"Look around. How many things do you see that
are made of plastic? Plastic is one of the most widely
used materials on Earth. It also makes up about 80
percent of the trash found in the global ocean.
Plastic doesn't decompose, and many plastic
items cannot be recycled. Like other garbage,
it often ends up in the ocean."
I am a big fan of the Citizen Kid series from Kids Can Press. In this book, Rochelle Strauss takes a close and careful look at marine biodiversity and the effects of human activity on the health of the world's oceans. Her very accessible language helps middle grade readers understand issues and concerns felt the world over. Topics are diverse: the ocean and its inhabitants, garbage patches, climate change, warm waters, acidic changes in the waters, trash, plastics, overfishing, coastline habitats, and the charge to conserve and restore the global ocean.
The design is exceptional. Her introduction presents the importance of interconnected ocean waters to us and the planet we live on, and its constant movement which sustains all life. She describes the diversity of life found in the global ocean, before moving on to present the biggest threats faced. Each is named on double page spreads that readers will find manageable. The main topic is clearly portrayed, and accompanied by bubbles of further information of interest to readers. A large sidebar, entitled Ripple of Change!, offers hope for making the changes needed to reverse some of the damage done. Urgent action must be taken.
"Seagrass meadows are important habitats and carbon sinks, which is why there are many conservation groups and researchers working to protect and regrow them. For example, the Seagrass Ocean Rescue Project in Wales has hundreds of volunteers, including children, stuffing seed bags and planting them in areas where seagrass has been lost. Their goal is to plant more than one million seeds to help replace lost seagrass meadows."
In final pages, the author discusses how readers can make changes that impact what has been happening. She encourages them to find how they can help from where they are - calling it "Finding Your Wave". There are many ways to make a difference. A note to teachers, parents and guardians includes for home and school. A list of websites mean to help find more information, and an index bring an end to the reading.
Natasha Donovan's colorful, realistic artwork is attention-grabbing and helps readers with context for the importance of ocean protection and immediate action. Her views of the environments are varied and consequential to the learning.
Fascinating and informative, positive and proactive, this is a very important book for youth wanting to know more than they now know.
No comments:
Post a Comment