The wild world handbook How adventurers, artists, scientists--and you--can protect earth's habitats

Review by Booklist Review

This beautifully illustrated book of nature and ecology is full of fascinating facts, activities, and suggestions on how to save nine different habitats around the world. Its inviting format and short, concise chapters offer habitat facts, biographies, a natural wonder, a field trip, an environmental success, DIY activities, and stewardship ideas (personally, locally, globally). A diverse group of naturalists, explorers, photographers, writers, and athletes who've made a positive impact on each ecosystem are profiled. Outstanding examples include Ada Blackjack, an Alaskan Iñupiat who survived alone on an Arctic island for two years; Rue Mapp, founder of Outdoor Afro, which provides opportunities for Black Americans to explore the outdoors; and Bob Coomber, the first person in a wheelchair to summit a 14,000-foot mountain. The book includes websites and a bibliography and index (both not seen). The stewardship suggestions, while not necessarily unique, are easily achievable, and the activities are fun (create a rain-forest biome or frozen time capsule). An entertaining and educational book for environmentally conscious nature lovers that will inspire action.

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.

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Review by School Library Journal Review

Gr 3 Up--Young people interested in conservation and climate activism or merely getting closer to nature will find much to expand their knowledge here. The book describes nine habitats such as forests, mountains, deserts, cities, and freshwater. Each chapter is patterned the same way with an introduction, fast facts, two biographies, a natural wonder, a field trip, an environmental success story, a DIY project, and stewardship suggestions. The chapters can be read independently and out of order. The biographies are a strong part of each chapter. The women, men, and children profiled are an international group who have positively impacted the environment. Many were first in their field, such as Junko Tabei, the first woman to summit Mount Everest, while others are responsible for national and international legislation and protections, such as Minerva Hamilton Hoyt, who advocated for the creation of California's Joshua Tree National Monument. All invite further investigation. The DIY projects have clear instructions and can be completed at different levels. The environmental success stories offer some optimism with victories for the natural world (mountain gorilla protections; Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve). Orlando's full-color drawings beautifully capture all the important aspects of each chapter. Back matter includes websites, a bibliography, and index. VERDICT This accessible guide offers a good balance of detailed information with engaging activities and calls to action. It could be used successfully in STEAM, outdoor classroom, or environmental science units. A strong choice to inspire young changemakers for our planet.--Elisabeth LeBris, Kenilworth SD 38, Winnetka, IL

(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

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Review by Kirkus Book Review

A hands-on handbook that traverses nine habitats around the globe, sharing stories of nature protectors and encouraging new ones. Well-designed and smartly organized, this handsome title demonstrates the wide range of ways the environment can be protected. Each chapter focuses on one habitat: mountains, forests, deserts, polar lands, ocean, freshwater, cities, rainforests, and grasslands. The structure of each chapter is simple to follow and is repeated consistently, including profiles of two individuals, a description of a natural wonder, creative ways to experience the habitat close to home, an environmental success story, a DIY project, and concrete steps readers can take to protect this habitat. With every turn of the page, stimulating stories, compelling facts, colorful pictures, and action items provide ideas for readers. The biographies and success stories are entertaining human-interest tales that read like short stories. The habitat protectors vary in age, gender, ability, nationality, and race--some, like Kenyan Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai, are modern while others, such as Central Park designer Frederick Law Olmsted, are historical. The suggested activities are interdisciplinary, providing inspiration that proves that all types of people can enjoy and protect nature. Orlando's truly beautiful art, with its soft edges and natural tones, contributes to the inviting, welcoming reading experience. A strong choice for any young reader interested in the natural world. (bibliography, index) (Nonfiction. 8-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

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Introduction: The World Outside What comes to mind when you think about nature? The sky-scraping mountains of the Alps, the canyon-carving Colorado River, a field of wildflowers, a thunderstorm? Maybe you picture something smaller and closer to home: dandelions that grow in sidewalk cracks or the honeybees that buzz outside your window. This book is a guide to all the extraordinary and ordinary things in nature, wherever you find them. In The Wild World Handbook , you'll learn about nine amazing habitats--from polar lands where the sun sometimes shines all day, and sometimes not at all, to mysterious rainforests that are still full of secrets. You'll read stories about natural wonders like the tallest tree in the world and deserts that bloom so bright you can see them from space. You'll also read stories about people, because people have the power to hurt nature or to help it--and you do, too. The people in this book had incredible experiences in nature and then they did something about it. They're scientists and activists, but they're also photographers, writers, athletes, and explorers. Each of them started out just like you--an ordinary kid--but their actions changed the natural world for the better and helped us understand our place in it. You probably know this by now: humans have done a lot to hurt nature and the habitats that make up our beautiful, wild world. And we still do. We cut down forests in unsustainable ways, pour pollution into waterways, and take more than we need from the earth. Today we're facing a lot of big environmental challenges as a result of people's actions, such as plant and animal extinction, plastic pollution, and melting glaciers. And all these problems are made worse by climate change and its effects. It can be sad, and scary, to think about all this destruction. That's why it's helpful--and hopeful--to think about these things, too: There are birds that fly in our skies today because someone a hundred years ago cared enough to protect them. There are forests growing tall because someone planted seedlings. There are rivers with cleaner water and healthy fish because someone cleaned them up. History is full of people who destroyed nature and history is full of people who protected and cared for it. Each generation had a choice and we do too: Will we destroy nature and use it up until it's gone? Or will we take care of our world's incredible habitats and help them thrive? You don't have to be a scientist or a park ranger or a politician or an adult to explore nature or to protect it. You don't have to live in the woods or even like to camp. You don't have to own hiking boots or look a certain way or be from a certain place. There are many ways to explore nature and there are many ways to take care of it. This book will show you how. Excerpted from The Wild World Handbook: Habitats by Andrea Debbink All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.

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