Sheri Miller’s new book, credited solely to her mother Linda Miller, isn’t just a picture book for children about climatism, environmentalism, and green practices. It’s a love letter to her mother. The poignancy there is entirely legitimized and bolstered by the fact this only makes the objective focus of the book that much more solidified. By putting a de-facto human face, and overall humanization factor over what could be an otherwise straightforward read in this genre, the Millers breathe in new life here.
They make the book truly feel inspirational, motivating, and empowered. Literally just take the title, for instance, Honoring Our Planet! THINK!. Against the backdrop of evocative illustrations, there are multiple blurbs that essentially highlight the ideological cruxes of each precept Miller swears by as part of a broader message. In effect, against the subsequent THINK! following them: “What if global warming changed Planet Earth as we know it?”, “What if the icebergs melted into the great waters of our ocean?”… “Planet Earth gives us nutritious foods. Our family appreciates this healthy, wonderful food on our table”, “If temperatures rise above 1.5 degrees Celsius, will Planet Earth be able to provide its delicious, vibrant foods which energize us for life?”, “How can we honor Planet Earth? We can take responsibility and lovingly care for our fertile land, clean fresh air and beautiful oceans” … “We can educate people about exciting green renewable energy sources. Let’s open a world of great possibilities!” … “Our conscious decisions to honor and love Planet Earth are a gift to our children, grandchildren and future generations.” Here, the THINK! changes. Instead, a more fitting YOU CAN DO IT!
AMAZON: www.amazon.com/Honoring-Planet-THINK-Linda-Miller/dp/1684980968
By making this an exercise as much as a read, Sheri Miller, whose primary artistic expression is as a gifted vocalist and music artist, displays this considerable depth and ability to make even some decidedly more complex issues fully palatable to the book’s target audience. I thoroughly appreciated this aspect particularly, because it shows genuine craft. Miller isn’t shoving anything down anyone’s throat, like a true educator she’s encouraging her readers to critically think and critically engage the material for themselves. That’s to be seriously commended. This is likely due to Linda Miller’s work as a speech and language pathologist in the public school system. As much as she is an advocate for environmental causes, the tone and nature of the read is part and parcel to who Miller was as an educator herself.
As brilliantly described at the end of the book, “Linda had the opportunity to address the students, faculty, and parents and share with them, ‘It is not how rich you are or how famous you are that matters. What is most important is how kind you are.’ Linda truly believes that kindness and understanding have the most impact on making our world a better place to live. This book celebrates the beautiful diversity of people on this planet, as well as honoring our magnificent Earth. Linda believes that both children and adults are gifted to create positive change within themselves and the world.”
Clay Burton