"Green" books and toys are fulfilling many families' desires to teach their children environmentalism while still having fun. These are some earth-friendly books — and a fantastic new line of kid-powered toys — that are garnering attention.

"Little Green Books" from Little Simon/Simon & Schuster; $3.99 and up.

Made from recycled materials, each book in Little Simon's new series strives toward getting little ones excited about going green, from recycling to replanting to creating awareness of endangered animals.

Two paperback picture books debut, printed with soy ink and aimed at ages 4 to 6. "The Polar Bears' Home: A Story About Global Warming," by Lara Bergen, is the tale of a father and daughter who learn about the plight of polar bears and decide to help. Tips at the end of the book present the importance of recycling, planting trees and turning off electricity. It also introduces the charity called Keep American Beautiful and adds a "Hey Kids! Did you Know?" fact on the back cover.

"I Can Save the Earth," by Alison Inches, is subtitled "One Little Monster Learns to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle." This tale depicts an energetic little monster named Max who likes to litter until the electricity goes out. He then realizes how beautiful the Earth is, and that it needs his help to stay that way.

Two cloth books, "Little Monkey" and "Little Panda," are cuddly recycled fleece books aimed at planting the seeds for earth-friendly living at an early age. Both are safe and appealing for babies and toddlers.

"50 Ways to Save the Earth" by Anne Jankeliowitch; photographs by Philippe Bourseiller; Abrams Books for Young Readers; 128 pages; $17.95.

This beautiful, glossy coffee-table book shows children gorgeous, inspiring photographs of nature and animals and encourages them to take action to protect and preserve. Alongside the close-up pictures of coral reefs and ice-capped mountains are short chapters such as "Let's Vote for an Organic School," "Take the Strain off the Mailbox," "Leave Shore Life Alone" and "Gardening Ecologically."

Each chapter explains the helpful ideas clearly without talking down to kids, which helps them learn about the fragility of the planet and how to reduce their carbon footprints.

Practical and lovely, "50 Ways to Save the Earth" should be a must-have gift for kids ages 5 to 14.

"How We Know What We Know About Our Changing Climate: Scientists and Kids Explore Global Warming" by Lynne Cherry and Gary Braasch; Dawn Publications; 66 pages; $17.95.

The aim of this groundbreaking new book for children explains the science behind the climate changing headlines. Most inspiring for kids, it shows how young people are participating in gathering the scientific data. With photographs and a picture book layout appropriate for students ages 8 to 14, the authors report on a groundswell of activity by scientists, concerned people and many children — what could be fearful information is, in fact, an empowering book.

A timely book for today's science classes, the authors show how the Earth's climate history is pieced together from tree rings, mud and ice cores and how man-made greenhouse gases are impacting climate. Most importantly, the book graphically shows what readers can do to make a difference.

"Adventure Series Vehicles" from Sprig Toys; from $25 and up.

Already the recipients of an Oppenheim Best Toy Award, the fabulous new Sprig toys are kid-powered chunky vehicles made from recycled materials. Preschoolers and young children can push and pump the trucks' handles to generate lights and sounds, including the interchangeable adventure guide's helmet lights.

Made from "sprig wood," a durable child-safe, bio-composite recycled wood material, the several sturdy, rugged vehicles and driver guide appeal to the need for lights, sounds and speed — in a way that doesn't require batteries or electronic chargers.

Sprig toys are available at select toy stores and www.sprigtoys.com.

"Looking Closely along the Shore" and "Looking Closely through the Forest," by Frank Serafini; Kids Can Press; 42 pages; $15.95 each.

The "Looking Closely" series of books inspires young readers to take a second look at their natural surroundings through the magical lens of close-up photography. After looking and imagining what the photos might be, readers then can flip the page to discover amazing varieties of plants and animals that live in shoreline ecosystems and forests.

A fantastic means to get kids to slow down, pay attention to nature and learn about its most fragile and beautiful aspects, Serafini's picture books are worthy of perusing.

To find out more about Lee Littlewood and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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