January 1, 2024
Levy and Boersma's gentle and accessible introduction to climate change centers on carbon and its ubiquitous presence in Earth's living and nonliving systems. Brief definitions of key chemistry terms and concepts precede the title page, and statements in the first few pages lay out the crisis we face with global warming: "After hundreds of years and billions of people burning fuels, there's too much carbon in the air!" The remainder of the book is hopeful, showing how kelp forests, mangroves, and even dirt can "soak up" the excess carbon. Boersma's illustrations represent carbon as delicate white dots swirling in the air over sunny city scenes and landscapes or crowded into the clouds of darker emissions from power plants. The book ends with a call to action: "For the Earth to keep helping us, we must help the Earth." The meaningful solutions presented include alternative energies, public transportation, and scientific innovation. Additional information about global warming and things readers can do to help are included in the back matter. Danielle J. Ford
(Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)
February 1, 2024
Earth and its human inhabitants have the power to remove the excess carbon in the air that leads to climate change. This premise underlies a hopeful explanation of the climate crisis and possible mitigation tools. Even before the title page, capable readers will find brief definitions of terms such as carbon, carbon dioxide, photosynthesis, fossil fuels, and the greenhouse effect. The pages that follow are designed for younger readers and listeners. Boersma's digitally colored drawings are attractive and detailed, showcasing city scenes, an underwater kelp forest, a mangrove swamp, a temperate woodland, and more, with a diverse human population. Levy's poetic text describes the carbon problem and ways to address it. Sea kelp, mangroves, and dirt all trap carbon in different ways. People can help, too, by switching to more environmentally friendly power sources, farming methods, and transportation. This versatile writer's published titles include picture books, fiction, and biographies for young people. Most have been historically themed; science is a new direction for her. While scientists may find some of Levy's explanations oversimplified, she takes a positive approach to explaining the causes and challenges of climate change--something encouraged by climate educators. There's no question that this is a valuable introduction and, with its pleasing repetitions, a satisfying read-aloud. An attractively simple explanation of a pressing problem. (author's note, selected sources, information on how people are helping the planet) (Informational picture book. 5-8)
COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
March 1, 2024
Preschool-Grade 3 In this wonderfully encouraging primer on the power of determination and ingenuity to save our planet, Levy jumps in with both feet, offering quick facts on carbon, carbon dioxide, fossil fuels, photosynthesis, and the greenhouse effect. The positivity starts quickly: as well as outlining the problems caused by the greenhouse effect, Levy explains that without the phenomenon, Earth could not support human life. Similarly, after discussing how too much carbon got into our atmosphere--a process rendered in captivating illustrations of nature and man-made structures--she relates the good news: "To scrub out carbon up there, our planet has amazing powers down here." Kelp in the sea eats carbon, and it protects shorelines and marine animals (plus, we can eat it!). Mangrove stands similarly have multiple upsides, and the explanations are deftly complemented by lovely cutaway drawings of seashore geologic layers and views of underwater and floating marine life in the same frame. With its realistic yet hopeful message, helpful facts, clear details on ways children can help the environment, and beautiful artwork, this will be a great addition to science shelves.
COPYRIGHT(2024) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
January 1, 2024
Levy and Boersma's gentle and accessible introduction to climate change centers on carbon and its ubiquitous presence in Earth's living and nonliving systems. Brief definitions of key chemistry terms and concepts precede the title page, and statements in the first few pages lay out the crisis we face with global warming: "After hundreds of years and billions of people burning fuels, there's too much carbon in the air!" The remainder of the book is hopeful, showing how kelp forests, mangroves, and even dirt can "soak up" the excess carbon. Boersma's illustrations represent carbon as delicate white dots swirling in the air over sunny city scenes and landscapes or crowded into the clouds of darker emissions from power plants. The book ends with a call to action: "For the Earth to keep helping us, we must help the Earth." The meaningful solutions presented include alternative energies, public transportation, and scientific innovation. Additional information about global warming and things readers can do to help are included in the back matter.
(Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)