Cycle of Rice, Cycle of Life

Review
By Carol's Corner

There is much to love about this book. Cycle of Rice, Cycle of Life approaches sustainability in a way that is easy for children as young as first or second grade to understand. Second, I love the theme of reverence for the Earth and of being grateful for water. Finally, and maybe most importantly, I love the theme of cooperation and caring for one another. The Balinese farmers get together at the beginning of the growing season, and decide exactly how they will let the water out into the fields. The farmers who live higher on the mountain are responsible for allowing the water to run down stream to their neighbors. If they don’t use the water responsibly, it impacts the farmers below them. Somehow that seems an apt metaphor for what goes on in America every day.— Carol’s Corner