Spring After Spring: How Rachel Carson Inspired the Envrionmentatl Movement. Written and illustrated by Stephanie Roth Sisson. Roaring Brook Press, Macmillan. Raincoast, 2019. $24.99 ages 8 and up

"As the days grew longer
and warmer, the chattering,
chirping, and hooting got
louder.

Until the gathering calls from
migrating birds meant that it
was autumn. They were coming together ... "


"In nature, nothing exists alone ... "

As a young child, Rachel woke to birdsong and a strong need to be outside in the natural world that surrounded her. She loved the sounds, the smells, the 'music' of the outdoors. She spent her days in the company of birds, frogs, insects, and her dog. Returning home after a day of discovery, the large family shared supper, music and stories. Rachel loved to hear songs of the sea.

In winter, Rachel made new discoveries outdoors, and drew pictures and wrote stories indoors. Seasons passed, always with careful attention paid. Then, it was time for college and a chance discovery that led her to life found through a microscope.

"To learn about the creatures in tidal
pools, marshes, and the sea, Rachel
decided that she would study biology.
She put her writing aside."

Working as a scientist, Rachel spent a good deal of her time underwater, discovering the secrets of the ocean. This led to combining her love of science with her love of writing. And, people read those books. As she wrote and continued exploring nature, Rachel was alarmed at the lack of sound in the places she so loved. Her careful study of what was happening led her to the discovery that chemicals being used to combat pests were doing much more than intended; they were killing nature's food chains as well. She wrote Silent Spring to sound an alarm. Despite a great deal of skepticism, Rachel's work did have an impact.

"Spring after spring, year after year, people celebrated the Earth and the environment because Rachel showed them how beautiful and precious it is."

Variety in the accompanying artwork encourages readers to stop and think about what is happening on each spread. Speech bubbles provide a cacophony of sound as Rachel finds solace in the natural world. The unusual lack of sound there and the loss of her beloved animals speaks volumes for the changes made by the introduction of poisons the the ecological surroundings. The three food chain depictions are powerful and clearly presented. The illustrations are powerful and enlightening.

An author's note, further notes about each of the double-page spreads (including front and back endpapers), a bibliography, and source notes are appreciated.

Timely? I think so.