A NOTE ABOUT THIS BOOK “It’s so fragile.” These were the words of ninety-year-old actor William Shatner, as he recently observed Earth from outer space aboard a Blue Origin rocket. Even without heading into space, we can still recognize the vital importance of protecting our planet. Certainly, climate change and environmental awareness are at the forefront of topics that parents and teachers discuss with children. Still, how do we begin to treasure this place we call home?
Through universal prayers of gratitude and earth-related inspirational poems,
Bless the Earth encourages families to celebrate the miracle of our world. It also offers another dimension of caring that is often overlooked—a spiritual one. This anthology knits together humanity, the environment, and spirituality in an engaging way.
The final section, titled “Caring for Our World,” is a call to action, as illustrated by the first stanza of the poem by Susanne Wiggins Bunch “It’s Up to Us”:
Yes, it’s up to you and me
to care for the gifts we’re given,
the earth, the sky, the sea.
Truly our hope is that this collection will help parents and children not only cherish Earth but also become stewards of all its beauty.
With gratitude,
June and Nancy
Copyright © 2024 by June Cotner and Nancy Tupper Ling; Illustrated by Keum Jin Song. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
