mark waterfield writes:

Subject: What makes a book green

I love your thinking and I would strongly support your point 5. I am not sure that it only can be a child behaving in a green manner.

Watership down was classified under the green system that has been developed as "Almost green" and not "All Green" which I think is what The very Hungry Caterpillar gets ranked at - What do you think?

cara louise writes:

Subject: Green Children's Books

Hi Mark,

Classifications are always a problem. It's many years since I read Watership Down. As I remember, a central theme was the potential destruction of the environment, though it had a strong political sentiment. I think "almost green" is probably fair, though I would have to re-read it to make a more definite judgement.

Re my point about books showing children taking green action, I have always felt it central to my own novels that I show how people of any age can take positive action to stand up against corporate greed and environmental destruction.

Action by children can be more effective than by adults as it stands out more in the media. Children and animals as they say...