So You Want To Know About The Environment

by Bijal Vachharajani, Sayan Mukherjee (Illustrator)

Ever wondered what it is like to live on a planet that’s a few degrees warmer, or how wasting food is the similar to flushing water down the drain, or what exactly does the word planned obsolescence mean. So You Want to Know About the Environment answers some of the questions about the world we live in, and how we impact it in different ways.

Genres: Nonfiction, Environment, Sustainability

176 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2017

About the author

When Bijal Vachharajani is not reading a children’s book, she is writing or editing one.

She has written A Cloud Called Bhura: Climate Champions to the Rescue, which won the Auther Children’s Book Award 2020, and So You Want to Know About the Environment, and has co-authored 10 Indian Champions Who Are Fighting to Save the Planet and The Great Indian Nature Trail with Uncle Bikky.

Her picture books include PS What’s up with the climate?, What’s Neema Eating Today? and The Seed Savers.

The former editor of Time Out Bengaluru, Bijal has worked with 350.org, Fairtrade and Sanctuary Asia. Senior Editor at Pratham Books, Bijal has a Masters in Environment Security and Peace, with a specialisation in climate change from the University for Peace. She's now a certified climate worrier.

Reviews

[Udit Nair · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first I thought I made a mistake by choosing this book since it was supposedly written for kids. But after reading this I must admit that it is for all age groups. After a long time I am reading a book which is so interactive in nature. There are some great stories like the confrontation between a mama bear and a person after sunset. Also the book does a great job in conveying complex things in a simple way. Well still climate deniers will not accept because hey denying climate change is not based on facts. As a whole it's a very interesting read for anybody and everybody.

[Riti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Climate Change, Food, Waste, Water, Wildlife are the topics covered in this book. Each section covers the subject matter, various fun facts, exercises and experiments/ projects to be done by the reader. The subjects are dealt both in a macro and micro manner in terms of immediate and long term impact. A simple question like what happens when you bin a tetrapak after drinking the juice? This is explained thoroughly explaining recycling, giving it a visual imagery. It follows up with action points one could take for recycling waste. I loved the concept of encouraging children to eat a veggie for each season using a colourful calendar. Not only it encourages one to ingest nutrition, but also it saves transport costs if one is using local produce.


My Thoughts

My children have been reading about environment in both biology and chemistry. Between the two subjects they have dealt with air, water pollution, waste management and recycling and food chain and the importance of conserving and not wasting food and pollution. This book is a great way to reinforce and test their knowledge and in a way tell them that these concepts covered in subjects could be fun too. My grouse with the education system is that they do not teach practical knowledge and this book is one way to expand their knowledge avenue.

Interesting aspect is that in the first chapter itself, the author has covered geography, chemistry, English (fog + smoke= smog) and mathematics (graph)l. What better way than this book to connect the dots of education system?

The format of the book is like the bullet journal or notes one makes in class- several boxes/ clipped notes, space to take notes, facts, did you know, illustrations and experiments. It is a thoroughly interactive book. It also gives pointers on what actions one could take and I think it is a great way to involve children in environment conservation.


Readometer- Lucid and interesting way to teach children about history of economics
Cover - I loved the white background and the looka nd feel of the cover very elaborate and detailed
Interesting different illustrators for both books in the series have captured the theme of the cover.

[Promita Bhowmick · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely and informative book. A bit scary too, because the facts tell us that there is a real danger ahead of us which we are not able to see. If we still do not wake up and act, then it will be too late for us. There are a lot of ideas and suggestions mentioned in the book to save the water, wildlife, and our environment. I am really happy that we, at home, are already following many things to preserve the precious natural resources, reduce the waste, slowly eradicate the use of plastic from our day to day lives. But, this is just a drop in the ocean. Unless each one of us feel and act responsibly towards our environment, things will only turn ugly. So, please read the book, understand, and do your bit in whatever way you can. Remember every small act counts, and can change the face of the world.

[Swathi Pachipenta · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing book! It is designed mostly for the kids. However, anybody who's interested to know about the environment can grab this book. It contains a lot of facts about the environment, and a few tips on how we can do our bit to save the planet.

I have implemented a couple of ideas myself (e.g., decomposing kitchen waste at home, buyying bigger grocery packets, etc.). I have also presented them to my colleagues - it was a great discussion. I am glad to see some of them translated to actions as well.

[Anjana Balakrishnan · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's about the environment but from an Indian perspective. It talks about how children can interact with the environment around them, without having to go to a forest. If you live in a city, buy this book for your child. It's most fun!

[Subhadra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Highly informative

Loads and loads of information about the environment. Not a big fan of the language, though. I guess the author wanted to reach out to young children. Lots of actionables for children and adults to try out at home and within their community.

[Chaitali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really recommend the book . Its a brilliant read for young readers as well as us adults . Lots of facts on environment we need to think about daily . A must read

[Vaishnavi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Packed with information with links for really cool activities that kids can do and learn!

[Aayush Rajaram Mhadgut · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice

[Hasina Nisar · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very informative book for both kids and adults. A lot of ideas given by the author in a very simple way to protect the environment. A good read for all of us.

[Anonymous Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing. Anyone can debate me. It is amazing

[Shruti Sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is a fabulous way to introduce children to different facets of climate change and environmental action happening around the world. If you want to raise children who grow up to be concerned citizens, who love to explore, love and respect the environment, who question where their food comes from and who care about the declining population of wildlife around them, this is your go-to book.

[Pranky reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the things that we would like to know about the water,waste,wildlife,food and climate change is packed in this powerful books of facts with data.
If you have wondered how to dispose waste, why the water bodies are polluted, why are animals disappearing, why should we carry water from home, what food needs how much water to grow and all about recycle, reuse and reduce plus refuse.
Written so simple but so impactful, a must read for every age group.
#environment