Nature Out of Balance: How Invasive Species Are Changing the Planet, written by Merrie-Ellen Wilcox. Orca Book Publishers, 2021. $19.95 ages 9 and up

Once again, I thought I would scan the pages of this newest addition to the Orca Footprints series. As has happened countless times before, I found myself quickly caught up in the learning. I appreciate the amount of research done, the familiar and welcome design, the conversational writing that draws its audience right into the book, the many accurately captioned photographs, and the text boxes that add even more pertinent information for its target audience.  

The author begins in her own community - she knows it well. She lets readers know that Uplands Park near her home in Victoria, B.C. is home to many Garry Oaks, camas, pink shooting stars, fawn lilies and spring gold. They are not the only species evident there. There are also species that don't belong in the park; English hawthorn, Scotch broom, English ivy, and a variety of animals have been brought from elsewhere. 

In four following chapters, Ms. Wilcox apprises her readers of a number of issues that will help them understand what an invasive species is, how these species affect the ecosystems to which they are introduced, the complications that can arise in trying to control their spread, and concluding with ways humans might help through growing awareness of the problems apparent and solutions needing to be undertaken.  

Along the way, she provides a wealth of information that is useful to children's learning and thinking. Readers are sure to be i mpacted by the many clear, captioned photographs, the placement of "Eco-Fact' boxes, and the half-page introductions to some of the world's 'Invasive All-Stars'. 

"Cane Toads

In 1935 native beetles were damaging Australia's sugar 
cane crops. A giant South American toad was being used
to control cane-eating beetles in Hawaii, so government
scientists went there and captured a small number of the
toads. Back in Australia they bred them and, a few months
later, released 2,400 toads in hopes that they would eat the
beetles. They didn't. The toads preferred other local insects
and happily began to hop beyond the cane fields ... Today
there are 1.5 billion cane toads spread over 400,000 square
miles of the continent."

OOPS! That story and others included in the 'all-stars' boxes are very informative and often startling. Species included are: zebra mussels, starlings, cane toads, yellow crazy ants, kudzu, chestnut blight, rats, Asian carp, cats, Burmese pythons, and now for the author's environment, the black-tailed deer although it is native to the B.C. landscape.  

This book is written with a historical perspective, and certainly includes the role that humans have played, and continue to play, as one the most remarkable spreaders of invasive species. Readers will be empowered with the knowledge gained to discuss, consider, and help to make a difference where they can. Final pages include acknowledgements of those who brought this book to publication, a list of important resources for further study, a useful glossary, and a helpful index to take readers straight back to what they found was of high interest to them.