Review by Booklist Review
Vast spans of time and complex processes are condensed here into an accessible and absorbing story of how "five blue jewels set a bit off center in a belt across North America's middle" were formed, became populated by wildlife, have struggled from environmental abuses, and have gotten help with rebounding, assistance that readers are encouraged to offer themselves. There are fascinating surprises, warmly related in second person: that the Great Lakes are the youngest major geological feature on Earth, for example, and that they are connected "like a single stair-stepped river." This fact starts a journey on which "you," as a drop of water, travel all the lakes and even tumble over Niagara Falls. The illustrations, maps and other water- and earth-toned drawings and watercolor paintings combined digitally, depict landscapes, close-ups of Great Lakes wildlife, child visitors, and environmental dangers that create an attractive, clear picture of the life of the lakes. Toward the book's opening, small, sequential panels work well to show the development of these wonders over time. There aren't many books for children about the Great Lakes, and in addition to that fact, the closing details on the role of the lakes in Anishinaabe culture and a generous source list make this a must-buy for schools and public libraries.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
The Great Lakes--"five blue jewels set a bit off center in a belt across North America's middle"--get their due in this ardent introduction. Informative moments abound in Rosenstock's profile, which encompasses discussion of the lakes' glacial origins, resident life, and incredible currents and volume. Text frequently urges perspective-taking, as when describing the 300-plus-year voyage a single drop of water might take as it ventures from Lake Superior to Niagara Falls ("If you were a drop of water"). With the help of a full-spread infographic of water bottles, the book turns to environmental matters, effectively underscoring the global scarcity of freshwater and the lakes' critical role in providing it, and impressing upon readers the need for preservation. Christoph evokes Midwestern landscapes with soft washes of color and luminous lighting; digitally combined drawings and watercolor paintings prove a ready companion to the illuminating text. An author's note and resources conclude. Ages 4--8. (Mar.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 3--6--From the author of The Noisy Paint Box and Mornings with Monet comes a richly detailed picture book about the Great Lakes of North America. Readers will discover a wide range of facts about this region including how the lakes were formed, the enormous amount of freshwater contained within them, and the need to conserve this vital natural resource. Rosenstock has done extensive research to include interesting facts: "If the Great Lakes ever spilled over the land, everyone in North America would be swimming in water five feet deep." Readers young and old will learn something new and be inspired to protect these precious resources. Christoph's full-page watercolor paintings provide a soft, artistic depiction of this part of the world. VERDICT While its setting is in North America, this is a valuable resource, especially for libraries supporting water conservation and sustainability curriculum units. A stunning addition to all collections.--Heidi Dechief
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
An invitation to marvel at, and care for, North America's largest sources of surface fresh water. Dug out by a massive ice sheet and just 3,000 or so years old in their current form, the Great Lakes are the "youngest major geological feature on the planet," as Rosenstock writes. She traces the course of a drop of water as it drains from Lake Superior (the deepest) to each lake in succession and then past Niagara Falls and down the St. Lawrence River to the Atlantic Ocean--a trip that takes around 300 years and passes more miles of U.S. coastline than the Atlantic and Pacific coasts combined. She also sounds an alarm at the threats posed by habitat destruction, pollution, and invasive species in the wake of the arrival of European settlers. Christoph's opening scenes of native wildlife and unspoiled natural beauty give way to views of human use, including both a racially diverse group of modern young people drinking, cooking, and bathing and earlier Indigenous residents in canoes, harvesting "only what they needed." Then, images of clear-cut forests and waters polluted enough to catch fire are followed by a glimpse of environmental protesters led by figures in Native American ceremonial garb. Rosenstock invites readers to do their part by caring for wild places and conserving fresh water, after Great Lakes caretaker Kathleen Smith (Enrolled Member, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community) chimes in with a statement of support in the backmatter. A fervent tribute to a treasured natural resource. (author's note, source list) (Informational picture book. 6-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
