Learn About ‘Eco-Friendly Families’

“Eco-Friendly Families” by Helen Coronato, 2008, Penguin Group, $15.95, softbound, 256 pages: With the mind-set that everyone can make an ecological difference by changing one simple thing in their lifestyle, Helen Coronato begins this book on getting the entire family involved in environmentally friendly living.
Having young children herself, Coronato knows how to talk to youngsters and helps the reader become aware of how to communicate a complex problem to the smallest child in the family. She is keen on emotional boosters such as having a family name or motto that reminds everyone in the family to live greener. She also shares “Five-Minute Makeovers,” which are designed to keep up morale and focus, and which are as fast as their name suggests. Reusing the same water glass throughout the day instead of getting a new one every time you drink, for instance, may help reduce the number of times you use your dishwasher. As Coronato herself admits, some of her proposals will take time to implement, but others are quick and easy, and are a good start. For instance, replacing all of your appliances with eco-friendly ones is not likely to be feasible overnight. However, Coronato has some suggestions to make your current appliances greener in the meantime. Vacuuming the refrigerator coils helps the fridge work more efficiently and lowering the temperature of the water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit may reduce energy costs up to 5 or 10 percent.
Getting children involved includes simple steps like letting a youngster aid you in finding old towels to donate to an animal shelter, or suggesting a teenager log onto http://www.treehugger.com, where he or she will find green discussions and articles on a site that contains both wit and wisdom.
Coronato has a year-long outline of green activities, each appropriate for the season. For example, decorating recycled brown paper bags to make Christmas wrap or creating natural insect traps using boiling sugar, corn syrup and water. Each month comes with “The Eco-Friendly Four,” four green suggestions to try that month. These ideas can be as basic as taking proper care of possessions in order to make them last longer. Not everything in this book is for everyone. The homemade wind chime using aluminum cans and a spoon, for example, may not suit everyone’s tastes, but there are plenty of activities and crafts for every member of the family. A long list of green Web sites closes the book.
Lee’s take: Loads of ideas to choose from.
J.J.’s take: The “Chapter Checklists” can be a bit over-enthusiastic.

LEE AND J.J. MACFADDEN are twins and voracious readers living in Bristol Tennessee. E-mail them at .