My Green Resolution for 2009 - Valley Books

Our journey to learn about our partners' green resolutions for 2009 takes us today to a little town in California named Sovlang (which means "Sunny field" in Danish). There you can find Valley Books, which is owned by Vonda Schaefer, our guest for today.

Opened in February 2008, Valley Books is a friendly new and used bookstore and cafe in the little Danish town of Solvang, California. Valley Books is participating in Eco-Libris' bookstores program, where customers at the store can plant a tree for every book they buy there and receive our sticker at the counter!

Hello Vonda. What is your green resolution for 2009?

Our green resolution is to become a certified green business through the county of Santa Barbara – this is a new program they have begun.

Valley Books has some other fun resolutions:

To promote our new Sunday Night Soup Nights (local, healthy soups and bakery-fresh bread). We are promoting: “Eat Healthy, Eat Local, Eat Together.” We will also be seeking out even more talented local musicians for our Saturday Nights “Beat’N’Treats.” This is live music and specialty desserts prepared by a local pastry chef.

Thanks, Vonda!

You can read more on Vonda and Valley Books on an article that was published few weeks ago on the Santa Ynez Valley Journal - http://www.santaynezvalleyjournal.com/archive/6/51/3465.

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris

Plant a tree for every book you read!

Green Festivals recommend on the 10 green books you should read on 2009

This week our ongoing series of Monday's green books is taking a week off, but we have a great alternative for you, and we're not talking about one green book, but 10 green books! Green Cotton (great blog by the way) presented last week Green Festivals’ top 10 green books that were published on 2008 and are to be read on 2009 (if you haven't read them yet).

So what's in the list? here it is:

1. "Hot, Flat, and Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution - And How It Can Renew America" by Thomas L. Friedman

2. "Hope on a Tightrope: Words and Wisdom" by Cornel West

3. "Natural Capitalism: Creating the Next Industrial Revolution" by Paul Hawken , Amory Lovins and L. Hunter Lovins

4. "The Green Collar Economy: How One Solution Can Fix Our Two Biggest Problems" by Van Jones

5. "Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things" by William McDonough and Michael Braungart

6. "Exposed: The Toxic Chemistry of Everyday Products and What's at Stake for American Power" by Mark Schapiro

7. "The Thrive Diet: The Whole Food Way to Lose Weight, Reduce Stress, and Stay Healthy for Life" by Brendan Brazier

8. "The Green Parent: A Kid-Friendly Guide to Earth-Friendly Living" by Jenn Savedge

9. "Go Green, Live Rich: 50 Simple Ways to Save the Earth and Get Rich Trying" by David Bach and Hillary Rosner

10. "My Stroke of Insight: A Brain Scientist's Personal Journey" by Jill Bolte Taylor

This is a great list. It includes some many great books that we intend to cover and review on 2009, as well as one book ("The Green Parent") that we had the pleasure to work with and plant trees for the copies printed as you can see from its cover, where our logo is presented.

These books are available on Better World Books (as you can see from the links) under The Green Festival list, where you can also check out which book is the most popular (currently it's 'My Stroke of Insight).

For those of you who are not familiar yet with this great company, Better World Books collects and sells books online to fund literacy initiatives worldwide. With more than two million new and used titles in stock, they're a self-sustaining, triple-bottom-line company that creates social, economic and environmental value for all our stakeholders. You can learn more about them at http://www.betterworld.com.

Thanks again to Green Cotton for the information!

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris

Plant a tree for every book you read!

A special offer from Strand Book Store!

You think the holiday season is over? not at Strand Book Store, where you can get a free holiday tote bag with the purchase of two books.

We are very proud in our collaboration with Strand Book Store, New York's independent landmark book store. Strand are taking part in our bookstore program and customers at the store can plant a tree for every book they buy there and receive our sticker at the counter!

We have just received from Strand greetings for the New Year and information on this great (and green) offer:

The Strand Book Store wishes all Eco-Libris partners & readers a Happy 2009!

Our gift to you… a free holiday tote bag.

With purchase of two books, receive a FREE holiday tote bag, just click HERE to redeem your gift online or print the page and bring it to our 828 Broadway @ 12^th Street NYC store to redeem your gift in person.

Hurry! Offer expires January 15, 2009. Limit one tote bag per customer, please.

Thank you Strand for this great offer! You're welcome to check out their website at http://www.strandbooks.com to learn more about the books offered at their website. Also don't forget to take a look at their events list - http://www.strandbooks.com/app/www/p/calendar.

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris
www.ecolibris.net

On what paper the invitation to the inauguration is printed?

The inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama is exactly in two weeks and it's going to be an historic and special event. One question that at least I asked myself was on what paper the invitations to the event will be printed? today (thanks to CSR wire) I found the answer!

When it comes to the invitations, the inauguration is about as green as it gets. It will be printed on CLASSIC CREST Papers by Neenah Paper and according to their news release, the environmental profile of the paper is as followed: completely FSC Certified, Green-e Certified as being made with 100 percent renewable energy, made 100 percent Carbon Neutral, and Processed Chlorine Free. Additionally, Recycled 100 Natural White is made from 100 percent post consumer fiber.

Kudos to Neenah Paper! This is great news, especially since every part of the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama is very symbolic, and I'm sure it's no coincidence that the invitations are very eco-friendly.

Neenah Paper claims that CLASSIC CREST Paper is the greenest premium paper in the world. In any case, I'm positive it will be remembered from now on as the paper that was part of an historic moment. Hopefully it will be the beginning of an era when we'll see such the use of green paper not only on historic events but everywhere.

And now all you have to do is just to receive such an invitation..

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris

Plant a tree for every book you read!

My Green Resolution for 2009 - Madeline Kaplan, author of "Planet Green Gets Well"

How's 2009 going so far? we hope that so far, so good! Today we continue with our coverage of our partners' green resolution for 2009 and we have the pleasure to host Madeline Kaplan, the author of the children's book "Planet Earth Gets Well".

Madeline Kaplan, is working now with Eco-Libris to make this green children's book even greener - a tree will be planted for every copy sold (with the exception of on-line sales). Buyers will also receive our sticker with their book, saying "One tree planted for this book".

Hello Madeline. What is your green resolution for 2009?
I hope to be able to wear more green clothing, made from natural fabrics. More and more green designers are making clothing that is both affordable and attractive and that makes it easier to make a conscious choice about sustaining the environment on a daily basis.

I've also resolved to encourage the young parents that I know to purchase green children's clothes as a way of taking the ideas I've put forth in my children's book, "Planet Earth Gets Well" (www.planetearthgetswell.com) into a very real commitment to making the world a better place for our children.

What's your green wish for 2009?
My green wish for 2009 is that there be a significant increase in worldwide awareness of what living in a green world can be. I am hopeful that momentum will continue to build and that industry will realize that part of the solution to our ailing economy is to rethink and to "re-green".

Other greetings for the New Year?
I wish everyone on the planet peace. That alone would bring untold hope to a dispirited world.
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Any other plans for 2009 you would like to share with our readers?

My plans for 2009 is to continue to promote "Planet Earth Gets Well" in schools around the country. I cherish the belief that "a child shall lead us" into a more sustainable world.

I look forward to an ongoing partnership with Eco-Libris and the fine work that it does in the green-publishing world. My books wear the Eco-Libris label with pride.

Thanks, Madeline!

Here are more details about "Planet Earth Gets Well":

"Planet Earth Gets Well" by Madeline Kaplan, illustrated by Taillefer Long, addresses environmental concerns in a child-friendly format, based on the author’s awareness that future generations must be prepared to preserve their planet and its resources.

The story (reading level - ages 4-8): When Planet Earth gets the sniffles, Mother Nature challenges each of us to retract our gluttonous ways. She instructs the Planet Earth to take better care of himself which means all humans must make big changes about key issues like global warming, the melting of polar ice caps, deforestation and energy depletion. Once Planet Earth sneezes, Mother Nature listens and helps each and every one of us learn how to be good to our dear, old friend. This educational reader is wholly unique in the ways that matter-think globally, think green, and act accordingly.

You can buy the book on Amazon.com - http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Earth-Gets-Madeline-Kaplan/dp/141968986X

And you can watch Madeline Kaplan speaking on the book on Fox61.

We'll keep bringing you almost every day this month new green resolutions for 2009 so stay tuned!

So far on "My Green Resolution for 2009":

Chris Flynn of Torpedo

Edain Duguay of Wyrdwood Publications

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris
www.ecolibris.net

And the winner of "The Legend of Ninja Cowboy Bear" is...

Thank you for all the participants in our giveaway of "The Legend of Ninja Cowboy Bear" by David Bruins (author) and Hilary Leung (illustrator), following the review of this great book!

We got a lot of great comments about your 2009 green resolutions. Many of them were about reducing and recycling and it looks like the most popular resolution is to start using reusable shopping bags. Kudos to everyone who are looking to make their 2009 a greener year! And the winner in our giveaway is Mama Zen, whose green resolution is as follows:

My family plans to walk more and drive less. We are also trying to continue using our old things rather than buying something new.

Congrats Mama Zen! You will receive a copy of "The Legend of Ninja Cowboy Bear", and I'm sure you will be happy to know that a tree is being planted with Eco-Libris for this copy, as well as with every other copy of the book!

Yours,

Raz @ Eco-Libris

Eco-Libris: plant a tree for every book you read!

My Green Resolution for 2009 - Wyrdwood Publications

So what's your green resolution for 2009? we decided to check it out with authors, publishers, bookstores and other partners we work with.

Yesterday we started our January project "My Green Resolution for 2009" with Chris Flynn of Torpedo and today we're having Edain Duguay, the owner of Wyrdwood Publications.

Wyrdwood Publications is a publisher that works solely online and specializes in the publishing of Pagan and Heathen eBooks. As part of their commitment to the environment, Wyrdwood Publications will plant a tree with Eco-Libris for every 'Green Leaves' eBook sold starting with "The Witches' Course Book" by Raven Blackmoor.

This commitment by Wyrdwood Publications is also known as the 'Green Leaves Policy' and it dictates all the 'green' aspects of their business. You can learn more about the Green Leaves Policy at http://www.wyrdwoodpublications.com/greenleaves.htm.

Hello Edain. What is your green resolution for 2009?
Wyrdwood Publications green resolution for 2009 is to make more of their products 'Grean Leaves' eBooks in collaboration with Eco-Libris.

What's your green wish for 2009?
My personal and professional green wish for 2009 is for everyone to do something extra to help the environment. No matter what it is nor whether it is big or small, just something more. A lot of little actions will create a big change.

Other greetings for the New Year?
Wyrdwood Publications would like to wish everyone a happy and productive 2009, let's make this a green year that our children will be proud of!
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Any other plans for 2009 you would like to share with our readers?

In 2009 we will be announcing a new eBook, one that is great for parents to read as a bedtime story. This childrens eBook will be published in collaboration with Eco-Libris! We are also working on signing up more authors and making available more eBooks through our website.

Special Offer: 'The Witches Course Book' is now only $4.99 (was $6.99), save $2 and plant a tree, what a bargin!

Thanks, Edain!

Here are more details about "The Witches Couse Book":

At first glance this course book may seem strange, unusual even. What good is a course without a teacher nor the answers? Actually you will find this course ebook very useful and informative. You will wonder how you managed to have any focus in the myriad of study areas, which are now available in our modern day Pagan society.

These courses have been designed to guide you as you seek your Path and learn to walk it through the seasons. Each course is an eclectic mix of various Paths and Traditions to give you a rounded base of knowledge from which you may find your own spiritual path or at least be directed towards it.

The five course titles are:

• Spirals
• Advanced Spirals
• Moon & Sun Workings
• Tree Lore
• Festival Feasts

The content of each course is given to you via assignments. You will be requested to research a subject area, find correspondences, write rituals, create craft objects, projects and equipment, find sacred spaces, attune yourself to nature, nurture and listen to your inner voice, look at folklore and types of divination, understand the Moon cycles and see the Earth's changes during the seasons of the Sun, recognise and learn about the trees around you and create seasonal menu's for the Festival Days!

You can buy this e-book right here - http://www.wyrdwoodpublications.com/apps/webstore/products/show/274727

You're welcome to keep following our blog this month as we'll have almost every day a new green pledge for 2009!

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris
www.ecolibris.net