Rubbish? Don’t Throw It Away by Linda Newbery and Katie Rewse

A picture book by Linda Newbery is a rare thing and, thus, all the more to be treasured. Rubbish! is on a subject close to her heart. Not that she has lots of it, you understand, but because she believes passionately that we should re-use, as well as recycle, things we no longer need.

And that is what this book is all about. Aimed at young children (and their families), it shows a pre-school class re-using items in all manner of ways. A mobile from old coat-hangers anyone? Or how about a collage made of fallen leaves? A parade of hats made from used Christmas wrapping paper might be for you. Or if, like me, you don’t have a creative bone in your body, try planting strawberries in tubs made of old tyres, or runner beans in old yoghurt pots.

The point of the book is that we can all do something that helps our environment, something Linda is a strong advocate for. Katie Rewse, the illustrator, is just as keen to see change happen and she has illustrated Linda’s ideas extremely well, using bright, inviting colours and depicting a wide cross-section of children putting these ideas into action. The tone of the book in words and pictures is welcoming and encouraging, not ramming a philosophy down anyone’s throat but instead showing how much fun there can be in helping the planet.