OUR WORLD OUT OF BALANCE:
Reviewed By Grasshopper2 August 15, 2021
Author Andrea Minoglio and Laura Fanelli .
Distributor: New South Books
ISBN: 9781735000534
Publisher: Blue Dot Kids Press
Release Date: June 2021
Website: https://www.newsouthbooks.com.au
UNDERSTANDING CLIMATE CHANGE AND WHAT WE CAN DO
Our World Out of Balance hard backed picture book contains a large amount of information, stated clearly, about our planet. The issues are put forward, (Global warming, rising sea levels, etc) and explanations are given to promote understanding. Double page spreads with clear diagrams and small parcels of text are used. With each problem there is a section which says, “How you can help, and How people are helping.”
The layout on double pages allows a clear explanation and diagrams to be shown together. With,” Plastic in Our Ocean,” the illustration shows how our oceans were before plastic and how they look now. Then facts are given, such as “Every year nearly 9 million tons of plastic waste are dumped into the sea.
Under the heading, “How does it happen?” we are told that much of the plastic is dumped directly or indirectly (by storm drains) or is blown by the wind. We can help minimise this by not buying single use plastic and being careful about disposing of it. There are people attempting to remove huge amounts of plastic from the oceans, but this won’t make a difference if we keep purchasing plastic and disposing of it.
The issues addressed are current and topical. The idea that each of us can help in a small way such as, planting something and caring for our fragile beach environments, or recording weather details and saving water, is positive. For younger readers it is encouraging to think that they can have some control and relevance.
Andrea Minoglio and Laura Fanelli have covered many topics in the book and given much information for children and adults to consider.