Love Our Earth A Colourful Counting Story

Reviewed by Roy James

 Love Our Earth by Jane Cabrera is a picturebook that explores the planet and all the creatures and landforms, making it such a diverse and fascinating place to live. 

The book’s premise is that the Earth and Sun are best friends. The Sun says what it can see today on Earth. Each page takes us to a different place on Earth and shows the reader what creatures and plants populate the planet. At the end of the book, there’s a fold-out showing us what we can do to love our Earth.

The first things which strike you when you open the book are the colours and sheer joy which spring from every page. Animals, plants, mountains and sand dunes are drawn with a smiling face which you can’t help but smile back to. If the point of this book is to inspire young people to love the planet, then I think the artwork alone has achieved this.

The Sun’s words to Earth through the book reminded me of the song ‘What A Wonderful World’ by Bob Thiele and famously sung by Louis Armstrong (children’s illustrated version by Tim Hopgood is available). Each page starts with the words “I see…” and I feel it would be a great song to listen to in parallel. I can imagine all sorts of music, art and nature projects arising from using this book in schools.

Ideal for sharing with EYFS, there’s much to discuss when sharing. Whether it’s simply seeking out what the Sun sees in the pictures or talking about what we can see out of the window. The Earth needs celebrating and cheering about. In fact, I’m going to go for a walk to celebrate what I can see and love about our planet right now!