One Earth

by Eileen Spinelli, Rogério Coelho (Illustrator)

Celebrate our planet and count the ways little ones can help it, with this board book about caring for the Earth.

In this conservation-themed book, gentle verse reminds the reader of Earth's beauties—starting with "one wide sweeping sky, two honey bees" and continuing all the way to "ten fields to plow." The text then starts counting backwards, listing simple ways children can help, such as reducing waste and reusing items. The conclusion takes us back to number one with the book's key "One Earth so beautiful. Remember—only one." At once, both celebration and challenge, this book will encourage children to take better care of the planet.

Genres: Picture Books, Counting, Environment, Nature, Conservation, Childrens, Storytime

26 pages, Board Book

Published March 5, 2024

About the author

Eileen Spinelli is an award-winning children's book author from southeastern Pennsylvania. She has written over 100 picture books and novels for children. Her husband is Jerry Spinelli, who also writes books for children.

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet, important and enjoyable little book! Perfect for the younger picture book crowd, gently introduces ways to be environmentally conscious while celebrating the beauty and wonder of our planet. Counting from one to ten celebrating wonders of nature ("One wide, sweeping sky. Two honeybees. Three bunnies in a nest. Four redwood trees.") then back from ten to one showing some things children can do to help the planet ("Ten scraps of litter? Toss them in the trash. Nine empty bottles? Turn them in for cash. Eight plastic grocery bags? Weave them into mats. Seven towels getting thin? Good for shelter cats.") I really loved this, especially because it isn't burdening children with too much doom and gloom and it provides ways that they can actually do something to help.

[Jana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Earth Day is on Wednesday, April 22 this year. And while most of us are still isolated in our homes because of the coronavirus pandemic, spring weather is making it possible to get outside and enjoy nature in our own neighborhoods and backyards. With comforting, rhyming text and beautiful illustrations, this lovely picture book counts all of the pieces of nature that make our world wonderful and then counts backward with ways that families can help take of our planet. Some of the ideas, like weaving rugs from plastic bags, might be a good craft to try while we're still sitting around the house.

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm just basking in the cuteness of these post-earth day eco books. This one was delightful! It started out like a counting book counting things in nature (trees, clouds, seagulls, worms). Then counting backwards from 10 introduces ways you can be environmentally conscious (repairing old clothes, upcycling, fixing electronics, planting seeds...such a nice spectrum of ideas represented with very few words. I was very impressed!). And the countdown ends with "One moon. One sun. One earth" on such a poignant note. Precious, and a great introduction to conscious living for kiddos.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

One Earth is a beautifully crafted board book that combines the magic of numbers with a meaningful message about environmental stewardship. Perfectly paced for young children, this book begins with a forward count from 1 to 10, celebrating the diverse wonders and natural beauty our planet offers. Then, in a delightful twist, it counts back down from 10 to 1, highlighting simple, age-appropriate actions we can all take to care for our Earth. With its rhythmic text and vivid illustrations, One Earth makes big ideas accessible to little readers. Whether it’s turning off lights, picking up litter, or planting trees, the book offers tangible examples of how even young children can help protect our planet.

This board book is visually stunning. The artwork captures the richness and diversity of life on Earth, inviting children to develop a sense of responsibility for its well-being. One Earth is ideal for storytime at home, in classrooms, or as part of an Earth Day celebration. It’s a wonderful tool for sparking early conversations about sustainability and kindness to the planet, all wrapped in a book that’s just right for toddlers and preschoolers. Highly recommended!

[Julia Tetreault · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: One Earth
Author: Eileen Spinelli
Illustrator: Rogerio Coelho
Genre: Lide science
Theme(s): numbers and nature
Opening line/sentence : One Wide Sweeping Sky
Brief Book Summary : The story book represents the beautiful things found in nature. Using numbers to count the things the boy and girl could see.
Response to Two Professional Reviews : From Kirkus review, wrote how the rhymes used throughout were beautiful. that the idea of the book it great way for children to learn. In a barnes and noble review, it was expressed that there is only on earth and it needs to be protected.
Tell Me Framework (4 sentences in your own words):
Like(s): The beautiful pictures throughout the story.
Dislike(s): none
Patterns(s):counting the creatures throughout their journey
Puzzle(s): Where are they?
Consideration of Instructional Application : Creating ideas for children to go out and view nature. This book would be perfect for the start of learning about the world and the beautiful creatures that live there. Great way to start a lesson plan about earth.

[Christine Turner]

Conservation of natural resources -- Juvenile fiction.
Counting -- Juvenile fiction.
Stories in rhyme -- Juvenile literature.
Counting -- Juvenile literature.

Celebrate our planet and discover easy ways to take care of it with this picture book that's perfect for budding environmentalists and nature lovers. Kids can count reasons to love the planet and ways to protect it in the pages of this conservation-themed book. Gentle verse reminds the reader of Earth's beauties--starting with "one wide sweeping sky, two honey bees" and continuing all the way to "ten fields to plow." The text then starts counting backwards, listing simple ways children can help, such as reducing waste and reusing items. The conclusion takes us back to number one with the book's key message: "One Earth so beautiful. Remember--only one." At once celebration and challenge, this book will encourage children to take better care of the planet.

[Shaynning - Libraire Jeunesse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Album de 2021, "Une seule terre" est une ode à la planète dans de magnifiques illustrations très colorées. Dans un premier temps, nous comptons de 1 à 10 en calculant divers éléments de la nature, puis à rebours, de 10 à 1, sur le thème des actions écoresponsables que nous pouvons poser pour contribuer au mieux être de la planète. Diminuer l'éclairage, réutiliser les matériaux plastiques, repriser les bas troués, planter des noyaux d'avocats sont au nombre des "petits gestes" pour la Terre. L'album s'achève en rappelant qu'une Terre, justement, il n'y en a qu'une.

Visuellement très joli, cet album est positif et contiens peu de texte, malgré un sujet très pertinent que même les plus jeunes peuvent comprendre.

À voir!

Catégorisation: Album fiction, littérature jeunesse préscolaire, 4-5 ans
Note: 7/10

[Abby Johnson]

Add this to your storytime shelves for Earth Day or any time that you're exploring the environment. In simple, bouncy rhyming text, this book counts up naming plants and animals that are part of our Earth ("One wide sweeping sky / Two honeybees / Three bunnies in a nest / Four redwood trees") and then counts back down with ways that kids and families can help save our Earth ("Ten scraps of litter? Toss them in the trash. / Nine empty bottles? Turn them in for cash."). Short and simple enough for preschoolers and the potential for some great conversation starters as you're talking about ways that kids can help the environment.

[Mary Haque · Rating 5 out of 5]

ONE EARTH
A captivating picture book that points to steps everyone can do to help our planet. The combination of the melodic counting short verse by Eileen Spinelli along with breathtaking illustrations by Rogerio Coelho make this picture book a beautiful work of art with a simplistic (gorgeous) message for young environmentalists.

Bravo to Rogerio Coelho and Eileen Spinelli on this artistic composition on every page.
I received this as a Christmas gift and saved it for my first review for 2023! It sat on my desk and everyday I paged through it over and over. So gorgeous but I think I already said that. A favorite for my keeper library.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kids count wonderful things in nature they see 1-10, and then count back down looking at ways they can reduce, reuse, recycle and take care of the one Earth.

A clever little counting book that goes beyond the normal "turn off a light or recycle' to look at a wider variety of ways to reduce waste and also looks at the why in the beautiful illustrations of nature. Would make a great read for Earth Day, talking to kids about reducing waste, or any class on reducing, reusing, recycling for lower grades. This is a fun counting/conservation read.

[Mrs.MakesReadingFun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short & sweet!
A simple story that packs a punch- counting all the beautiful things about the earth, and then counting down all the ways to help keep it clean/safe.
Final message- we just have ONE earth.

This one is perfect for young readers- it gives them hope (and practical strategies!) for our planet, while also reminding about the importance of taking care of our earth (we only have one of them).

The illustrations are beautiful and engaging- and this is definitely my TOP Earth Day read aloud this year in library classes.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

On March 3, 2020 another book was released with a focus on our Blue Planet. One EARTH (Worthy Kids) written by Eileen Spinelli with illustrations by Rogerio Coelho is a special counting book. In a rhyming poetic intonation with sweeping cheerful images readers are reminded of the spectacular beauty of our home and how we can honor her.


My full recommendation: https://librariansquest.blogspot.com/...

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

A counting book that counts 1 to 10 and then 10 to 1.
It never uses the numerals, just the number words.
It's very easy to identify the things we're counting on the way up (1 to 10). The ones used when counting back down are harder.

When we count up, we count things in nature.
When we count down, we count things that we can do that are good for the environment (recycling, repairing, using less energy, etc.).

[Nicole Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book for my honest opinion.


         This book is a great start to the talk about how to have good stewardship of the Earth. I love the whimsical art style and the celebration of the beauty of nature before going into how to ensure that beauty will continue for future generations. It also has the added bonus of being a great count-to-ten book. A wonderful starter book for any environmentally friendly family or home.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This super-simple counting book was made for Earth Day. Use it for what it's intended: to grow respect for the natural world and conscientious use of resources. Have your students or child write d illustrate their own version of 10 things they love about the planet and 10 things they can do to help preserve resources and reverse environmental damage.

[Ellen L. Ramsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Eileen Spinelli’s books, and this is no exception. A beautiful book in praise of the earth, and what each person can do to preserve it. Spinelli’s rhyming text and the fun illustrations create a beautiful book kids will enjoy, and they’ll want to do their part to protect and preserve the earth.

[Kirsten Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet rhyming book that counts up from 1-10 listing things to love about earth and then counts back down listing steps we can take to care for our planet, sharing the important message that we only have one earth and we need to protect it.

*earth
*environmentalism
* counting books
* stories in rhyme

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The message that we only have one earth is loud and clear in this engaging and colorful picture book that celebrates the exploration of nature and preserving the resources and animals that we have for the future.

Could totally stare at the pages for hours.

[Bethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bookaday #31. 5 stars. Counting book with a twist: counting up 10 wonderful things onEarth, then counting back down with ways to care for Earth. Delicious illustrations too! Be sure to look at case cover!

[Dylan Schulze · Rating 4 out of 5]

One Earth shows students how important our planet is to our everyday living. The book shows students the reasons to love and protect our planet as well as we can. Our Earth book shows students and encourages them to recycle, reuse, and reduce.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Count up to ten the beautiful things found in nature. Count down to one, ways to conserve, reduce and reuse because we only get one earth. Good integration of counting with conservation. Good for lower elementary.

[Nat Whitford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't see many books for children bout the earth and how to take care of it so this one is definitely very touching and useful to help students be aware of our earth and how to keep giving it love.

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book counts forward, ten things beautiful about the earth, then counts backwards, ten ways to conserve the earth through reduce, reuse, and recycle practices. A rhyming book, this is a creative way to count forwards and backwards. A great book for Earth Day.

[Jessie Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations in this informational book are beautiful. I love that this book not only tells kids why the earth is so important to take care of, but it also gives ten examples of how the kids can do so. I would love to read this in my classroom one day!

[Mortisha Cassavetes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful picture book written in verse. Kids counting all the reasons to love and protect the earth and all the beautiful things. I loved the wonderful illustrations and highly recommend it to kids of all ages. I read this book for the #picturethis2022 reading event. Prompt - Home.

[Adrianna Kluge · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book describes how one Earth includes Black, Indigenous and People of Color who live and work as environmental defenders. This books main focus and goal was to help the reader understand how all these cultures and people are trying to achieve their environmental goals to help the planet.

[Aura Keaton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful, eye-catching, vibrantly-colored counting book for the littles that focuses on our one and only planet Earth. While the story teaches various things, the images pull the reader in. A gorgeous, Earth-conscious book.

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a simple, beautifully illustrated counting book whose emphasis is on the earth and taking care of it. It counts to 10 and then counts down again.

[Lisa D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful book!

[Stevanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrations.