Authors for Earth Day

Last week I participated in my first Authors for Earth Day school visit. In case you're not familiar with Authors for Earth Day (A4ED) it's a grassroots coalition of award-winning children's authors and illustrators who directly mentor young readers by giving them "an authentic research project with real-world impact." So you can understand why, when Lindenwold School #4 chose me as their visiting author, I was so excited to participate.

Students started months in advance by selecting five non-profit conservation organizations. In preparation for my visit they researched the organizations and created this great bulletin board.  

As a nonfiction author I talk extensively about the research that goes into writing my nonfiction books. This made it easy to tie in the research the student's had done on each of the five organizations. 

Students in grades K–4 created beautiful artwork and displays throughout the school. Individual classrooms added additional projects relating to many of my books. I always find it exciting to see how my books are being used in classrooms.

I used this opportunity to introduce one of my new books, When Dolphins Mourn, coming out this August. We talked about the importance of protecting dolphins and their environment so they can survive into the future.Students learned that dolphins' greatest threats come from humans and how we can make their waters a safe place for them to live. I discussed  how to keep their environment clean from pollutants like garbage and chemicals that can harm dolphins. It was the perfect topic for my Earth Day visit. 

Paperback ISBN: 0766088634     Library Binding ISBN: 0766086151     Grades 2–5

During lunch, with a select group of students, we went around the table and discussed which organization each of them voted for and most importantly why they chose that particular organization. What I learned was that they really did their research. They were able to tell me about each of the organizations and they all had good reasons as to why they chose the one they did. I was impressed!

At the end of the day, their fabulous librarian announced which organization received the most votes. You can imagine how thrilled I was when I found out that the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine, New Jersey was the winner, by a landslide! So, on behalf of the students at Lindenwold School #4, I'll be donating $450 to this great organization located right here in New Jersey.

If you are interested in hosting an Authors for Earth Day visit you can find out how it works, funding suggestions, and tips and tools here.

If you're interested in having me at your school for an Authors for Earth Day visit, you can contact me through my website. 

Linda Bozzo has written more than 60 nonfiction books for the school and library markets. For more information about Linda and her books, you can visit her web site.

Copyright 2017 Linda Bozzo