Not Your Typical Book about the Environment

by Elin Kelsey, Clayton Hanmer (Illustrator)

We live in a time of heightened environmental awareness, and this knowledge is creating a generation of children with feelings of eco-anxiety — the world is doomed, isn't it? Maybe not. Not Your Typical Book about the Environment allays kids’ fears by showing how all is not lost. Young readers learn about the remarkable time they live smart technologies, innovative ideas, and a growing commitment to alternative lifestyles are exploding around the world. Awareness is creating a future that will be brighter than we sometimes might think. Each chapter begins by taking familiar objects — T-shirts, video games, bikes — and using these as launching pads to delve into related environmental issues. Plus, profiles of unexpected personalities, like happiness researcher Catherine O'Brien, show how many are seeking viable solutions to the serious problems facing our planet.

Genres: Nonfiction, Environment, Science, Childrens

64 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not just for kids. Adults will learn a lot from this little book. I sure did!

[Martha Avila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Muy bonito y educativo, nos encanto

[Ms. Bryson · Rating 5 out of 5]

“You’re not nature’s bogeyman. You are nature.” This eco-friendly book endorsed by Jane Goodall breaks away from the pack in its hopeful yet still realistic message about the environment. Through engaging exposition, fanciful illustrations, and thoughtful comic strips, the author explains how all living beings on the planet are interconnected, and how their actions affect each other. Complex and at time controversial issues are addressed thoroughly and objectively, with still plenty of chuckles to be had at the hilarious yet explanatory drawings. The text is chock-full of inspiring stories of the ideas and innovations of youth and adults that have made a major positive impact on the environment and is sure to inspire its readers to do the same.

[Brisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tiene ilustraciones, me gustó así que le doy un 4.5

[Mary Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our students are very interested in the environment, but they also want to know what they can do to make a difference. At our school, we've been having monthly "Make a Difference" days this year, which the kids have found very motivating. A book I've found fascinating is Elin Kelsey's Not Your Typical Book About the Environment, which explores environmental topics with a real slant to how kids can make decisions that affect the environment. I especially like the upbeat tone - Kelsey's message emphasizes positive things each of us can do.

With a combination of fun illustrations, cartoons, and an inviting, optimistic tone, this book will draw in kids who want to know more about how they can help the environment. Elin Kelsey explores topics that are close to kids' immediate world and helps them understand how global complexities are involved in decisions we make. She looks at fashion, food, technology and new energy sources.

I especially liked the way she tackles complex issues and puts them in terms kids can relate to. A cotton t-shirt is made from naturally grown cotton, but it takes 25 bathtubs of water to grow the cotton that goes into one t-shirt. Synthetic fabrics are made using oil and petroleum products, but producers are using recycled plastic bottles to make polyester fleece jackets. Kelsey handles these complex issues without being preachy or one-sided. She encourages kids to think about the many factors that impact the environment.

Kids especially like the witty, lively cartoons, with titles such as "How sea otters are connected to fish sticks" and "How video games and cell phones are connected to gorillas". Head over to illustrator Clayton Hanmer's site to see some of his lively, eye-catching illustrations.

Not Your Typical Book About the Environment was awarded the 2011 Green Earth Book Award for Nonfiction book. This new award is "the nation’s first, annual award for authors and illustrators whose books best raise awareness of environmental stewardship, and the beauty of our natural world and the responsibility that we have to protect it."

I would recommend this book as a read-aloud to 4th and 5th grade students, and as an excellent resource in middle school and even high school libraries. While the pictures might seem on the young side, the concepts and complexities and humor will engage young teens.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

So interesting, and a real twist on all the downer books about the environment. This one offers lots of intriguing facts you've probably never heard before, and cartoonish illustrations that add humor to the text, all in a nicely digestibly sized book. All in all it leaves you feeling hopeful and motivated rather than depressed and doomed.

[Kate Hastings · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rather than doom and gloom statistics, this book strives to educate children about the unseen impacts of consumption-- how much does that new t-shirt "really" cost? Fun graphics and sidebars keep this book of big ideas upbeat and interesting to read. Grades 4-8.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rather nice book that provides facts about the environment and the ways we can make a difference without being a doom and gloom sort of thing. This book is for older kids, even though the cover art may look a bit younger. It is well-organized and well-presented and I learned quite a bit.

[Kaitlyn DuLaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most amusing and factual book on the planet. Very enjoyable. Great for all ages.

[Christine Kallner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book absolutely lives up to its title. Instead of total doom and gloom, it focuses on practical steps kids (and adults!) can take and prioritizing our actions for the most impact. It also covers a lot of science, innovation, and creativity in research and projects happening around the world. This is a fairly dense book that I found both informative and inspiring.