Green parents want to raise their children with the same eco-values that they hold dear. What books are out there for children after they've read The Lorax? There is no shortage of beautifully illustrated picture books that will help children of all ages understand the value of the environment. Here are a few of my favorites–

Common Ground: The Water, Earth, and Air We Share by Molly Bang is simple story that teaches children about the value of common space and how we all must be stewards to preserve our earth. The illustrations are rich with vibrant colors, and I love this book so much I read it first thing at the beginning of the school year to my high schoolers.

Just a Dream by Chris Van Allsburg is yet another classic book by the storied children's author. Like so many of his other books, Van Allsburg creates a strange and fantastic world for his characters. This time, a careless litterbug wakes up in a world full of environmental nightmares, prompting him to rethink his actions and how they impact the environment.

Why Should I? Series by Jen Green, illustrations by Mike Gordon. This four book series explains to children why they should protect nature, save water, save energy, and recycle. These books are great because they answer common questions that children have and contain notes in the back for parents.

The Tin Forest by Helen Ward, illustrations by Wayne Anderson takes place in the future, where an old man lives among a decimated environment. He creates his own tin forest, which attracts birds, which eventually attracts a whole ecosystem that brings hope to the man that the natural environment can thrive again.

Other books worth checking out:
* The Sea, the Storm, and the Mangrove Tangle by Lynne Cherry
* Our Big Home: An Earth Poem by Linda Glaser, illustrations by Elisa Kleven
* Weslandia by Paul Fleishman, illustrations by Kevin Hawkes

Many engaged couples spend countless hours planning a ceremony that reflects who they are. Until recently, however, green couples had limited options when it came to lessening their big day's big footprint, but since more couples are considering the environmental impact of their vows, multiple new resources and vendors are catering to a more sustainable clientele.

There's a growing group of brides and grooms who are choosing to simplify their ceremonies. For those of us (myself included) who want to eschew a fancy ceremony in favor of something simpler and/or non-traditional, IndieBride is a lifesaver. There are plenty of sustainable brides (and grooms!) who share their ideas, experiences, and advice on working outside of the traditional wedding industry DIY (doing it yourself).

The new Portovert Magazine is "the first and only magazine for eco-savvy brides and grooms", and has resources and tips for all types of weddings, from intimate ceremonies to lavish receptions. For those couples who still want the big traditional ceremony, but not the big impact on the earth, their Responsible Resources offer organic florists and caterers, tree-free invitations, and vintage gowns. Organic Weddings is another great site that provides vendors and resources.

Diamonds are the traditional stone for wedding settings, but industrial production methods can be extremely draining both environmentally and socially. Jewelers like greenKarat and Brilliant Earth combine conflict-free and created stones with recycled metals for settings to produce beautiful and sustainable rings.

Those green couples who choose to create a gift registry can forget about the traditional big-box stores in favor of more eco-friendly home stores. We registered at Gaiam, although GreenFeet has a variety of products, including organic bedding and towels and recycled glassware.