More Americans are taking responsibility for their own health by exercising more and eating healthier, and they are encouraging children to do the same. They want the latest information on health, nutrition, and herbs. They are turning to more natural healing techniques to improve their health and vitality, to prevent disease, to boost immunity, to improve mental functioning, and to increase their energy levels so that they can keep up with their increasingly hectic lives and careers. There is also great interest in organic foods and gardening and support for sustainable agriculture. Many Americans want to reduce toxic chemicals (pollution), and there is concern for the health of the environment.
Respected herbalist, educator, and author Lesley Tierra, L.Ac. (a California State and nationally licensed acupuncturist and herbalist, with a private clinical practice in Santa Cruz, California) is a founding and professional member of the American Herbalists Guild, and a contributing writer and Dean of the East West Herb School. In her timely, informative, and delightful new wookbook, A Kid’s Herb Book, she shares healing wisdom with children and their parents. This unique and clever book is a creative blend of practical information, projects, activities, preparations, color-in artwork, stories, lore, interesting herbal tidbits, and original songs about herbs by Michael Tierra (Lesley’s husband, respected herbalist, acupuncturist, and best-selling author).
The book describes seventeen commonly used herbs that are especially good for children’s ailments. It includes information on: use of plants, herbal gardens, medicinal use of flowers, herbal medicines found in kitchens, first aid kits, plant ecology, and herbal tea parties. Children and their parents learn the basics of herbs and how to safely treat children’s illnesses through proper use of natural herbal remedies. The herbs described comprise a common set of household herbal remedies. Many are easily obtained and readily available; many are grown in most gardens, backyards, vacant fields, and even in cities.
The delightful and beautiful illustrations throughout the book are by Susie Wilson (who has also illustrated an upcoming educational CD Rom for National Geographic).
Roy Upton (herbalist, Vice President of the American Herbalist Guild, and Director of the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia) writes, “A Kid’s Herb Book introduces children to the wonderful world of herbs. Herbs have remained the primary source of medicines for everyday children’s complaints since time immemorial. This book brings us one step closer to rekindling our home healing traditions.”
Quinn Baker, age 15, says, “Your book has changed the way that I think about plants and herbs. It really inspires me to go out to the garden and try some of your ideas – and to sing some of your merry songs, too!”
Rosemary Gladstar (author of Herbal Healing for Woman and other books on herbs) writes, “From the moment I opened Lesley Tierra’s A Kid’s Herb Book, I was totally and completely captivated. She has done a brilliant job of creating an informative, fun, and joyful herb book for kids of all ages. This is a treasure for your children, your grandchildren, and yourself!”
 A Kid’s Herb Book makes learning about herbs and plants fun and educational for children. They follow the friendly elf, Mr. Greenleaf, through the plant “kin-dom.” They learn various uses of plants and they learn to appreciate vital things that plants provide, such as oxygen, food, soap, wood, teas, and medicines. They will discover the differences between herbs, weeds, and spices. They learn to make products from herbs, such as natural toothbrushes and homemade cough medicine. They learn about the healing properties of specific herbs. And they learn enchanting stories that can be read aloud and that awaken the imagination.
 A Kid’s Herb Book includes delicious recipes for such culinary delights as “Basil Pesto” and “Rose Petal Jam.” Children and their parents are encouraged to grow their own herb gardens. Simple instructions are provided for outdoor gardens (when space is available) to smaller gardens (using a window box, a basket, or even a flowerpot!). To go completely natural, readers can learn to make and use compost as well.

FIVE-STAR REVIEWS!

~WoW~ Fun, concise, inspiring!, May 6, 2003 Reviewer: loopy (Shorewood, WI) I picked up this book at the library last summer along with a bunch of other herb books. I don't think I ever opened the other ones up at all. I renewed this book three times, copied the recipes and advice to notecard form, and I finally bought my own. It is the *best* introduction to herbalism I have found yet. It is written for kids but adults can benefit from it just as much, if not more. This book is full of love and awe for plants and their special properties. I think it would be a great book to give to a child-it has a gazillion things kids can do with herbs, and I think it would really open children's senses to the "secret life of plants" (another great book-recommended reading at the end of this one). A large part of the book explores 16 different herbs and in the process teaches the basics of herbalism from salves to tinctures to capsules and more! Everything described is very easy to do and effective as well (& fun! :) ) Other chapters explore kitchen herbs, flowers, gardens, and it is full of some great references as well. I have *tons* of books on herbalism now but this was the catalyst for my interest and will always be my personal favorite. This would be a great reference for a super cool science teacher as well.

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I finally found a great introductions to herbs!, August 21, 2006 Reviewer: C. M. Coleman -    First let me say that I am 28. A friend and I bought this book for ourselves, as we have no children. Both of us have always been interested in learning more about herbs, but had found most herb books a bit confusing when you have no real knowledge base to begin with. We started reading this and loved it. The explanations of the herbs are basic, yet tell you everything you need to know. We loved that the illustrations of the herbs told you what colors to use when you colored them in, and the stories were great at helping us to remember the main use of an herb. I am now regularly using most of the herbs covered in the book and have started using other books and adding to my knowlege. If you want to learn about herbs, still like to play and learn like a child then you will really enjoy this book. You really don't need kids to need this book!

Excellent book, a must have for book shelf., June 29, 2006 Reviewer: Patti Delano "Alaskanbat" (Alaska) -    This book is excellent. I love all the information, the illustrations, and the recipes. My kids love this and we use it constantly. Well worth purchasing and a must have for your bookshelf!

Great way for children to learn about herbs!, March 16, 2006 Reviewer: Jan G. (Connecticut) Excellent book, well written, on a simple level for children. Great fun to read, contains great questions, ideas and illustrations.

Very Useful for Beginning Adult Gardeners/herbalists or Introducing Children to Herbs, December 31, 2005 Reviewer: MSBeltran "MSB" (Florida) I found this book so pleasing-- the information is very basic and well explained. The writing and illustrations are absolutely charming. For those who love stories, you'll enjoy the story for each herb opening each chapter. There are crafts, recipes, instructions on how to get started with an herb garden, and very detailed instructions on how to use herbal remedies and and create an herbal first aid kit. Even if you don't have kids, if you are interested in getting an herb garden started or working with herbs, this is a very simple, enjoyable introduction.