Molly Bang

COMMON GROUND THE WATER, EARTH, AND AIR WE SHARE Molly Bang, Author "Long ago, a village was built around a commons. The commons was 'common ground' which belonged to everyone in the village." The villagers brought their sheep to the commons to graze, "But there was a problem....There was not enough grass for all of them." So begins a simple parable to reveal our relationship with everything around us - the water, earth, and air we share and how each individual affects the world. Molly Bang gives consice understandable historical scenes, each demonstrating the limitations of our resources. "But after cutting down so many trees, there are fewer and fewer forests. This is not good for the trees, or the forest creatures, or the forest soil." A small book large in its message and illustrations. It invites dicussion and stimulates thought. Awareness Coexistance Common Resources Challenge Ages: 4-10 ORDER: HARDCOVER

Molly Bang was born in Princeton, New Jersey in 1943. Since then, she has lived in Japan, India, and Mali, and has had a varied career as an illustrator, author, translator and consultant. She is interested in folklore and fables from many cultures, and enjoys retelling and illustrating them, for she feels they are important components of our global cultural heritage. She has distinguished herself as a creator and illustrator of her own stories as well, which are known for their whimsical humor and mystery. Bang has received many book awards and honors, including the prestigious Caldecott Honor Book Award. She currently divides her time between Falmouth, Massachusetts and California.