• View ecochildsplay’s profile on Facebook
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on Twitter
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on Instagram
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on Pinterest
  • View Jennifer Lance’s profile on LinkedIn
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on YouTube
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on Google+

Eco Child's Play

Live a greener, healthier life!

  • Environment
  • Pregnancy
  • Food & Recipes
  • Health News
  • Parenting
  • Green Toys
  • Beauty & Beauty Products
  • Green Home & Cleaning
  • Contact

Good Children's Literature: My Body My House


With environmental issues on the forefront of many peoples minds these days, there has been an increase of children’s literature on the subject. My Body My House is one such book that focuses on the choices we make in our home that affect our body’s health. Written by Lisa Beres and illustrated by Juila Woolf, My Body My House addresses “sick building syndrome“, suspected as being responsible for almost half of the illnesses in this country.

My Body My House begins with a man living in a healthy home, surrounded by trees, heated with wood, and providing a garden with fresh vegetables. Soon, the Body (man) begins to notice his neighbors and feel the need to “keep up with the Jones’s”. He begins to remodel his home, wanting to do so cheaply and not concerned with the toxicity of the buidling materials. He replaces hardwood floors with carpeting, seals the windows, uses insecticides to kill bugs, etc. The House continues to warn the Body he is creating an unhealthy environment, but the Body continues to remodel. “‘But you don’t understand,’ the House started to gush. ‘My air now contains pollution and dust. You’ve added new things. I’m no longer the same. Look in the mirror, only YOU are to blame.'” The Body continues to become ill from the indoor air quality, until he eventually opens a window, breathes in fresh air, and discovers the error of his ways. “He reached his arms out and hugged his dear friend. ‘Don’t worry, wise House, these problems I’ll mend!’ Then he skipped out the door, not a minute to spare, spotting all of his friends as he leaped in the air. Butterflies, trees, birds, bugs-everyone. And the Body now realized we are woven in one.”

My almost six-year old daughter enjoyed My Body My House; however, there were a few aspects of the book she said she would have changed. First, the text does not follow a consistent rhyming pattern. Some lines rhyme, some do not. When reading orally, a rhythm begins to develop on some passages, only to be abruptly changed a few lines later. In addition, it bothered her that the character was referred to as the Body throughout the book. I understand the author’s choice of the Body to reinforce the parallels between our homes and our bodies; however, this choice created an awkard storytelling experience. The goal of the story to educate parents and children about the relationship of our homes to our health and the environment is good, yet the awkardness of the text makes me think this book will not stand the test of time as a great environmental children’s book. The illustrations match the light, whimisical text well.

If you would like to read more of this review, please visit Green Options: Green Family Values: My Body My House Review.

  • Twitter
  • Email
  • Pinterest
  • Print
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • More
  • WhatsApp
  • Tumblr
  • Reddit
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Subscribe!

« Green Family Values: My Body My House Review
Tip o' the Day: Make Your Own Natural Window Cleaner »

Comments

  1. Ami Scott says

    June 21, 2007 at 4:53 pm

    That looks like a great book and it especially fits in with what’s going on in our life right now. We’re in the process of trying to move because of mold issues. The whole house has been in turmoil for the last six months because I’ve chosen a path to take me back to nature and a more simple lifestyle. The children and husband haven’t been happy watching 90% of their toys and extra junk making their way out the door, LOL.

    Reply
  2. Jennifer Lance says

    June 21, 2007 at 4:57 pm

    Well, I support your efforts Ami! Moving is also a good time to make such changes.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Search Content

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter


About Eco Child’s Play

Our ethos is to provide news, information, and opinions on natural, green parenting to help your family live a greener, healthier life! Additionally, we offer personal consulting services to help you achieve your green living goals.

Jennifer is a vegetarian, yoga teacher, gardener, hiker, teacher, and mother that has been living off-the-grid for over 20 years.

Contact Eco Child’s Play

Eco-Friendly Decorating: How Removable Wallpaper Can Reduce Waste

Plants Over Plastics! Repurpose Compostable Home Products

More from the archives!

Founding Organization of Sesame Street Calls for a Revitalized Children’s Television Act

Home Birth Equity: Stigmas, Medicaid, & Insurance

Should breastfeeding be law?

Awesome Avocado

Obama Urged by Health Experts: Take Bold Action to Reverse Obesity Epidemic

Convenient Plastic Container Free Dropps Laundry & Dishwashing Pods

cbd salve joy organics

CBD Products that Actually Deliver: Joy Organics

Information

  • About & Contact
  • Archive
  • Blog
  • Consulting Services
  • Disclaimer, Disclosure, & Sponsored Posts
  • Privacy Policy

How Can I Detox My Thanksgiving Diet?

Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies

The Prius: A Perfect Family Car

Disparity in Maternal Care: Medical Dictionary and Medicaid Should Expand to Include Home Birth

Great Children's Literature: Hello Hello

Popular Categories

  • Breastfeeding
  • Health News
  • Natural Childbirth
  • Parenting
  • Education
  • Product Review
  • Green Toys

Get our posts via email

Please stay in touch!

You might also like to read…

5 Green Parent Posts: Insteading, SafeMama, Hippie Housewife, Midwifery Today, & Medscape

Hank D and the Bee: Noise pollution

Eco Child's Play Donation: TreePeople Plants Fruit Trees at Urban Schools

A Greener Valentine’s Day

Naturally Safe, Non-Toxic Cleaning: BabyGanics

Copyright © 2023 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2023 · Divine Theme On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.