Litterbug Doug in Michael Recycle Missions by Ellie Bethel

I admit I was a little hesitant when I picked up this book. Although the cover and illustrations are enticing, a book about recycling didn’t strike me as exciting as Knuffle Bunny or Lunch Lady. But I must say that I was pleasantly surprised.

Litterbug Doug is lazy. He is wasteful. He is messy. But the worst part is that he hates recycling! The clean, green town he lives in is in danger because of his laziness, not to mention the stench given off by the mountains of trash Doug leaves everywhere he goes! Its stench is so strong that even the army of rats following Doug think back to their friendship with him. It’s up to Michael Recycle, the green-cloaked crusader from planet Earth, to show Doug the error of his ways…before it’s too late!

Fortunately, Michael convinces Doug to “clean up” his act and with the help of others, the trash is sorted from the recyclables – phew! Doug even accepts a bath which helps him on the friendly front. Doug has such a turnaround that he’s named the official litter police.

It’s a fun rhyming story that offers a fun way to introduce kids to the three Rs and caring for our environment. The back also features a waste and recycling facts section that discusses various aspects of environmental responsibility, the positive effects of recycling, and conservation issues related to water, energy, and paper. But even the facts are fun (ex: “Americans recycled 33% of the trash they threw out in 2007. (Another third was thrown out and the rest on your closet floor.”)

Further information:

Author: Ellie Bethel
Illustrator: Alexandra Colombo
Reading level: 9-12 years old
Hardcover: 24 pages
Publisher: Worthwhile Books (April 8, 2009)
ISBN-10: 1600103928
ISBN-13: 978-1600103926