You are never alone

The idea that the earth is a mass of interconnected ecosystems is not new, but this book presents the concept in amazing, descriptive detail. Joyous children of varying skin tones shrink or enlarge to enter a variety of settings. Hanging from tree limbs, riding insects underground, swimming with whales, flying on birds, conversing with crabs, among other activities, the children immerse themselves in each environment. They even become microscopic to float among bacteria. Throughout, the positive message that the earth is working and supporting all manner of life is expressed and demonstrated. The author, an environmental educator, states that she wants children to know that "this big beautiful planet is alive." The illustrator built complex 3-D dioramas, which were then photographed to make the book's immersive full-bleed spreads. Photos of the complete dioramas, however, appear only inside the book's dust jacket, which unfortunately makes them inaccessible for most library patrons. No sources are listed, but the book could serve as a springboard for further scientific investigation.--Lucinda Whitehurst Copyright 2019 Booklist

We are all part of the vast universe, and many of its elements, large and small, are within us. It "showers [us] with gifts."The team that is responsible for previous works of philosophical science (You Are Stardust, 2012; Wild Ideas, 2015) takes on yet another huge concept. Beginning with water from rain that provides fresh drinking water and oxygen supplied by plants, then winding through the complex ecosystem that sustains and protects life on our planet, Kelsey provides examples and explanations of how we are all connected: to microorganisms, insects, algae, soil, and every living plant and creature, all of which affect everything in our bodies and everything we do. Children might find some of the scientific material hard to grasp, but it is all elegantly presented in soaring, vivid language that is not a bit condescending. The second-person address posits a singular reader, directly addressed in a conversational tone, and yet emphasizes that every individual has the same connections. Each bit of information is paired with appropriate scenes from Kim's exquisite, intricate dioramas. Double-page spreads depict children of varying races flying, floating, even cavorting with animals and plants of land and sea in fantastical, colorful settings that also contain carefully constructed realistic elements. Endpapers present smaller, framed versions of the dioramas and invite readers to examine them closely.Both important and breathtakingly beautiful. (Informational picture book. 5-12) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.