150 Ways for Kids and Grown-Ups to Get Into Nature and Build a Greener Future," by Judy Molland and Free Spirit Publishing (120 pages; $10.99). The tote-worthy book packs plenty of ideas for families and classrooms to enjoy, preserve and appreciate nature.

"Champions of the Wilderness" by Bruce and Carol L. Malnor; illustrations by Anisa Claire Hovemann, and "Champions of the Ocean" by Fran Hodgkins; illustrated by Cris Arbo; Dawn Publications; 144 pages and $11.95 each.

Each inspiring book, part of Dawn Publications' new Earth Heroes series, is an eloquent biography collection with true stories of environmental champions — from Jacques Cousteau to John Muir, "Shark Lady" Eugenie Clark to Henry David Thoreau.

Children ages 10 to 14 will find it fascinating that each of these heroes was significantly influenced by a childhood experience in nature, and each then turned their passions into environmental leaderships.

Each chapter contains a "fast facts" section, plus clear historical photographs, timelines and accomplishment summaries. Highly readable and motivating, the series contains smart fodder for middle-grade biography needs. Up next is "Champions of Wildlife," which will be released in the spring.

"John Brown: His Fight for Freedom" by John Hendrix; Abrams Books for Young Readers; 40 pages; $18.95.

Based on new scholarly research and findings, this picture-book chronicle of white abolitionist John Brown's life looks like a storybook-type, mythical tall tale, but it is truly a compelling historical read. In the late 1850s, few people did more than speak out against slavery. Enter Ohioan John Brown, who helped his father smuggle escaped slaves to safe houses and was furious when he witnessed any unfair treatments of blacks. John's plan to wage war on slavery made him an outlaw, and unfortunately, cost him his life when he was sentenced to death. Still, John Brown fought hard for injustice, penned many letters to newspapers and managed to strengthen the abolitionist cause.

Hendrix's action-packed illustrations have won many awards, and they certainly paint a dramatic yet comic-book look to this compelling story.

"By the Sword" by Selene Castrovilla; illustrations by Bill Farnsworth; Calkins Creek/Boyds Mills Press; 40 pages; $17.95.

Another adventure tale about one man's cry to freedom, "By the Sword" tells of a young teacher in Revolutionary America, who sacrificed his career to enlist in George Washington's army. Castrovilla wove Benjamin Tallmadge's own account with additional details from primary-source documents and extensive research. A thrilling narrative of a harrowing time in America's history, her dramatic tale presents Benjamin's harsh realities of being a soldier, showcasing a man who gives his all for his country and his horse.

Aimed at the older picture-book crowd, ages 7 to 11, "By the Sword" is full of museum-worthy Revolutionary War-era oil paintings by Bill Farnsworth.

To find out more about Lee Littlewood and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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