Book Review of Poppy and Allie Go Green

Lori Lane and Kathy Winsor Have Created an Important Picture Book

Jun 10, 2009

Newfoundland teachers, Lori Lane and Kathy Winsor, who created Nana's Quilt, have produced another visually appealing picture book, with an important message.

Poppy and Allie Go Green contains an important environmental message for both children and adults. The fact that the story is based in and around the real life city of St. John’s, Newfoundland, makes the message even more timely and relevant. The illustrating photography of Jim Costello brings each page of the book alive.

Author Lori Lane

Lori, a grade two teacher at Hazelwood Elementary School, lives in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Lori was co-creator of Nana’s Quilt, which was awarded a 2006 Canadian Children’s Book Centre "Our Choice" citation.

Author Kathy Winsor

Kathy, a grade two teacher at Hazelwood Elementary School, lives in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Kathy was co-creator of Nana’s Quilt, which was awarded a 2006 Canadian Children’s Book Centre "Our Choice" citation.

Photographer Jim Costello

Jim, who is retired, also worked in the education system as the guidance counselor at Saint Augustine’s Elementary. He also lives in St. John’s, Newfoundland and continues to fine-tune his photography skills.

Poppy and Allie Go Green

In Poppy and Allie Go Green, Allie visits Nana and Poppy and becomes involved in a clean-up project. This results in Allie visiting the dump at Robin Hood Bay with Poppy and Auntie. As a result of the visit to the dump, Allie embarks on a project to convince others that it is important to be responsible about garbage disposal and taking care of our planet.

Artwork in Poppy and Allie Go Green

The wonderful photographs taken by Jim Costello illustrate Poppy and Allie Go Green with rich detail. They show the actual places around St. John’s that are mentioned in the story. Creative photographs are also used to illustrate the action of the plot.

The addition of photographs of the real hooked rug images created by the Hazelwood Elementary School Community illustrate appreciation for the natural environment surrounding the city. These colorful hooked rug images also highlight the importance of preserving the traditional arts and crafts.

Poppy and Allie Go Green is a terrific picture book for use in supporting the environmental studies outcomes of the primary and elementary curriculums. It is an important book, not only because it represents Newfoundland culture, but also because it discusses the issue of environmental responsibility, which is a modern day concern for all cultures.

Publisher: Tuckamore Books (a Creative Publishers imprint), 32 pages, $11.95 CAD

The copyright of the article Book Review of Poppy and Allie Go Green in Picture Books is owned by Stella Walsh. Permission to republish Book Review of Poppy and Allie Go Green in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.