In preparation for Earth Day on April 22, 2008, Penton Kids Press announces the January release of "My Bag and Me," a children's book designed with an Earth-friendly focus to help reduce the use of plastic and paper bags. Because it comes with a reusable tote bag, this engaging illustrated board book demonstrates to children the crucial need for recycling. "We believe it is important to help young children understand and participate in going green," says Penton Marketing Director Tom McGrew. He adds, "'My Bag and Me' follows a child, and his reusable shopping bag, on a trip to the grocery store. By the end of the story, the child is ready to say no to paper and plastic and prove it with his own reusable bag."

The facts associated with the negative effects of paper and plastic bag use are staggering with well over a billion plastic bags a day or 500 billion bags per year used globally. Made from petroleum and natural gas, they are non-renewable. The costs of bags given away "free" by retailers can top $4 billion dollars a year and are passed on to consumers in other ways. Worse, plastic bags take up to 1,000 years to decompose. As litter, they break down into tiny pieces that contaminate soil and water, and can harm or kill thousands of animals that may mistake them for food.

"My Bag and Me" is designed to be interactive with a child's learning process, while developing a concern for recycling and the environment. It comes with a free, reusable and durable tote bag made of recyclable Tyvek, printed with a colorful "I Love Earth" logo. Children can do their part to help the environment on their next shopping trip and remind everybody to recycle. "My Bag and Me" will be in major book retailers and mass market chains starting in mid-February 2008.