When I got this book from the publishers - National Geographic - to review I was pretty excited. Almost no one writes books about green families in particular. Most have a slant for individuals or babies or climate change; but families, not so much.

There are a ton of pros to this book and honestly, if you have a family, I'd say this is one of the best book buys on the market that I've personally seen.

PROS: 

• Chapters are broken up into logical order and each chapter has a “Take Action” section at the end covering key points and action steps you can (and should) take right away.
• Nice little segments of green dictionary words, green on a shoestring and other eco-facts and tips are scattered throughout the book.
• If there’s a topic families need that wasn’t covered I must have missed it. This book takes you from baby care into the teen years and beyond – everything you need to make smart green choices.
• Excellent resource section at the back of the book.
• Not only does this book cover why you should go green but why exactly each green step you take is healthier for your children. A lot of books say, “GO GREEN!” with no real evidence to back up why you should. The reasons given in this book are smack on and compelling.
• A nice big chunk of this book is devoted to engaging your child in nature
• There are sections devoted to each stage of a child’s life; the early years, elementary years, preteens and teens. I’ve never seen a green book that does this.
• The tips were logical, easy to follow and any green parent can make the time to follow through with them. The book is asking you to take small steps that contribute to a greener home, family and planet.
• I hate green guilt trips and this book is free and clear of them.
• Rainforest Alliance Certified and FSC Certified (i.e. printed on paper from sustainably managed forests).

CONS: 

• I felt the book could have used some images to break up the text.
• Not great if you're looking for a book focused on one particular age group - say babies or teens. This book is in-depth in many ways, but has to be broken down because it covers a wide age range.
• Not the best book for long-time tree huggers. I didn't learn a ton of new facts BUT that said it's written for families who want to learn about green issues, health and other eco-friendly topics, not for old timers. In that respect the book is perfect. If I knew a parent looking for an intro to green living I'd 100% suggest this book.