Occasionally simplistic but pulls together a host of related eco-issues.
A broad overview of the causes and consequences of the latest onset of climate change.
Sima simplifies his topic, sometimes a little too much: “Anything that uses fossil fuel electricity produces greenhouse gases.” But by framing modern climate change as chiefly driven by human-caused increases in the amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere and hammering on the notion that the only effective way to combat it is collective action, he gives young readers easily graspable starting points for understanding both the problem and what to do about it. He also properly asserts the interconnectedness of rising worldwide temperatures and challenges like air pollution, deforestation, waste plastics in the ocean, and the destructive practices of what he calls “Aggravated Agriculture” and highlights the significant roles of several Indigenous populations in maintaining sustainable environments. Sima’s suggested activities for readers rarely go beyond “organize a club”—still, though couched in generalities, his scary references to the “sixth mass extinction” and already-evident threats to human civilization are provocative enough to prompt concern…and, likely, active responses. Miriam’s brightly hued cartoon views of groups of racially diverse children smilingly engaged in green activities or speaking out through megaphones do lighten the overall tone.
Occasionally simplistic but pulls together a host of related eco-issues. (glossary, recommended reading) (Nonfiction. 9-11)Pub Date: May 4, 2023
ISBN: 9780807512067
Page Count: 192
Publisher: Whitman
Review Posted Online: Jan. 24, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2023
In this glossy photo essay, the author briefly recounts the study and exploration of the moon, beginning with Stonehenge and concluding with the 1998–99 unmanned probe, Lunar Prospector. Most of the dramatic photographs come from NASA and will introduce a new generation of space enthusiasts to the past missions of Project Mercury, Gemini, and most especially the moon missions, Apollo 1–17. There are plenty of photographs of various astronauts in space capsules, space suits, and walking on the moon. Sometimes photographs are superimposed one on another, making it difficult to read. For example, one photograph shows the command module Columbia as photographed from the lunar module and an insert shows the 15-layer space suit and gear Neil Armstrong would wear for moonwalking. That’s a lot to process on one page. Still, the awesome images of footprints on the moon, raising the American flag, and earthrise from the moon, cannot help but raise shivers. The author concludes with a timeline of exploration, Web sites, recommended books, and picture credits. For NASA memorabilia collectors, end papers show the Apollo space badges for missions 11–17. Useful for replacing aging space titles. (Nonfiction. 8-11)
Pub Date: Feb. 1, 2001
ISBN: 1-57091-408-7
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Charlesbridge
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2001
Thousands of years ago, the Komodo dragon may have inspired dragon legends in China and beyond. In more recent times, researchers from all over the world have traveled to the Lesser Sunda Islands of Indonesia to study the Komodo dragon. This lively if somewhat haphazardly organized account focuses on the efforts of contemporary researchers, presents some of their cooler findings (female dragons can reproduce through parthenogenesis; their saliva is laced with deadly bacteria) and profiles a few captive specimens. Mostly color photographs from a variety of sources adorn almost every page, and captions add to the information. Learning about the Komodo dragon is not for the faint of heart, and the photos show the wild beasts in all their gory glory. The extensive backmatter includes brief facts about Indonesia, more information on the Komodo dragon life cycle and its use of smell and conservation information. A portion of the sales will be donated to the Komodo Survival Program. (bibliography, further reading, glossary, websites, index, author’s note) (Nonfiction. 9-11)
Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2010
ISBN: 978-1-59078-757-1
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Boyds Mills
Review Posted Online: Sept. 15, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2010
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