REVIEW | By Cheryl Antao-Xavier » Peterborough grandmother, Joan Smith’s colouring storybook I Love My Mother is a sensitive introduction for kids to the serious issue of environmental degradation.

The cover illustration by Kate Hyde shows people of different cultures and races embracing ‘Mother Earth’. On the Dedication page, Smith writes “I dedicate this storybook with love to my grandchildren…[and she lists the names of her fourteen grandkids] and all other children on Planet Earth.” Followed by this apology: “I apologize for the damaged ‘Mother Earth’ we adults have left you. It is now up to you to lead the way and clean up our mess. May we all learn to live a more peaceful, gentle and thoughtful life.”
 

In 20 pages, Smith tells a story to kids as they go from page to page colouring the outlined drawings. In the story she draws comparisons between mothers and Mother Earth, how both care for their children and how, in turn, both need to be cared for when they are ill. Mother Earth is pictured as ill, smothering in pollution and in grave danger if ‘we’ do not take care of her. 

On the last page is the word ‘BEGINNING’, a clever touch and an optimistic note to conclude a fine lesson in the need to love our environment, from the powerful perspective of a child.

I Love My Mother: An Add-Colour Children’s Storybook, written and compiled by Joan Smith, illustrated by 24 local artists of Douro-Dummer, Peterborough, Ontario. I Love My Mother is available through the author, Joan Smith (705) 652-8382.