Learning Green: Careers in Education

Children's Literature - Sylvia Firth

As part of the "Green-Collar Careers," series this title strives to present introductory information about the various fields in education that emphasize maintaining the ecosystems of the earth and enriching the conditions of life on the planet. Careers can vary widely and include: teaching biology; doing research; working in museums, zoos, camps; or working for organizations that support wildlife. Jobs may vary widely at each site. At the zoo, opportunities range from marketing and development directors to animal keepers to exhibit curators to conservation zoologists. Career profiles from people in actual situations, such as director of a wildlife rehabilitation center, a biology professor, a nature photographer and a manager of school programs for the Roger Williams Park Zoo in Rhode Island are included as sidebars. Colored, captioned photographs are packed on the pages to reflect the printed material. Readers may be confused by the addition of short articles alongside the main text. Extras include web page sites, a glossary, index, and projects children may want to explore. If books on "green" subjects are needed to expand the collection, purchase is suggested. Reviewer: Sylvia Firth

School Library Journal

Gr 5-8–Sometimes you just can't see the rain forest for the trees. These books are full of worthwhile and current information, if readers have the time and inclination to wade through cluttered, collagelike layouts, a jarring variety of typefaces and colors, overstuffed photo captions, and too much text punctuated with too many exclamation points. The best features here are the frequent “Career Profile” sidebars, contributed by people with intriguing and varied “green” jobs (such as running a zoomobile or being a vet for organic dairy cows) and the “Start Your Green Future Now” pages, which provide ideas about projects and activities. An index to careers is sorely needed. Concise information about how to prepare for each career is also lacking.