This book came in the mail on a warm Friday afternoon in February. Yes, February. In the DMV, during the month of February 60 degree weather is not typical. So, the arrival of this book and the theme of it were definitely on brand, climate change. ANIMAL CLIMATE HEROES is the newest STEM themed book we get to add to the yellow bookshelf. I have to confess that when I got the book on that beautiful day, I tucked it away and went to dinner with my family. And just like climate change for most people, I forgot about it. However, this book is a beautifully crafted wake up call for taking climate change seriously.

SUMMARY

ANIMAL CLIMATE HEROES by Alison Pearce Stevens and illustrations by Jason Ford is a short non-fiction chapter book that explores climate change from various aspects. It begins by explaining what is climate change, what causes climate change, and the role of greenhouse gases. There is an exploration of the element, CARBON and its critical role in the heating of our planet. The book then goes on to centers animals that exhibit behaviors that combat climate change. It explains how these various animals like elephants and echidnas, behave that helps to reduce carbon emissions. Not only are animals features as climate heroes, but various plants and microorganisms are highlighted for their respective roles. Each chapter explains how you can support each animal in the role as climate heroes. The books final chapter is filled with examples of how the reader can be a climate hero and advocate.

BOOK REVIEW

SCIENCE. READING. ANIMALS. ILLUSTRATIONS. What else could you ask for in a children’s chapter book. This book weaves non-fiction facts with imaginative storytelling to immerse the reader into the environment of the animal that is centered at each chapter and this captivating storytelling makes this book hard to put down.

I thoroughly enjoyed immersing myself in the various ecosystems depicted in this book. I have a way better understanding of the climate change issue and I appreciate a resource available like this book. I always love a book that I learn something and I learned a lot. A few animal facts that I have been sharing is that jellyfish are plankton and sea otters can hold their breath for five minutes.

This book is marketed fir children ages 8-12 but I would recommend it for parents too! If you have curious kids like I do, this book will help you explain the science behind climate change and uses animals to make it relatable and interesting for kids. My children ask me a lot of science questions that I do not have the best understanding and now I feel more confident in explain if the science behind our climate issue.

EDUCATORS

This book should be in every educational environment. Educators can create various lessons that incorporate zoology, geography, microbiology, chemistry and art to teach the concepts of this book. For example, a lesson about the contributions of sea otters can also be used to discuss California geography, children can artfully create sea otter “pockets” and discuss plant life cycles. The possibilities as this book as a teaching resources are endless.

Overall, it is a great read.

Let’s take a peak inside! Make sure to add this book to your bookshelf and send a copy to your teacher’s classroom bookshelf also!