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Dear Earth
This inspiring picture book celebrates the wonders of our world and reminds us that if we all work together to spread the message that Earth is special and worth saving, we can keep our planet beautiful for many years to come.
The message that Earth is special and worth saving is an important one, especially now, when climate issues are so prevalent. Dear Earth is an inspiring story of a young girl named Tessa, who writes a love letter to the Earth in celebration of its many wonderful components. Tessa has the opportunity to blow bubbles with majestic whales, soar with the birds, and join in the noise and excitement of the rain forest. She believes that if we all work together to spread the message that Earth is special and worth saving, we will be able to keep our planet beautiful for many years to come. Includes back matter with ways to help save the Earth, as well as a letter template for children to write their own letter to Earth.
The message that Earth is special and worth saving is an important one, especially now, when climate issues are so prevalent. Dear Earth is an inspiring story of a young girl named Tessa, who writes a love letter to the Earth in celebration of its many wonderful components. Tessa has the opportunity to blow bubbles with majestic whales, soar with the birds, and join in the noise and excitement of the rain forest. She believes that if we all work together to spread the message that Earth is special and worth saving, we will be able to keep our planet beautiful for many years to come. Includes back matter with ways to help save the Earth, as well as a letter template for children to write their own letter to Earth.
40 pages, Hardcover
Published February 7, 2023
2 people are currently reading
105 people want to read
About the author
Isabel Otter
82 books14 followersIsabel Otter is a children's book editor and writer. She grew up in rural Herefordshire and is happiest climbing mountains in muddy boots. Isabel loves weaving stories and writing about the world around her.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
March 16, 2021
Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com
Dear Earth is a beautiful children’s book that is about why we should love the planet and how it is being destroyed and what we can do to save it, told through the eyes of a little girl who cares a lot.
Young Tessa loves listening to her Grandpa tell her stories about the Earth. He used to be an explorer and has travelled far and wide. As he spoke Tessa would get amazing images in her head and so she decided to write a letter to the Earth telling her what she loves about it but also about how fragile the Earth is and the help she needs from the people upon her to thrive.
The book is truly amazing. It is like a love letter to the Earth sharing all the things Tessa loves to do on the Earth and the things she would love to do in the future.
The full-page illustrations are simply divine, they shine off each page and show the world in all her glory.
The book focuses on both the good and also on things that are happening in the world that are not so good such as plastic in the oceans, sea levels rising, Ice melting. At the back is factual information on how everyone can help the planet with some small steps.
I absolutely adored this book. It is glorious to look at and ever so poignant and heart-felt to read.
Dear Earth is a beautiful children’s book that is about why we should love the planet and how it is being destroyed and what we can do to save it, told through the eyes of a little girl who cares a lot.
Young Tessa loves listening to her Grandpa tell her stories about the Earth. He used to be an explorer and has travelled far and wide. As he spoke Tessa would get amazing images in her head and so she decided to write a letter to the Earth telling her what she loves about it but also about how fragile the Earth is and the help she needs from the people upon her to thrive.
The book is truly amazing. It is like a love letter to the Earth sharing all the things Tessa loves to do on the Earth and the things she would love to do in the future.
The full-page illustrations are simply divine, they shine off each page and show the world in all her glory.
The book focuses on both the good and also on things that are happening in the world that are not so good such as plastic in the oceans, sea levels rising, Ice melting. At the back is factual information on how everyone can help the planet with some small steps.
I absolutely adored this book. It is glorious to look at and ever so poignant and heart-felt to read.
January 16, 2023
A nice picture book about what a beautiful planet we live on. The end pages have some suggestions to find out more and some simple suggestions on things we can do to help.
There are many books like this and I didn't feel this was anything particularly new or striking. It could have been longer but it was a nice enough library read.
There are many books like this and I didn't feel this was anything particularly new or striking. It could have been longer but it was a nice enough library read.
January 3, 2024
Καθαρό πεντάρι, τόσο για το θετικό μήνυμα, όσο και για την προσεγμένη εικονογράφηση.
May 22, 2021
This beautifully illustrated picture book (written by Isobel Otter and illustrated by Clara Anganuzzi) is an ode to the beauty of the natural world. Tessa loves Grandpa's stories about his adventures around the globe and she finds herself inspired to write a letter to Earth so that she can acknowledge and thank it for all the beautiful things that it freely shares with us.
What follows is a visual theatre of colour and movement that only the natural world can provide. As Tessa writes, she travels in her mind alongside stampedes, deep in recesses of oceans or lying in waterfalls. Each journey takes her across the globe, to visit different creatures and plant life and Anganuzzi's rich colours and shapes bring this to life. After revealing the world's riches, the story closes with Tessa hoping that the people will t wake up to its beauty and fragility too.
With a mix of single and double-page spreads and a few moments where you have to rotate the book for deep, lush vertical spreads, Dear Earth's illustrations will captivate and engage many children. Although Tessa and her grandfather felt a little unreal to me in terms of illustration, this was not the case for the rich animal life that Tessa visualises.
A lovely book for any home or classroom that touches on issues of conservation with a light touch.
What follows is a visual theatre of colour and movement that only the natural world can provide. As Tessa writes, she travels in her mind alongside stampedes, deep in recesses of oceans or lying in waterfalls. Each journey takes her across the globe, to visit different creatures and plant life and Anganuzzi's rich colours and shapes bring this to life. After revealing the world's riches, the story closes with Tessa hoping that the people will t wake up to its beauty and fragility too.
With a mix of single and double-page spreads and a few moments where you have to rotate the book for deep, lush vertical spreads, Dear Earth's illustrations will captivate and engage many children. Although Tessa and her grandfather felt a little unreal to me in terms of illustration, this was not the case for the rich animal life that Tessa visualises.
A lovely book for any home or classroom that touches on issues of conservation with a light touch.
March 3, 2020
Absolutely gorgeous book. The illustrations really put the reader in the picture & imagining we are there along with Tessa. I also liked that this book has a more hopeful message than many others of a similar topic. "Grandpa says that humans have hurt you...but we can heal you too."
July 8, 2025
Cute and poignant. A little young for my class.
Class review - 3.17/5
My review - 7/10
Class review - 3.17/5
My review - 7/10
March 8, 2023
Inspired by her grandfather's tales of his own adventures and his fondness for the planet's wonders, Tessa decides to write a love letter to the Earth. She describes and imagines all the places she will travel, the sights she will see, and the beauty of this green and blue planet while the ocean's sounds can be heard in the background. Her letter is filled with eloquent writing as she pays tribute to Earth and dreams of diving deep into the ocean, swimming beneath waterfalls, and sliding down the dunes of the dessert. Fully aware that humans have harmed the planet, Tessa finishes her letter and then walks along the shore with her grandfather, wondering if perhaps there is still time to save Earth and if maybe her message will help raise their awareness. Not only is the text appealing, but the illustrations, filled with colorful images of nature's wonders and two vertical double-page spreads featuring the ocean and the rainforest, celebrate the richness of the planet's various habitats and the animals that live there. The back matter includes additional information about some of the dangers to various species, suggestions about how to help, and even a "Dear Earth" letter template for youngsters inspired by Tessa's example to take action in some way, possibly by writing to elected officials or industrial polluters. Add this picture book to a classroom collection devoted to the environment or even one focusing on how one person, even someone as young as Tessa, can make a difference.
October 17, 2024
A beautiful introduction to what is special about our world.
Tessa listens to the stories her grandfather tell about his travels on our world. Her imagination is so stimulated that she decides to write a letter to Earth about all of the wonderful and beautiful things she has heard about. Backmatter includes a short discussion about several specific habitats that have been changed by global warming and a page of activities that children can do to make a difference in our world.
Otter's spare text is full of rich vocabulary and imagery, making this a joy to read aloud.
Delicate and beautiful, the illustrations by Clara Anganuzzi are simply breath-taking. There is a lightness that raises what could be a heavy story up and makes it soar. The use of pastels and bold color together is striking. Her use of scale is amazing. The image of Tessa diving right into the ocean (requiring readers to turn the book to see the depths of the ocean), change in perspective to hovering over the stampede of animals in Africa, slows down in the calm of the blue lagoon (that looks more green than blue) and soars high in the snow-covered mountains before coming to rest on the beach with her grandfather. Note: Tessa and her grandfather are depicted with brown skin.
Such a beautiful book! Use this one in discussions about climate change and suggest kiddoes to take action! This would be perfect to use on Earth Day, too!
Highly Recommended for PreS-grade 2.
Tessa listens to the stories her grandfather tell about his travels on our world. Her imagination is so stimulated that she decides to write a letter to Earth about all of the wonderful and beautiful things she has heard about. Backmatter includes a short discussion about several specific habitats that have been changed by global warming and a page of activities that children can do to make a difference in our world.
Otter's spare text is full of rich vocabulary and imagery, making this a joy to read aloud.
Delicate and beautiful, the illustrations by Clara Anganuzzi are simply breath-taking. There is a lightness that raises what could be a heavy story up and makes it soar. The use of pastels and bold color together is striking. Her use of scale is amazing. The image of Tessa diving right into the ocean (requiring readers to turn the book to see the depths of the ocean), change in perspective to hovering over the stampede of animals in Africa, slows down in the calm of the blue lagoon (that looks more green than blue) and soars high in the snow-covered mountains before coming to rest on the beach with her grandfather. Note: Tessa and her grandfather are depicted with brown skin.
Such a beautiful book! Use this one in discussions about climate change and suggest kiddoes to take action! This would be perfect to use on Earth Day, too!
Highly Recommended for PreS-grade 2.
March 5, 2023
This gentle picture book is a young child’s first view of environmental activism. Little Tessa loves to imagine the beauty of the world as described by her explorer grandfather. She decides to write a letter to the Earth. As she describes the wonders of the oceans, savannahs, mountains, deserts and forests, she promises to take care of these wondrous and fragile ecosystems. I love that this small act of writing a letter shows that this young child is starting to think of her role as a caregiver to the environment. The world’s beauty is perfectly evoked in the chosen images – there are several full bleed double page spreads that, when turned vertically, show breathtaking views of the ocean’s depth and the rainforest’s abundance.
The cozy story gives way to first person narration of the letter, and has Clara’s feelings as well as many descriptions. Clara Anganuzzi’s artwork, with the round, brown girl of many of her picture books, is warm and lovely. A two page spread of accessible facts on global warming and pollution rounds out the book, with links to kids’ websites.
The cozy story gives way to first person narration of the letter, and has Clara’s feelings as well as many descriptions. Clara Anganuzzi’s artwork, with the round, brown girl of many of her picture books, is warm and lovely. A two page spread of accessible facts on global warming and pollution rounds out the book, with links to kids’ websites.
November 17, 2023
So, it's not often that I think a book's illustrations are adorable AND beautiful but this one manages to pull it off. I love the roundish shapes of Tessa, our lead, and her grandpa, and some of the animals are more adorable than realistic but I also think some of the page spreads are beautiful as well. Overall, this is a wonderful love letter to our dear old earth. There is not really any fantasy to be found but at the same time, through the combination of the text and illustrations, we're led on a slightly whimsical journey that reveals some of the wonders of the Earth.
The back of the book has a few suggestions if a child wants to know more about climate change/global warming, and also offers a few ways to "Get involved!" It also points readers to a few other resources.
Because of some of the details I think this would work best one-on-one or with a very small group, but it may also work alright with a larger one. Because of the amount of text, it would probably work best with pre-k and up (like to upper elementary).
The back of the book has a few suggestions if a child wants to know more about climate change/global warming, and also offers a few ways to "Get involved!" It also points readers to a few other resources.
Because of some of the details I think this would work best one-on-one or with a very small group, but it may also work alright with a larger one. Because of the amount of text, it would probably work best with pre-k and up (like to upper elementary).
April 25, 2024
This is a book I read to the children in my third year placement school. When Tessa writes a love letter to the Earth, it marks the start of an amazing journey. Tessa wants everyone to understand how extraordinary our planet is. She believes that if enough of us spread the message, there's a chance to save the Earth. This picture book is filled with beautiful illustrations and delivers a gentle and encouraging message about appreciating and taking care of the environment. It guides readers to appreciate the diverse wonders of our planet. The book also provides additional facts and tips at the end, gently encouraging readers to take positive and achievable steps in caring for the Earth.
April 21, 2023
Inspired by her grandfather's explorations, Tessa decides to write a letter to the Earth. It is an imaginative love letter describing her dreams of visiting different habitats around the world with their diverse climates, terrains, and wildlife. It also includes a pledge: "Earth, you are full of such wonder, but you're fragile, and you need love and care. Grandpa says that humans have hurt you . . . but we can heal you, too." A quiet picture book of praise that will be lovely to share on Earth Day!
August 28, 2021
Mixed feelings. The picture book is great to depict some of the wonders of the planet (landscapes and animals), especially with the nice art. On another hand, it seems to put too much humans at the center with most of it being about exploring and only the last pages being clearly about protecting (a bit human centred again). I suppose it really depends how you see protecting wildlife and in my case, having humans exploring the few wild lands left isn't a good thing.
May 24, 2023
Inspired by her grandfather's stories of his adventures and his love for the planet's wonders, Tessa writes a love letter to the Earth describing all of the places she imagines she will travel. After finishing her letter, Tessa walks along the shore with her grandfather, wondering if there is still time to save Earth and if maybe her message will help raise awareness.
July 15, 2023
Tessa learned many wondrous things from her grandfather about Earth. One day she writes a love letter to Earth and hopes that other people will also learn to love our planet and take care of it.
On the back pages there is information included about climate change and its effects, and how we can help to make things better. Fabulous illustrations.
On the back pages there is information included about climate change and its effects, and how we can help to make things better. Fabulous illustrations.
December 5, 2023
I like this book as inspiration to young minds (and maybe even the older ones too). The illustrations are beautiful. Some are wonderous with their double pages of landscape habits and their creatures. The story is our story. How will we explore and take care of the Earth. What would we say to Earth if we could write it a letter.
September 12, 2023
Brief summary: Tessa writes a letter to Earth highlighting and celebrating all its beauty. She enjoys all of the habitats and creatures.
Comments: This text is uplifting. The back sections include If You Want to Know More... and Get Involved!
Rating: 3/5 📗📗📗
Comments: This text is uplifting. The back sections include If You Want to Know More... and Get Involved!
Rating: 3/5 📗📗📗
May 26, 2025
Excellent, beautifully illustrated children's book, which features a little girl named Tessa and her grandfather, a nice amount of representation for just two characters. The message is simple but beautiful: what can we do to protect the earth?
August 31, 2020
Beautifully illustrated book with an environmental message.
Want to read
April 3, 2023Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss.
April 13, 2023
Always torn about books that don't mention the harm corporations are doing to Earth, and show how much damage is due to that rather than individual consumers. It's a nice story though!
April 20, 2023
I like it, I wish there was more to it though.
August 7, 2023
A sweet story about a child's letter to the earth. Lovely illustrations and a timely message. My daughter thought this picture book was nice, but uneventful.
September 7, 2023
I quite liked the design and the illustrations.
November 26, 2024
Beautiful book. Would be amazing for Earth Day storytime for school aged children.
December 30, 2020
An absolutely beautiful book. We all loved it
March 2, 2026
This book was suggested to me as a good book for the themes of Nature and the environment for shared reading with my placement class. I split this book into 2 sessions, but it was great to get the children to think about all the amazing environments we have on this earth, and how they are being destroyed.
April 21, 2023
Dear Earth is a stunning and memorable picture book ode to the beauty of the Earth. I appreciate so much how this book aims to call attention to what it is to care for our wonderful planet, but avoids doing so in a trite or didactic way that many other children's books fall into. This picture book narrative is lyrical and is paired with dreamy-yet-natural full page illustrations that really invite you into the wonder of it all. We follow a young girl as she writes a letter to Earth and uses her imagination to swim in the ocean or scale the rainforest treetops and so much more.
The back of the book contains some extra facts that discuss threats to Earth's habitats and how we might get involved and help. I think this type of "Earth advocate" approach is wonderfully age-appropriate in this picture book format. Children will be able to relate to the love and wonder that the girl in the story views our planet with. Beautifully done!
For more notable 2023 nature-based books for children visit my blog:
https://thesilvanreverie.com/2023/04/...
***Note: I was given a review copy of this book via Publisher's Spotlight. Opinions are my own.
The back of the book contains some extra facts that discuss threats to Earth's habitats and how we might get involved and help. I think this type of "Earth advocate" approach is wonderfully age-appropriate in this picture book format. Children will be able to relate to the love and wonder that the girl in the story views our planet with. Beautifully done!
For more notable 2023 nature-based books for children visit my blog:
https://thesilvanreverie.com/2023/04/...
***Note: I was given a review copy of this book via Publisher's Spotlight. Opinions are my own.
August 30, 2021
Très bel album sur l'importance de prendre soin de notre maison, la planète Terre!
Après avoir écouté les récits d'explorateur de son grand-père, Tess écrit une lettre à la Terre et entreprend un long voyage. Un album qui rend hommage à la beauté de la nature et invite à la préserver. [BTLF]
Après avoir écouté les récits d'explorateur de son grand-père, Tess écrit une lettre à la Terre et entreprend un long voyage. Un album qui rend hommage à la beauté de la nature et invite à la préserver. [BTLF]
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July 6, 2024Stunning illustrations with an optimistic message about conservation and tips for how kids can get involved at the end. I'm not too sure how I feel about the body of the book, though. Tessa saying she wants to run alongside a stampede sounds concerning... hasn't she ever seen The Lion King?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews