Captain Green and the Tree Machine, written by Evelyn Bookless and illustrated by Danny Deeptown, is a book to teach about deforestation and how we can help with this problem.
It focuses on the loss of home and food for Hornbill, Elephant and Orangutan. They all call upon Captain Green as he’s trying to build a superhero invention to help save the earth.
“Do not fear, the Captain is here!”
Captain Green saves each animal in distress and realizes that his invention can help out too - the Tree Machine! However, it’s not enough. He needs more and more trees, faster and faster, but then his superhero invention breaks beyond repair. Now, it’s Captain Green who needs the help.
This is where we come in or where the boys and girls come in at the school Captain Green flies to -
“The animals need trees, but my Tree Machine is broken,” said the Captain. “Can you help?”
All the students come together and if you play the “I Spy” game in the classroom illustration and the pages after you may spot Hornbill, Elephant, and Orangutan as well!
The story ends with everyone helping out planting trees of all sizes, helping to rebuild around the tree stumps left in the ground. The last pages contain “Captain Green’s Green Facts” and “Help Save the Forests!” items that you and your children can do together.
The attention to detail is great in this story. The colors of Captain Green’s uniform are seen throughout the illustrations as well as the colors chosen for some of the words. Kids will enjoy the play on words, such as, “green-ness”, “TREE-mendous”, and all the fun onomatopoeia - “KLONK! CLASH! CLANG!” Have the kids read these parts and the book is now interactive!
Evelyn writes without being preachy. The words are not shaking their finger at you. It’s showing the problem, but teaching what we can do so the problem isn’t as severe. It shows the immediate effect from deforestation and the hard work, along with the time it takes to slow down the problem. She also uses Captain Green’s predicament to portray that this isn’t a one-man issue. We all must come together and do our part. Kids will know the burden isn’t on their own shoulders, but to ask for help. As I always say, “we were created for community”.
Captain Green is part of a series and the Tree Machine is the second book. The first book is Captain Green and the Plastic Scene and centers around the trash found in and around the ocean. Whether your a mountain-going family or a beach-going family, there is a Captain Green book to fit your trip. I highly recommend visiting Evelyn’s website as it has activities, crafts, and even a song to go with the books!