I’ve always admired Julian Lennon's singing, because for all he has seen of the world, his melodies contain such childlike wonder... his words too. Buy this book, and his words turn into actions.”
–Bono
“It's rare to find a beautiful book that speaks directly to kids, in both a playful and thoughtful way, about something as important as caring for our planet and all of its inhabitants. Touch The Earth combines this magic with true hand-to-page interactivity deftly woven into the narrative (and illustrations), creating a story I believe both kids and adults will want to read over and over again.”
–Laurie Berkner
“When a book takes you on an adventure, it's a good thing and allows you to think about something in a new way. When a book also reminds us how to treat what we have, it's even better because it's a win win. That's exactly what Julian has done with his book... he's given us a Win Win.”
–Whoopie Goldberg
“The first in Julian Lennon's White Feather Flier Adventure trilogy, Touch the Earth takes readers on a journey in a magical plane that allows them to send clean water to the thirsty, clean oceans of pollution, and ‘make the world a better place.’”
–New York Magazine
“Lennon's debut picture book, the first in a planned trilogy, asks readers to hop aboard a magical airplane, the White Feather Flier (a name inspired by his father and his own environmental and humanitarian foundation), and go on a “helping adventure” to protect the planet's oceans and water supply. [The illustrations] ... have a sweet-natured directness that may light up younger eyes.”
–Publishers Weekly
“[Touch the Earth] is a fun book AND it’s an educational one as well.... The book helps teach kids a wonderful lesson for Earth Day and every day beyond.”
–Peanut Butter and Whine
“The artwork is beautiful... It really is stunning.”
–TODAY
“I was immediately impressed with the interactive nature of the book. Although not all books lend themselves to this style, books that include elements of interactivity help resonate with kids more so when there's a lesson to be learned. Some books ask questions of kids, and some books, like this one, encourage kids to touch the picture, lean into the story, and really feel like they're in the book.”
–Motherhood Moment
“A very timely book.... A children's book, if done well, and this one is, lives on and on.”
–Al Roker
“A passion project that comes from the heart, this stunningly illustrated book is inspired by the white feather he was given by his father when he was young.”
–Mom and More
*****
Praise for Skyhorse Publihsing
“My first series became a New York Times bestselling children’s series, and that would have never happened without Skyhorse. . . . It’s a great feeling, having them at my side.”
–Mark Cheverton, New York Times bestselling childrens author
“I now believe the best word to describe me as an author is spoiled. That’s because the folks at Sky Pony have truly made me feel special about being in their stable. My editor is top-notch, and has a unique way of making me feel like her most important author.”
–Nancy Krulik, New York Times bestselling childrens author
“I’ve always admired Julian Lennon's singing, because for all he has seen of the world, his melodies contain such childlike wonder... his words too. Buy this book, and his words turn into actions.”
–Bono
“It's rare to find a beautiful book that speaks directly to kids, in both a playful and thoughtful way, about something as important as caring for our planet and all of its inhabitants. Touch The Earth combines this magic with true hand-to-page interactivity deftly woven into the narrative (and illustrations), creating a story I believe both kids and adults will want to read over and over again.”
–Laurie Berkner
“When a book takes you on an adventure, it's a good thing and allows you to think about something in a new way. When a book also reminds us how to treat what we have, it's even better because it's a win win. That's exactly what Julian has done with his book... he's given us a Win Win.”
–Whoopie Goldberg
“The first in Julian Lennon's White Feather Flier Adventure trilogy, Touch the Earth takes readers on a journey in a magical plane that allows them to send clean water to the thirsty, clean oceans of pollution, and ‘make the world a better place.’”
–New York Magazine
“Lennon's debut picture book, the first in a planned trilogy, asks readers to hop aboard a magical airplane, the White Feather Flier (a name inspired by his father and his own environmental and humanitarian foundation), and go on a “helping adventure” to protect the planet's oceans and water supply. [The illustrations] ... have a sweet-natured directness that may light up younger eyes.”
–Publishers Weekly
“[Touch the Earth] is a fun book AND it’s an educational one as well.... The book helps teach kids a wonderful lesson for Earth Day and every day beyond.”
–Peanut Butter and Whine
“The artwork is beautiful... It really is stunning.”
–TODAY
“I was immediately impressed with the interactive nature of the book. Although not all books lend themselves to this style, books that include elements of interactivity help resonate with kids more so when there's a lesson to be learned. Some books ask questions of kids, and some books, like this one, encourage kids to touch the picture, lean into the story, and really feel like they're in the book.”
–Motherhood Moment
“A very timely book.... A children's book, if done well, and this one is, lives on and on.”
–Al Roker
“A passion project that comes from the heart, this stunningly illustrated book is inspired by the white feather he was given by his father when he was young.”
–Mom and More
*****
Praise for Skyhorse Publihsing
“My first series became a New York Times bestselling children’s series, and that would have never happened without Skyhorse. . . . It’s a great feeling, having them at my side.”
–Mark Cheverton, New York Times bestselling childrens author
“I now believe the best word to describe me as an author is spoiled. That’s because the folks at Sky Pony have truly made me feel special about being in their stable. My editor is top-notch, and has a unique way of making me feel like her most important author.”
–Nancy Krulik, New York Times bestselling childrens author
03/01/2017
PreS-Gr 2—Follow the White Feather Flier around the globe to discover places that need help with access to water. This adventure is designed to help readers "touch the earth" by learning how to take care of it. The story includes a place where people need water to drink, a deep ocean that needs to be cleaned so that fish will return, a parched desert, and a town that needs its water filtered so people can drink it. With soft, colorful illustrations and simple language, this work is attractive, but the heavy message about the importance of keeping water clean and accessible is not presented effectively. The tale is interactive, in the vein of Hervé Tullet's Press Here and Bill Cotter's Don't Push the Button!, but the interactions are shallow. For example, touching a button labeled "FISH" results in fish returning to a previously polluted ocean, but there is nothing valuable in the text that would allow children to practice the book's message in their own neighborhoods. This same level of oversimplification prevails throughout. The regions without access to clean water are places that are populated by people of color and are overseas, which implies that this is a problem found only in certain parts of the world, even though this is a global crisis that affects all races. VERDICT This title fills a need for materials about environmental issues aimed at the kindergarten set, but it's a pass for most collections.—Paige Garrison, The Davis Academy, Sandy Springs, GA
2017-02-04
A pro bono Twinkie of a book invites readers to fly off in a magic plane to bring clean water to our planet's oceans, deserts, and brown children.Following a confusingly phrased suggestion beneath a soft-focus world map to "touch the Earth. Now touch where you live," a shake of the volume transforms it into a plane with eyes and feathered wings that flies with the press of a flat, gray "button" painted onto the page. Pressing like buttons along the journey releases a gush of fresh water from the ground—and later, illogically, provides a filtration device that changes water "from yucky to clean"—for thirsty groups of smiling, brown-skinned people. At other stops, a tap on the button will "help irrigate the desert," and touching floating bottles and other debris in the ocean supposedly makes it all disappear so the fish can return. The 20 children Coh places on a globe toward the end are varied of skin tone, but three of the four young saviors she plants in the flier's cockpit as audience stand-ins are white. The closing poem isn't so openly parochial, though it seldom rises above vague feel-good sentiments: "Love the Earth, the moon and sun. / All the children can be one." "It's time to head back home," the narrator concludes. "You've touched the Earth in so many ways." Who knew it would be so easy to clean the place up and give everyone a drink? (Picture book. 6-8)
