With so much going on in the world these days, it can be hard to keep up. For example, did you know about the Plastic Free July challenge? Because many people consider trips to the beach this month, it is a great time to think about protecting our oceans by reducing the amount of plastic we use.
To help introduce children to the problem of plastic garbage in the ocean, we have two new books.
The Blue Giant
First up is the informational fiction picture book, The Blue Giant by Katie Cottle.
Meera and her mom are the the beach when a giant blue form rises out of the ocean and asks them for help. When they suit up and go into the water they see how much garbage is floating in the ocean and how it affects the animals who live there. Meera and her mom want to help, but is it too big of a problem for them to make a difference?
In the same style as her previous book, The Green Giant, it is Cottle’s vivid and imaginative illustrations that really make the story come alive. She also mentions concrete ways to help, such as picking up trash on the beach and reducing the amount of single-use plastics we buy.
The Blue Giant is perfect for children interested in oceans and in helping our planet. Dive into a copy today!
Age Range: 3 – 6 years
Publisher: Pavilion Children’s (June 9, 2020)
To explore the topic more deeply, we have an equally imaginative young adult title Plasticus Maritimus: An Invasive Species by Ana Pêgo, Isabel Minhos, and illustrated by Bernado P. Carvalho, coming out September 8, 2020.
Marine biologist Ana Pêgo grew up playing on the beach in Portugal. As she began to notice more and more plastic garbage in the water and on the shore, she decided to treat it like an invasive species and study it. She even dubbed the garbage a pseudo-scientific name: Plasticus maritimus.
Regardless of the made up name, the text is a serious look at a serious problem. First the authors introduce the topic with a “field guide” to plastic, including how it impacts the ocean. Next up is an in depth look at what plastic is, including a timeline of plastic production and the different types. Did you know cigarette buts contain plastic in the filters and are the most common form of litter? Ever hear of nurdles? You will learn all about them.
The final sections are an extensive, practical look at what we can do about the problem. In the back are resources for finding out more.
The illustrations are largely colorful pencil drawings, which might give the impression that this book is for a younger audience. The text and the smattering of full color photographs are spot on for the young adult crowd.
Plasticus Maritimus: An Invasive Species is for teens who love the ocean and are interested in protecting it. It is a handy reference that readers will want to return to again and again. It would also be an awesome resource for research papers or persuasive essays. Look for it in September.
Age Range: 12 – 18 years
Publisher: Greystone Kids (September 8, 2020)