Chris Saves Mother Earth

Chris, the hero in Chris Saves Mother Earth, is a courageous young boy and with his seagull friend Sammy, they have come up with a plan to help save Mother Earth. It's not going to be easy of course and time is running out. There is so much to do and they can't do it on their own.

As Chris and Sammy embark on a wonderful journey to all corners of the globe, they receive help from their wise animal friends all over the world.

Together, they can make a difference ... but can they save Mother Earth before it's too late?

Chris Saves Mother Earth by Maria Targett is an excellent book for young children, not only giving them an appreciation of nature and teaching them how precious is the world we live on but also helping with their reading skills due to the large printing format and accompanying illustrations.

Comments by a Retired Teacher

"As a former primary school teacher, when choosing a story for children to listen to, or to read, I look for certain aspects which help to make a good story.

These include
1. an introduction which sets the scene and introduces characters and the main focus or problem
2. a story line with goal in mind – solving a problem, which includes a lot of action
3. a story line which has a satisfactory resolution
4. language appropriate for the child to listen to and understand, and to read
5. appropriate illustrations (a bonus).

Chris Saves the Earth by Maria Targett has all these features.

Introduction
The opening sentence in the story is clear – the context is given and the main character Chris is introduced speaking to his grandfather. Then on the first page of the story the problem is identified – there is no rain, and Grandfather states that Mother Earth is sad, as there are causes and consequences. A little later on, Chris thinks of a solution when he talks with Sammy Seagull, and this solution becomes the main focus of the story.

Story Line – Goal/Action
The story line is presented as a quest or journey to help solve the problem of disasters in the environment (Mother Earth being sad and ill), by one action of planting seeds to combat the destruction of forests. Chris meets Sammy Seagull who agrees to help him. On their journey to find seeds, they meet other animal characters (air, land and sea). Sammy and the other animal characters are all victims of some aspect of environmental ills. Chris's quest is held up as he and Sammy help each of the animals out of their immediate trouble, but in turn, the animals contribute ideas about the solution, which gradually becomes achievable.
This approach to the story is a good technique for keeping interest as the child listens, or reads, to find out what the next step will be.
The story is action-packed as Chris and Sammy move on in their quest, meet other animals.

Story Line – Resolution
There is a definite resolution – the problem is solved as Chris and Sammy Seagull find seeds and distribute them all over the earth, thus saving 'Mother Earth'. Chris returns to his wise grandfather and his seemingly peaceful environment. The conclusion of the story has just the right touch of wry humour as raindrops fall.

Language
The language which the author uses is direct and easy to understand, and listeners or readers will relate to the appropriate use of everyday language throughout the story and in the different encounters with the animal characters. Yet the language is also a means of helping children to develop and extend their own language. The story presents good models of language use.

Illustrations
The story text by itself would engage a listener or reader. However 'Chris Saves the Earth' is enhanced by the clear bright attractive illustrations which aptly depict parts of the story, and which can be used to remind children of the sequence of events.

Extension Activities
For parents and teachers there are so many extension activities which can be based on this text, in retelling, language use, drama, and helping children to create their own stories.

Final Comments
Chris Saves the Earth is fictional. Children can understand that they couldn't really fit on a seagull's back and fly around the world. But they can imagine, and the author has presented an engrossing story about how a young boy called Chris sets out to save the environment. The subject matter of the story is very topical, and highlights awareness of how people misuse the environment and subsequently affect animal life and people.

In trying to solve the problem, three clear messages comes through the story:
- that one person can help to make a difference and that doing one thing to care for the environment, in this case, to plant seeds, we can look after 'Mother Earth'.
- that the older generation has much to teach the younger generation
- that we can help each other to care for the environment, as the animal characters in the story helped Chris.

I highly recommend Chris Saves Mother Earth by Maria Targett for parents and teachers of lower to mid primary age children."

~ Cecil Nielson - teacher (retired), Caboolture QLD Australia

Other Testimonials & Comments

"We frequently hear about environmental issues in the news such as: climate change, pollution and fish stock depletion along with the measures that we, as individuals, can take to ‘make a difference’. However, the topic can be very overwhelming to children, who can rarely see the bigger picture on why these individual changes to our lifestyles are so important to the environment we live in now, and in the future.

Maria has very successfully handled this topic in a light hearted and fun way, so that children have a better understanding and awareness of environmental issues. I expect this wonderfully entertaining and educational book will even inspire children to make changes themselves and encourage their family and friends to do the same. Together we can ‘Make a Difference’, just like Chris and all his animal friends!"

~ Caroline Grant - Environment & Sustainability Consultant, Gold Coast QLD Australia


"... finally a book that tackles environmental issues for kids – and it’s fun. My son really got a buzz out of the story.... Thanks for making it an easy read, Maria."

~ Marie Evans - marketing manager, North Sydney, NSW Australia


".... my 5 year old granddaughter... thoroughly enjoyed it. The balance of vivid illustrations and the easy to understand, flowing storyline for children of this age group is just right. Excellent!"

~ Rikki Jenkins – London, United Kingdom


"Young children absorb information around them, and we want them to grow up consciously aware of their environment. Maria Targett's storybook is filled with adventure and new characters/animals keeping the storyline interesting and informative.

~ Teresa Belfiore, Dip.Bus. - parent & conscientious citizen, Brisbane, QLD Australia


"This is a well written and captivating story book that both children and adults will enjoy reading. With today's concerns about the environment, this tale is topical in an enchanting way. The characters are very likeable as you easily relate with their concerns throughout the story, this book is wonderfully illustrated and is very worthwhile to have in your home or school library."

~ Flora Taifalos, librarian – Cairns, QLD Australia


"Children who like animals will love this book, not only for the story but also because of the beautiful illustrations."

~ Deidre Dobbyn - tutor, Brisbane QLD Australia


"A great children's book that is well written and very well illustrated. My grand children, in particular, love the story being read to them. They were able to comprehend that the world faces environmental issues that need to be addressed today and far into the future."

~ Carole Wilson, nurse (EEN)


"I have 2 children who are both learning about the environment at school. Chris Saves Mother Earth is so good - they read it almost everyday. The illustrations are excellent... this book could easily become a Disney movie. 10/10 from me."

~ John Parras - Eatons Hill, Qld Australia

~ Lisa Grainger - Senior Network Systems Engineer, United Kingdom

"Chris Saves Mother Earth is a wonderful children’s book which cleverly articulates the issues our Planet is currently facing with climate change and the problems it creates for all creatures on our planet.  It is an easy book to read and is complemented by the most beautiful illustrations, which on their own tell a story.  The author Maria Targett has done a fabulous job and I highly recommend this book to all parents as a gentle and fun way of explaining to their children some of the current issues the world is facing."

~ Floreen Parras – Sydney NSW Australia