Dear Earth…From Your Friends in Room 5 by Erin Dealey, Luisa Uribe
Published by HarperCollins on December 1, 2020
ISBN: 0062915320
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads

The kids in Room 5 write a letter to the Earth asking what they can do to help. They’re surprised when they get an answer! This begins a dialog between the kids in Room 5 (later referred to as “Earth Heroes”) and our planet. The kids talk about small changes they’re making—turning off the lights, using reusable water bottles, recycling/reusing paper, etc. As the year goes on, the seasons change, but the kids’ enthusiasm for helping the planet does not.

The text is presented entirely as letters between the class and the Earth. It is a fun way to tell the story and to share important information about helping the planet that will keep readers engaged. There are bits of humor and wit woven in as well to lighten the mood. The digitally rendered illustrations are colorful and detailed enough to bring the story to life. They include a classroom of kids diverse in race and physical ability, and all kids are shown helping the efforts together. This is a fun book about how little changes can make a big difference in the health of our planet. Recommended for readers 3 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME