Books by Jack Phillips Lowe

International Compost Awareness Week (early May) is a perfect time to read Pee Wee's Great Adventure (ISBN# 0969788339) to groups of children during the various events celebrating the week. This book is the second installment in the series of three children's books based on the character Pee Wee Worman – who teaches us about vermiculture, or composting with worms. Published by Recycling Resource Service, this book has taken even greater environmental steps during the production phases than the first book of the series (Pee Wee And the Magical Compost Heap). By using only 100% post-consumer paper that is both acid free and chlorine free the publishers are providing an excellent example of making choices that are better for the environment. Interestingly, even the ink been considered - only vegetable based inks were used.

Pee Wee's Great Adventure continues with P.W. Worman, Nancy, her brother Scott and their friends Mathieu and Naseem. The story begins during a communal meal in the compost where Pee Wee is asked to tell about his origins, because he was not born in the compost pile. His tale of wild adventure and near death experiences will have little readers wide–eyed until Pee Wee reaches safety and finds a comforting home in the compost pile.

The story concludes with an entertaining song that employs the universally applicable tune of "The Hokey Pokey", written by Jane Gilmore. I found it interesting that instructions on how to care for an indoor worm bin are included in the dialogue between the children, even though the story focused on Pee Wee's journey to the compost pile.

The book is illustrated by Ryan Dening, with what looks to be pen sketches. Children will enjoy identifying the ground beetles, worms, flies, centipedes, millipedes, springtails and more. Scenes of back yards and detailed close-in views (making small things appear larger) will appeal to children. I particularly enjoyed the colorful cover with children doing various activities in what looks to be a park near a large city.

Pee Wee's Great Adventure could be an inspiration for readers to start their own class or home project. Retailing at only $7.95 (Canadian), this paperback book is a bargain for frugal minded educators, parents and caregivers. There are two pages of detailed instructions for worm bins at the end of the book, followed by a two-page glossary. Finally, the author shares tips on what worms will eat, where to place the bin and how to use the castings.

Larraine Roulston, the author of this series of worm compost books for children, has been involved with Recycling Council of Ontario for a number of years and wrote a newspaper column for 15 years called 'Recycler's Report'. Her series of Pee Wee books has inspired the Recycling Council of Ontario to provide a 30 minute P.W. Worman puppet show that is performed at schools, libraries and environmental fairs. Larraine is a loving and enthusiastic grandmother who hopes to spread knowledge of the benefits and importance of composting.

Be sure to visit Larraine's website: http://www.castlecompost.com