“On the first Earth Day Birthday the wide world gave to me . . . A bald eagle in a blue sky.” In cumulative verses more or less singable to the tune of “12 Days of Christmas,” Schnetzler introduces a menagerie of familiar creatures, up to “twelve wolves a-howling,” capped by an eloquent comment on the origins and purposes of Earth Day. Wallace’s dramatic, spread-filling, close-up animal paintings sometimes look faded, as if overexposed, but provide plenty of visual interest—and his wildlife often seems to be gazing expectantly out at viewers, as if asking “Well? What are you waiting for?” Young readers and listeners won’t miss the bluntly delivered message. (Picture book. 6-8)
