. . . With its realistic artwork, this attractive package would make an appealing sing-along supplement to a unit or storytime on Earth Day.
— School Library Journal – Lynn K. Vanca (July 2004)
Earth Day Birthday is one of the best children’s books on the environment I have encountered in the last five years. My hat is off to Pattie Schnetzler and Chad Wallace for the wonderful job they have done, and to Dawn for producing such a great book.
— Hutton Book Review Services – Linda Hutton (March 31, 2004)
Start with a familiar melody, introduce a dozen North American animals (“…three panthers creeping … four salmon leaping … eight cranes a dancing …”) and end with one special holiday to celebrate them all. This sing-along book lends itself to a lively circle time activity or a choral performance for your school’s Earth Day celebration. Just add animal costumes, masks, or poster boards, and the stage is set.
— KIND Teacher (Kids In Nature’s Defense) Children’s Honor Book Selection – 2006
“On the first Earth Day Birthday the wide world gave to me . . . A bald eagel in a blue sky.” In cumulative verses . . . Schnetzler introduces a menagerie of familiar creatures, up to “twelve wolves a-howling,” capped by an eloquent comment on the origins and purposes of Earth Day. Wallace’s dramatic, spread-filling, close-up animal paintings . . . provide plenty of visual interest – and his wildlife often seems to be gazing expectantly out at viewers, as if asking “Well? What are you wainting for?”
— Kirkus Reviews (February 15, 2004)
Books that motivate children to read and be excited about the act of reading are always winners in my book, and this book certainly fits both categories. Further, it involves young people in the understanding and appreciation of their environment and the living things within. It engages readers of all backgrounds, and is an especially powerful title for reluctant readers who favor animals and the environment. The combination of text and illustrations will surely bring forth many “oohs” and “ahs” when the title is read aloud. I would be pleased to see this title become a winner.
— Learning Magazine’s 2005 Teacher’s Choice Award panel comments (October 2004)
Earth Day is Saturday, April 22. This annual celebration of the natural world offers families a great chance to participate in activities that make the world a better place. Plant a tree rather than cut one. Walk instead of drive. Go on a litter hunt. Reduce, reuse, recycle. And with a little help from Dawn Publications, this month’s focus on all things environmental could creep indoors, too – into story time with your child.
Earth Day Birthday is a read-and-sing-along offering by Pattie Schnetzler that plays off the holiday carol “The Twelve Days of Christmas” with a message about endangered North American animals. Schnetzler replaces the partridge in a pear tree with a bald eagle in a blue sky, the two turtle doves with two grizzlies sleeping … all the way to 12 wolves a-howling. In their own way, “five spotted fawns” may actually surpass the majesty of “five golden rings.”
The book is recommended for children ages 4-10, but stick to the bottom half of that range. At heart, Earth Day Birthday is a picture book. And Chad Wallace’s detailed illustrations will help keep it off the endangered titles list.
— Grand Rapids Family Magazine (April 2006)
In this sweet book, Earth Day Birthday by Pattie Schnetzler and illustrated by Chad Wallace, children, ages 4-10, learn about the origin of Earth Day through 12 beautifully illustrated depictions of nature and North American animals. the books is set to the song, “The Twelve Days of Christmas” and goes like this:
“On the third Earth Day Birthday the wide world gave to me …
Three panthers creeping, two grizzlies sleeping, and a bald eagle in a blue sky.”
The book ends with my favorite animals, “twelve wolves a-howling,” and honors all animals, their natural habitats and offers ways kids and adults can celebrate Earth Day together by picking up trash, making a bird feeder, planting a tree and more. Available at www.dawnpub.com.
— San Diego Family Magazine (April 2006)
It is Earth Day and every Earth Day the “wide world” gives us a gift, a remarkable gift of nature. On the first Earth Day we are given a “bald eagle in a blue sky,” and on the sixth Earth Day we are given “six owl a-hooting.”
For a total of twelve Earth Day Birthdays this book tells us what the world has given us, reminding us of the beauty and magnificence of the wild animals that live on our planet. The text in this extremely accessible book is presented in a rhyming form similar to that used in “The Twelve Days of Christmas” and indeed the whole text could be sung to the melody of the very popular song. From baby sea turtles, to a pod of whales, and from owls to salmon leaping in a stream, this is both a journey through and a celebration of our beautiful world. Beautifully executed full page paintings capture the grandeur, grace, beauty, and vulnerability of the wild animals described in the text.
At the back of the book the author has included a “Celebrate Earth Day” section which describes how Earth Day came into being and how you can participate in this very special day.
— Through the Looking Glass – www.lookingglassreview.com (April 2006)
Children get two delightful lessons in one when Mom or Dad reads Pattie Schenetzler’s Earth Day Birthday to them. This engagingly illustrated, rhyming picture book, written to the tune of The Twelve Days of Chirstmas, helps tykes learn their numbers while exposing them to North American animal species that are symbolic of a healthy, diverse world.
Rather than focus on what man has done to the environment, Earth Day Birthday endears children to the animals and their natural habitats, thus motivating them to protect the animals depicted and their environments.
— Arizona Parenting (April 2004)
What better way to explain the importance of Earth Day to young children than to share this lovely celebration based on the Twelve Days of Christmas. Beginning with a single bald eagle in a blue sky and ending with 12 wolves a-howling, this book captures the majesty of 12 North American species. Each double-page spread uses realistic, penetrating illustrations to represent an increasing number of creatures beautifully displayed in their natural habitat. The cumulative verse is printed in large text that, when combined with the repetition, would be an easy read for emerging readers. The final spread simply represents the responsibility we all have to help keep the environment clean and to care for all creatures. A final note provides some history of the celebration of Earth Day and includes suggested activities. This text provides a lovely vehicle to celebrate nature and the importance of this special holiday with children. Recommended.
— Children’s Literature (Nov./Dec. 2004)
Earth Day Birthday is a beautifully illustrated book for young readers, demonstrating the wonder and importance of the planet’s varied environment and the amazing creatures who thrive in it. The text by Pattie Schnetzler is patterned after the popular “Twelve Days of Christmas” song; each two-page spread features lavish color illustrations and lyrics such as “On the eighth Earth Day Birthday the wide world gave to me . . . / Eight cranes a-dancing / six owls a-hooting / five spotted fawns / four leaping salmon leaping / three panthers creeping / two grizzlies sleeping / and a bald eagle in a blue sky.” The final two pages offer a brief history and incentive to celebrate Earth Day, as well as the simple music for singing aloud. Wonderfully enhanced with the artwork of Chad Wallace, Earth Day Birthday is a counting book classic to share with preschool and kindergarten age boys and girls. Also very highly recommended from Dawn Publications is Susie Caldwell Rinehart and Anisa Claire Hovemann’s lovely picture book for young readers ages 4 to 10, Eliza and the Dragonfly.
— Midwest Book Review – Children’s Bookwatch (May 2004)
Set to the familiar tune “The Twelve Days of Christmas”, this book is a fun, read-along-sing-along.
There are several different animals featured in the book such as the bald eagle, seals, panthers, whales and many more. All of which are shown in their natural habitat.
The final page spells out, to even the youngest readers, the message that the author is trying to convey. “On the day known as Earth Day, as every day should be, we care for creatures as our family.” When I was done reading it to my daughter we both sat and thought for a silent moment. I then asked her what that meant to her, and she replied, “It means that we should take care of all the animals all the time.” Ah, and this proud mom agrees!
Earth Day is celebrated on April 22nd each year, but this book encourages us to give thanks to the earth everyday!
The illustrations for Earth Day Birthday are quite something. They are wonderful lifelike renditions of all the different animals featured in this book.
A pleasure to read and to look at!
— The Kaboose Network – Lisa Nothnagel (June 2004)
Twenty million people celebrated the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970 and now more than 200-million people celebrate Earth Day in 141 countries. Pattie Schnetzler has borrowed the tune from the “Twelve Days of Christmas” to pay tribute to a dozen animals of the earth, some endangered, some less so–”On the first Earth Day Birthday the wide world gave to me a bald eagle in a blue sky”. There are owls a-hooting, whales a-breaching, seals a-swimming, wolves a-howling and five spotted fawns. It is a clever idea that children in class or at home can easily expand by adding their own favorite animals. The full page pastel illustrations are warm and gentle, usually featuring protective mothers and cuddled babies. Sometimes the action spreads across the center-fold, as in the salmon leaping through the cool, fast-running river. The illustrations always include enough background to generate a good discussion of animals’ varied habitats as well as the threats to those habitats. An information page at the back provides a history of Earth Day as well as activities for an Earth Day Birthday party.
— Children’s Literature – Karen Leggett
Every year on April 22, people around the world celebrate Earth Day. Earth Day Birthday, by Pattie Schnetzler, is a sing-along picture book for children that gives children, parents, and teachers something to cheer – and sing – about. To the tune of “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” Earth Day Birthday is an upbeat celebration that focuses on various North American animal species symbolic of a healthy, diverse environment.
— Treasure Valley Family Magazine (April 2006)
. . . Earth Day Birthday is written in the style of “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” and its sing-along lyrics can be sung to the tune. Each page representing one of the twelve days in Earth Day is accompanied by bold and bright pictures of animals in the wild. Wolves, seals, a bald eagle and bison are just a few of the animals featured in their natural habitat in this delightful book. As an added bonus, the author provides eight different ways for children, parents and teachers to celebrate Earth Day.
— The Westfield Leader – Marylou Morano (April 22, 2004)
Earth Day, April 22, is celebrated worldwide. It’s a great opportunity for families to discover nature together. And what better way to celebrate this awesome holiday, than with Earth Day Birthday, a new sing-along picture book for children.
The book does not dwell harshly on the negative things that have been done to our environment but instead focuses celebrating the successes. Each verse is dedicated to a well-known North American animal that has made a difference in man’s growing knowledge of our world and how we can keep it healthy. Through music, dance, drama and the beautiful illustrations, children will fall in love and strive to protect the animals depicted.
Sung to the tune of “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” Earth Day Birthday begins with, “On the first Earth Day Birthday, the wide world gave to me, A bald eagle in a blue sky.” The text builds up to “On the twelfth Earth Day Birthday, the wide world gave to me, twelve wolves a howling . . .” Not only is the singing fun for children, but it’s a great exercise in counting forwards and backwards, too.
At the end of the book, Schnetzler includes tips to parents and teachers on how to make the most of an Earth Day celebration. Additionally, the book offers opportunities for singting/dramatized story times that reinforce counting skills and environmental awareness.
— Central Penn Parent (April 2004)
Earth Day is wonderful opportunity for families to discover nature together. A new picture book for children, Earth Day Birthday, by Patty Schnetzler, is a beautiful new sing-along book that can be sung to the tune of “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”
The book provides an upbeat centerpiece for celebrating Earth Day (April 22) by focusing on various North American animal species symbolic of a healthy, diverse environment.
Schentzler also includes tips for parents and teachers on how to make the most of an Earth Day celebration. Additionally, the book offers opportunities for singing/dramatized storytimes that reinforce counting skills and environmental awareness.
Earth Day Birthday is illustrated by Chad Wallace. The book is recommended for kids ages 4-10.
— Parents and Kids (April 2004)
Pattie and Chad have created a truly wonderful children’s book . . . teaching children and reminding adults to cherish and protect our planet and all of its inhabitants.
— Doug MacDonald, Executive Director, Windstar Foundation
Earth Day is a holiday waiting to achieve its full potential, and Earth Day Birthday, a new sing-along picture book for children, gives children, parents, and teachers something to cheer – and sing – about. . .
— Boise Family Magazine (April 2004)
This sing along picture book is a great way to inform young kids about Earth Day and what they can do to help the environment. This book can be sung to the tune of “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” Each page is beautifully illustrated with great detail. The end of the book includes historical information about Earth Day and how to make the most of an Earth Day celebration. This is a great book to keep your kids entertained and make them aware of what they can do to help animals and the environment.
— Los Angeles Family Magazine (April 2004)
Earth Day is celebrated on April 22nd each year. Earth Day Birthday explains the importance of Earth Day to young children using the tune to “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” The book features twelve North American species displayed in their natural habitats with realistic and soft illustrations. This book generates good opportunities for discussion of animal habitats and threats to habitats. The back of the book contains brief information about Earth Day and its history. Recommended for ages 4-10.
— West Virginia Family Magazine – Carla Cosner (April/May 2007)
Cayden’s comments:
“This book is about Earth Day. In the back of the book it says Earth Day is April 22nd. We do Earth Day things in school. I remember that from last year. You can sing this book because it is like the ’12 Days of Christmas’ song. They even have the music at the end so that you can play it on the piano and sing.
My favorite page in the book was the one where the 9 turtles hatched. They hatched out of their eggs on the beach and then went to the ocean. I liked the 12 wolves howling too.
At the end it said things that you can do on Earth Day like plant trees and put bird feeders out. I want to do some of those things.”
Parent’s comments:
Earth Day Birthday is a catchy environmental book that we sang instead of just read. The words are set to the tune of “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” We enjoyed the detailed illustrations and learning more about Earth Day. We are going to take some of the ideas from the end of the book and implement them on April 22nd.
— Kids Reader Views – Cayden Aures (age 6) and Mom (March 2011)
A lighthearted contribution to the growing Earth Day holiday tradition. Caring for the environment is fun and kids have a very important role.
— L. Hunter Lovins, President, Natural Capitalism Group
Inspired by Patti’s book, I wrote the following:
Take care of the water, take care of the land,
Take care of the creatures that roam mountains and sand.
The world is our home, the world is our space,
Celebrate Earth Day by taking care of the place.
— Scott McInnis, Member of Congress
On the day known as Earth Day, as every day should be, we care for creatures as our family. Children will enjoy singing this birthday song, knowing the tune from “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”
When I told this story, showing the large and delightful pictures to the three and four-year-olds, they said in chorus, “I like that story!” I believe your children will too. Let’s all celebrate Earth Day’s Birthday every day in our care for God’s creation.
— Church Educator (February 2007)
Earth Day Birthday from Dawn Publications is a unique picture book that introduces children to this international holiday in a positive, upbeat way. Set to the tune of The Twelve Days of Christmas. Earth Day Birthday features stunning illustrations of twelve North American animals, a history of Earth Day and fun activities for the whole family.
— Arizona Parenting (April 2007)
To get your Earth Day celebrations off to a great start, begin with a familiar melody, introduce a dozen North American animals (“…Three panthers creeping…Four Salmon leaping…Eight cranes a-dancing…”), and end with a special holiday to celebrate them all. Pattie Schnetzler’s Earth Day Birthday is a sing-along book that lends itself to a lively circle time activity or a choral performance for your school’s Earth Day celebration. Just add animal costumes, masks or poster boards, and the stage is set!
— KIND Teacher (Kids in Nature’s Defense)(April 2007)
