Wonderful Earth

This child-friendly, interactive book about earth's history and its current state of disrepair is part creation myth, part environmental-awareness tale. In a chatty, upbeat tone, British collaborators Butterworth and Inkpen explain how God created light, darkness and the planets, including one standout--the earth. The authors provide an extensive list of God's handiwork (plants, animals, land masses, water and people), while also describing how humans have ""chopped down the forests... filled the air with dirty smoke... poisoned the rivers and seas."" On the up side, they also assert that, with God's help, humans can learn to restore and care for the earth He made. The pair's engaging text and cheery, often comical, artwork makes the oft-told tale from the Bible's book of Genesis sound fresh for young readers. And the interactive elements, including a rousing roaring-lion pop-up and several clever lift-the-flaps, will keep readers coming back for more. Ages 3-9. (Apr.)